Mainstream advice recommends cutting down gradually to control your alcohol intake. Yet they don’t recognise that cutting down is even harder than stopping. How many times have you tried to cut down in the past and failed? It ends up as torture and misery, and ‘old habits’ die hard but as we explain this is not a habit. You can get clean and sober, start therapy, join a support group, and start your journey to recovery.
How can I stay motivated to quit drinking long-term?
If they continue to engage in the same unhealthy patterns, you could revisit the conversation later. In some cases, the people around you might continue to pressure you to drink. Perhaps you’re worried that they’ll think less of you if you don’t drink more. Keep in mind that people who really care about you will accept your decision. Consider avoiding people who pressure you as well as people who tend to binge drink.
- Consult with a licensed mental health professional to further explore AUD.
- A medical professional can help you understand whether detoxing at home is safe or if you need supervised care.
- If your brain ever starts playing tricks on you by thinking “Just one drink” or a “glass of wine”, remember there is no such thing.
- It’s not an easy road to lasting recovery, but with the right support and resources, it can definitely be a journey worth taking.
If you slip, return to your plan.
Plus, the physical and mental effects of binge drinking are just as dangerous as any other type of unhealthy drinking behavior even if you don’t consume alcohol on a daily basis. To avoid binge drinking, consider setting a maximum number of drinks for yourself and having someone hold you accountable. If you find yourself continuously passing your limit, you may want to explore tools like medication to stop drinking, or personalized alcohol therapy. Checking in via an online alcohol support group is also a great way to practice accountability. Quitting alcohol is a major step toward improving your health, relationships, and overall well-being.
Learn About Addiction
- Remember, progress may not happen overnight, and it’s essential to be patient with yourself.
- When you feel isolated or lack direction and purpose, it’s common to turn to alcohol and other drugs to fill that void.
- Staying committed and using these techniques can help you stay on track and maintain sobriety.
- However, others find that non-alcoholic beverages do not change how much alcohol they drink meaningfully and may even prompt more thoughts of drinking.
To make exercise a sustainable alternative to drinking, it’s important to find activities that you enjoy and that fit into your lifestyle. This might mean joining a local sports league, attending fitness classes at a gym, or simply incorporating more walking or biking into your daily routine. Experiment with different how to control drinking types of exercise until you find something that resonates with you. When cravings arise, distract yourself with alternative activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Go for a walk in nature, engage in a hobby like painting or gardening, or call a supportive friend. By focusing your attention on positive, engaging activities, you can ride out the craving without turning to alcohol.
Avoid loneliness.
Share your reasons for making this change and let them know how they can best support you in your journey. This might include inviting you to participate in alcohol-free social activities, checking in with you regularly, or simply being available to talk when you need someone to listen. Keeping a detailed record of your alcohol consumption is a crucial step in reducing your intake. Start by using a physical journal or a dedicated app to log every drink you have.
You may do it as a way to relax after a difficult day at work or blow off steam after college exams. Many people also use drinking to cope with difficult periods in their life, such as the death of a loved one or the end of a romantic relationship. However, alcohol is a depressant, so it will ultimately make you feel even alcoholism treatment worse. Whether you’re researching for yourself or a loved one, Beach House can help.