Frequently when people come to one of my alcohol awareness classes, they know that they need to stop drinking alcohol. But they don’t know exactly how they should stop. Here are some ideas that you might find useful:
1. Don’t associate with people who are drinkers or who might tempt you to drink.
2. Don't go to places where you might be tempted to drink. Don't go to the taverns where you used to drink alcohol and don't hang out with people who might encourage you to drink.
3. Look through your cabinets and search for and throw away every single bottle of alcohol. If you have a spouse or roommate who drinks alcohol, kindly ask them if they would drink when you're not around.
4. Advertise it to the world that you want to quit drinking. Try to get support and encouragement from your family friends, and people who have been in your shoesand can help you with your goal.
5. Get help with the psychological and emotional issues related to your drinking Many people begin drinking alcohol to get away from problems. Or some people find that their alcoholism is something that has been going on in the family for some time. Find a professional therapist you feel comfortable talking to about your problems.
6. Find positive and interesting hobbies to keep you busy. Sometimes something as simple as a distraction can push away the thoughts of drinking.
7. Give yourself reachable goals and take it one step at a time. possibly you can't stop all at once, so maybe you could just gradually slow down your drinking day by day.
8. Reward yourself when you don't consume alcohol. For every day, week, or month that passes and you don't drink, celebrate with a gift! Give yourself incentives to keep going.
9. Visualize yourself and how you will feel when you've completely ended your drinking. Visualization is super powerful in instilling into your subconscious that you are committed to this goal. Do these visualization exercises in the morning and at night.
10. Find yourself an alcohol class so you can find out more about your drinking and it’s effects on you. Knowledge is power!
Remember that stopping drinking is hard. Sometimes it takes more than willpower... don't forget to seek professional medical advice!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Get Healthier by Giving Up Alcohol
Often when I teach alcohol awareness classes students have the question , "Is alcohol really that bad for you?" This article will talk about some of the main physical benefits of not drinking anymore, and then will discuss the mental and psychological advantages of quitting drinking.
You are not going to hear too many arguments in favor of consuming alcohol. Of course some studies will say a bit is good for the cardiovascular system or that a glass of red wine everyday makes for a healthy heart and increases longevity. Science, however, is not conclusive about any beneficial effects of alcohol. In regards to the wine hypothesis that is still under debate, grape juice and grapes themselves proved to be equally effective.
There are many proven positive effects when one stops drinking alcohol. There are numerous studies that show how not drinking alcohol improves your physical and mental health. Non-drinkers have far less chance of developing cirrhosis of the liver, pancreas damage and many forms of cancer. Alcohol dehydrates your body. After you stop drinking, one of the earliest positive physical effects you will see is that you skin will become clearer, more vibrant and younger This happens in only a few days of stopping drinking. It's incredible what being hydrated will do for your appearance. An increase in energy is another effect that you will feel in the first week of quitting.
While the physical effects on your body are very important, it is positive state of mind and mental effects that will be most noticeable. If you ever have quit a substance that you had been using often or sometimes abusing you know that at you begin to realize that you do feel better. You are proud of the fact you have stop using and even more pleased that you feel good about it. Improved self-regard gives a huge boost to those who quit drinking.
You will find that when you stop drinking you will have more time - for work, sports, friends, and family. Life is all about getting involved in personal relationships with other human beings. As you begin to feel better physically, mentally, emotionally and psychologically you will become more involved in your life, and those who care about you will also enjoy the benefits as you reconnect on a healthy, upbeat level.
As you reenter life after alcohol old hobbies may regain the pleasure you once knew, and the idea of trying out something new will sound exciting. New interests like art, athletics or social clubs could invigorate and bring fullness to your life. Having a positive self-image will most definitely make you more optimistic. Healthier brain cells working in unison make life more pleasurable.
In closing, I encourage each of you to quit drinking for 30 days. See if you feel better. You might need an alcohol class to help you determine how to do this. Be aware of your moods, good and bad (there may be some strong ones at the beginning if you are a heavy drinker).
