Alcohol addiction is a rapidly expanding problem in the United States. Many people are turning to alcohol as a cheap alternative to depressants to cope with the daily trials and tribulations of life. Unfortunately, many people also develop a dependency to this substance and continue using and damaging their relationships, careers, and health because they don’t seek the proper care of a rehab center for treatment. Alcohol addiction is one of the most prevalent substance abuse issues because of its accessibility. If you or someone you love suffer from alcohol addiction and want to learn strategies to help cope with your addiction, read the list provided below.
4 Tips for Coping with Alcohol Addiction
- Cravings can come on strong and fast when you are in the vicinity of alcohol. The important thing to remember is these cravings usually last around 10-15 minutes. Try to tell yourself to wait at least half an hour before you give into a craving. This allows you to process your decision beyond the physical demand for alcohol, so hopefully you can make the better choice to remain abstinent.
- If you find yourself in a situation that promotes drinking alcohol, leave immediately. Don’t feel you have to stick around to show how far you’ve come in your treatment. Relapse can happen to anyone; it’s best to just avoid the situation entirely by leaving right away.
- One of the most difficult aspects of these cravings is how your mind will try to justify having a drink in certain situations. You may start to think to yourself that having a sip won’t hurt you or something to that effect. Working out strong conflicting arguments to tell yourself in these situations goes a long way in helping your alcohol addiction. Always dispute your urges when they occur.
- Substitution is one of the best methods for alcohol addiction. The thought is to replace your cravings with a substitute, such as an activity or even a food. Whenever you feel an urge come on, you can just turn to your activity and do that instead. This coincides with the 10-15 minute rule and occupies your time until the cravings subside.
Know that having strategies and techniques may not be enough to overcome a strong alcohol addiction problem; you should ask a medical professional at your local rehabilitation center for more information about counseling.