Dry July, Sober October, wine-free weekdays – ever tried to cut back and find yourself bending the rules or moving the goal posts days after you’ve resolved to change your ways?
There are some great apps and online programs to help like Sipless which encourages you to monitor your drinking and control your intake through as series of motivational exercises and goal tracking – this is great for people who, with a bit of encouragement, are able to cut back. Reducing your alcohol intake will result in better health, improved sleep and energy levels, plus significant cost savings. However, for some people, no matter what they do or how hard they try, they simply can’t cut back or stop drinking.
Why can’t some people control their drinking?
We all have that friend who goes out to “have a few” and ends up blind drunk every single time. Maybe that’s you? It doesn’t matter how hard you try; you just can’t seem to control your drinking or stop once you get started.
If you have formed a habit and developed a dependence on alcohol, you could be suffering from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) which is a chronic, progressive medical condition, characterised by an inability to control alcohol consumption despite negative consequences. Classified as a disease and not a moral failing or a sign of weakness – people with AUD simply don’t have a choice around whether they drink or not. If you are suffering with AUD, it’s not that you don’t want to stop – it’s that you can’t.
What are the signs of Alcohol Use Disorder?
If you experience any of the following, you could have a problem with alcohol that you might not be able to solve on your own.
- You often drink more than you intend to
- You find you can’t stop once you start drinking
- You drink even though it often gets you in trouble
- People often comment on your drinking and tell you to cut back
- Drinking is causing tension or breakdowns in your relationships
- You miss work or school or other commitments due to your drinking
- You drink to manage anxiety, depression or burnout
How to stop drinking too much
For most people, simply deciding to stop or moderate their drinking is enough. However, if you’re finding it difficult to set goals and keep them, trying an app like Sipless could help. Give it red hot go and see if it makes a difference not only to how much you drink, but how you feel when you’re not drinking. If you find you can’t cut down or stop drinking on your own, or if you feel worse once you stop, you may need help.
How does rehab help you stop drinking?
People often think rehab is only for park drunks or low bottom drinkers who have lost everything, but rehab is for anyone who wants to stop drinking and needs extra support to do so. It’s important to remember that Alcohol Use Disorder can effect anyone – no matter your age, background, or financial status – and no amount of willpower is going to help you stop drinking.
What makes a residential 28 day rehab program like the one offered at The Sydney Retreat effective, is that it separates people from their drinking environment, surrounding them with support from people who truly understand what they are going through because they’ve been there themselves and found a way out. Through building awareness and educating people on alcoholism, we help show people how to apply the 12 Step tools of recovery to get sober and stay sober.
Want to know more about addiction and the brain?
Listen to Dr Stephen Jurd, addiction psychiatrist explain how the brain of an addict works. Click Here
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