Despite its legal status, it is important to be know that alcohol is a drug and its use should be controlled. If you or anyone you know seems to be suffering from alcohol dependence, please have them seek help immediately. There are online alcohol class options to take voluntary and involuntary courses on alcohol rehabilitation.
You are not going to hear too many arguments in favor of consuming alcohol. Of course some studies will say a bit is good for the cardiovascular system or that a glass of red wine everyday makes for a healthy heart and increases longevity. Science, however, is not conclusive about any beneficial effects of alcohol. In regards to the wine hypothesis that is still under debate, grape juice and grapes themselves proved to be equally effective.
There are many proven positive effects when one stops drinking alcohol. There are numerous studies that show how not drinking alcohol improves your physical and mental health. Non-drinkers have far less chance of developing cirrhosis of the liver, pancreas damage and many forms of cancer. Alcohol dehydrates your body. After you stop drinking, one of the earliest positive physical effects you will see is that you skin will become clearer, more vibrant and younger This happens in only a few days of stopping drinking. It's incredible what being hydrated will do for your appearance. An increase in energy is another effect that you will feel in the first week of quitting.
While the physical effects on your body are very important, it is positive state of mind and mental effects that will be most noticeable. If you ever have quit a substance that you had been using often or sometimes abusing you know that at you begin to realize that you do feel better. You are proud of the fact you have stop using and even more pleased that you feel good about it. Improved self-regard gives a huge boost to those who quit drinking.
You will find that when you stop drinking you will have more time - for work, sports, friends, and family. Life is all about getting involved in personal relationships with other human beings. As you begin to feel better physically, mentally, emotionally and psychologically you will become more involved in your life, and those who care about you will also enjoy the benefits as you reconnect on a healthy, upbeat level.
As you reenter life after alcohol old hobbies may regain the pleasure you once knew, and the idea of trying out something new will sound exciting. New interests like art, athletics or social clubs could invigorate and bring fullness to your life. Having a positive self-image will most definitely make you more optimistic. Healthier brain cells working in unison make life more pleasurable.
In closing, I encourage each of you to quit drinking for 30 days. See if you feel better. You might need an alcohol class to help you determine how to do this. Be aware of your moods, good and bad (there may be some strong ones at the beginning if you are a heavy drinker).
Despite its legal status, it is important to be know that alcohol is a drug and its use should be controlled. If you or anyone you know seems to be suffering from alcohol dependence, please have them seek help immediately. There are online alcohol class options to take voluntary and involuntary courses on alcohol rehabilitation.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Who Should Take Alcohol Awareness Classes?
Many people who take an alcohol class expect to be bored and to have the topics not apply to them They come in expecting alcohol as a legal, harmless drink that somehow got them into trouble. Almost no student sees himself as having a problem.
Most people drink alcohol. It is estimated that more over 50% of all Americans aged 12 and older have consumed alcohol within the past 30 days. Among this group of current drinkers almost a quarter admitted to have indulged in binge drinking (5 or more drinks in one day ). Of those adults under the age of 25 the number of binge drinkers increased to more than 40%.
Most of my students think that "only alcoholics need alcohol classes . They think that "street people" and "bums" are typical alcoholics. Many people have a mental picture that all alcoholics are "complete losers." This is not reality People who abuse alcohol come from all walks of life, from corporate CEOs, teachers, attorneys, firemen. You name it. There is no race or profession where alcoholism does not exist.
Heavy drinking is binge drinking 5 or more times in a single month. Many of my students, especially those under 25, were shocked to learn that they have regularly engaged in binge drinking, and that this behabior is abusing alcohol, regardless of how old you are.
One of the most significant aspects of an alcohol awareness class is meet the realities of alcohol - the risks to your mind and body, as well as learning drinking patterns and how each student fits in. With court-mandated alcohol classes, you have a group of people who have all had at least one problem situation in their life related to alcohol. That is why they are sitting in my classroom in the first place.
As the alcohol class proceeds I slowly see the recognition on their faces as the students try to place themselves within the national patterns. There is not a student that cannot relate to the topics at hand. Recognizing and admitting there could be a problem can be the toughest challenge people who drink face. This doesn't mean that all drinkers have a problem. In fact most people can master their drinking and do not have a problem.
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