As alcohol consumption increases, the psychologist advises: there is a way to get rid of harmful habits

According to the psychiatrist, during the pandemic there was an increase in the consumption of alcohol and sedatives, and psychiatric stimulants, which are popular in discos, bars and festivals, naturally decreased after the closure of these activities.

“People who have started to consume more alcohol, sedatives, report that they started using it because they feel an increase in anxiety and depressive well-being precisely during the pandemic. We can explain this logically, because these substances: both alcohol and sedatives help to relax, briefly, temporarily suppress the sensations that arise and are caused by a pandemic “, said V. Butrimas in the program” Delfi rytas “.

An attempt to kick a habit suggests being viewed as an experiment.

Speaking about the New Year’s promises practiced by people, the psychiatrist points out that the range of habits to change is very wide: the population wants to start eating healthy, exercising or getting rid of harmful addictions.

“Those people who are addicted have really tried to stop their harmful behavior many times. They probably don’t mean much to that one-shot anymore if they actually always repeat the same behavior. I would say that a month of abstinence or without some habitual behavior could help those people who are trying again, ”said V. Butrimas.

According to him, a person seeking personally important change should regard the experiment as an experiment: observe what is happening to you, but do not immediately promise yourself that it will turn into real change.

“During that time, we can further test our options, our limits, understand what we can and cannot do, and perhaps later decide if we are really committed to change and accept the change in our lives,” said the psychiatrist.

“I’ll start on Monday”: change should not be seen as a job

V. Butrimas also drew attention to another common practice of the population: starting the change from Monday. According to him, the beginning of the week is associated with work for us, but it should be seen differently.

“People see change as work, which is hard work and will have to start in one work day, but change can be easy. We can experiment and change more easily, there is no need to look at hard work that will require a lot of effort. , where we will suffer and suffer. Often, that Monday is associated with suffering, with the beginning of the work week. It does not have to be that way, we can easily see the change as a process, that there will be a lot of fun, curiously, that I I will know myself, that I will be able to tell it. It is not necessary to look at the work as planned “, emphasized V. Butrimas.

When it comes to information posted in advertisements, it is assumed that habits can be undone in a certain number of days, a psychiatrist recommends not blindly sticking to deadlines.

“Virtually any number of days is a myth because it is too individual. We can stick to a certain number of days if we think it will be easier, (…) but we don’t really believe that a habit will form during that time. Human habits are formed throughout life, it is a constant process ”, said V. Butrimas.

Do not condemn deviations from the goal, but rejoice in intermediate results.

When asked how so-called relapses should be treated: When deviating from a goal after a while, the psychiatrist emphasized that relapses should not be seen as defeats, but this requires awareness.

“There is too much negative attention being paid to relapses. It is just a step to the side, but we can always keep the same direction. If I am determined to follow something, I am wrong, I am getting back on track, finding out the reasons that led me to it Therefore, I would always suggest discussing this with a specialist who knows addictions, ”said V. Butrimas.

According to him, the fight against addictions are processes that are accompanied by slips and a return to the goal.

“We need to be happy with the small achievements and achievements. It is something empowering, motivating and it is important to notice it,” added the psychiatrist.