Alcohol addiction is an unconditional evil for a person, so everyone should know what will happen if you suddenly stop drinking alcohol, with the usual rhythm of life and the general state of the body. None of us is safe from alcoholism, since dependence on it is formed gradually and imperceptibly, starting with a pleasant time at the table with friends. But the simple happiness of communication quickly enough turns into a death run in a vicious circle, from which it is very difficult to escape.
True, today there is such an opportunity, thanks to innovative methods of correcting addiction, with the help of which the addiction to drinking alcohol is overcome for any reason.
It is impossible to predict exactly how this will happen, since separation leaves many consequences, depending on a number of factors. Among them, the following are considered the main ones:
- Genetic predisposition.
- Gender and age.
- The quality of the alcohol consumed.
- Doses.
- Duration of ethanol use.
- Human psychomotor skills.
In fact, all changes in the body can be divided into: somatic (physical) and psychological.
The diary of a thirsty man: what is it?
Psychologists say that for a person who quits drinking, a special Internet diary on the site for combating addiction can become a lifeline.
It is conducted daily and is open to everyone who has the same problems. The support it receives from fellow sufferers greatly increases the chances of success. Every day, electronic records record everything that happens to a person who has given up alcohol: exacerbation, breakdowns, improvement of the condition. There you can clearly trace the relationship between the strength of drinks and withdrawal symptoms after refusing them, calculate the financial component of the process of aversion from alcohol, and see the amount of alcohol consumed.
Most importantly, keeping a diary helps to find the very starting point when the most dangerous part on the path to sobriety, the so-called "point of no return", has been passed, and each new day confirms the correctness of a person's actions by the state of the body.
In addition, the diary stimulates the analytical activity of the brain, helps to restore the concentration of brain activity, and speeds up the recovery process. The need to keep daily records, assess the actions of the addict by others, doctors, becomes a reliable support and support in the decision to part with alcohol.
It is necessary to understand that the chosen path is long. Treatment for alcoholism is complex, it includes both inpatient treatment and an outpatient visit to a narcologist for a year or two years (all individually), because a person does not know how to live without ethanol.
The anonymous society of an alcoholic can help in the process of sobering up, it is there, according to a clear program of 12 steps to sobriety, that you can really get and consolidate the skills of a normal life, and restore its social component. Public discussion of the diary in this case can play a decisive role in its clarity.
The consequences of quitting alcohol by day
A good help for the diary is this table. It clearly presents the main periods of parting with alcohol in the light of the body's response to this.
It is necessary to understand that the process of refusing alcohol is difficult, and even a fatal outcome is possible in case of mistakes in the steps to implement it.
It all depends on the duration of alcohol abuse, doses of ethanol, the state of the body destroyed by it, and the adequacy of therapy. It should not be forgotten that a sudden refusal is always hard to bear.
