AFRAID to stop drinking?
September 8, 2015
Sometimes what you WANT to do can seem harder that it actually is because you’re AFRAID to try. For example, you might want a raise, but you’re afraid of talking to your boss for fear that your job will be in jeopardy. Or, you WANT to ask someone out on a date, but you’re afraid of being rejected. When it comes to drinking alcohol, the FEAR of quitting is often a roadblock that prevents many people from even trying.
5 Common Reasons You Might be Afraid to Quit Drinking
- You’re afraid that you will fail
- You’re afraid of never drinking again
- You’re afraid that you will miss drinking
- You’re afraid of how your friends will see you
- You’re afraid of the withdrawal symptoms
Let’s take a more in-depth look at these reasons, and a better way to approach each one of them.
You’re afraid that you will fail: Many people actually try to secretly quit drinking, as they’d rather others not know if they’ve failed. However, this mindset can actually have the reverse effect, as you are planning on failing. The remedy to this fear is to proclaim to others your intention of getting sober. This will serve to reinforce your own resolve to make a positive change in your life.
You’re afraid of never drinking again: This fear is usually expressed along the lines of “what if I quit drinking and in the future I’m at a wedding where everyone is raising a glass of champagne as a toast to the couple?” The problem with falling into this “fake fear” is that you might be confusing living a sober lifestyle with a momentary gesture of goodwill. Just because you sip a glass of champagne at a wedding or other event does NOT mean that you will helplessly fall back into a drunken lifestyle. Remember, alcohol is powerless before you, NOT vice-versa.
You’re afraid that you will miss drinking: Sometimes we associate drinking alcohol with good times, laughter, and riotous adventures. This is a complete mirage, and is simply your mind playing tricks on you by blocking out the MANY bad times involving alcohol. When this thought happens we should immediately refocus on the REALITY of alcoholism, which is sickness, poverty, and a vast waste of our money and time.
You’re afraid of how your friends will see you: Obviously, drinkers tend to socialize with other drinkers. And if you commit yourself to living a healthier lifestyle you’re going to have to see some of your drinking buddies LESS that you did previously. But, this is not a bad thing. To be blunt, those drinking buddies have kept you captive to the same unhealthy lifestyle as they have. Don’t be afraid of losing your old friends, because opening up yourself to NEW friends and NEW adventures can be one of the more exciting things we ever can do in our lives.
You’re afraid of the withdrawal symptoms: If you intend on quitting “cold turkey” then obviously there WILL be withdrawal symptoms. Most of these will last but a couple of days, and then you will begin to feel remarkably better and healthier. However, if you are a VERY HEAVY drinker you will want to first discuss things with your doctor being suddenly quitting.
Don’t Be Afraid to Quit Drinking Alcohol!
Don’t let your fears stand in the way of your becoming a healthier and happier person. If quitting seems so overwhelming that you are unsure where to begin, simply take a small step TODAY to move yourself in the direction of sobriety. Make a commitment to change ONE SMALL THING about your life. You’ll be glad you did.