This is a common question that people ask me as a consultant psychiatrist at The Haynes Clinic. Often what they really mean is not ‘how do I stop?’ as many of these people have actually managed to stop before, even if only for a couple of days – but ‘how do I stop and stay stopped?’. Some people do not really mean this at all. What they would really like to know is ‘how do I stop for now and then drink ‘normally’ in the future?’.
The two questions are quite different though in fact the answer to both will ultimately be the same. The people who ask me this have been drinking a lot every day or most days prior to coming to the clinic. They have usually tried to control their drinking or to stop / stay stopped before. They have failed which is why they have come in for residential alcohol addiction treatment. Chances are that people asking both these questions will never be able to drink ‘normally’. They need to stop for good though may find it hard to accept this.
There are two ways to stop Drinking
So back to the question ‘How do I stop drinking?’. Well for alcoholics there are two ways. The first is just to stop, using will power and to go through the unpleasant withdrawals until you feel better. This can be dangerous for some people as they are at risk of a having a fit or experiencing delirium tremens. A fit is caused by the body going into shock when its expected dose of alcohol does not arrive. This usually happens in the first 72 hours after stopping drinking. You get tense and shaky and this can result in a seizure – which looks like an epileptic seizure. This can be dangerous as you can choke and potentially this can be fatal. Delirium tremens is when you lose touch with reality and typically start to get hallucinations, seeing things e.g. rats and spiders on the ceiling, things in trees etc etc. It is therefore not often recommended that you just stop. (This may be music to your ears.) You might be advised to cut down …. Which you might find too hard to do….
Detox
The best way to stop drinking is to get a medically assisted detox which is something I am often asked to prescribe for patients arriving at the Haynes Clinic. The medication replaces the drink and stops the shakes, sweats, anxiety and tension and prevents fitting. It enables the body to detox safely and comfortably. We usually prescribe a 7 – 10 day detox after which physically the body is clear of alcohol and its effects. So this is how you stop drinking safely. The body will no longer crave alcohol. It is now your mind that is at risk and can lead you back to drinking.
We have already noted that most people do not just want to stop drinking. They have done this before. What they can’t do is stay stopped (due to the mind). They start drinking days if not weeks or months later. The effects of drinking get worse and worse. So how can you stay stopped?
Get the Counselling help
The best way is to get the counselling help to understand why you drink as you do, to get a deeper understanding of what drinking did for you when it was something that seemed to be ‘good’ for you. What did it make you feel? What were you running away from when you were drinking? This does not have to be something ‘big’ – it can just be lack of confidence, anxiety, being self critical etc. So we look at that and how we can cope with those feelings and be happy and fulfilled without drinking. And it works!
Live a life free from Drinking
So in summary, the best way to stop drinking is with a medical detox. The best way to stay stopped is to get the counselling that is needed to understand your drinking, why you drank to the extent you did and how you can have a full and happy life without ever feeling the need to drink again.
To start your journey to recovery, please call the Haynes Clinic on 01462 851414.