Featured Image Credit: tiktok/stopdrinkingcoach
Topics: Alcohol, Health, Mental Health, TikTok, UK News
Lucy Devine
Topics: Alcohol, Health, Mental Health, TikTok, UK News
A sobriety coach has revealed the five things you 'absolutely must do' if you want to quit drinking for good.
If you've ever tried to quit drinking, or if you've already stopped but want to make sure you remain sober, sobriety and life coach, Bardia Rez - who goes by @stopdrinkingcoach on TikTok - has explained the five focus points he recommends all of his clients consider.
In the UK, the number of non-drinkers is increasing.
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A couple of years ago, it was reported that the proportion of sober adults in the UK had increased from 16 percent in 2011 to 19 percent in 2022.
So how can you achieve long-standing sobriety?
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Rez explains that the first focus point is 'doubling down on personal growth'.
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"Quitting drinking isn't just about quitting drinking and then living in the shadow of your addiction for the rest of your life," he says.
"We quit drinking for a purpose and that purpose is to finally come home to ourselves, to reconnect to our authentic self and to begin doubling down on our personal growth and tapping into our potential."
Rez says understanding new coping mechanisms and strategies is key, and this comes hand-in-hand with focusing on your mental regulation.
"The second thing that you have to begin focusing on is improving your mental and emotional regulation," says Rez.
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"Meaning, how do I talk to myself and how do I manage my internal state?
"This is gonna come from expanding your map of understanding of the human operating system, learning about the mind, learning about psychology and learning new coping mechanisms and strategies to self regulate."
Rez explains that it's important for people to focus on healing and understanding their 'Inner Child'.
Inner Child work is often used to recognise and heal childhood traumas.
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"The third thing you need to focus on is your healing," Rez adds.
"You need to begin learning about and studying the Inner Child and what the Inner Child is about.
"You need to begin applying different strategies and techniques to go back and begin healing your Inner Child, re-parenting yourself and re-integrating back into your wholeness as an adult."
Rez says that one important aspect of becoming sober is considering your community.
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"The fourth thing you need to focus on is really digging into community," he says.
"Community is super important, especially on the sobriety journey.
"As we get sober, a lot of us feel like we're waking up from the matrix and we look out to society and we see everybody still drinking and how prevalent it is, so being involved in a community and staying close to people who are on the same path and understand is super important."
Rez says that one focus point not often spoken about within the community, is finding a sense of purpose that is 'more meaningful than alcohol', and having a clear vision for your future.
"Whether this is service or giving back, or doubling down on a hobby or getting a new job that you're passionate about, starting a business, it could be any number of things," he says.
"Getting clear on your future and beginning to live your life where you're focused in on the present moment and actively building a future that you love is very, very important."
If you want to discuss any issues relating to alcohol in confidence, contact Drinkline on 0300 123 1110, 9am–8pm weekdays and 11am–4pm weekends for advice and support.
Or alternatively, visit drinkaware.co.uk/alcohol-support-services.