Giving up alcohol is much harder than it might sound, especially for those who have been drinking heavily for many years, giving up alcohol can lead to difficult alcohol withdrawal symptoms that can test body, mind as well as soul. However, it is possible to give up alcohol for good. Learn a few simple steps that can assist you in giving up alcohol forever.

• Set realistic goals: If you have been drinking for years, you probably cannot really imagine a life without drinking at all.  So set realistic goals. Don’t tell yourself, “I am going to never have a drink ever again”. Your mind and body might give up in a few days if they feel you will never have a drink again. The craving will grow every day, till your resolve of stopping your dependence on alcohol breaks. So make sure you set smaller, more possible goals. For example, quit drinking for a month. It is possible that by the end if the month you don’t even feel like a drink! If not, treat yourself with one.  As long as your body is no longer dependant on a drink to function normally, there really is no harm in having a drink or two on weekends as long as it fits in with a healthy lifestyle.

• Stay clear of temptations: If you are serious about giving up alcohol, you are going to have to make some real changes in your life. If you have stashed a lot of alcohol at home, get rid of it.  Pour a drink or two down the sink to give your brain the message, “It’s over!” The rest, give away to friends and family who would gladly support your action. If you hang out only with friends who like to get sloshed at the end of each day, it is best you find some new friends….and fast. Sometimes, a change of company alone can make a huge difference. Try and reconnect with old school and college friends, join a gym or some kind of classes where you get to meet new people who might introduce you to few other pleasures in life. Take up a new time consuming hobby so you find yourself with less and less free time on hand to sit and dream about a beer.

• Talk about your decision: This is one of the most important steps to give up alcohol. Make sure you advertise your decision to as many people as you know.  The support that you will get from your friends and family will only steel you further. They can be really important for your success because these people can help you steer clear of temptations. Don’t attend parties where you know everyone will be drinking. Instead, spend weekends with close friends and family. Once you have communicated to people around you that you are trying to quit drinking, you’d be surprised to see how many positive activities you can fill up in your day!

Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/glennharper/

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