| A period of time | Symptoms | Therapy |
|---|---|---|
| 24 hours | Suppression of the most important functions of the body: hangover, tremors, headache, tachycardia, pressure surges, intoxication, lack of appetite, depression, insomnia. | The patient at home is provided with abundant drink with detoxification drugs, sorbents. Pain relievers, antihypertensive drugs, sedatives, antidepressants that support the heart and kidneys are used - on the recommendation of a doctor. In a hospital setting, and sometimes in resuscitation, detoxification and supporting the main systems of therapy also becomes the basis. |
| 48 hours | Intoxication continues with nausea and vomiting, headache, tremors, nightmares, lack of appetite, bitterness in the mouth and dry mucous membranes, a strong desire to drink. Constipation or diarrhea is associated. | Detox therapy remains the basis, cardiotonics, antihypertensive and antiarrhythmic drugs are supplemented with agents that normalize the work of the digestive tract, and at the same time restore water-electrolyte metabolism with abundant drinking and multivitamin complexes. They continue to relieve headache, calm the central nervous system. |
| 72 hours | Frustration, aggression, irritability, nausea, dizziness. When joining hallucinations, medical attention is needed. | On the third day, along with the ongoing detoxification therapy, they begin to restore the functions of the central nervous system and PNS - nootropics are added. Pay attention to the restoration of liver function - hepatoprotectors. Control urine output. The normal work of the heart muscle, the absence of arrhythmia is still important. |
| Fifth day | The hangover recedes, the appetite appears, the symptoms of intoxication melt. All alcohol is removed from the blood. | Powerful detox therapy is replaced by sorbents, sugar levels are controlled, diuresis is considered. Supports the health of the liver and pancreas. She continues to take antidepressants, nootropics, hepatoprotectors. There is a danger of a breakdown, since the craving for alcohol increases, as a compensatory psychological reaction to the complete cleansing of the body from it. Ethanol supplies the brain with light carbohydrates. This is a habit and giving up alcohol can cause hypoglycemia. This also needs to be taken into account and stopped in time with glucose. |
| A week | Appetite and digestion are normalized, sleep becomes deep, there are no nightmares, dry mouth disappears, the liver is painless. Heartburn is possible. Potential impotence is especially unpleasant. | Particular attention is paid to the restoration of the immune system. Immunostimulating and immunomodulating therapy joins. She continues to take symptomatic medications. Detox therapy is canceled. Heartburn is relieved with antacids. |
| Two weeks | Consciousness is clearing up. | Against the background of symptomatic therapy, together with a doctor, a daily regimen, a balanced diet, a regimen of administration and gradual withdrawal of drugs are developed. Auto-training is connected. |
| Month | The patient begins to think adequately, realizes that he has stopped drinking, the emotional perception of life and sexual function are restored. The pastiness disappears, the teeth whiten, the bruises under the eyes disappear. | At this time, it is useful to have a special wallet, where to put money that could be spent on a bottle, spend more time in the fresh air, try dosed physical activity. At this moment, there is a danger of a breakdown of a different genesis: if suddenly a former alcoholic sees a bottle or an old drinking companion. |
| 60 days | Immunity is restored. | This is the period of full clinical and laboratory examination in order to identify weak points in the body, correction of this pathology. Sometimes the treatment of impaired functions takes a long time. |
| 90 days | Psychosomatics is normalized, irritation goes away, the body is working normally, well-being is good. | It is extremely useful for a former alcoholic to take up an interesting hobby, to have a pet, auto-training is still important. At this time, you should reconsider your attitude towards others, exclude communication with a drinking company, spend more time with your family. |
| Half a year | The person regains the former psycho-emotional and social state. | The most important thing at this time is ongoing auto-training, a hobby, family and a goal in life, set clearly and clearly. The program, drawn up on the 30th day of quitting alcohol, is still relevant. At this time, there is an improvement in the financial condition of the family due to the saving of money spent on alcohol, and the increased efficiency of the former alcoholic drinker. Career growth is possible. |
| Year | The functioning of all organs and systems is normal. | Return to a fulfilling life without alcohol. Psychological and financial well-being. |
Recovery period
This is a very difficult stage of time. In order for the recovery period to be successful, you need to understand a simple thing: alcohol is a poison, so no non-standard treatments, except for powerful detoxification and the quickest elimination of ethanol toxins from the body, are required.
In fact, each poison is special, and for each toxic substance there is an antidote, without the use of which a person dies. Yes, and everyone has their own characteristics of the organism. But always for successful treatment it is necessary to stop the intake of any poison. After that, all systems should be cleaned and put in order.
If the detoxification of the body is carried out according to general rules, then there is no single recovery method, everything is purely individual. You need to know what exactly the person is poisoned with (brand of alcohol), the dose of the poison taken, the state of the internal organs. That is why it is always better to start giving up alcohol under the supervision of a doctor.
Especially if after the abolition of ethanol intake, the state of the body deteriorates sharply. Only a doctor is able to choose the right antidote and, if necessary, carry out resuscitation measures.
