How to Stop Binge Drinking

Sometimes drinking can be real fun. You head out with a bunch of friends, down a couple of drinks, feel tipsy and find it easier to let go and be carefree. All this is great until you transform into a binge drinker, and end up drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short span of time.

You seem to be getting used to it, and suddenly realize that this habit is not natural. You are warned and you know you want to stop, but how do you get down to doing it? Let's clarify at the outset that there is no magic formula that will help you stop binge drinking completely.

It requires self-motivation and help, and only if you are willing to accept both these factors will you be able to be successful in the process. Here we attempt to identify what binge drinking exactly is, and some helpful tips that will help you stop.

Binge drinking refers to drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short span of time, during which one may easily get drunk. This process can last from a few hours in a day to a number of days in a week to a number of weeks in a month.

It is natural to suffer from some extreme alcohol withdrawal symptoms after a bout of binge drinking which can be quite disturbing. If you think that it is not harmful if you do it just once a week you are mistaken. If not immediately, this kind of drinking can be harmful in the long run.

Moreover, if you happen to consume a lot of alcohol in a short time period it can immediately lead to difficulty breathing, coma, heart attacks, and even death. When a woman drinks more than four alcoholic drinks and a man drinks more than five such drinks in a short span of time, it can be termed as binge drinking.

To stop binge drinking you have to first identify that you have a binge drinking problem, then go about trying to resolve it.

➪ Why do you Indulge in Binge Drinking?
Stopping the habit first requires you to understand why you indulge in it.

There could be a lot of factors that induce this habit, which may include peer pressure (the pressure to drink in the company of your friends), stressful situations where drinking for a short period makes you forget all about it, or simply the sheer thrill that you get out of drinking so much in so little time.

Once you nail the reason, you will be able to work on your problem accordingly. For instance, if it is peer pressure, you know that you have to stop hanging out with that crowd for a while. If it is a stressful situation you have to understand that the only way of getting rid of the worry is to face it and get through it.

No amount of drinking can replace your effort to solve a problem by facing it. Finally, if it is just thrill, remind yourself of what you are doing to your body for few moments of excitement. Yes it is a great idea to get into the groove of the moment and give in to your desires; it is in fact healthy.

However, overdoing anything has never proven good for anybody and you are no exception. The effects of this habit are bound to catch up with you sooner or later and then will have you repent over your actions, and the fact that you didn't cut back sooner.

In short, addressing the root cause of your problem is what will help rather than just seeking comfort in alcohol.

➪ Help is at Hand
You just have to accept that you need help in order to stop binge drinking.

This help begins with the support of family and friends. These are people who are willing to do whatever it takes to get you to stop this habit, but you have to be open to this help. This openness comes with acceptance. Don't be ashamed to admit that you are suffering from a problem.

In fact, doing so will relieve you, and increase your self-respect along with your respect in the eyes of others. Let your loved ones help you in whatever manner they can. If you can't seem to be helping yourself, ask for help from these individuals.

Further, if you think the problem has gone out of hand, seek professional help such as that of a group such as Alcoholics Anonymous, or that of a counselor who will help you get over the problem slowly and steadily. Some therapists may use hypnotherapy to help you overcome this problem.

Undergo it if you are convinced that it will work, and seek the advice of those around you on methods of getting the right kind of help. Once you adopt these methods, you will feel light-hearted and your lifestyle will change for the better.

These are two very important tips that will help you stop drinking alcohol. Apart from these, engaging in other activities to replace the time spent drinking, exercising, and spending time with positive, healthy people are definitely going to help you.

All you need to remember is that you can overcome any problem, including binge drinking, as long as you are willing to. Once you make a decision and remain focused on it, there is no looking back. Try it out for yourself and see the results. Good luck!