What does it take for an alcoholic to quit drinking ?

Question

I'm the non-drinker . you are all so supportive, and i have learned from what you have said so much . It is going to be so hard to chose the best .... Thank you

Answer 1

Here's a list of different treatment methods, ranked by effectiveness: http://www.behaviortherapy.com/whatworks.htm

Here's some practical tips on quitting or cutting back:
http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/DrinkTooMuch.html

Most people (80% according to the The Harvard Mental Health Letter, Volume 12, Number 4, October 1995) quit on their own.
from: http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-effectiveness
"When a group of these self-treated alcoholics was interviewed, 57% said they simply decided that alcohol was bad for them. Twenty-nine percent said health problems, frightening experiences, accidents, or blackouts persuaded them to quit. Others used such phrases as "Things were building up" or "I was sick and tired of it." Support from a husband or wife was important in sustaining the resolution."

I think what it really takes is the belief that their life would be changed for the better. When I was drinking, I had lost the hope that anything could make my life better. Repeated failures using AA's methods and my belief that AA was the only way nearly killed me. I had lost hope.

What I did was get help for the depression I was trying to drink away. After medication and therapy to get me through early recovery, drinking became a non-issue.

Answer 2

DESIRE is a good place to start. Desire to quit drinking usually shows its head when the drinker has hit bottom with only three places to go; Death, Institutionalization, or to Jail.By now the drinker has admitted to him/herself that they are powerless over alcohol and cannot stop drinking alone. Alcoholism isn't a habit which one just gives up, it is a disease that one needs assistance to combat. Most alcoholics are institutionalized either voluntarily or by court order for a minimum of thirty days to detox and learn how to live without booze. Thirty days at a treatment facility is easy. Going home and having to live booze free is the hard part. Going to AA meetings 90 times in 90 days upon release is the best way to get started. Here they will find a sponsor that they can talk to 24/7. Remember that alcoholism has absolutely nothing to do with "will power" it is a disease that is never cured, only put into remission. Never lett ones guard down, because alcoholism is an insidious, sneaky, vigilant son of a ***** that will not rest until you are dead.

Answer 3

That is really hard to do, most of the time. Some people quit for the same reason they started; a very traumatic experience. Don't try to fool yourself by saying you are going to quit. You know that you will always be thinking about the next drink and will probably have it, as long as you say you are going to quit.
Change your friends (for sober ones), change the places you frequent (for dry ones) and avoid that first drink. Telling yourself that you are just going to have one, is another lie.
Find some healthy activities. Some people go to AA for support. I couldn't go there because all they talk about is drinking. That would drive me nuts, but I guess it works for lots of people.
Get honest with yourself and try to find out why you are an alcoholic. If you can't do it on your own, seek professional help.
I was able to get off booze and drugs by myself, but not until I had ruined a lot of other lives. Somewhere in that alcoholic haze, I was able to see that and it saved my backside. I wish you luck.

Answer 4

The person must want to quit drinking for themselves. They can't force them self to quit for anyone else. It may take going to Alcoholics Anonymous or it may take rehab. Different people need different treatments. Alcoholism is a disease, and the alcoholics need lots of support. Sometimes it takes the person losing everything they have to wake up and realize that they need to put the alcohol down. Sometimes they just wake up one day and think I don't want to live like this anymore. If you are the alcoholic I suggest seeking out an AA meeting...they have them all hours of the day in most cities. If its a loved one or friend...they have to make that decision on their own. You can suggest going to AA, but it won't do any good until the person decides for them self that they want to quit. They may go to AA, but it doesn't mean that they have quit drinking. I'm speaking from experience. I was married to an alcoholic.

Answer 5

My friend is an alcoholic. He drinks Vodka every day of his life.
About 4 years ago, he ended up in Rush Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago in critical care over an alcohol related condition known as pancreatitis. He was in critical care for 30 days between 2 hospitals and nearly died. He went into shock and multi system organ failure. His kidneys shut down and he turned all blotchy blue. I cried because I knew he was going to die. Out of some miracle, he survived. Now he vomits all of the time because of digestion problems, he is a severe insulin dependent diabetic. He takes insulin every day. He is now on 5 different meds. He constantly has to be watching his kidneys because they were so damaged, he could slip into renal failure.
My friend stopped drinking for 3 years and then his daughter and son-in-law moved in with him and he decided since the son in law was having a drink every nite, he would have one with him which lead to about 1/2 liter of vodka a day now.
I think the only thing that will make him stop drinking now is death. If he ever gets pancreatitis again, he will never live thru it. I have resigned myself to the fact he is going to die drinking.
There is nothing I can do about it. I get upset because he drinks and his family makes fun of me for it. They think I am being a know it all.
RN

Answer 6

Well first you will have to continue drinking and gradually cut down the number of drinks you drink a day while at the same time began replacing it with an activity that is much more healthier.

Answer 7

hey just like alot of people said determination is the key and try some rehab. It sounds worse than it really is I myself have never been but lets just say my family is pretty ummm..... not good!!! When it comes to alcohol. Pray and have the faith.
Know that you can you can!!! keep it up and you should have a alcohol free life! I wish you sooooo much luck and GOD BLESS!!!!
kALIkUTE

Answer 8

First,you have to want to for yourself.Not because someone told you or asked you.Because you want to.Then you have to stay away from drinking places for a while and friends who drink because it will only make you want to drink,then fill your time with positive things to do.Positive friends are good to be around.Someone else that you could talk with,like a mentor so you can talk to them any time of day or night if you need to talk.I have been sober for 17 years,now.I wish you luck and i hope all goes well.

Answer 9

i know hitting rock bottom doesn't help.... not for everyone at least. unfortunately i have the same problem with a very dear loved one and he quit for the state because he had to be under house arrest w/ a lady who'd check up
(whenever she wanted)on him to see if he's been hitting the bottle... as soon as the three months of house arrest were over he went back to drinking again..... and plenty of bad things have happened to him since then and he still drinks.... what i don't get is how do they say they love their family when they don't love themselves enough to fix this very curable disease! anyway i don't know who it is that your asking for but good luck with the whole situation!

Answer 10

Being an "Trying to recover alcoholic", you have to be committed to quit drink. Go to treatment. Go to AA meetings. Get support from your family and friends. And never think you can do it on your own because it is impossible. I learned that.