So, it’s important to drink plenty of hydrating fluids when you’re drinking alcohol, otherwise you could end up drinking more alcohol to compensate. It’s very important to understand which situations and people trigger a craving for alcohol, whether through enjoyment or stress. For example, if you go to concerts regularly and always have a drink while watching the act or band then you may want to take a break from going to these for at least a few weeks. You’re not the only one, given that millions of people have started to think about alcohol a little differently in the last few years. You may behave irrationally or aggressively when you’re drunk. Memory loss can be a problem during drinking and in the long term for regular heavy drinkers.

• Alcohol abuse and addiction doesn’t just affect the person drinking—it affects their families and loved ones, too.
• If you’re having trouble doing the same things you used to do, try new hobbies to fill your time.
• Sunnyside uses a psychology-based approach to help you drink more mindfully, no matter what your goal is.
• It’s possible to develop a better relationship with alcohol and make more mindful, informed choices about drinking without total sobriety.
• It goes without saying, but drinking alcohol can significantly impact an individual’s life, both physically and mentally.

Make a plan.

It ends up as torture and misery, and ‘old habits’ die hard but as we explain this is not a habit. That said, If you’ve been drinking excessively, then stopping drinking cold turkey can lead to withdrawal symptoms. You may not need to completely reinvent your life to quit drinking, but making a few changes in your surroundings to help avoid alcohol triggers can make a big difference.

Support organizations

Being dependent on alcohol means you feel you’re not able to function without it and means stopping drinking can causes physical withdrawal symptoms like shaking, sweating or nausea. If you have these symptoms when you don’t drink, it could be dangerous to stop drinking too quickly without proper support. The decision to reduce or to stop drinking alcohol is a significant one. Often a journey marked by self-awareness and a desire for a healthier lifestyle. Before diving into strategies to cut back, it’s crucial to understand your relationship with alcohol. Whether you’re drug addiction treatment sober curious, know for sure you’re ready to quit, or fall somewhere in between, Dr. Streem shares advice for how to stop drinking.

Alcohol advice

• If you answer “yes” to two to three questions, your symptoms align with mild AUD.
• Make sure your plan to cut back on drinking alcohol has a specific, measurable goal.
• Depending on your habits, going dry can save you several hundred dollars over a few weeks.
• While it shouldn’t be necessary, it is useful to have a few ‘excuses’ on hand as to why you’re not drinking or refusing another drink.

Alongside many physical and emotional perks, there are some very enticing financial benefits to cutting out alcohol. Depending on your habits, going dry can save you several hundred dollars over a few weeks. Even just setting and sticking to a few drink-free days a week, or swapping to lower-strength drinks, are great steps in the right direction. To lower your alcohol consumption, try to stick to only one alcoholic tips to quit drinking drink per hour.

Measure your drinks.

You don’t have to leave the house to get support from other people who understand and respect what you’re trying to do. If you drink to ease the pain of loneliness, then make a conscious effort to connect with others. Alcoholics Anonymous cautions its members not to get too hungry, angry, lonely or tired—all of which can make you more vulnerable to the urge to drink. Find activities that are mentally and emotionally nourishing and bring you joy, and identify ways to connect socially with friends, says Witkiewitz. “Try doing a ‘dry’ month like Dry January, Go Dry for July or Sober October,” says Moore.

Check in with your body for signs of detox

Recognize the situations, emotions, or people that lead you to drink. Whether it’s stress, social pressure, or a particular https://ecosoberhouse.com/ environment, understanding your triggers allows you to create strategies to avoid or cope with them without alcohol. Alcohol abuse and addiction doesn’t just affect the person drinking—it affects their families and loved ones, too.

Sunnyside uses a psychology-based approach to help you drink more mindfully, no matter what your goal is. You’ll get a 100% custom plan, then daily texts to track your progress and help you stay on target. If you tend to drink too much whenever there is any alcohol in the house, get rid of it altogether,  the NIAAA recommends. You’ll get a 100% custom plan, then use daily texts to track your progress and help you stay on target. Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss…from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts.

Change how you think about drinking & alcohol

• By making a boundary for yourself and sticking to it you will gain confidence and discipline, and that is a big step toward managing drinking.
• If you have tried quitting alcohol but experienced these uncomfortable symptoms, you may have had more alcohol to ease the discomfort.
• Developing the discipline to pace yourself is one of the best ways to cut down on drinking alcohol.
• It’s important to acknowledge your ambivalence about stopping drinking.
• Quitting alcohol completely can seem like a big step, but it could be the change of direction you need.

Whatever you choose, make sure it is an enjoyable activity that can help distract you as you move past the trigger and towards continued sobriety. It’s what you do to unwind after a long day with the kids. It’s how you keep your cool when you feel overwhelmed and anxious. For additional support, see the activities on drink refusal skills and handling urges to drink.