Controlling Your Alcohol Intake
Most of us have some kind of connection with alcohol, whether it is a weekend drink with our buddies or an alcoholic beverage with meals every day. Cutting it out, even if only for a brief period of time, may be difficult since it has become such a deeply embedded aspect of modern culture—a ritual for festivities, an expected way of life, and an indulgence for whenever we get terrible news.
We figured we'd provide some advice for everyone who took part in Dry July but feel like they may be unable to continue their alcohol-free streak. It’s important to remember that abstaining from liquor when you’ve developed a habit is difficult but not impossible! If you’re struggling to cope while trying to stay alcohol-free, speak to a doctor online for help.
First, though—and this is something that few among us actively do—we urge you to consider how you relate to alcohol.
Knowing how you interact with alcohol
Understanding how alcohol affects you and how you feel about it is essential to regulating your connection with alcohol. The initial phase in creating healthier habits and having a positive connection is realising this.
You may pose the following questions to yourself: ● How many alcoholic beverages do I consume each week? ● Has drinking ever had an impact on my relationships? ● Do I possess a high alcohol tolerance? ● Do I frequently drink more than I intended to? ● What makes me want a drink, exactly?The answers you provide to each of these questions can assist you in figuring out what you require to feel at ease with avoiding alcohol. If the answers to these questions are concerning, you can always find online GPs in Australia to help you navigate safe alcohol use. This way, you can thrive through these dry spells rather than merely surviving them!
Understanding Abstinence from Alcohol
On days when the going gets tough, understanding the changes your body is going through while you abstain from alcohol might help you stay motivated.
Alcohol causes your brain's automatic production of endorphins and dopamine, which causes you to link alcohol with positive experiences and, eventually, makes you need more to get those same pleasures.
The nervous system becomes used to the amount of regular liquor a person drinks over time. When your blood alcohol level rapidly lowers, your brain maintains an elevated condition because the body fights tirelessly to keep it awake and its nerves communicating.
This brings on symptoms of withdrawal. When you stop drinking, you may still suffer withdrawal symptoms, including mood swings, anxiety, and brain fog. This happens even if you just consume a couple of glasses each day.
There will probably be a desire to use alcohol to mask those sensations or get that happy rush again. But you must soar through, and if things get tough, you might need to search for online GPs in Australia for help.
Guidelines for Quitting Alcohol
- Look for substitutesIt may be quite beneficial to trick your body into thinking there is alcohol in your favourite beverage to help you get through any urges or withdrawals.
It's fortunate to be alive in an era where a huge selection of zero-alcohol beverages, spirits, and wines are readily accessible, allowing you to enjoy the flavour and physical pleasures of drinking without the negative repercussions!
If you'd like others not to inquire about why you've stopped drinking or attempt to persuade you to compromise your sobriety, this enables you to escape the limelight in social circumstances.
- Diversify your usual social settingsConsider going to breakfast if you often meet with relatives or close friends for supper or afternoon cocktails. Visit a buddy for coffee, stroll together, or get some delectable food at weekend markets. Making plans for events without alcohol completely eliminates the temptation!
- Create a drink journalA drink journal makes you responsible for every glass of alcohol you consume using the same logic as a food journal. Knowing you're required to record your beverages deters you from sneaking one in sometimes. You may also keep a daily journal of your emotions, the things you're having trouble with, and everything that's becoming easier. Also, make sure your online doctor is aware of these emotions.
- Don’t Ignore The BenefitsChange your perspective and concentrate on the lessons you are learning from the situation rather than what you might miss out on. There are a plethora of advantages to abstaining from alcohol, including a higher standard of sleep, loss of weight, better mood, clearer skin, and an increase in financial savings
These advantages might help you remember why you've chosen this shift (even if this is only a brief abstention) and rekindle your drive whenever the temptation strikes.
It is always harder to quit drinking than just talking about it. This is why it can be tricky, but the good part is you don’t have to do it alone. If you feel unwell or unable to continue, online doctors at Prime Medic can assist you.
