Understanding How To Stop Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction is a complex problem that can affect millions of people worldwide. Overcoming your addiction to alcohol requires you to understand your symptoms, the withdrawal process, how to manage it, and the ways you can effectively recover and maintain abstinence.

In today’s blog post, we will explore how you can stop and recover from your alcohol addiction, as well as the symptoms of alcohol addiction and the withdrawal symptoms you may experience.

It is important to remember you are not alone and recovery is always an option, no matter how big or small you feel your problem is.

Understanding Alcohol Addiction Symptoms

Identifying that you have an alcohol addiction may be difficult – especially if you are in denial about your problem. However, there are four stages to alcohol addiction and these symptoms are what you should look out for in each stage:

Stage 1 – Pre-Alcoholic

This is an early stage of alcohol addiction and In this stage, you may find yourself binge drinking more than usual or turning to alcohol to relieve stress or increase your mood.

If you feel you are in this stage, it is important to reach out to those around you so you can get support.

Some of the symptoms of alcohol addiction in the early stages include:

Physical Symptoms

• Minor digestive issues
• Poor sleep
• Weight gain
• Early signs of an alcohol tolerance

Psychological Symptoms

• Poor mood
• Stress
• Guilt post drinking

Stage 2 – Early Stage

In this stage, you may start to develop more of a reliance on alcohol and get agitated if someone comments on your drinking. You may question whether you enjoy drinking any more or if you are becoming dependent. Some of the symptoms in this stage include:

Physical Symptoms

• Regular and extreme hangovers
• Onset liver problems
• Weakened immune system
• insomnia

Psychological Symptoms

• Feelings of guilt or shame
• Low self-esteem
• irritation

Stage 3 – Middle Stage

This is the stage where your addiction may appear more obvious as you try to hide your addiction from those around you and lie. You may have developed an alcohol dependence and may experience withdrawal symptoms when not drinking. Some of the symptoms include:

Physical Symptoms

• Liver problems
• Digestive problems
• Skin and dental issues
• Weakened heart
• Nerve damage

Psychological Symptoms

• Extreme anxiety and depression
• Feeling suicidal
• Aggressive and agitated

Stage 4 – Fully Developed Addiction

This is the stage where you have developed a full dependency on alcohol and are drinking it every day and feel you need it to function. If you feel you are in this stage, you should reach out to friends and family or a rehab centre for support. Some of the symptoms in this stage include:

Physical Symptoms

• Extreme damage to vital organs
• Poor cognitive function
• Liver damage
• Increased risk of cancer

Psychological Symptoms

• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Anxiety and depression

Understanding Alcohol Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms

When you are addicted to alcohol your body becomes reliant on it and begins to need to use it to function.

When you stop drinking alcohol, your body goes into shock as it is so used to the alcohol. You will then start to experience withdrawal symptoms.

These withdrawal symptoms can be challenging to manage and may result in you using alcohol to stop the symptoms.

It is important that you find other ways to alleviate and keep your mind off your symptoms. Some of the withdrawal symptoms you may experience include:

• Shaking or tremors
• Sweating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Anxiety or depression
• Insomnia
• Hallucinations or delirium tremens

How to Manage Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

There are things you can do to reduce the severity of the symptoms you feel and ways you can manage them:

Healthy lifestyle choices – Making healthy choices can help you to feel better about yourself. Engaging in regular exercise can reduce feelings of depression and reduce withdrawal-related symptoms.

Relaxation Techniques – Practicing mindful activities can help you to feel calm and relaxed during your withdrawal process. Trying meditation techniques can help to reduce stress and withdrawal symptoms by keeping you calm and helping you gain a greater sense of self-awareness and control.

Hydration and Nutrition – Making sure you are eating a healthy balanced diet and staying hydrated can make you feel better mentally and physically. Giving your body the nutrients it needs can help to heal some of the damage caused by the alcohol and staying hydrated is important – as alcohol is very dehydrating.

Therapy and Counseling – Attending therapy or taking part in counselling sessions can help you stay on track with your recovery and hold yourself accountable. Talking to someone about how you’re feeling will motivate you to stay on track. Taking part in counselling sessions or support groups such as AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) is a great idea. It can connect you with people in a similar situation.

Seek Professional Support

The first step in recovering from alcohol addiction is to seek professional help. Consult with a doctor, therapist, or addiction specialist who can assess your situation, provide guidance, and recommend appropriate treatment options.

They can help you develop a personalised treatment plan tailored to your personal situation that will give you the best possible chance at remaining sober and regaining control over your life.

Recovering With Home Detox UK

At Home Detox UK we can help you to start your recovery journey all you have to do is reach out for your free consultation and we will do the rest.

We will tailor a detox plan to you that is realistic and suits your commitments so that you have the best possible chance at recovery.

Being able to withdraw from alcohol addiction in the comfort of your home in a safe space, privately with people around you who mean the most to support you can make you feel like you are more in control of your addiction. Begin your recovery today with Home Detox UK.