OVERCOMING ALCOHOL ADDICTION

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Overcoming Alcohol Addiction: How to Stop Drinking


Giving up alcohol is not easy, especially for someone who is a heavy drinker. The first step in the recovery from alcoholism is recognizing that there is a problem. The next step is figuring out how to overcome the dependence on alcoholic drinks. What is the best way to quit drinking? Many people with a drinking problem are not comfortable going to a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Not everyone can afford professional help at an expensive rehab clinic. But there are alternative ways of giving up alcohol. It is possible to quit drinking alcohol, quietly, in the dignity of home. Some simple strategies can help a recovering alcoholic beat the bottle without spending a lot of money.

10 Ways To Cut Down Drinking

Heavy drinkers and long-term alcoholics usually require inpatient or outpatient alcohol rehab to quit drinking. However, moderate drinkers who feel their alcohol intake is out of control can make some simple lifestyle changes to cut down drinking. Besides, there are self-help strategies to stop drinking alcohol. Here are ten tips for quitting drinking that are easy to implement:

  1. Socialize Without Alcohol. Alcohol is an integral part of many social activities. This makes it easy to overdo and difficult to cut down. However, socializing sober is not impossible. For example, instead of Friday night drinks with colleagues, sign up for a team sport. Attend a group exercise class. Go to the movies. This will not only make it easier to quit alcohol, but also improve overall health, develop genuine connections, and find new hobbies. Best of all, there’s no hangover the next morning.
  2. Don’t Stock Alcohol at Home. One of the best ways to stop drinking is to stop keeping any alcohol in the home. A 6-pack in the fridge makes it all too easy to reach for one at the end of a long day. On the other hand, if it’s not in the house, cutting back on alcohol becomes a lot easier. When friends bring bottles of wine to dinner, send the leftovers back with them. This way there’s no obligation to finish the bottle the next day (why waste good booze?).
  3. Drink Slowly. How to cut back on drinking when socializing? Pacing out drinks is an easy way to reduce alcohol intake. Sip drinks slowly. Alternate each alcoholic beverage with juice, soda, or water. Avoid drinking on an empty stomach. These simple measures can drastically bring down the number of drinks consumed on a single night on the town.
  4. Learn to Deal with Stress. For many people, alcohol is a temporary escape from reality and the stressors of daily life. The best way to stop drinking emotionally is to learn healthy relaxation techniques. Turn to yoga, meditation, or psychotherapy to cope with sadness, stress, and negative emotions without putting oneself at risk of becoming an alcoholic.
  5. Ditch the Heavy Drinkers. Moderate drinkers who socialize with heavy alcohol consumers are under pressure to keep up. Peer pressure can make cutting back on drinking very challenging. Learn to say no firmly but politely. Stick to a predetermined limit. Don’t drink just because others are. Stay away from friends who encourage drinking more and more.
  6. State the Intent to Quit Drinking Alcohol. For people who are actively trying alcohol reduction, stating this intent to family and friends is a good idea. Ask for support. Encourage them to give reminders about this resolution. This way, there’s a team effort towards giving up alcohol.
  7. Keep a Diary. One of the most important steps to quit drinking is to keep track of the alcohol consumed. Set a goal based on the recommended guidelines of 1-2 standard drinks per day for adult women and men. Try to stay within these limits. Remember, these are recommendations for healthy adults. Talk to a doctor about what is a reasonable amount of alcohol for people with specific medical conditions.
  8. Take a Break from Booze. Heard of Sober October or No Drinks November? Decide not to drink for a month. Try to cope emotionally and physically without alcohol. If a whole month without booze feels overwhelming, start with 1 or 2 days a week. This small step will go a long way in helping with cutting out alcohol in the long run.
  9. Handle Urges. Many people drink out of habit. Alcohol is addictive and can cause some pretty strong urges. Be aware of the times of day when the tendency to drink is high and keep busy at that time. Get involved in a healthy activity that distracts from mindless alcohol consumption. The easiest and best way to quit drinking is to stop drinking for drinking sake.
  10. Don’t Give Up. It can take more than one attempt to stop drinking. Don’t be discouraged if efforts don’t yield immediate results. Be persistent. Keep the long-term goal in mind. Take setbacks in stride. An ongoing effort will undoubtedly lead to success.

These tips to stop drinking are the first steps in reducing alcohol intake or quitting completely. They do not require spending any money or seeking professional help. They can be very effective in preventing moderate drinkers from progressing to full-blown alcoholism.


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