It’s common to experience difficulty when making big changes, but good self-care practices can help you manage overwhelming feelings and take care of your mind and body. Maybe you don’t think you depend on alcohol exactly, but you still wonder whether you might be drinking too much. If you don’t already have a supportive network, you can make new connections by joining social media communities dedicated to alcohol-free living. When you know you’re going to be in situations where alcohol is served, be prepared in advance to be clear in your resolve to politely decline the offer of a drink. However, deep reflection may help uncover where internal triggers arise. These triggers may come from a fleeting thought, an emotion, or a physical sensation, such as a headache or nervousness.

Health Benefits of Quitting Alcohol

For people at low risk of complications, an office visit to your primary care provider, along with at-home monitoring and virtual office visits, may suffice. People at high risk of complications should enter a short-term in-patient detox program. People who drink daily or almost every day should not be left alone for the first few days after stopping alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms can quickly go from a bad hangover to a serious medical situation.

• These tips can help you get started on the road to recovery.
• Many people who give up alcohol report improvement in their overall ability to focus and say that they have more energy compared to when they drank.
• Avoiding social events that involve alcohol may also help someone overcome the urge to drink.

Lifestyle Quizzes

Secular Organizations for Sobriety offers an alternative path to the faith-based 12-step model. The groups that operate within the framework welcome anyone looking to find a path to sobriety, including those who are religious. WFS offers both in-person and online support groups (although in-person offerings can be I drink every night am I an alcoholic sparse outside urban areas).

• It’s important to know that if your body has developed a strong dependence on alcohol, trying to quit “cold turkey” can be hazardous to your health.
• If you want to stop drinking for good, don’t let past relapses discourage you from trying to quit.
• It’s often easier to turn down a drink when you don’t have to do it alone.
• In January 2020, more than 6 million people reportedly participated in Dry January, a campaign to reduce alcohol consumption organized by Alcohol Change UK.
• For those needing extra support, medication like Naltrexone can be a valuable tool.
• There is a comprehensive legal, educational, and commercial empire that prefers if you keep drinking.

A different way to get sober

It’s easier to stick to your goal if alcohol isn’t just a step away. You might turn to friends, family, and loved ones for this type of support, but this can be challenging if your past alcohol use has alienated people in your life. It can also be problematic if the people in your immediate social circle continue to drink or if they don’t support your plans to quit. That said, If you’ve been drinking excessively, then stopping drinking cold turkey can lead to withdrawal symptoms. You may not need to completely reinvent your life to quit drinking, but making a few changes in your surroundings to help avoid alcohol triggers can make a big difference. Millions of people join support groups to help stop drinking and stay stopped.

In addition to healthy lifestyle changes, group meetings focus on developing the motivation to change. Members learn how beliefs keep them stuck and emotions trigger them to use alcohol or substances. Finding pleasure in other activities is one cornerstone of the program. Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) offers a comprehensive approach to help you stop drinking that meets the needs of different types of people seeking to quit. There are specific groups for veterans, LGBTQ+ communities, and more.

Coping with alcohol withdrawal symptoms safely

In January 2020, more than 6 million people reportedly participated in Dry January, a campaign to reduce alcohol consumption organized by Alcohol Change UK. Follow-up research suggested that most tended to drink in healthier amounts afterward. Instead of aiming for complete abstinence, for instance, aim to drink fewer than seven days a week. “Try sober Mondays or sober Mondays through Wednesdays,” he says. Accountability is a game-changer for making lasting changes.

He encourages patients to be honest about their drinking history, which doctors can review to create a treatment plan. SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. According to the CDC, heavy drinking is defined as 15 or more drinks per week for men and 8 drinks or more per week for women (2). You must decide this for yourself, ideally in consultation with a healthcare provider who can advise you on the best path forward given your personal drinking history and your current health. The more supportive people you can involve in your quest to quit alcohol the better.

Avoiding external and internal temptations may require an individual temporarily distancing themself from certain people or events and deep reflections on urges that arise from within. Doctors, nutritionists, and counselors can also help support people to stop drinking alcohol. A person can improve their success rate by designing a plan to stop drinking and using the resources that work for them. Many types of support are available in the community and on the internet. However, the best strategies are those that people respond to the best. After the last drink, a person may experience mild or more severe symptoms.

I personally used to worry that I wouldn’t be strong enough to stay sober. If you follow these tips, you’ll finally be able to get your drinking under control. Quitting alcohol alone is harder for some than others, but there’s no need to go it alone. If you’re having difficulty sticking to your goal or just want some extra guidance, consider reaching out for professional support.

Don’t beat yourself up if you relapse

Plus, building physical strength often fuels mental resilience, making it easier to resist temptations. In a large-scale study of alcohol treatment methods, researchers found that a combination of medication, cognitive-behavioral interventions, and social support was most effective. The study also showed that no single treatment approach fits the needs of every individual. Another essential element of your plan to quit drinking is to identify the barriers or obstacles that might make achieving your goals more difficult. You have places, people, and events that are tied to drinking. Being around them could make it harder to stick to your plan.