Posted on 24-09-2023 | 10:27
In the simplest of terms, alcohol addiction is a state where a person, inspite of knowing that drinking alcohol is harming some of almost all aspects of their life, is not able to stop drinking.
Let us try to answer some of the common queries people have when they talk about their alcohol issues.
The answer to this question is a glaring "YES".
Let's understand why.
Addiction is characterized by strong desires called as cravings. When you start drinking alcohol, these cravings are emotions that you feel at a certain place, certain time only. But as you continue drinking regularly, the frequency of the cravings increase along with their intensity.
So if you have very very strong cravings of drinking alcohol everyday, then you are addicted to alcohol. The difference between someone who drinks since morning and someone who drinks only in evenings is that the person who has started drinking in the morning gets craving to drink in the morning too.
Measure your level of craving with craving assessment tool.
If you are able to stop drinking alcohol on a regular basis for 6-7 days, and are able to continue it for longer durations like 6-8 months, then in spite of the fact that you might still have alcohol issues, you are managing your life well.
But wait, there is a catch here. What are the health issues you have currently? Are you having an end stage liver disease? Are you having mental health issues like Depression, Panic attacks, Bipolar etc. Is drinking alcohol causing a hinderance in your health goals?
So the problem basically is this. Inspite of the fact that you are able to stop, if alcohol is causing hinderance in resolving other major health issues in life, then yes you are addicted to alcohol.
A lot of people who abuse alcohol or other subtances may sometimes be the busiest and the most successful person around you. Sportspersons, journalists, entrepreneurs, lawyers all of them have high rates of alcohol misuse. Being busy isn't the solution to your alcohol problem at all.
Infact, during early part of your sobriety which is the first 20-30 days basically, spending more time in nature, relaxing, doing light hearted favorite stuff works more. Because you need your brain not to be overexcited or strained, or it will push you to go back to alcohol.
So, if you are looking to solve your alcohol trouble with willpower, make sure that you plan a 20-30 days of an easy going life. That's what works.
If you do not want to go to a rehab it is okay. Not everyone needs to go to a rehab because we all have busy schedules in life.
In case you do decide to go to a rehab, there are some excellent rehab centers in Delhi. Rehabs offer great support during early recovery and you really get to work on yourself without the daily life issues.
But in case you don't, let us move on to the next part of this.
Just like medications are the answer to your physical health problems, similarily medications are the answer to your mental health problems too.
Alcohol addiction is a chronic disease that exists in your brain. An addicted person thinks more positively about alcohol, gets more intense and unmanagaeble cravings than a non addicted person. Medications can help you become a normal person, who doesn't want alcohol. They will help you get out of this jail of constant agony, regret, guilt of deciding to stop but not being able to execute.
We will discuss more about the medication options in our next blog, but remember that alcohol addiction is a disease, and it can be beaten easily with the right medication and counseling support. So instead of trying to prove the science wrong, why not go ahead and become a person that you want to be.
Disclaimer: Our articles and resources do not constitute clinical or licensed therapy or other health care services. If you need counseling or therapy services please contact a licensed provider. If this is a medical emergency, call 911.
Prabhat Sharma