You’re likely to be in situations where you’ll be offered a drink. And practice what you might say as a follow-up explanation if someone ask. Mocktails have become increasingly popular, offering a wide range of flavours, ingredients, and creative combinations. You could also try non-alcoholic versions of your usual drinks.
What You’ll Learn
Some people also lose weight as they taper off their drinking. Drinking less alcohol can improve your health in the short and long term. Drinking can affect your sleep, judgement, behaviour, and memory.
Naltrexone is available as either a daily pill (available under the brand names Depade and ReVia) or a once-per-month injection (available under the brand name Vivitrol). Research suggests that naltrexone can be helpful for reducing drinking, particularly when combined with other supportive treatments. Some people trying to cut down have been successful by pacing their drinking.
Top tips to help you quit drinking
Whether your goal is to cut back a little or quit altogether, here are some tips to help you get started. If you’re having trouble doing the same things you strategies for cutting down drinking 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. 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 other medical or mental health problems, should stop drinking completely. The Sinclair Method involves taking naltrexone before drinking.
- So cutting down on alcohol should help you feel more rested when you wake up.
- Some people also lose weight as they taper off their drinking.
- Drinking alcohol is a part of many people’s diets and social lives, but it can have negative impacts on your health, weight, and sleep quality.
- Say it quickly and firmly so that you don’t give yourself time to change your mind.
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Let your friends and family know that you’re thinking about drinking less and exploring how you feel with less alcohol in your life. If you think they won’t understand, tell them your doctor told you to cut back for health reasons, Dr. Attia says. Having their support will help keep you accountable — and some people may decide to join you.
Writing down specific goals helps you set limits with measurable guideposts. Have a glass of water before you have alcohol and alternate alcoholic drinks with water or other non-alcoholic drinks. There are several brands of nonalcoholic beer, wine, and even spirits available today. And while these can be a fun substitute at a special occasion, don’t rely on them to replace a daily habit. “The flavor, the smell, and the bottle all prime your brain to have the real thing,” Dr. Attia says.
Alcohol advice
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. 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. People who drink within the recommended guidelines have a much lower risk of developing problems.
Change how you think about drinking & alcohol
Chances are, you are going to be in situations in which someone offers you a drink or expects you to drink with them as you have done in the past. Learn how to politely say “no, thank you,” and really mean it. Say it quickly and firmly so that you don’t give yourself time to change your mind.
How to Quit Drinking (or at Least Cut Back)
Maybe you want to save money or improve certain relationships. Understanding your “why” is essential for staying motivated throughout your journey. Write down your reasons and refer to them often to remind yourself of your motivation. So many other methods of quitting drinking put fear in your mind – warning of terrible “serious” symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
- Some people will alternate a drink of water, juice, or soda between their alcoholic beverages to slow down their consumption.
- There’s a reason you’ve reached the decision to quit or cut back.
- The less you drink, the lower your risk of developing problems.
- Chances are, you are going to be in situations in which someone offers you a drink or expects you to drink with them as you have done in the past.
- Focus instead on creating new habits that don’t involve drinking.
Importantly we help you understand that you are not giving anything up. Overall, stopping drinking can lead to a healthier and happier lifestyle. You’ve been drawn to this page for a reason – perhaps you’re dependent on alcohol or justwant to change your drinking habits and cut back. We’ve rounded up our top tips to give upalcohol and start on your journey.
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Be patient with yourself, and if one approach doesn’t work, try something else. Each small change adds up and makes a significant difference in the long run. Share your progress and celebrate your achievements with supportive friends or family members. Surround yourself with people who will encourage you and cheer on your successes.
For some, eating food will reduce their craving for alcohol. This is not true for everyone, but if eating something reduces your craving for a drink, eating a meal at times when you usually drink might help you reduce the amount you drink. Recording how many drinks you have may also help you reduce or slow down your drinking.
Willpower is the hard way to quit drinking and not the Easyway to quit drinking. The tips/instructions help but without the right method/map you may never find your way to freedom so please read on after the tips to understand the best method to stop alcohol use. So please read our world-famous tips but you must remember that drinking is like being trapped in a maze.
