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Steps to Take if You’re Abusing Alcohol

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There may come a point in your life when you realize that you’re consuming entirely too much alcohol.

Some people see this coming from far away, while it sneaks up on others. Of course, no matter how it comes about, you need to take immediate action to ensure that your behavior doesn’t stop you from living the life you deserve.

Should you find yourself abusing alcohol, here are five things you should immediately do:

  1. Determine Why You Drink So Much

Once you know why you’re drinking too much, you can then decide how to best deal with this trigger.

For example, you may binge drink when you feel mentally exhausted or burnt out. If this is the case, take things one step further by determining the cause of your exhaustion.

It’s not always easy to pinpoint underlying issues, so take your time. Really think about what’s causing you to drink. With this, it’s much easier to take immediate action that leads to long-term results.

  1. Implement a Plan

It’s one thing to say that you’re going to quick drinking (or at the very least reduce consumption). But it’s another thing entirely to make this happen. If you don’t have a plan, you could soon find that you’re spinning your wheels and making no real progress.

No two people are in the exact same situation, so you can’t rely solely on outside guidance to devise a plan. You need to make decisions based on your current situation and what will be best for you in the short and long term.

  1. Get Help

This is where many people get stuck. They assume that their only option is to quit cold turkey, without any outside assistance. That’s a mistake you don’t want to make.

It’s important that you get the help you need, no matter what that may look like.

Maybe this means consulting with friends and family who can help you get back on track. Or perhaps you need to check into a rehab facility so that you have the help of professionals around the clock.

There’s something to be had, but you must be smart enough to seek it out. Don’t let your pride get in your way. Open up to anyone and everyone who may be able to assist you during this difficult time of your life. Across many states, including California, there have been massive impacts on homelessness due to drugs and alcohol. You never know when you’ll find what you’re looking for.

  1. Set Goals

While your overall goal may be to eliminate alcohol from your life once and for all, that’s not going to happen overnight. And that’s especially true if you’ve been abusing alcohol for an extended period of time.

It’s best to set short-term goals that you can complete within a few days, weeks, or months. This gives you something to keep your eye on as you’re moving through the process. It also gives you confidence along the way.

You don’t need a lot of goals. A handful that is attainable is more than enough to get started.

  1. Find a Replacement

It’s natural to feel like you’re missing something when you stop drinking alcohol. And while you’ll have cravings, you don’t want to turn back now. You’re on the path to a better future, and it’s a must that you stay the course.

Search for something that can replace alcohol in your life. This can be another type of drink or an activity.

For example, exercise may help you feel better while taking your mind off of drinking alcohol. In this case, you can create a workout plan that gives you everything you’re looking for in a replacement.

It may take some trial and error to find a suitable replacement. So, don’t expect this to happen overnight. Experiment with a few ideas, track your results, and then proceed as applicable.

Final Thoughts

You’re not the only one who has fallen prey to heavy alcohol use. This is something that many people deal with.

Fortunately, there’s no such thing as “being in too deep.” As long as you’re dedicated to kicking alcohol out of your life, you can make it happen.

What are your thoughts on the five steps above? Are there any others that you would add to the list?