Many of the individuals who come to treatment at New Bridge Foundation® are wondering how to stop drinking. They struggle to understand the severity of the problem and to recognize the difference between being someone who drinks and being someone who has a drinking problem. The reality is that if the question of how to stop drinking has come up, it may be worth pursuing the question with health care professionals, like the ones at New Bridge Foundation®’s alcohol rehab center.
Knowing that one needs to stop drinking is one thing. But once the problem has been identified, knowing how to stop drinking is a much more complicated issue. This question is made especially difficult in our society by the glorification of excessive alcohol consumption that we see on television, in magazines, and on billboards across the country. Indeed, the message that using and abusing alcohol is a natural part of adulthood, or that it is simply “no big deal” is reinforced everywhere one turns.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that excessive drinking costs billions of dollars each year and is the cause of tens of thousands of deaths. Alcohol abuse regularly costs individuals their jobs, their families, and their sense of well-being. A person who has asked him- or herself how to stop drinking may have experienced some of the adverse effects of alcohol abuse first hand.
When Is It Time To Reach Out?
Every person in need of help with alcohol dependency is different. At New Bridge Foundation® we understand that even though there are ways to estimate how much alcohol is too much, every drinker is different and has different needs. There are eleven criteria that are important to address when determining whether it is time to reach out to a healthcare professional, like the ones at our alcohol rehab center:
- Time spent getting, using, and recovering from the effects of alcohol
- Experiencing cravings for alcohol
- Attempts and failure to reduce the consumption of alcohol
- Continued use of alcohol even after it has caused problems with friends or family
- Drinking more alcohol or for longer than intended
- Drinking alcohol in dangerous situations, like before driving or operating machinery
- Continued use of alcohol even after it has caused physical or psychological problems
- Repeated inability to fulfill work, school, or family duties due to alcohol consumption
- Reduction of social, recreational, or work activities because of alcohol use
- Increased tolerance/continually needing more alcohol to feel its effects
- Experience of symptoms of withdrawal
A good rule of thumb is that answering “yes” to two or three of these indicates an alcohol use problem. And answering “yes” to six or more may indicate a severe dependence problem. But wherever a patient falls on this spectrum, the staff at New Bridge Foundation® is here to answer any questions and address any concerns regarding alcohol consumption.
How to Stop Drinking with New Bridge Foundation®
At New Bridge Foundation®, we specialize in working with our clients from initial detoxification through treatment into recovery, and aftercare. At our inpatient treatment center situated in the hills of Berkely, CA, we focus on helping individuals who are tired of letting alcohol run their lives. Our programs are all individually tailored to each client, so they know that they are getting the care that is right for them. The programs we offer at New Bridge include:
- Detoxification
- Short-Term Residential Rehab (Helios)
- Short-Term Outpatient Rehab (Helios)
- Long-Term Residential Rehab (START)
- Free Aftercare for Life
It is never too early — or too late — to take that first step and ask for help.
Contact Us Today
It can be difficult to determine how to stop drinking, but at New Bridge Foundation®, it is our business to help. Reach out today to start on the path to recovery by calling 866.772.8491. We will be waiting.
