New Year’s Day (and Every Day) Is the Best Time To Quit Alcohol
The New Year offers the hope of a clean slate for many — when January rolls around each year, people often make resolutions to get healthier.
According to an article published by Statistic Brain, about 44% of people make New Year’s resolutions geared towards self-improvement.
Within this group are people hoping to sober up and get clean in the New Year.
Approximately 14.5 million people have alcohol use disorder in the United States. If you fall within this group, you may have thought about quitting alcohol.
For many, the New Year represents the perfect time to quit alcohol by seeking treatment. Whether it is the New Year or any other day of the year, it’s always the right time to begin the journey to quit alcohol use.
For 24/7 support, call Zinnia Health at (855) 430-9439.
Reasons Why People Want To Quit Alcohol in The New Year
The New Year can represent a time for a fresh start. The end of the year and the beginning of a new one can encourage people to assess their lives.
They may think about the past year and the unhealthy habits holding them back from being their best self.
Some common reasons people may try to quit alcohol in the New Year are as follows:
- They are concerned that they have a problem with alcohol.
- They are worried about how much alcohol they are consuming. They notice that they are drinking more than before or more than usual.
- People who are already aware of their alcohol addiction feel that New Year is the perfect time to tackle this problem since many others are turning over a new leaf.
- Some people want to quit alcohol for health reasons or to lose weight.
- They may be “sober curious” or intrigued by what is known as “Dry January” — a month without alcohol that many partake in as a reset into the New Year.
- They may decide to quit drinking because it’s no longer fun like it used to be. Also, clubbing and bar hopping has lost its luster.
- They may want to quit alcohol for their family, especially if they have children, because they see the consequences on home life.
Facing Difficulties in Quitting Alcohol
While many people may feel the New Year is a perfect time to quit drinking alcohol, they find their success is hindered.
Although they have an inner desire to go in a new direction in life and quit alcohol, they relapse back into the old habits. Why does this occur?
People may have various reasons for not sticking with their goal to quit alcohol. There are some common reasons, such as:
- They are faced with unexpected difficulties or losses in life, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, or loss of a job. They then return to alcohol for its numbing effect. They find that alcohol makes them forget about their troubles for a while.
- They constantly deal with stress in life. Maybe their job is hectic, finances are a struggle, or family life is challenging. These factors create an atmosphere of tension and stress. So, they want to drink to relax.
- They are experiencing cravings for alcohol. They could also be dealing with the withdrawal of alcohol addiction.
- They haven’t sought the many available treatments for alcohol misuse.
- They have a co-occurring disorder, namely, a mental health issue like anxiety, depression, PTSD, or something else. If the mental health disorder is untreated, it can lead them to drink as a way of self-medicating.
- They succumb to drinking when facing triggers. Triggers can be emotional or physical.
- They are associating with others who are drinking or in a place with drinking going on around them, and they are not strong enough to handle the pressure.
- They don’t have the emotional support to go through it alone as they quit alcohol.
Zinnia Health offers a robust alcohol misuse and addiction treatment program. You can talk to an admissions representative now about what treatment plan would work best for you. Call (855) 430-9439 for additional information about alcohol rehab.
How To Make Sobriety A Success in The New Year
Whatever your reasoning for striving for sobriety, success will involve much more than just removing alcohol from your life.
Living a sober life takes diligence and hard work. It also requires an honest look in the mirror.
It means you must begin living life on new terms and with an understanding of why you drank in the first place.
Some tips to help you make sobriety a success are:
- Educate yourself on withdrawal symptoms, so you will know what is involved.
- Prepare to seek help if you are a heavy drinker because it will make the transition safer.
- Look for support groups in your area, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Celebrate Recovery.
- Connect with a support system that knows about alcohol addiction, so they can encourage you and hold you accountable.
- Check the options at rehab facilities if you have a severe alcohol addiction. They will offer both inpatient and outpatient treatment services.
- Take action to remove yourself from the people and places that tempt you to drink. You may need to reinvent how and where you spend your time to ensure you are in environments that help you stay sober.
- Find a spiritual path, such as meditation, prayer, yoga, reading, or journaling, to help you process your feelings.
- Involve your friends, family, and loved ones, so they know about the changes you are making. Be sure your immediate circle knows how they can be there for you.
Don’t be afraid to seek professional help. Often, people who are drinking are doing so to mask a co-occurring disorder such as depression or anxiety.
Most people seeking sobriety need therapy, as it can drastically help them change negative patterns.
You Don’t Have to Wait for a New Year To Quit Alcohol
Alcohol addiction affects millions of people and has proven to be one of Americans’ leading substance abuse issues.
A person considering recovery or treatment can live a healthy, abundant life if they take the proper steps to make it happen.
This means taking real action towards the life they’ve been dreaming of.
Take the first step towards a brighter future. You don’t have to wait for the New Year. You can seek treatment to quit alcohol today. You don’t have to do it alone. At Zinnia Health, you’ll find many treatment programs designed to help you reach your goal of sobriety. Start the road to recovery by contacting us today or by calling (855) 430-9439.