Changing unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, overeating, or drinking too much can take a lot of effort, and you may not succeed with the first try. If you think you might have alcohol use disorder (AUD) and decide to stop drinking completely, don’t go it alone. You may find it helpful to look for mutual support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and other groups, where you can connect with people who share experiences similar to yours. A support group specifically focused on alcohol recovery can provide valuable encouragement and information that can aid you on your road to being free from alcohol. If you’re having trouble doing the same things you used to do, try new hobbies to fill your time. Join a gym, learn a new skill, or find sober social groups you can enjoy.
How can I cut down my drinking?
However, if you are in pursuit of something new and better, you’re more likely to stick to it. Acknowledging your fears gives you the best chance of making a change. Fear keeps you from regressing, goals drive you forward, and new habits to make it all stick. This fear gives you a healthy respect for the process and ensures that you take it seriously.
- It could be a non-alcoholic drink, like a spiced ice tea or a fruit smoothie.
- Sunnyside provides a simple but structured approach to help you drink more mindfully.
- You can also set a few days of the week as alcohol-free days.
- Removing triggers helps support the goal of stopping drinking.
Embracing Sobriety: Guide to Quitting Alcohol
There are many benefits of giving up alcohol, including better physical and mental health, better sleep, lower blood pressure, as well as a lower risk of heart disease, stroke and certain cancers. You feel like your friends and family won’t understand or support your decision to stop drinking. Alcoholic support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, provide free help for people struggling to quit drinking. Peoplewith minor alcohol problems or people who have already received treatment for moderate or severe alcohol problems usuallybenefit from AA. Dr. Kevin Wandler of Advanced Recovery Systems describes the potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms that can occur when a person quits drinkingalcohol cold turkey.
How to stop drinking – 6 tips to quit drinking alcohol
For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional. It’s always wise to check with your doctor — she should be able to help you decide whether it is best for you to cut back or to abstain. People who are dependent on alcohol, or have tips to quit drinking other medical or mental health problems, should stop drinking completely. 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.
See yourself as a person who doesn’t drink
When you’re having a good time, you find it hard to stop, especially in the company of friends having the same amount. The specific timeline for recovering from COVID-19 varies based on several factors, like age and the presence of other health problems. All said, most people recover within two to four weeks unless they have a severe illness, in which case it may take up to 12 weeks.
Remove alcohol from your house.
- People who are dependent but not addicted to alcohol may not require rehab.
- You need to find new hobbies to take the place of things you used to do while drinking.
- Moreover, studies vary considerably in design and populations included (e.g., different ages and locations).
- Getting help for alcoholism at The Recovery Village Columbus can greatly improve the chances of overcoming alcohol addiction.
In this post, I’ll show you how to stop drinking using simple techniques, mindset shifts, and relying on the support systems around you. The more supportive people you can involve in your quest to quit alcohol the better. Encouragement from family, friends, and others you trust can be an invaluable source of strength as you make this change in your life. The best way to stop drinking is the one that’s most helpful for you.
Weight Loss
Another clue that can be an indication of an unhealthy relationship with alcohol is if you make “rules” around drinking. A sober life doesn’t have to mean more time at home as you try to block out triggers. It can mean more time for your other interests, and even new interests. More time to meet new people, catch up with old friends and try new things. Sunnyside provides a simple but structured approach to help you drink more mindfully.