The same is with the process of cleansing the body. Everything is individual. Someone has enough of their own compensatory capabilities. After all, with the cessation of the intake of alcohol, self-healing processes are started, ethanol is completely excreted on its own, without the use of medicines.
However, if the amount of accumulated alcohol metabolites is too large, then outside help is needed: the introduction of detoxification solutions that dilute the concentration of toxins, stimulate their excretion and maintain the functionality of the kidneys, liver, heart, and pancreas.
The most difficult recovery period awaits those who have been in a state of binge more than once. They have the maximum depletion of nerve forces, energy credit. This is a state when a chemical activator of its energetic capabilities constantly enters the body, for which then you have to pay with nervous exhaustion: pay in interest.
The analogy of those who quit drinking is very pertinent to those who, having got used to living in debt, suddenly abruptly refuse loans. It is very difficult, unpleasant and unusual. But when a person slides off this financial and credit needle, after a short time begins to experience psychological comfort and confidence in the future.
So it is with alcohol. It's hard to quit, but the future is worth it. You can imagine yourself at the foot of the emotional-energetic staircase, and on the upper floors - a calm, happy, prosperous life. You just need to take a few steps towards it.
The physical addiction myth
There is a strong idea among the people that it is a mistake to stop drinking immediately, abruptly. You need to do this gradually, it will be easier and easier. But this is just another myth.
Abrupt withdrawal from alcohol is the only correct way to solve the problem of alcohol addiction. The gradual parting with ethanol will inevitably lead to a return to it, since there will come some point when relieving stress or the desire to demonstrate their beyond capacity will be easiest to accomplish with the help of an additional dose of alcohol.
To make it easier to part with an addiction, it is necessary to understand and accept that craving for alcohol is formed exclusively at the level of the psyche and never at the level of the physical needs of the body.
Life without alcohol
It is difficult for a person who has stopped drinking to socialize in everyday life, therefore psychologists and narcologists offer several simple rules, following which you can greatly facilitate this process.
Non-alcoholic feast
It turns out that at the festive table you can share the fun with others and without ethanol. Remember that energy drinks have a negative effect on the heart and blood vessels, and non-alcoholic beer contains about 1% alcohol.
Even kvass is not safe for a person who quits drinking; it contains alcohol.
It is better to use delicious tea with lemon, rose hips with honey, a milkshake - this is all in the piggy bank of sobriety and good mood at the table.
Relief of stress
Everything is simple here: stress is relieved by exercise. By loading the muscles, we unload the head. You can turn to physiotherapy: cocktails with a high oxygen content will also make you spend energy to overcome stress, relieving the nervous system.
Yoga will help out many. It replaces smoking and stress pills. A sweet tooth will help out honey, jam, candy and ice cream cake. Sugar will play the role of an activator of the pleasure center and create the illusion of complete well-being.
Cooking food
Many recipes involve the use of alcohol: barbecue marinades, cognac in cake cream, stewing meat in wine sauce. But all this can be easily replaced without loss of taste, the development of unnecessary complications.
Grape vinegar or Isabella juice is an analogue of wine, a bouillon cube - beer, ginger - champagne, cherry liqueur - is identical in taste to syrup with cold mineral water.
In addition, you can use the following knowledge:
- Self-hypnosis is a guarantor of no return to alcohol.
- If you feel like drinking, you can drink anything other than alcohol helps 100%.
- To constantly spend time in the air, preventing hypoxia.
- In case of digestive problems, try to normalize it in natural ways: a diet with a lot of vegetables, fiber, prunes with kefir at night.
- Drink 10 glasses of pure water per day.
- A shower in the morning tones up and creates a good mood.
- Avoiding unnecessary feasts, watching comedies more often with the family, indulging yourself with your favorite sweets - all this drives away depression.
- Share your experiences with loved ones.
And then life without alcohol will bring joy.