The first experience with alcohol in most cases is positive. A cheerful business with a lot of various alcoholic drinks or a glass of wine with a friend, the first glass of champagne and the first kiss. For all women, the road to alcoholism begins differently, but at the same time, in the same way.
Someone stops in front of a glass of festive wine, while someone tries to recreate for himself with the help of alcohol the ease of mood that was at the first experience. Sometimes a person cannot stop drinking at the very beginning for other reasons. In alcoholic beverages, forgetting about problems is sought or, with their help, something is proven to oneself and friends. Often, with the help of alcohol, the void associated with the loss of a loved one or the fact that a person could not find themselves in life is replaced.
Women are particularly difficult to tolerate alcohol. They are more quickly drawn to alcohol consumption. The female body rebuilds itself very quickly, chemical reactions in the brain change, blood circulation is disrupted. Having started drinking alcohol at a young age, you can become a chronic alcoholic by the age of three.
The alcoholic never admits his illness
Several bottles of beer in the evening in the company. First on weekends, then after work. The phrase, which one can often hear from a woman who drinks: "I am not an alcoholic, I can always stop", resonates after each glass of a new dose of alcohol.
According to the women who have stopped drinking, during the time they succumbed to the disease, they did not see anything terrible at this stage. Filling the void and growing depression, they switched from light alcohol to heavy alcohol. Vodka has become a constant companion for the evening. Lack of alcohol causes apathy, some have suicidal tendencies. Only a glass of vodka can put them back in the state they want to live.
The next step is when alcohol is consumed in such quantity that a person loses their memory. The poisoning of the body becomes more and more serious. At this level, the woman no longer remembers who she drank with yesterday, what she said to those around her, what she basically did.
At this stage, the woman will no longer be able to stop drinking alone, without support. And the reason is not only in the physiology and the requirement of the body for a new dose of alcohol. And also because the company around it is the same. It is impossible to break this circle, because everyone around considers such a life as normal. And not because it is so, but because everyone around is in the same state.
Expert opinion: "Characteristics of female alcoholism. Is there a difference between female and male alcoholism? "
What happens to the body on a physical level
With alcohol addiction, irreversible changes occur throughout the body. But especially in the brain, kidneys and liver. In addition, the hormonal system and reproductive organs are greatly affected. A woman who drinks can no longer bear and give birth to a child, if the treatment and detoxification of the body does not pass, and if she gives birth, then these children are most often sick. Their genetic code is changed in the womb by alcohol.
In some cases, this is not noticeable on the outside, but the disease can manifest itself in the first days of life. If the mother drank during pregnancy, the newborn has severe withdrawal symptoms - alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Already in the first hours of his life, when alcohol stops flowing from his mother's blood, he begins to twist. These babies cry nonstop and cannot go through their first few hours without sedatives.
As for men, they become unable to have sex. Alcohol first causes the inability to conceive, as it simply kills the sperm, and then in principle reduces the possibility of having sex. The health of the unborn child depends not only on the mother, but also on the father, who transmits the genetic code altered by alcohol to them.
Why Don't Alcoholics Stop Drinking? Because they cannot be seen from the outside, the disease, in principle, is not perceived by the disease. A week without vodka becomes practically impossible. However, it is not associated with the disease, but is called: "there is a reason to celebrate". The reason, however, is simply sucked in by the finger.
These people can no longer stop drinking on their own. They blame anyone for their failed life - husband, wife, parents, bosses. Everyone is responsible for his illness except himself. Their world is gray and joyless without a new serving of alcohol, they see no point in anything but looking for 100 grams of vodka or a bottle of beer.
What to do and how to cure a woman of alcoholism
Dose reduction is not a treatment option. You will not be able to give up alcohol gradually. You should stop drinking suddenly and immediately and never go back to alcohol. It requires remarkable willpower and very serious support from loved ones.
Although history can tell when a woman stops drinking on her own, they are extremely rare. What's the catch? It will not be possible to simply eliminate alcohol from life. Something should come in its place that will bring joy and pleasure. A psychologist will help you find that "something". Maybe it will be necessary to find a new job that will please you and will bring in some money. Or it will be enough to find a new hobby, a hobby.
A healthy lifestyle is popular. Sports and vigorous exercise can trigger the same adrenaline rush as alcohol. In addition, the immediate environment is changing. And instead of having swollen faces with disgusting fumes, the people around are brimming with health. Gym, swimming pool, jogging in the stadium in the morning - all these for most women can replace alcohol.
What to expect when throwing away alcohol
The first few days there will be a strong urge to drink. Irritability, anger, the desire to kill someone - it's all alcohol. Breakdown on relatives, children, parents. And if they can't take the stress, can't provide support, then the alcoholic will drink again.
If you want to stop drinking, make this process painless. Go to the clinic. In addition to relieving stress and pain for your family, you will be helped in the adjustment process more easily.
An experienced psychologist who deals specifically with alcohol addiction will help you find the reasons that make you want to drink. His help and participation will be difficult to overestimate, because it is he who can find a substitute for alcohol, help to find oneself, help to get out of depression.
If it turns out that you stop drinking on your own, wait. Remember, there are no former alcoholics. Any business of people who drink alcohol should go the tenth route. You will have to change the environment and find ways on your own. In any case do not get lost, do not drink a bottle of beer. Remember how it all started - with one bottle, one sip.
It is difficult for an alcoholic to change his life, especially for a woman. But it can be done if you have the support and the will to live.
What about alcoholic drinks and why is it difficult to refuse them? Because, by degrading in the body, alcohol gives an extraordinary burst of energy. And if at that moment a joyful event occurs, it "anchors" itself with the consumption of alcohol.
Simply put - a person doesn't stop drinking just because they are trying to evoke these sensations while everything was high for them. Even though he no longer remembers the event that preceded the drinking, he continues to try to recreate that mood, the feeling of happiness.
But that's only at the beginning. In addition, alcohol and decomposition products enter nerve cells, destroying them and creating new stable connections. At this point, a person can no longer stop drinking just because they physically need alcohol. It relieves depression, suppresses tremors in the limbs (hand tremors), dilates blood vessels.
The next step is frenzy. It is no longer possible to stop drinking alone in this state. Here you need a specialist who can get you out of the binge, detox and prescribe treatment. Will weaning from alcohol consumption be an issue and can a person stop drinking at the same time? No. Further psychological treatment is needed.