How to kick the alcohol habit

By The Nation

 

 

The Mental Health Department’s Alcoholism Centre has urged people who intend to stop drinking alcoholic beverages during the upcoming Buddhist Lent period (July 28 until mid-October) to make a start by reducing alcohol consumption gradually instead of an abrupt cessation.

 

Going cold turkey on alcohol can cause symptoms such as shaking, shivering, irregular heart rate, sweating and insomnia for people who long dependent on booze. During the 3-4 days into the withdrawal, one could also suffer from confusion, delirium, seeing or hearing things other people do not, or seizures, Mental Health Department director-general Dr Boonreung Traireungworarat warned. 

 

 

He suggested that those who intend to stop drinking during the upcoming Buddhist Lent period should start by reducing their alcohol intake now so as to prevent withdrawal side-effects. He also urged them to see a doctor before they completely stop drinking, in order to get prescribed medication for alcohol dependence so as to lessen withdrawal symptoms. 

 

A recent survey by the department found that 1.8 per cent of Thais over 18, or about 900,000, were alcohol-dependent hence an Alcoholism Centre has been set up at Chiang Mai’s Suanprung Psychiatric Hospital to conduct research and set up treatment guidelines for alcoholism patients.

 

Hospital director Dr Thoranin Kongsuk, who is in charge of the Alcoholism Centre, suggested five points to ensure effective cessation of alcohol dependence:

 

1 Set a clear goal for what they are kicking the drinking habit and a specific time frame to cease drinking;

 

2 Those in regular contact with alcohol-dependent people must boost their self-confidence and show them good values in personal life, family and work;

 

3 The family of an alcohol-dependent person must be understanding, sympathetic and accepting while encouraging him/her to stop drinking to convey to them that they are not alone in fighting this battle;

 

4 Those surrounding an alcohol-dependent person should keep him/her inspired to stay sober longer and longer, commending the milestones achieved;

 

5 An alcohol-dependent person should forge a bonding with family, friends, neighbours, clubs/foundations who could get him/her overcome the habit.

 

Boonreung also urged that people wishing to quit drinking or suffering from mental problems due to drinking could seek advice through the department hotline 1323.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30350580

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-07-23

myself i do like a beer and find it sometimes difficult to keep my limit , but happy to say that instead of drinking like crazy every day it is down to a full on session a few times a year , and an occasional beer a few times a week .

stopping never crossed my mind thou , and will not even concider it.

i do understand for some people that sit around on their bench all day drinking whatever spirits with their buddies that it is difficult to leave the joy of that group , it is no fun sitting sober with your friends while they are getting drunk .

but there is always something you could do instead of sitting down .

 

Appearently they look at everybody drinking as alcoholists, when they tell people to gradually stop drinking so the body don´t get a shock. For a person drinking normally, that has no bearing at all.
 

Same like saying to a person that bought 10 lottery ticket every time, to go down with one every 14 days. Very stupid!

2 hours ago, webfact said:

He suggested that those who intend to stop drinking during the upcoming Buddhist Lent period should start by reducing their alcohol intake now so as to prevent withdrawal side-effects.

Don't worry, most will just buy a couple of extra bottles of whiskey the day before to bridge the "no alcohol sales" period and continue happily.

The chances of people who need that advice actually stopping drinking for Thai lent are IMO remote.

 

If there are heavy drinkers who stop for the 40 days, all power to them.

To give up my two glasses of red wine per night would be a fate worse than death....

6 minutes ago, blazes said:

To give up my two glasses of red wine per night would be a fate worse than death....

Sadly wine in Thailand is out of  the financial reach of most people. Consider yourself lucky you can afford it !

I think this is good

If the monks follow the 5 steps mentioned they should be able to give

it up in no time at all. 

 

Living in the countryside and having day to day contact with the Thai working class makes me think 1.8 percent is a low figure even projected across all Thai Adults.  And then there is addiction to tobacco, Ya Ba and energy drinks.  Gee; sounds just like home!!!  555.

Only really applicable to.people who are chronic alcoholics and who intend giving up for a religious reason. I think the numbers of those people are very small.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Going cold turkey on alcohol can cause symptoms such as shaking, shivering, irregular heart rate, sweating and insomnia for people who long dependent on booze. During the 3-4 days into the withdrawal, one could also suffer from confusion, delirium, seeing or hearing things other people do not, or seizures, Mental Health Department director-general Dr Boonreung Traireungworarat warned.

