The decision to quit drinking doesn’t come easily to most people. One of the first questions asked is how to stop drinking alcohol without rehab. For whatever reason, the idea of going to an alcohol detox and rehab makes many people uncomfortable. For some, it’s a matter of pride, they may be ashamed to go to alcohol rehab.
Others worry about neglecting other responsibilities. How can you put your career or education on hold for 30 days or more to go to treatment for alcohol addiction? For some people it’s just the idea of giving up the comfort and privacy of home for a while that makes them ask if there’s another way to stop drinking successfully. If you or someone you love falls in any of those categories, 1st Step Behavioral Health has written this article to help.
Does Anyone Know How to Stop Drinking Alcohol Without Rehab?
If your alcohol consumption is a concern for you, then chances are you’ve already tried to cut down or stop drinking already. That means you know just how hard it is. Stopping suddenly without going to an alcohol detox can be very dangerous, even deadly.
So, reducing drinking gradually is the only somewhat safe method for how to stop drinking alcohol without rehab. However, very few people who have a steady and growing drinking habit can simply reduce their alcohol intake and stop successfully without support.
Give Yourself a Break
If you have tried to quit drinking without going to treatment, give yourself some credit for the attempt. Try not to beat yourself up about not succeeding. It’s not just you. Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a disease of the mind. If you want to know how to stop drinking alcohol without rehab, the first thing you need to know is that it’s not a matter of willpower or discipline.
It’s a common misconception that all it takes is gritting your teeth and muscling your way through quitting booze. That’s not how it works. In fact, even if you manage to do that, the chances you will pick up a drink again anyway are depressingly high–unless you make some real and lasting changes.
8 Signs That Someone Has a Drinking Problem
If your drinking is enough of a concern that a search led you to this article, then your instincts are likely correct. Drinking is likely a problem for you. But, if you’re still unsure, consider these 8 signs that someone has a drinking problem:
1. Increasing the frequency and amount of alcohol consumed over time. Is there a trend there? Examine your drinking behavior over time and see.
2. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms like trembling hands, insomnia, depression and irritability can indicate that someone has become physically dependent on alcohol.
3. Cravings for alcohol. The urge to drink may be triggered by frustration, anger, stress or sadness. It might be triggered by good news. Or the urge to drink may just appear, seemingly out of nowhere.
4. Neglecting responsibilities: Missing work or other commitments due to excessive drinking is often an indicator that the person’s life has been taken over by alcohol use disorder (AUD).
5. Avoiding family and friends: When someone begins to distance themselves from loved ones in order to hide their drinking habits, it can be a sign that they have an AUD.
6. Neglecting personal hygiene: When someone’s physical appearance is neglected due to spending more time drinking than attending to basic personal needs, it could be indicative of a problem with alcohol.
7. Being unable to quit or reduce the amount of drinking: If someone tries multiple times to quit or reduce their alcohol consumption but fails each time, this could be an indication that they need professional help.
8. Becoming violent, promiscuous or other dramatic behavior changes while drinking. If you regularly find yourself doing things you regret while drinking, that’s a red flag for an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
Is It Safe to Quit Drinking Without Going to Rehab?
If you’re asking how to stop drinking alcohol without rehab, shouldn’t you also ask if it’s safe or even effective to do so? The first thing you need to know is that alcohol is one of only three categories of substances which have potentially deadly withdrawal symptoms. The other two are benzodiazepines (like Xanax) and barbiturates.
You must NEVER abruptly stop drinking or using any of these substances without some form of medical consultation and support. Hundreds of people die from alcohol withdrawal induced seizures every year. Even if you attempt to stop drinking without going to rehab, you should go to an alcohol detox, at minimum for your own safety and comfort.
Why Should I Go to an Alcohol Rehab?
The second thing to consider regarding how to stop drinking alcohol without rehab is the end result. Let’s say you manage to carefully reduce your drinking slowly over time with your doctor’s support or you decide to go to an alcohol detox for 5 days. What happens next?
Most people who develop an alcohol use disorder have more going on than just a physical dependence on alcohol. Whether it’s depression, anxiety, unresolved trauma or something else that helps fuel your drinking, simply removing the alcohol doesn’t solve the problem. Upwards of 70% of the people who check into alcohol detox and rehab are eventually diagnosed with a co-occurring disorder like depression or anxiety. Attending an alcohol detox, followed by
How Can I Go to Rehab for Alcohol Addiction?
If the idea of rehab sounds just a little more appealing to you now, but you’re worried about job responsibilities and other concerns, don’t get ahead of yourself. The fact is that millions of Americans go to rehab every year. If work is the concern, you are eligible for FMLA protection as long as you have been a full-time employee for at least 1 year and your company has 50 employees or more. Where there is a will, there is a way.
The important thing is that you recognize you have a problem with alcohol and that it will get worse if you don’t address it. We suggest keeping an open mind about alcohol detox and possibly treatment at a rehab afterwards. Consider all your options. If you want to talk about it and get some answers, give us a call.
1st Step Behavioral Health has Solutions
1st Step Behavioral Health has over 22 years of experience in helping people just like you or your loved one overcome alcoholism. We’re ready to listen and we’re here to help. Give us a call at (855) 425-4846 begin a chat on our site or submit your health insurance for verification using our confidential form here.
