Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Why are you drinking?
• Part 2 of 2: Starting to use CORE
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

Many people who recognize that they have a drinking problem are unaware that there are alternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous. For example, in this article, the COREprocess, where the C stands for commit, the O for objectifying, the R for reacting and the E for enjoying it. By using these simple techniques you can calmly - and for free - get rid of your alcohol addiction at home.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Why are you drinking?

1. Understand why you drink. Before you can start using the CORE process effectively, it is very important that you understand your problem. Alcoholics Anonymous sees alcoholism as a disease that only a higher power can get rid of; Outside of AA, however, alcoholism is viewed in other ways as well. A useful way to consider a drinking problem is to think of it as a survival mechanism. The brain can be divided into two halves: the human brain (that's you), and the animal brain. The animal brain is only concerned with survival, and if you depend on alcohol, this part thinks you need alcohol to survive. That is why you can also call this part your "drinking brain". If you don't understand how the drinking brain works, your human brain (you) can easily be persuaded to keep drinking.

Part 2 of 2: Starting to use CORE

1. Commit yourself to the plan to stay off alcohol permanently. You don't need alcohol to survive. Make a plan to quit for good. When you're ready, say, "I'll never drink again." Pay attention to how you feel. If you're scared, angry, depressed, panicking, or feeling down, that's your drinking brain at work. And let's face it, you'll feel bad at first too. Who knows how long your body has been running on this substance. It thinks it needs alcohol. It has to learn how to function without drink, and you have to give it time to do that.
   • Your neurons, all of which have been numbed by the drink for a while, become completely over-stimulated with energy, which means that you can hardly sleep or rest for the first few days. Your booze brain is going to lie to you; say it's a liar, and watch series late at night until it's over!
2. Objectify your drinking brain. The human brain is much smarter than the drinking brain, which does not understand that you can live without alcohol. You can outsmart your drinking brain by seeing it as something other than yourself and recognizing when it is talking to you. Objective it by saying, "The booze brain wants to drink something" instead of "I want to drink something." If you objectify the drinking brain in this way, you realize that it has no power over you. You're in control, and the booze brain is just an outsider. All it can do is entice you to have a drink, but you can outsmart it every time.
   • Your booze brain is trying to make you drink something because it thinks you need alcohol to survive. If you feel bad, it thinks that drinking will make you feel better. When you're feeling good, it tells you to drink to celebrate. In fact, it will each take the opportunity as an excuse to drink. Whenever a thought or feeling comes up that suggests you should start drinking, it is your booze brain trying to trick you.
3. Respond to your drinking brain by saying you never will drink more alcohol if he asks for it. As a result, the booze brain will keep quiet, because it realizes that it no longer has any power over you, and that it is no longer able to make you drink. The booze brain will probably try to do all kinds of tricks to get you to drink alcohol at first, but now that you've gotten all this information, you know what it's actually up to. Remember that every thought of booze is the work of your booze brain. When you know that, just say, "I don't drink anymore" and get back to what you were doing. Don't argue with your drinking brain; just say you'll never drink again.
   • If one of your friends offers you a drink, say, "No thanks, I quit." You can also say, "I'm slowing down," or just "No thanks," if you don't feel like talking about it. However, if people in your area drink a lot, it might be better to be honest so they can support you. If they don't support your decision, find new friends.
   • Your drinking brain will become increasingly discouraged and bother you less and less. Before you know it, you will be experienced in dealing with your drinking brain, so it is no longer difficult not to drink.
4. Enjoy the fact that you are no longer dependent on alcohol. If you decide to quit drinking forever, one of the first issues is learning how to cope with everyday reality without alcohol. If you sit at home and do nothing, your booze brain is going to bother you and ask for booze, and it's hard to shut it down because your human brain has little to do. That's why you have to make sure your human brain has something to do. Find (or rediscover) a hobby. Exercise, fix an old car, or start a new relationship. Learn to cook, play an instrument or craft, or go out with a (sober) friend. Write helpful articles for wikiHow. Start saving the money you would otherwise spend on booze and watch your bank account grow. Celebrate every week, month and year that you are sober: from now on everything will only get better.
   • Don't be afraid of relapse: that fear is your booze brain speaking up and trying to give you an excuse to give up.
   • Ultimately, the CORE process will be automatic, meaning you won't have to put in any effort to stay sober. Sometimes you will feel angry, sad or depressed, but this is normal. If the booze brain tries to use these feelings as an excuse to drink, you know how to deal with them. You are better, smarter, funnier and even stronger when you go against your booze brain!

Tips

• You can also use the CORE process for other addictions. You can use this technique to get rid of an addiction to cigarettes, drugs or other dangerous substances. It works the same with all addictions. Simply replace the word "alcohol" or "drink" with the word related to your addiction. You don't have to use cigarettes or drugs, even though you know better yourself. The CORE process and similar approaches can teach you to quickly get back in control, with as little effort as possible. Addiction is a strong opponent, but knowledge is power.
• The human brain is technically called the "neocortex" and the animal brain (or booze brain) the "midbrain". The neocortex is a complex, conscious part of the brain; it is the part that gives you a sense of individuality, of "being yourself". The midbrain, on the other hand, is an "unconscious" part of the brain that regulates all of our survival functions, such as breathing, eating, sex, etc. If you are addicted to alcohol, drink becomes one of the survival urges of the midbrain. But it can only get alcohol if you have one conscious decision takes to drink. This decision is made in the neocortex. If the neocortex (you) can learn how the midbrain works, they have less power and won't get you to drink. You're in control and can stop.
• Find a healthy addiction. You can go jogging, running or meeting friends; you can go cycling in nature. Exercise yourself physically and drink plenty of water. Who knows, you might start with a completely new, healthy lifestyle.
• Your friends may get angry because you don't drink anymore. That's their booze brain talking, so ignore it.

Warnings

• If you have a very serious drinking problem, and you stop at once without the help of medicines or therapists, and then start again, there is a danger that you will drink much more than before. That's your booze brain trying to make up for the missed alcohol. Under no circumstances do this. It can lead to alcohol poisoning, liver failure and even death.
• If you are heavily addicted, you may need to go to rehab to avoid health problems. However, know that if the AA isn't for you, you don't necessarily have to go there. Just go home after rehab, follow the CORE process, and just quit drinking for good.

Necessities

• Something else to do. Try to distract yourself from your drinking brain.
• Memories. Sometimes your booze brain tries to trick you into drinking alcohol by reminding you of fun times, parties, or other happy times when alcohol was involved. You need something to combat this, such as a list of reasons not to drink anymore. Don't forget the misery the booze has brought you, such as guilt, shame, social isolation, problems with the police, financial troubles, ruined relationships, and all kinds of health problems. If your booze brain says, "Remember the time you were drunk ..." you can finish that thought with "and hurt someone dear to you; and got caught by the police; and couldn't go to work; and day was sick ”. Remember, these so-called positive memories are in no way proportional to the real, long-term negative effects of alcohol.