Steps to Take to Stop Drinking Alcohol

Drinking alcohol is something that is a socially accepted norm in most parts of the world. Youngsters go through a typical phase of wanting to experiment with what is either illegal (if they are under the legal age of drinking) or wanting to celebrate their new-found freedom when they come of age.

Alcohol lowers our inhibitions, and as such the effects range from producing a feeling of relaxation, through to personality differences, moral discrepancies, and, when severely under the influence, irrational and dangerous behavior.

It is for good reason that over-the-limit drinking and driving is not allowed; as alcohol is a substance that impairs one’s ability to perform mechanical tasks, and, if you are considering taking steps to stop drinking alcohol, you have likely seen some of the more damaging impacts of this mind-altering chemical.

Are you addicted to alcohol?

Given how easily accessible alcohol is, together with its association with having fun, it can be difficult to pick up on whether you have an underlying addiction. If you’ve ever felt that you should cut down on your drinking; if you’ve felt guilty about drinking or been annoyed by others criticizing your drinking habit.

If you’ve had to have a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get over a hangover, then there is a good chance that there may be a developing dependency. While it may still seem well within the grasps of your control, this is the best time to act and take steps to stop drinking alcohol; before it becomes a full-blown addiction.

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUO) is said to affect one in eight million Americans, and the World Health Organization (WHO) released a report in 2014 revealing that alcohol influenced over two hundred health conditions and diseases, particularly related to cancers, liver cirrhosis, and injuries.

In addition to myriad physical problems, overusing alcohol wreaks havoc on one’s personal life – it is difficult to live with a spouse who will not stop drinking alcohol, and very often alcoholics end up with broken marriages, estranged from their children, family, and friends, and unemployed because of not being able to carry out work responsibilities.

Steps to Stop Drinking Alcohol for Good

Wherever you find yourself, or a loved one, on the path of alcohol addiction, take comfort in knowing that, in Christ, victory is possible. It will certainly not be easy, and often just getting to the point of realizing that there is a problem and seeking treatment is the first step in a very long recovery process. Some suggested steps are:

1. Join a support group

There are many available groups and programs for those who are looking to stop drinking alcohol. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is perhaps one of the better-known ones, and uses a 12-step program based on, according to their website “a group of principles, spiritual in nature, which, if practiced as a way of life, can expel the obsession to drink and enable the sufferer to become happily and usefully whole.”

While AA was loosely based on the Christian faith, it is more generic and speaks of reaching out to “a higher power” as opposed to naming God Himself. There are other more Biblically based programs around, with a comprehensive directory listing available at Christians-in-recovery.org.

One of the important aspects of joining a support group is the opportunity to be in fellowship with people who are going through similar difficulties, and who can relate to your struggle as well as offer accountability.

If you prefer to work with someone individually, an alcohol counselor is someone who can help offer guidance and support along your journey to an alcohol-free life. You can likely find the right person at an alcohol rehab facility, who will help you develop a comprehensive treatment plan, including physical treatments such as nutrition, exercise, withdrawal management along with emotional, mental, and spiritual input.

2. Make lifestyle changes

The overuse of alcohol usually starts with lifestyle. It’s the Friday afternoon office drinks; the beers around the BBQ; the cocktails on a girls’ night out – while the event is social, it is the presence of alcohol that binds it together. To take a firm stand and stop drinking alcohol, you’ll no doubt need to make some lifestyle changes.

This can be a difficult part of overcoming addiction too, as it means you need to give up your entertainment choices and, all too often, the friends associated with it.

Friends who drink heavily will very often resist your efforts to change, as it will expose their personal choices. Be prepared for this and realize how much is at stake if you continue in the same vein. Rather try to use the opportunity to invest in new, healthier friendships, and spend time around activities such as sports or other wholesome pursuits.

3. Get to the heart of the issue

While the above steps are important and will go a long way towards putting boundaries in place for changed behavior, they do not get to the heart of the issue. Alcoholics Anonymous tells people that they have a “disease” that they will never fully recover from; but if they continue to stick to the principles of the program, they will be able to successfully ward off the temptation to succumb to alcohol abuse once again.

As Christians, we know that we do not need to live in any kind of bondage. Jesus’ death on the cross freed us, and there is no reason for us to live lives as slaves anymore. When you are dependent on alcohol, you are effectively enslaved; you have given your affections to something which promised release and salvation but was a false god that is now revealing its true colors.

The desire for relaxation and a drink with friends is proper when kept in check, but as James 1:15 points out, our desires can quickly grow; and when they are not aimed at God, they leave our hearts wanting more. Seeing that alcoholism is a choice, rather than a disease and that God holds us accountable for this choice, can make all the difference in being able to root out the idol and stop drinking alcohol completely.

A Biblical counselor will be able to show you that addictive choices are sinful and idolatrous, requiring repentance and the receiving of God’s forgiveness. They will help you to pray for the Holy Spirit to be mightily at work in your life as you resist the temptation and change the attitudes and behaviors that led you down that path in the first place.

It will not be easy to stop drinking alcohol for good, but, reflecting on Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” and equipping yourself with spiritual and practical help will allow you to restore what has been lost.

For the Christian, recovery from alcohol overuse is possible and successful – not only is this incredibly encouraging, but also extremely powerful – the testimony of Christian addicts goes a long way towards highlighting God’s mighty strength.

Whatever your reasons may be for wanting to stop drinking alcohol, knowing that idolatry is at the heart of our choices can be extremely liberating. The only way to root out an idol is to transfer your worship to another god, and the Lord will respond graciously with His love and mercy to anyone who humbles themselves and bows the knee in confession.

This is a message of hope indeed, that we are not alone in this fight, but that the God of the universe is fighting for us, giving us everything we need to have our lives transformed.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8: 37-39