Making the decision to never drink alcohol again can be made for a number of reasons. Previous history of alcohol abuse can have seriously damaged the internal organs, particularly the liver, to the point at which its performance is reduced. And that by restarting a regime of alcohol intake would put indue strain on it, to potentially fatal results, with therefore complete abstinence the only way of giving you the longest potential lifespan. Maybe refraining from drink is a more voluntary choice, taken because of people around who have been given an ultimatum, and they need a sober support network.
Whatever the reason, there are distinct phases that occur throughout the future days, months and years of non-drinking, each one bringing different challenges and obstacles to overcome. Recognising these in advance give you the ability to prepare your defenses and actions, to continue the total tee-total lifestyle. Each phase is personal to the individual, but destined to occur.
PHASE 1: COLD TURKEY:- The period immediately after the momentous decision. After an initial feeling of relief, determination, and stubbornness, the inevitable chemical changes give rise to withdrawal symptoms. Having conditioned the body to relying on alcohol; to need it as if it were water, to suddenly denying it an essential ingredient to function. The body doesnt accept this willingly and starts to create side effects as to make life as difficult as possible, to try to reverse the decision. This stage is key to building your will power, and level of self-esteem and pride.
Try to set yourself very, very small targets. Make them small, and make them achievable. It could be as small as "not drinking for an hour" or setting a goal such as "walking to the shop to only buy a newspaper". The aim of making them small is to build up the self-confidence about being able to achieve. The task may seem small, but the reward for success is huge. Pride. Pride in being able to do what you have set yourself. Enjoy the feeling. Relish in the success. Crave more of this feeling. Slowly but surely extend the challenges a little, and you will find that the effect of keeping your mind active, and continually boosting your self worth, is the foundation to strengthening your resolve.
PHASE 2: CURIOSITY:- This can occur when after a period of successful abstinence you start to wonder if you are clear of its power. Free from its control, so that you can, maybe, go back to odd occasional sociable drink. Beware!. This is an new tactic to try to affect your behaviour, as the "blunt" process of side-effects has been overcome by will-power. Any thoughts, ideas, feeling about now being able to just try it, should be met with an immediate rejection on the basis of "you dont need it, and have built up the mental strength to feel happy about not drinking.". There are risks in everything we do every day. There is no benefit in having another drink, only a massive increased risk of reverting back to old, destructive habits. Kill that risk, by refusing the temptation. By now others know and accept your alcohol-free lifestyle, so they don't mind you sipping soft-drinks. Don't take the first, and the second can never follow!
PHASE 3: ACCEPTANCE:- Once reaching this phase, there should be no more challenges you cannot face. No more reasons, thoughts or situations where drinking is even an option. You are happy with your new regime. You may have taken up other "addictions" as compensation, such as eating mints, or drinking coffee more than others, or becoming a fitness freak to excess. Acknowledge those too, if they exist, and address those if they become a dependency.
They say that you never ever completely rid yourself of alcoholism. The disease never truly leaves your system. Now and again, it flares up, and tries to bring you down and depressed.
Don't take the old medicine, and it will soon pass.
