I gave up booze and am having more fun than ever These seven tips could help you do the same Alcohol

Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional. Prepare yourself for those times when someone is going to offer you a drink. You might also hold onto a nonalcoholic drink instead, ask a friend to support you in difficult situations or simply exit early if temptation gets too strong, the NIAAA suggests.

• But quitting on your own can pose risks to your health and is unlikely to be successful.
• Try to commit to at least two days each week when you won’t drink at all.
• All the same, “a quick drink” often turns into three or four drinks.
• Technology makes it easier than ever to learn new skills and find creative ways of connecting, even when you can’t physically participate in activities with others.

You may wonder how to adjust to life without alcohol or how to cope without turning to a drink. For anyone with an alcohol use disorder, giving up alcohol forever is the only sustainable choice for a plan to move forward. Instead of drinking, FaceTime a friend in another city from the comfort of your home. Consider hiking, volunteering, or developing a new skill or hobby. You may transform your life for the better and look forward to a healthier and happier future with the assistance and support of others. Reducing drinking can help improve relationships with your family, friends, and colleagues.

Track Your Alcohol Consumption

If you’re ready to stop drinking alcohol, but are having a hard time with it or don’t know how to stop drinking alcohol, you should know that there are treatments for you. Lastly, we’ll discuss some more treatment options you can seek if you cannot stop drinking alone. Remember, having an addiction doesn’t have to be shameful. On the contrary, being determined enough to overcome your addictions even when it’s difficult is a sign of immense strength, and you deserve to have some help if you need it.

• By avoiding alcohol, you’re taking a big step toward improving physical health.
• If you struggle to stay sober and experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms, consider getting professional assistance from an addiction-focused therapist or counselor.
• Maybe your partner, sibling, or roommate is also thinking about making a change.
• For others, it’s their careers that have taken a hit due to the effects of their drinking.
• Plain water might offer plenty of health benefits, but it’s admittedly not the most interesting choice.

In the event of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical care immediately by calling emergency services (dial 911). While it is not recommended for severe cases, you may wonder how to rehab from alcohol at home. It is important to create a supportive environment for the period of alcohol withdrawal. Things that can help during this time include minimal sound, soft lighting, limited contact with others, healthy food, and lots of fluids. Be on the lookout for more severe withdrawal symptoms and know when to call for help. The best way to quit drinking alcohol is to create a plan that addresses your specific triggers and habits.

Done With Alcohol? Here’s How To Stop Drinking

Letting others know about your choice to stop drinking may help motivate you to stick with your decision. It focuses on reducing alcohol use and the potential harms that come with it, with an emphasis on finding the best approach for your situation, not anyone else’s. Drinking is largely accepted as a social activity and a way to cope with stress.

Acknowledge what sparked your desire to drink and hone in on that trigger. Assess what needs to change to decrease the impact or frequency of that trigger. If it’s https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/tips-to-get-started-on-the-road-to-recovery/ stress-related, find healthy ways to manage and cope, including going to therapy, delegating tasks and surrounding yourself with people who can support you.

Make a Plan

It can be a particularly helpful way to help you get a clearer understanding of your drinking habits and your relationship with alcohol. It’s a 10-question screening test that gives you research-backed, personalized advice for quitting or reducing your intake of alcohol. According to the NIAAA, alcohol pretty much affects you head to toe. Alcohol can make it hard to think clearly, cause strokes or high blood pressure, lead to cirrhosis and weaken your immune system. It may also mess with your sleep, and poor sleep hygiene can lead to further health concerns, like obesity and diabetes.

Because it is not yet known whether any amount of alcohol is safe for a developing baby, women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not drink. If a setback happens, get back on track as quickly as possible. Research shows that most people who drink heavily, even those with AUD, can cut back significantly or quit. If you think you might have alcohol use disorder (AUD) and decide to stop drinking completely, don’t go it alone.

Understanding Addiction

This method of reducing your alcohol consumption encourages responsible drinking while also helping you manage episodes of heavy or binge drinking. It originally came from the non-profit organization of the same name, designed as an alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Keeping a positive mindset and focusing on the end goal will make you more likely to stay on track with your goals. They can provide guidance and support to help you stay on track with your goals.

Everyone needs a cheerleader in their corner rooting for them. Whether you want to cut back on your alcohol intake or give it up all together, we’re here to help with that goal. Put a sticky note in places where you know you’ll need that extra reminder.

Set goals.

Get to know what 5 ounces looks like by measuring it out at home. That way you can estimate how many standard drinks you’re being served in a restaurant or bar that uses large glasses and generous serving sizes. She enjoys interviewing medical experts and researchers about their work and is passionate about communicating accurate and relevant health information to the public.

If you struggle to stay sober and experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms, consider getting professional assistance from an addiction-focused therapist or counselor. Before we jump into the tips to quit drinking, it’s essential to be mindful of the negative impacts that alcohol can have on your mental and physical health. Belinda Gordon-Battle is a licensed clinical therapist and life consultant based in Miami while providing therapeutic services across the globe.

When looking at these numbers more closely, 65.8 million people are binge drinkers, and 16.0 million people are heavy drinkers. For some, simply answering the question, “Does alcohol cause problems in my life? ” determines if you are suffering from a drinking problem. Regardless of how you got to this point, here’s how you can set yourself up to a brighter future.