Maybe you feel that you’re drinking too much or too often. Small changes can make a big difference in reducing your chances of having alcohol-related problems. Remember, change can be challenging, so it’s important to have a plan and strong reminders of why this change is important to you. Be patient with yourself and celebrate your successes along the way. 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. However, to become truly free you need more than some tips – you need a method that is beautifully simple to unlock the tips and escape the addiction.
Set a Realistic Goal
- Are you rethinking your relationship with alcohol these days?
- Information and shareable resources to help others choose to drink less alcohol and be their best.
- If a setback happens, get back on track as quickly as possible.
- This helps you develop new hobbies and interests that are not centred around alcohol.
Try reaching for something else, like a bottle of water or a snack. On the days you drink, aim to stop 3 hours before going to bed so your body has time to absorb the alcohol before sleep. Tell trusted family and friends about your plan to quit or cut back on alcohol.
Share Your Goals
Talk to your doctor about how that goal could work for you. Once you’ve cut back on your drinking (so you’re at or below the recommended guidelines), examine your drinking habits regularly to see if you’re maintaining this level of drinking. Some people attain their goal only to find that old habits crop up again later. Below are some specific strategies to try, and you can add your own at the end. Check off perhaps two or three to try in the next week or two, then add others as needed.
Alternate alcoholic drinks with water
Take up a hobby, begin an exercise program, make new friends, or spend more time with your family. Find something that you enjoy that will occupy the time during which you would usually be drinking. Whether you are trying to cut down or quit drinking altogether, it’s a good idea to avoid situations in which you are used to drinking. People, places, things, and certain activities can be triggers that cause you to have an urge to drink.
Positive reinforcement will help you stay motivated and committed to your goals. Start by asking yourself why you want to cut down on alcohol. Are you aiming for better health, improved sleep, weight loss, or enhanced mental clarity?
When those around you are in the know, it can help them know not to offer you drinks. It may even help if you spend time with other nondrinkers for a while so you can support each other. 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.
- Let your friends and family know that you’re thinking about drinking less and exploring how you feel with less alcohol in your life.
- For example, you might take up a new sport, start reading more, or spend more quality time with loved ones, all of which contribute to a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle.
- If that’s not possible, admit your desire to drink and don’t judge yourself for it.
Understand Detox
You can use a handwritten note that you keep in your wallet or record your drinks on your smartphone, whatever is more convenient for you. Regular drinking can affect your body’s ability to fight infections. 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. Change can be hard, so it helps to have strong reminders of why the change is important to you and how you’ve decided to do it.
Whether it’s improved relationships, better health, or weight loss, keeping the “why” in sight can help boost your motivation. If you think you might have alcohol use disorder (AUD) and decide to stop drinking completely, don’t go it alone. We aim to change how you feel about your drinking so that getting free becomes easy, enjoyable and you do not miss anything. Of course not, in fact – most people who stop drinking with Allen Carr’s Easyway do so without any unpleasantness at all. As long as you use a drug-free method that also ensures that you understand the psychological aspects of alcohol addiction – these tips will help you.
Learn How to Say ‘No’
It can also cause high blood pressure, liver disease, and weight gain. Alcohol can also increase your risk of cancer and infectious diseases. Having alcohol readily available in your home can make it more tempting to drink, especially when you are trying to cut down. By not keeping alcohol within easy reach, you create a physical distance that helps reduce the urge to drink. This is especially important in the early stages of reducing your alcohol intake, strategies for cutting down drinking when cravings can be more intense. In addition to water, there are several other healthy alternatives to alcohol that can help you cut down.
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The medication blocks the endorphins that are normally released when a person drinks alcohol. Because drinking alcohol becomes less pleasurable, it can become easier to stop drinking. Talking to people who are also exploring their alcohol use can help. Joining a support group like Alcoholics Anonymous can help put you on the path to stop excessive drinking of alcohol. Online video and phone meetings are popular and offer more flexibility when you’re busy. There’s a reason you’ve reached the decision to quit or cut back.
Are you rethinking your relationship with alcohol these days? Maybe because you’re looking to be more fit, or you want to make healthier changes to your overall lifestyle? Many movements like Sober October — where you challenge yourself not to drink for 31 days — have gained ground. Try to avoid topping up your glass and buying rounds of drinks.
Getting Started With Drinking Less
Alternating alcoholic drinks with water can also help you cut down on calories. Alcoholic drinks often contain more calories than we realise, and these can quickly add up. Cutting down on alcohol could therefore help you maintain a healthy weight.
