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Manage your “triggers.” If certain people, places, or activities tempt you to drink more than you planned, you can avoid those triggers. For example, instead of a happy hour event with co-workers, suggest catching up at lunch instead. You may also want to remove certain alcohol products from your home. Decide how many days a week you plan to drink and how many drinks you plan to have. For instance, you might decide to only drink on a Friday night or Saturday night and have one drink. Alcohol has a way of seeping into various parts of your life, including how you spend time socializing and how you spend time by yourself.
Letting others know about your choice to stop drinking may help motivate you to stick with your decision. Complete sobriety isn’t a bad goal, of course, but it doesn’t have to be the only one. Moderation management, an approach that Turner practices, is just one alternative to full sobriety. Take a walk, play sports, go out to eat, or catch a movie. When you’re at home, pick up a new hobby or revisit an old one. Painting, board games, playing a musical instrument, woodworking — these and other activities are great alternatives to drinking.
How To Quit Drinking Safely
Friends and family can provide emotional support, but the reality is they’re not medically trained to knowwhat helps with alcohol withdrawal. When you stop drinking alcohol suddenly, the body reacts with a series of withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are painful, difficult to manage, and may last for weeks.
Unless you are in need of medical supervision for alcohol detox, it’s understandable to want to avoid checking in to a clinic. You don’t need to quit completely if that doesn’t https://ecosoberhouse.com/ work for you, nor do you need to “white-knuckle it” using sheer willpower. Medications now exist that can let you cut back or quit gradually, and reduce your cravings.
Rev. James E. McDonald, C.S.C., Center for Student Well-Being
You do not have to have reached a crisis point to check into detox. Our recovery advocates are available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have and connect you to the resources you need. We never sell your information or use your drinking data for marketing tactics. Sunnyside is easy and simple to use, but is backed by proven habit change techniques reviewed by our advisors. We’ll share advice, education and motivation on a daily basis to keep you on track with your goals. Every Sunday we’ll share your plan for the week ahead that you can adjust and customize as needed.
- In order to change your drinking habits, your first step is to take a close look at your current behaviors and find patterns.
- It can be easier to adapt your body to drinking smaller amounts of alcohol with a substitution taper.
- Detox programs involve short-term inpatient treatment during which specially trained professionals monitor your withdrawal closely and administer medications as needed.
- Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health.
While our team of experienced journalists and medical experts offers timely wellness insights, news and reviews, we do not provide medical advice, diagnoses or treatment. You don’t have to leave the house how to stop drinking to get support from other people who understand and respect what you’re trying to do. In addition to reducing daily drinking, naltrexone has been shown to reduce alcohol cravings as a measurable symptom .