Good Tips and Advice for Getting and Staying Sober
This is because the body closes a valve at the bottom of the stomach when digestion occurs. This slows the rate at which alcohol enters the intestines and is subsequently absorbed. There is nothing a person can do to quickly reduce the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level in their body. The liver needs time to filter blood and remove alcohol from the system. However, there is no effective way to sober up quickly other than to stop drinking and allow time to pass.
steps to quit drinking on your own
This can include toxic relationships in which you feel unheard, misunderstood, unsupported, demeaned, unsafe, and/or attacked. If you’re involved in a 12-step program, you likely already what type of drug is mary jane know the importance of milestones. In these programs, it’s customary to receive plastic chips as you progress to the one-year mark, at which time you receive a bronze coin.
Get Help With Alcohol Addiction
At home, without the routine action of fixing yourself a drink and zoning out. This is why, if you want to get sober, you need to survive alcohol withdrawal, after that, to stay sober, you need 30 days. Many alcoholics also turn to religion when they become ready to quit drinking. Meetings with preachers, priests and church members can help and many find that religious-based counseling. AA is a revolutionary program that is designed to change your way of thinking and put you in touch with a higher power that can give you hope.
How To Stop Drinking On Your Own
As such, people may want to sober up to lessen these effects and try to prevent a hangover. During this initial appointment, the provider will assess your level of alcohol use and do a blood test to check liver function and nutrient levels. Some treatment facilities also offer contingency management, which uses positive reinforcement to promote abstinence from drugs and alcohol.
Treatment and a supportive environment can help you get through this challenging time. Maintaining balance in all aspects of life is crucial for preventing relapse and supporting long-term recovery. This includes finding equilibrium in work, relationships, personal growth, and self-care. Additionally, medical professionals can prescribe medications like benzodiazepines to manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of complications.
Understanding Common Withdrawal Symptoms and Their Duration
Setting realistic and achievable goals is crucial for staying motivated and focused on your sobriety. By establishing SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound), you can create a clear roadmap for your recovery journey and track your progress along the way. Understanding the different alcohol and acutane facets of alcohol addiction is crucial for anyone seeking to break free from its grip and live a sober, fulfilling life. Relapses, though disheartening, can be part of the recovery process. The critical aspect is to remain resilient and view each relapse as a stepping stone to successful sobriety.
Aside from detox, most aspects of long-term recovery are manageable outside of a rehab program. Joining support groups or finding a counselor can help you learn new coping strategies and stick to your goals. There are also numerous drink-tracking apps, online communities, and even full treatment approaches (such as the Sinclair Method) that you can pursue more independently, on your own time.
- “Pissed me off to no end and embarrassed me. I’m a pretty strong-willed person but that was the one thing in my life that I couldn’t get to stick.”
- It’s also not unusual to try several times before succeeding.
- This is why, if you want to get sober, you need to survive alcohol withdrawal, after that, to stay sober, you need 30 days.
- While certain techniques may help a person feel more awake, they will not eliminate alcohol from the blood more quickly and so will not lower the BAC level.
- There are even treatment centers out there that focus on holistic healing.
- Because he is a member of a support group that stresses the importance of anonymity at the public level, he does not use his photograph or his real name on this website.
Even outpatient programs can require enough hours that they become unsustainable. Many people simply cannot step away from their daily life for this long without serious consequences. To start with, yes, it is absolutely possible to quit drinking without rehab. There are other ways to find support (often significantly cheaper), and some people can even quit at home by themselves.
Throughout this comprehensive guide, we’ve explored the complexities of alcohol addiction and offered expert advice on achieving lasting sobriety. Remember, with determination, focus, and the right support, you can break free from the chains of addiction and embrace a life of lasting sobriety. The journey may be challenging, but the rewards are immeasurable.
Behavioral therapies are an essential component of many addiction treatment programs, helping individuals recognize and modify the thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to their addiction. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combines medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to provide a comprehensive approach to treating alcohol addiction. Medications like naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram have been proven to help reduce cravings and promote successful recovery. While some people may succeed in recovering from alcohol addiction independently, it’s not typically recommended, especially for those drinking heavily or for extended periods. Addiction is a complex issue that often benefits from professional addiction recovery services. It is always safer and more effective to seek professional help.
It’s best taken with some form of supervision, but there are approaches, such as the Sinclair Method, that can be effective outside of the structure of a rehab center. Some people prefer to stop drinking in their own way, like actress, filmmaker, and podcast host Raeden Greer. Tired of the negative consequences (including a DUI and two arrests) from her drinking, she got sober by managing her anxiety and by substituting new rituals for the ones that used to involve alcohol. At 7, she would steal beers from her family’s fridge and drink them alone in her closet. By high school, she was filling water bottles with wine or vodka and downing them before school.
Drinking plenty of water can also help people stay hydrated when consuming alcohol. Licensed residential treatment facilities provide 24-hour structured and intensive treatment and care, including safe accommodation and medical assistance. There’s no single formula that can treat everyone’s addiction. bac depends on what It’s essential to focus on your recovery rather than the time it takes to sober up. Celebrating the hard work you have done in recovery is a great way to remain motivated. Focus on celebrating your milestones with experiences, activities, and treats that support your new, healthy lifestyle.
Plus, as some side effects can be life-threatening, you don’t want to risk death when you could’ve received help. Otherwise, for those who have a more moderate addiction and just want to white knuckle their way through sobriety, you need to survive the initial withdrawal stages. For example, some people finally get tired of drinking for one reason or another and make the necessary changes in their lives on their own.