How to Quit Drinking or at Least Cut Back

If you’re reluctant to turn to your loved ones because you’ve let them down before, consider going to couples counseling or family therapy. Some people with a long history of alcohol abuse may start to experience seizures, which peak around 10 hours then taper off and subside entirely within 2 or 3 days. You have places, people, and events that are tied to drinking. Being around them could make it harder to stick to your plan. If that’s not possible, admit your desire to drink and don’t judge yourself for it.

• I am thankful for this article, it’s really perfect.”
• When operating on fear alone, the focus is on avoiding the consequences rather than maximizing the benefits.
• The dashboard clearly shows how many years, months, days, and hours people have been sober every time they open the app.
• 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.
• Once this was no longer an option, I started to write instead.
• If you have not been through it, do your best not to make any judgments when someone you love is struggling with it.

Once this was no longer an option, I started to write instead. I use writing as my personal therapy when something is troubling me and I need to think. This post shows you how to take a break from booze so you can get your physical, emotional, and mental health in order. I developed a unique framework for getting sober and dealing with vices.

Do You Have A Drinking Problem? Here’s A Little Secret To Dealing With it!

I tried to replace it with water, but it was too easy to drink quickly and lacked flavor. Alcohol is the response to all of our emotional states. If you grew up in a society where this is the norm, then it’s already an expectation that you’ll drink in response to nearly every situation imaginable. I won’t lie to you and say that it’s guaranteed that you’ll have a large support network. I won’t lead you on and make you think that everyone will appreciate you trying to become a better human being. All I can do is tell you that the fear is natural, but you have to proceed anyway.

• But when it’s hard to face challenges without alcohol, it’s worth considering whether drinking prevents you from finding more helpful ways of managing emotions.
• Sobriety and recovery will seem a lot less daunting if they have a starting point.
• This could mean making excuses for them or bailing them out of bad situations.
• His writings about meditation and drinking have been published around the world and translated into dozens of languages.
• I have done things I am ashamed of while under the influence.______2.

Intensive outpatient programs focus on relapse prevention and can often be scheduled around work or school. Make it clear that drinking will not be allowed in your home and that you may not be able to attend events where alcohol is being served. Forbes Health adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers. You might reach for alcohol when you’re really just thirsty, says Crews. Drink a cup of soothing tea or a tall glass of water before you imbibe—once your thirst is quenched, you may not feel the need for as much—or any—alcohol.

Additional Resources

Creating a plan is an essential part of knowing how to quit drinking. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism suggests that having https://ecosoberhouse.com/ a plan can help solidify your goals and give you a roadmap for how to achieve them. Treatment should address more than just your alcohol abuse.

It’s hard to quit drinking when you only see yourself as a person who normally drinks but is taking a break. Whether your goal is long-term or short-term sobriety, this is the wrong mindset.

Piedmont Healthcare

Reach out to someone you trust if you’re in need of additional help. This can be family members, friends, or others who have decided to explore quitting drinking. Remove yourself from all the triggers that cause you to drink. Try to find things to do with sober people when your husband and friend engage in drinking. Also, be sure to let them know of your intentions to quit drinking as well so they might be more mindful of your needs.

MHA Screening is an educational program intended to help inform people about options they have in getting help for mental health issues. It may suggest tools and resources that offer information, treatment services, do-it-yourself tools, and/or ways to connect with others. For any and all suggestions, comments, or questions, please contact Mental Health America. In your mind, sobriety means giving up a large part of this social life and all of the people you drink with.This seems terrifying.

Thinking of Ditching Alcohol? How to Make a Plan That Works for You

Don’t lie or cover things up to protect someone from the consequences of their drinking. Consider staging a family meeting or an intervention, but don’t put yourself in How to Stop Drinking a dangerous situation. Offer your support along each step of the recovery journey. When you drink, sip slowly and take a break of 30 minutes or one hour between drinks.

If you’re addicted to alcohol, the first days of quitting can be difficult. Drinking alcohol can be tempting and you might even relapse. You may even start feeling physically ill with withdrawal symptoms.

How To Quit Drinking Alcohol

While Sober Grid is free to download, people can purchase optional in-app memberships, starting at $3.99 per month. Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication. The Addiction Test is for people who are concerned about their use of alcohol or drugs. Skills and mindset content to help you realize your potential, let go of resentment, and live life with purpose.

Before you quit drinking, it is essential to discuss your plans with a healthcare practitioner. If your alcohol consumption has been heavy or chronic, you may be dependent on alcohol. This means that if you suddenly stop drinking, you may experience symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. For many, maintaining sobriety is a lifelong process that requires commitment, self-compassion, and patience—all of which may benefit from ongoing support via aftercare services. Have you ever considered how to stop drinking alcohol?