Alcohol dependency is one of the issues that can affect individuals and their families. Their physical and mental health can be affected by this as well as their quality of life. It is important that you consider these seven strategies to beat alcohol dependency.
A North Carolina drug rehab facility like New Waters Recovery will be able to help. It’s important to make sure you have a treatment plan to ensure you follow through and be able to overcome alcohol dependency. Now, let’s take a look at the following strategies that are recommended by recovery experts.
1. Seek professional help
Indeed, one of the best strategies is seeking professional help. It’s important to assess your alcohol dependency with a medical doctor and a mental health professional. The reason for this is that there is a dual approach to treating your alcohol dependency.
There’s the physical health aspect and the mental health one. As you recover from alcohol dependency, you may deal with the withdrawal symptoms. These can get severe to the point where you’ll need medical attention.
It is one of the reasons why inpatient treatment will be the better fit for those recovering from alcohol dependency. The next point will be a continuation of the medical procedures that is part of the recovery process.
2. Medication treatment
Specific medications can be used to reduce the cravings of alcohol. It will also be helpful in a person trying to quit drinking altogether. Naltrexone and Acamprosate are two of the most effective medications in treating alcohol dependence.
It’s important that you include medication as part of your treatment. Especially when you are intending to beat alcohol dependency. You won’t need to rely on it for every waking day of your life going forward.
On top of that, you will also be treated for any withdrawal symptoms that may occur. It is a huge risk to try and detox at home from alcohol dependency. That’s because some of the withdrawal symptoms can be severe to the point where they can be fatal.
Not only that, you’ll also face the risk of relapsing. The sooner you get the help you need, the better. Especially when you need medication to reduce all cravings or withdrawal symptoms.
Avoiding relapse should also be something someone recovering from alcohol dependency should focus on. Even if they are years removed from recovery, the risk can still exist. That’s why it is important for them to incorporate some of the other strategies that we will be listing in this guide.
Let’s take a look at the first one right now.
3. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT is a type of therapy where your thoughts and feelings are the main focus. These patterns are often negative and are likely contributors to alcohol dependency. The goal with CBT is demonstrating that identifying and changing these patterns will be the main goal.
It’s important for individuals to learn how to manage their cravings and triggers that may lead to them drinking. Indeed, most people utilize alcohol as a way to self-medicate or cope with stress and other life challenges. However, this is an unhealthy way to do so.
CBT is believed to be one of the best therapy treatments. However, it might not be effective for some. For this reason, there are other alternative forms of therapy that you may want to consider. Our next strategy might prove itself useful during and long after your treatment for alcohol dependency.
4. Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a technique that will help people become more aware of their present thoughts and feelings. How are they linked to addiction? Once again, negative thoughts and feelings can lead to someone looking for a coping mechanism or some type of ‘medication’.
They turn to alcohol, which can harm them more than help. Regular mindfulness practice can help them become more aware of their thoughts and feelings. And it can give them the power to be present in the moment and control them for the better.
They will feel less stressed and more in control of the situation. They will see that calming their mind will be a much better alternative than alcohol. Mindfulness is highly recommended, even if it’s not part of your treatment plan.
5. Regular exercise
Physical activity can prove itself useful in warding off alcohol dependency. To dig a bit deeper, it can be great for getting rid of negative feelings and thoughts. As it does for mental disorder symptoms, exercise will produce endorphins that will make you feel better.
This, of course, can reduce the amount of negative thoughts and feelings. Again, a catalyst in what could cause your alcohol dependency to stay alive. You can start out light with moderate intense workouts such as brisk walks, cycling, or swimming.
If you are in treatment, make it a plan to work out regularly.
6. Nutrition
Regular exercise and healthy nutrition go hand in hand. Especially when it comes to improving your mental health and reducing your cravings for alcohol. Eating a diet that is rich in fruits, veggies, and lean proteins will be essential.
Healthy fats can also help with the natural detoxifying process. If you are early in the stages of alcohol dependency, now would be a good time to end it. And good nutrition can help you get over it.
7. Maintaining a support system
When being treated for alcohol dependency, your support system will be there to cheer you on. Maintaining your healthy relationships with friends and family will be important. If you are dealing with strained relationships due to alcohol dependency, you can make the initiative to repair them.
This way, those repaired relationships can lead to positive returns. Especially when you want to grow and nurture a support system that will give you the confidence to power through recovery. Never take your support system for granted.
The key point is that when it comes to beating alcohol dependency, your support system will be the fuel you need to recover.