Staying Dry
What is a relapse?
Relapse, in terms of drinking alcohol, means to start drinking again after a period of abstinence. For some people, they might relapse after a day or so, or some may do that after several months. It's a return to the drinking pattern that you had before. One of the things to be wary of is if you have been drinking very heavily, then a small amount of alcohol will result in you actually feeling the same way that you did when you last had a drink.
How can I stay off alcohol?
Stay off alcohol by first of all addressing the problems that led to you to drinking in the first place. This can be done by avoiding high risk situations in which you drank before, looking at alternatives to drinking, planning your week, taking up a hobby, and doing some sport.
Why do people start drinking again?
I think often people can trick themselves into believing that they didn't have a problem in the first place, or they've no longer got a problem. It's going to be okay, one drink won't hurt, one session, or I need to do this because it's someone's birthday and perhaps not properly addressing the issues that underlie the problems.
Why do I crave alcohol at certain times more than others?
It's often to do with perhaps high risk situations, situations in which you may have used to drink before. So, particularly during times of being out with friends, and if you become anxious or depressed. It's important to remember that everyone drinks to gain or avoid something. There isn't any other reason behind that. If specific situations where you have done that before, you may go there again. Also, you may crave alcohol in the morning if you're alcohol dependent because you're suffering from withdrawal symptoms, and it's important to remember at that point that you should be getting some help, and drinking is something you shouldn't be doing.
I have been dry for a long time, can I start drinking sensibly again?
Yes, of course you can start drinking sensibly again, provided you have addressed the issues and you look at the role that alcohol has in your life. If you're starting to think, I've got this under control, so therefore I'll drink, you may be fooling yourself. The time to have a drink is when alcohol ceases to matter at all, because it's such a small part of your life now. And would you really want to jeopardize the good work you've done to date?
What other benefits are there to quitting alcohol other than to my health?
You will have improved your prospects, you have more money, your relationships with family and friends will be better, and you will probably have a much better lifestyle altogether.
Can exercising help to prevent relapsing?
Yes, getting a hobby of any sort can really help take the focus off of alcohol, but exercising is a sport. It'll increase your metabolism, you'll stay fitter and it'll increase your sense of well-being.
What else can I do to stop relapsing?
Remind yourself of the problem, and list the benefits of abstinence. Take a personal inventory on the pros and cons and note how your life's changed. Talk to a friend or join a group. You can consider going and seeing your GP, and having some medication to reduce cravings that will go along with counselling. Try to spend time with people who drink less, and all this will help you stop relapsing.
Will having one drink on special occasions matter?
If you have a serious problem, then unfortunately the idea of having one drink will possibly slip when you've had that one drink. So, at a wedding, christening, or whatever, people will often think it's quite a good idea to just have one. They will come into the agency in which I work talking about that. But one drink leads to a lot more, and they find themselves back in a similar situation. If you don't have a problem with alcohol, then, no, it won't hurt at all.