AUD: Protect your brain from alcohol with 12 measures

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In today’s time, drinking alcohol has become a rite of passage. It is a rite of passage into your teenage years, entering your 20s, celebrating milestones and accomplishments and whatnot. “Social Drinking” is a term often used to describe the frequency of your relationship with alcohol. Then, how is it that drinking excessively has been categorised as a disease? According to WebMD, AUD is considered a “brain disease” due to its negative influence on actions, physical and emotional state.

Regardless of if you were a biology student or not, try remembering when your teacher told you that your brain is a control panel of your body—making your brain an essential organ that controls your actions and reactions. AUD is a condition in which your brain loses the ability to make informed decisions because of the adverse effects of excessive drinking and intoxication. 107 million people are currently suffering from AUD, but plenty have started their recovery journey. AUD patients are often looked down on for seeking help at alcohol treatment centers rather than receiving support.

Here are 12 easy ways that will help you in controlling your AUD

1. Throw away your bottles

Throwing away bottles would be the first step towards the road to recovery. The closer your bottles are, the higher the chance of a relapse. Make it a priority to throw away all the alcohol bottles (full and empty) yourself. Doing this will give you a sense of relief, security, and confidence in knowing that you have taken the first big step towards a positive change.

2. Monitor your surroundings

Have you ever heard of the phrase “birds of the same feather flock together”? How we act is often influenced by the life around us. This journey will be very personal; surround yourself with people who understand this phase. Eliminate people who have a negative attitude towards your decision. Only and only surround yourself with people that give you love, hope, security.

Additionally, avoid meeting people who are frequent drinkers. Self-control is the trickiest aspect when controlling your AUD. Hence, the straightforward method would be to avoid meeting such people.

3. Understanding the reason for your addiction

Vestavia Health simplifies common sense. They say that one cannot control their addiction when they do not know the source of it. Know what instigates the need to use alcohol as a gateway or escape from reality. Everybody has their own story, but the only common aspect is that most heavy drinkers are breaking free from anxiety, external environment, family issues, etc. Here the solution is not quitting alcohol but rather solving the problem from the root by identifying what makes you drink excessively in the first place.

4. Write or use visuals to manifest your goal

The power of journaling has proven to be one of the most efficient ways of keeping yourself in check during recovery. Writing makes your thoughts more structured and helps you feel stable about your plans. If you are not much of a writer, try using positive visuals as a constant reminder to stay determined. Try changing your phone wallpaper into something that will keep you in check. Doing this may help by reminding you to “stop” each time you look at your phone.

5. Detoxification Programmes

A cleanse is known to be one of the most effective ways to control AUD. Many different alcohol treatment centres offer a variety of courses. Even nutrition would help you build back your lost immunity and strength, making you feel internally confident.

6. Talking to people who have overcome or struggling with AUD

Find your community and talk about your experience with the people who have or are currently undergoing similar situations. Joining a focus group or attending AA meetings will help assure you that you are not alone. According to statistics, there is a 50% success rate of recovery from AUD when people join such platforms.

7. Talking to your loved ones

To achieve anything in life, one needs to have a purpose or inspiration for the same. Many AUD patients may not try to recover for their own sake but rather for their loved ones. It is crucial to keep connected with your friends and family that constantly remind you that you will overcome this situation.

8. Say NO to social drinking

Be confident in yourself and your decisions. In most cases, people drink because of social and peer pressure. To avoid this, try premeditating your responses when people offer you a drink or question you about not drinking. Having rehearsed answers will help you stay confident and strong-headed. It is a great way to practice self-control.

9. Find healthier alternatives

Most AUD patients do not have a set time to drink. Instead, they drink alcohol like water or any beverage throughout the day. This habit is challenging to break but easier to replace. Switch to healthier alternatives like juices, tea, coffee that will keep your habit intact in a healthy way.

10. Keep yourself occupied in a routine

The busier you are, the less you will have an urge to drink. Make a routine and follow it rigorously. Start your day with exercise, a healthy breakfast that will help your body recover from the adverse effects of alcoholism. Explore new hobbies to keep yourself entertained and busy.

11. Practise self-care

Self-care is intricate and personal and the most effective tool for recovery. It makes your body, mind, and spirit feel high and valued. It can be as simple as putting on a face mask before bed! Discover what method of self-care you want to opt for, and make sure to take out time to practise it.

12. Curb your alcohol intake

This step will prevent AUD in the first place. Know your limits and instruct your loved ones around you to monitor your actions if you feel you may soon be prone to AUD. Curbing it at an initial stage will save you from later struggles.

Long journey with endless obstacles

Lastly, do not give up on this process. It will be a long journey with endless obstacles. Failures, relapses, judgement from society, and much more will affect your willpower. However, never forget that your health is in your hands. If you believe that you may be prone to AUD or are currently suffering from it, make yourself the priority. Normalise failure and do not be hesitant to ask for help. Curing AUD is like losing weight; it demands consistency, determination, and willpower. Make sure to trust the process and professionals who will lead you through this!

July 2021   www.sweettntmagazine.com

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