Everyone is an addict! There is nothing wrong with that. But when your addiction overpowers you to the extent where it starts affecting you physically, mentally, economically and socially, it is time to seek help. For any addict, tomorrow is the most hopeful day because he is damn sure that he is capable of getting rid of his craving anytime and there is no harm gulping down a peg, at least today! And, as the story unfolds, in case of most of the addicts, tomorrow never arises.
If you feel a need to take alcohol or a drug for the sake of relaxation or getting rid of anxiety, then this is the FIRST RED SIGNAL for you. Stop then and there only because after this stage, your vehicle will be going downhill with increasing speed and it will be more and more challenging to curb your habit.
There are FIVE STAGES of addiction:
1. Occasional taking of a drink or a drug
2. Occasional binge of a drink or of a drug
The first stage doesn't come under 'addiction' per se, but this is the stage where the journey starts from. The following table will help you determine the stage of an addict by the characteristics given in it. His stage will determine the intensity of craving and the degree of his dependency on the substance.
➤ Signs in Various Stages of Addiction:
(This TABLE is best seen on a desktop rather than on a mobile screen)
➤ Signs and Behavioral Changes Accompanying Addiction Beyond Stage II -
Wherever there is smoke, there is fire…. If you suspect any two or three of the following changes being revealed in someone's behavior, please note that it is enough evidence that the person is going the 'addiction' way.
- Craving a drink (or drug) on a daily basis, especially at a specific time of a day
- Needing a drink (or drug) when stressed out or disappointed
- Confusion, missing appointments and engagements
- Strained family or social relations due to the habit
- Makes commitments, but doesn't follow, offers silly excuses
- Reduced work efficiency or output
- Desire and need to be isolated
- Sleeping and digestive disturbances
- Irritability, indifference or violent behavior
- Withdrawal from social activities in which he used to be interested in
- Engaging in risky activities like stealing or driving fast
- Argumentative, refuse to acknowledge that they are into the problem
- Avoiding and postponing responsibilities
- Memory lapses
- Feeling uncomfortable when drink (or drug) is not available
More or less, these signs are applicable to all kinds of addictions including drugs, alcohol, nicotine, gambling, internet etc.
➤ Daily Permissible Limits of Alcohol
It has been observed that those who drink alcohol are protected from coronary heart disease (This is not the most important sentence in this article!!), but there is a limit to it (< 30 ml/day or 3 units/day). The following table shows medically permissible limit of various liquors per day which contain alcohol. There should not be any room for confusion after going through this table.
- 1 peg = 30 ml
- 1 can = 330 ml
- 1 glass (of wine) = 125 ml
- 1 unit = 10 ml of absolute alcohol
Alcohol intoxication is a condition in which a toxic amount leads to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) that exceeds 0.08 g/dL. Binge drinking is a pattern of drinking that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels to 0.08 g/dL. (typically 4 drinks for women and 5 drinks for men).In the United States, what is considered a standard drink contains around 14 grams of pure alcohol. That equals to 1 big glass of beer 5% alcohol (12fl), or 1 glass of table wine 12% alcohol (5fl), or 1 shot of a spirited drink of 40% alcohol (1.5 fl). No more than two drinks daily and no more than 14 drinks weekly is considered moderate for men. No more than one drink daily and no more than seven drinks weekly is considered moderate for women.
➤ Most Effective Ways to Overcome Addiction
Getting rid of an addiction calls for an equally powerful mental engagement to be given to that addict. Abstinence and detox is one thing, it is a partial solution and substituting the dependence with some other occupation is a complete and long-term solution. We often see very high relapse rates in addicts due to the inability to provide them with some worthwhile substitution. Here we are going to discuss those ways which have given long-term solutions to the addicts. There is a 100% recovery if detoxification is coupled with any one of the following:
1. An Instantaneous Determination: I have seen individuals whose yearning and restlessness to get rid of their addiction reaches a point where they all of a sudden declare that they are no more going to touch the thing again and literally, they abstain from the abuse for life! They do go through emotional upheavals and physical withdrawal symptoms, but they overcome them with their sheer determination. This is really an astounding way of casting aside the troublesome dependence when we see cases of innumerable failures after going through innumerable efforts and trying all possible means!
2. Positive Visualization: Imagine a non-addictive way of life you wish to live. How beautiful that would be! Or imagine the life of your ideal or a hero. Visualize his life as your own. The often you do it, the more it works its way into your mind and heart and these impressions become your way of living. You soon get established in that non-addictive way of life you are visualizing.
3. Getting in Touch with a Spiritually Evolved Personality: The substance you are addicted to is pulling you down and you need some influence which will pull you up. A highly spiritual person is capable of doing it just by a touch or a look. They are capable of giving you the taste of a higher bliss which is 'tastier' than your habit-forming substance. The very fact you still need to have such a substance proves that you haven't yet come in contact with such a spiritual personality. A miracle starts unfolding if you are lucky enough to come in touch with such a soul. Your desire to consume addictive substance like alcohol, nicotine or any such drug starts to melt down like a snow coming in contact with the sun. A whole new perspective is given to you and by your powerful aspirations, not only your life changes but even of those who come in contact with you takes a positive turn. It is like lighting a candle with a candle. Read one such story: THE BLESSED ALCOHOLIC
4. Hypnotism and Auto-suggestion: Your insane mind is like a hysterical pet which has gone out of your control. When you are unable to control it, your hypnotist will do it for you and deliver that trained mind into your hands. You can keep it under check and further train it using auto-suggestion technique. Initially, you need to do it several times a day. Once you feel that it is within your grasp, you can continue and sustain with these suggestions 2-3 times a day.
5. Reading Success Stories or Watching Interviews of De-Addicted Persons: This will build up tremendous confidence. When others have done it successfully, why can't you? 6. Surrendering to the Divine Will: Surprisingly, very few people try this method. Of course, surrendering comes at the very last stage, when you are exhausted of all your efforts. Once, you reach this you will find that the Divine never ignores or discourages you. Your prayers are answered and you feel the presence of a guiding hand which steers your boat through the turbulent seas.
These are some of the productive ways I have seen people getting rid of their addictions with.
1. Saving Jake: When Addiction Hits Home by D'Anne Burwell
2. Addict In The Family: Stories of Loss, Hope, and Recovery by Beverly Conyers
3. Addiction and Grace: Love and Spirituality in the Healing of Addictions by Gerald G. May
4. I Want to Change My Life: How to Overcome Anxiety, Depression and Addiction by Steven M Melemis
5. 12 Stupid Things That Mess Up Recovery by Allen Berger Ph. D.
I don't know about drinking since considering the cost involved , I have never been addicted to drinking but I would like to share my story of how I quit smoking . I used to smoke for 20 years and towards the end I had reached about 40 cigarettes daily . I had many false attempts to quit but everytime went back with revenge . One fine day I told myself I will play a game with myself . After all I started smoking for fun and maybe I should leave it also for fun . I set my self a target of refraining from smoking for one day which became a week , then a month , then a year and now it is almost 30 years since I quit smoking . In my opiniuon , if you treat breaking from addiction as a game , then there are definite chances of your breaking free .
ReplyDeleteIt is said that to quit smoking is more difficult than to quit alcohol, but you accomplished it! :-bd
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