How to Stop Drinking: 14 Tips for Success

If your current friends aren’t supportive of your efforts to stop drinking, know that making new friends is always an option. By cutting out trips to the bar and morning hangovers, you’ve probably freed up some time in your schedule. Many of us use alcohol tips to quit drinking to as a social lubricant or to unwind and have fun with friends and family members. When confronted with people, places, and situations that influence you to drink, you will need a plan already in place to cope with the stressors of that situation.

Use the NIAAA’s drink size calculator to determine the amount of alcohol in various drinks. To determine whether—and where—you fall in the alcohol use disorder (AUD) spectrum, answer the following questions. Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy. Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health.

Setting Healthy Boundaries in Relationships

Removing triggers helps support the goal of stopping drinking. Once urges and cravings are well-managed, a person may consider reconnecting with certain individuals. Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/support-for-those-who-struggling-with-alcohol-addiction/ purposes only. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans.

• 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.
• The first thing you have to do is take a step back and evaluate your habits.
• Keep it interesting and varied with sparkling water, virgin cocktails (also known as mocktails), fruit juices, low-fat milk, or kombucha.
• Whether you’re quitting, cutting back, or taking a temporary break from alcohol, it can help to explain your new intentions to friends and drinking buddies.
• If you’re into arts and crafts, you can likely find clubs that cater to those interests.

In addition to feeling less anxious and having better digestion, you may notice bigger changes a few months into sobriety. For instance, your doctor might find that your heart and liver are in better shape, or your skin may have a certain new glow. The Recovery Village is focused on lifelong wellness, respectful and compassionate treatment provision, and long-term recovery.

How to Stop Drinking for Good

If you think you might have an alcohol use disorder, there are evidence-based treatment options that can help you to quit drinking. Learning about your options can help you decide what might work best for you. Having a plan to quit and exploring resources that can help you give up alcohol successfully can improve your chances for success.

If you tend to drink too much whenever there is any alcohol in the house, get rid of it altogether,  the NIAAA recommends. Food can absorb the alcohol in beverages, so eating before or even while you drink can dampen the effect and may make you want to drink less, says Crews. You might reach for alcohol when you’re really just thirsty, says Crews.