That takes-care of a fair amount of the population, then!

 

Where has Dr Boonreung Traireungworara been until now!

Many Thai young men, just 2-3 guys order a whole case(12 bottles) and drink them all.

 

I hope they can stop at 3 and go home. There is no other solution, except take away all the wealth from the beer company bosses.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Going cold turkey on alcohol can cause symptoms such as shaking, shivering, irregular heart rate, sweating and insomnia for people who long dependent on booze

They're making the assumption that their own population are a bunch of really hard core boozers as opposed to social drinkers and they have to 'taper' or risk going into withdrawals or DTs.  Probably true. Then we're suppose to believe those running the country are tea-drinkers.  Doubt that too.

Edited July 23, 20187 yr by connda

My alcohol consumption dried up with the pound suspect I am not alone. 

56 minutes ago, The Deerhunter said:

Living in the countryside and having day to day contact with the Thai working class makes me think 1.8 percent is a low figure even projected across all Thai Adults.  And then there is addiction to tobacco, Ya Ba and energy drinks.  Gee; sounds just like home!!!  555.

I agree with this being a non drinker.... these people come to my beaches on pickups and get faceless, since when did our Thailand begin keeping data of how seriously is a drinking problems here together with all the other additives....most of them are masked and never reach the Re-hab territories!!

Much more to life than being wasted!

59 minutes ago, timewilltell said:

Only really applicable to.people who are chronic alcoholics and who intend giving up for a religious reason.

Better to give up the religion!

3 hours ago, Get Real said:

Same like saying to a person that bought 10 lottery ticket every time, to go down with one every 14 days. Very stupid!

Here it is more like telling a charcoaled corps: "but from now on we will stop smoking in bed, right?"

Give funding to a advertising campaign. Set up detoxes. More community services. What effect is it happening on the family nucleus. Dr Bob' wisdom has helped millions world wide. 12 step programs. Reduce alcohol content in beer. Make higher tax for higher strength beer with money channelled back into the community. Identify which communities are more likely to suffer. Time.

All of the BS this guy is spouting is not even worth an answer!

But let me just state one point:

 

5 An alcohol-dependent person should forge a bonding with family, friends, neighbours, clubs/foundations who could get him/her overcome the habit.

 

Hey Einstein! If you look at alcoholics, you will find that their alcohol- dependency actually estranged them from families, friends, neighbours etc.

Mostly, they are not able to lead a "normal" social life!

That is the PROBLEM, you dimwit!

Alcohol is in fact the only drug you have to make excuses not to consume. Think about that.....

1 hour ago, hashmodha said:

I agree with this being a non drinker.... these people come to my beaches on pickups and get faceless, since when did our Thailand begin keeping data of how seriously is a drinking problems here together with all the other additives....most of them are masked and never reach the Re-hab territories!!

Much more to life than being wasted!

Your beaches?

You own some beaches?

I'm impressed.

45 minutes ago, Chris Lawrence said:

Give funding to a advertising campaign. Set up detoxes. More community services. What effect is it happening on the family nucleus. Dr Bob' wisdom has helped millions world wide. 12 step programs. Reduce alcohol content in beer. Make higher tax for higher strength beer with money channelled back into the community. Identify which communities are more likely to suffer. Time.

Hahaha..... Good one. 

A lot of so-called social drinkers are totally unaware that they are actually alcoholics.

Moreover, they would probably consider it a serious insult when it is the only pure truth!

Nonsense, as well as many replies.

How many here actually know the difference between alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse?

For alcohol dependents, the only solution is a complete psychic change.

4 hours ago, Bob12345 said:

Don't worry, most will just buy a couple of extra bottles of whiskey the day before to bridge the "no alcohol sales" period and continue happily.

The article is referring to Buddhist Lent.  That's 3 months!

 

And to agree with another poster, the article does seem to assume that anyone who drinks must be an alcoholic!

This does not work in this country, stupid!

This advice is way off.  My parents drank every night and gave it up for Lent every year.  I also had two friends who would give it up every January.  I suggested if it was for one month they should make it February.  They kept it in January and they were not just social drinkers.

never liked alcohol 

9 hours ago, webfact said:

 

Not sure about anyone else, but I fancy a pint after seeing the photo in the OP.