The trouble with trouble is you tend to fall into it much faster than you can get out of it. The trouble with alcohol addiction is it’s much easier to overindulge and grow addicted than it is to quit drinking. So how can you stop drinking? The following ten steps to quitting alcohol are some of the most practical and actionable out there, but before using this guide, you must commit to quitting. Are you ready?
Table of contents
Step 1: Empowerment
Have you ever been told you’re not in control? A great majority of the 12-step programs out there actively teach you are powerless before alcohol. But they’re wrong. They’ve got it backwards. Alcohol is powerless before you.
Addiction is no joke. It messes with the very building blocks of the brain, which is why saying no and staying clean is so hard. But you are not helpless.
The first step to quitting alcohol is to realize you control what does and does not enter your body. You decide whether to take a drink or walk away. You can change the course of your battle if you empower yourself, not your addiction.
Step 2: Admit Weakness
No one likes to feel weak. We often go to excessive lengths to hide our weaknesses in favor of showcasing our strengths. And there’s nothing wrong with wanting privacy when it comes to your flaws. The problem arises when you neglect to recognize and admit your weaknesses to yourself.
We group a hundred kinds of beverages under the label “alcohol.” The truth is there are many different types of alcohol and many different circumstances under which we drink. Some combinations will prove more dangerous than others, and it’s up to us to recognize and admit our weaknesses when it comes to alcohol. Once recognized, we must enact change.
For example, you may have to avoid a particular bar, pub, or restaurant to maintain control. You may have to avoid certain beverages or all alcoholic drinks completely.
Remember, weaknesses will only make you weak if you give them a foothold. Instead, knock them down by recognizing them and adapting.
Step 3: Remember Rock Bottom
The urge to knock back a drink is often strongest when remembering a happy time involving alcohol. When you catch yourself in the throes of a happy memory, take a moment to remember the bad times.
Did you hit rock bottom? Did you do things while drunk that hurt yourself or other people? Stop for a moment to reflect on the bad, and use it to fuel your determination to quit drinking.
Step 4: Remember Why
Why did you quit? Why are you trying to quit? Before you can successfully leave alcohol at the curb, you must know why you don’t want it in your life anymore.
Group meetings and counseling sessions can introduce you to some people who understand your struggle. But remember their reasons for quitting cannot be yours. You must take the time to discover your why. Knowledge is power, and the more knowledge you have of yourself, the better you can empower you, not your addiction.
Step 5: Watch Your Words
How you talk about quitting can determine your success. For example, when using statements like, “I’m trying to stop,” and “I’m so tempted to drink,” and “I miss the old days,” you send out a contradictory message. The people around you, hearing these words, might decide to buy you a drink, thinking one little step into the past won’t hurt. In reality, it could completely destroy your chances of staying clean.
Be aware of your outer talk. Focus on positive, self-empowering statements. And don’t worry for even a second about how others perceive your statements because you’re uttering them for you. The more reasons you come up with not to drink, and the more you vocalize them, the more you will reinforce your resolve to quit.
Step 6: Be Your Inner Cheerleader
Watching the words that come forth from your mouth is only half the battle. The other half is inside. How you talk to yourself counts for a lot.
The challenge of quitting alcohol is huge, especially if you’ve been a long time drinker. And one of the best things you can do to promote success is to become your own inner cheerleader.
It sounds cheesy, but it works. Say positive things to yourself. Take the time to constantly remind yourself of why you’re not drinking. Reaffirm the benefits you are seeing by thinking about them. Constantly remind yourself of the bright future you’re now in, and focus entirely on the person you intend to become.
Step 7: Scare Yourself a Little
What kind of person were you when you drank? What drinking personality did you take on? Chances are, that person scared you. And if it didn’t scare you, it certainly scared someone you love. Sometimes, scaring yourself can help you say no to drinking.
The idea is to be repulsed by alcohol, so much so that you don’t want it. Now, this may take you to some pretty dark memories. Don’t dwell on them, but use them to “scare yourself straight” so you keep fighting to stop drinking and stay clean.
Step 8: See the Future
Chances are you’ll notice numerous benefits as soon as you stop drinking, from physical to mental health changes. Focus on these improvements, and use them to envision your future.
What you did in the past doesn’t matter. What you do today, does. The decision you make not to drink today leads to a better future tomorrow. Consider how much better it can be, and then think about how much better it will be a month or six months from today if you continue to avoid alcohol.
Step 9: Daily Action
An addicted individual’s battle isn’t Monday through Friday. It doesn’t take weekends off; it doesn’t even take nights off! It will be imperative for you to take daily action to constantly do something that motivates you or keeps you clean.
Step 10: Support Matters
Individuals that are addicted to alcohol rarely, if ever, quit alone. Support is crucial, from friends and family to outside counseling and support groups. One place you can turn to for a judgment-free, supportive environment is Absolute Advocacy. If you’re fighting to quit drinking, stay clean, and cleaning up a DUI, we can help. Contact us today to learn how.