AUD (formerly known as alcoholism) is a medical condition in which a person has an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite consequences. If you have tried unsuccessfully to quit drinking on your own, you may meet the criteria. We offer simple but structured approaches to help you become more mindful, increase energy and focus, and feel your best inside and out. Enjoy more restful sleep and brighter mornings, embrace a healthier diet, save money by spending less on drinks, and thrive with a more fun and fulfilling lifestyle.

Fizzy pop is for kids, water is for nerds and drinking more than three cups of caffeine a day will ultimately turn you into a nervous wreck. Find yourself a non-alcoholic drink that feels grownup and a bit of a treat to enjoy at the end of the working day. I wish I could recommend some more obscure brands but, in my opinion, the bigger breweries have been first to perfect booze-free-booze. Personally, I am still happy to go to the pub with pals who are drinking while I nurse an alcohol-free beer. I have become a master of the French exit (disappearing without going through a lengthy and tedious round of goodbyes).

Recognize the signs of alcohol use disorder

Make a note about how you feel physically and mentally on these days—recognizing the benefits may help you to cut down for good. Most people with alcohol problems do not decide to make a big change out of the blue or transform their drinking habits overnight. Even after admitting you have a drinking problem, you may make excuses and drag your feet. It's important to acknowledge your ambivalence about stopping drinking. If you're not sure if you're ready to change or you're struggling with the decision, it can help to think about the costs and benefits of each choice. Exploring, in writing, what you find difficult and when you most want to drink can help you notice patterns that offer more insight into your alcohol use.

Tell trusted family and friends about your decision and ask for their support in helping you stay sober. For example, you can ask them not to offer you alcohol and not to drink around you. You can also ask them to do activities with you that do not involve alcohol. Try to spend the most time with your family and friends who do not drink. You may have tried to quit in the past and are ready to try again. You may also be trying for the first time and are not sure where to start.

Graduate School of Addiction Studies

This site is meant to assist you through 30 days of not drinking. When you finish the 30 days, you can make the decision to continue not drinking or to moderate your use. These might include needing relaxation, connection with others, feeling safe and secure, distraction from negative emotions, or something else entirely. Once you identify these needs, you can find other healthier ways of addressing them so that you don’t resort to drinking alcohol as a coping tool.

Let friends, family members, and co-workers know that you're trying to stop or cut back on drinking. If they drink, ask them to support your recovery by not doing so in front of you. Family and friends can provide encouragement and support when you stop drinking.

Find new meaning in life

Whether you have a diagnosed mental health disorder or not, therapy is a positive tool for long-term recovery. A therapist can help you uncover key insights regarding your alcohol use and offer tools that will set you up for successful and satisfying long-term recovery. They could be family, friends, significant others or mentors. Positive support persons are those who recognize your goals and stand by you as you work to accomplish them.

Keep trying until you find the activities that resonate with your passions and ultimate wellness goals. In theory, setting one big giant goal of “never drinking again” makes sense. The sudden lack of alcohol in your system can send your body into withdrawal, resulting in various symptoms. A doctor can assess whether your body can safely manage the withdrawal process or if you’ll need medical monitoring and assistance. Simply being here, reading tips on how to quit drinking, considering the possibilities of your future is a positive first step. Let’s get you even closer to finding new hope and life in sobriety.

Detox can be done on an outpatient basis or in a hospital or alcohol treatment facility, where you may be prescribed medication to prevent medical complications and relieve withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor or an addiction specialist to learn more. There are times when cutting back on your drinking can be helpful, but there are times when quitting alcohol altogether is the best solution. If you want to stop drinking for good, don’t let past relapses discourage you from trying to quit. It is normal and even expected for people to try to quit at least once before achieving sobriety.

• Several medicines can help you quit drinking by getting rid of the craving for alcohol and blocking its effects.
• If you begin to experience any of these symptoms, please seek a physician's care.
• It explains how herbal remedies and lifestyle changes can relieve mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms and when to seek medical care for alcohol withdrawal.
• Set a daily message alert on your phone for moments when you know you’ll crave a drink the most.
• An urge to drink can be set off by external triggers in the environment and internal ones within yourself.

Treatment should address more than just your alcohol abuse. Addiction affects your whole life, including your relationships, career, health, and https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-to-stop-drinking/ psychological well-being. Treatment success depends on examining the way alcohol abuse has impacted you and developing a new way of living.