What if You Can't Quit Drinking?
Most of us have been through it: huddled about the toilet, either feeling sick or actually vomiting because we had too much alcohol to drink. You may have even felt so nauseous that you wanted to vomit - or you made yourself vomit - just so you could get it over with and start feeling better. Chances are that you also told yourself at that time that you were either not going to drink like that again, or that you would quit drinking, once and for all. Unfortunately, that resolution didn't take hold, and you found yourself drinking as much as ever - perhaps even the next day.
What happened? Simply put, when we ARE drinking, everything seems fine. It's afterward that all the repercussions finally hit home. We never realize how badly alcohol is destroying our lives until we are huddled over that toilet getting sick, or appearing before a judge because of a DUI or alcohol-related legal matter.
Getting Back in Control
There are 3 main reasons that most people get carried away when they drink. If you find yourself abusing alcohol then it's most likely because of one of the following:
First, binge drinking. This includes doing shots or slamming beers for the express purpose of getting drunk. Unless you're under tremendous peer pressure in college there is NO reason to participate in this type of behavior. It is time to grow up and start acting like a responsible adult who is in control of their life. If you DO feel peer-pressure to engage in this type of activity, like many college students do, it is imperative you find yourself some new friends before your old ones help you destroy yourself. Of course, if you ARE in college then you obviously have a great deal of pressure on you to engage in this type of activity. Please seek help before your life spirals out of control.
The second reason that people get carried away with drinking is when they allow alcohol to become their meal. As has often been stated, nearly all alcoholics and problem drinkers tend to "drink" one of their meals a day. They avoid food, or take just a minute portion, because alcohol is deemed as more desirable in that moment. Obviously, your body WANTS and NEEDS food more than alcohol to look and feel its best, but we all too easily lose our sense of judgment after a couple of drinks, and it seems easy to just to keep on drinking ... and drinking, and drinking.
The third reason that many get carried away with alcohol is that they've made it EASY to drink by storing alcohol at their home or office. You may have fallen into this trap in order to "save" a few extra bucks. or perhaps because you don't want to bother running out to the store when you have company over. Or, maybe you just like having some around the house "in case" you feel like drinking later on. Of course, what usually happened when you did this is that you ended up drinking alcohol simply because it was there.
Here's What to Do if You Feel You Can't Stop Drinking
If you feel you CAN'T quit drinking, or haven't been ABLE to quit so far, then you must take whatever steps you can take right now to reduce your alcohol intake.
Stop trying to quit "cold turkey" ... and, instead, do as much as you can RIGHT NOW to cut back (even a little bit) on your drinking.
Here are 3 things you can do, and the point of these steps is that they will help you focus on what you CAN do to limit your alcohol intake. These aren't perfect solutions that will miraculously reduce your desire for alcohol, but they ARE important steps for you to take if you are serious about getting your life back in control once gain.
- DRINK SLOWLY: Nurse a drink over good food and interesting conversation. Avoid shots. Don't even take the first one. There is NO reason to drink shots, or slam beers unless you intend on getting drunk, feeling lousy, and sowing the seeds for your life to be messed up in every way possible. Aren't you already, deep down, sick of how messed up your life feels?
- EAT 3 MEALS A DAY: Your "secret weapon" to resist getting carried away with drinking alcohol is to get into the habit of eating at least 3 square meals a day. And when you make 100% certain that you enjoy a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner, you'll be amazed at how low the urge to abuse alcohol becomes.
- DO NOT STORE ALCOHOL AT HOME OR WORK: You must never, ever keep alcohol at home or work ... for any reason. When you stop keeping alcohol around your home and office you make it EASIER to be healthy by removing the source of temptation. This is not to say that there won't be times when you'll still run out to the store to purchase an alcoholic beverage, but by making it a less CONVENIENT to drink, you are thereby making it easier to spend another day clear headed and sober. And you'll guarantee yourself another day of waking up feeling good about yourself and your life.
Remember, the only thing that's worse than having an alcohol problem is having an alcohol problem but doing NOTHING about it. You know you have a problem, now you must DO SOMETHING to change your lifestyle. Whether it's the 3 steps above, or checking into rehab, or anything else that can help you cut back, it's imperative that you TAKE ACTION so your life can get better. Don't just sit there reading this article, and wishing and hoping that things were better for you. DO SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR PROBLEM. You'll be glad you did. 