How To Stop Drinking Alcohol
Whenever you get a craving, distract yourself by doing something you enjoy, like watching TV, learning a new hobby, or cooking a meal. Understand that it’s only a small part of you that wants the drink and it will go away once it realizes it’s not getting what it wants. Quitting alcohol can be a long road, so enjoy each milestone. Celebrate a week sober, a month sober, 3 months sober and so on. Your cravings might seem strong I drink every night am I an alcoholic at first, but they’ll decrease in power the longer you ignore them. If you have a severe alcohol addiction, visit your doctor so they can help you quite safely and direct you to other resources.
- Options include self-help programs, online therapy, medication-assisted treatments, in-person therapy, counseling organizations, and support groups.
- She incorporates cultural relevance and non-traditional interventions and strategies to strengthen her clients’ steps towards goals of behavioral, emotional, social and mental wellness.
- Especially big mistakes that cost us our relationships our freedom.
- 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.
- In general, AA operates with the understanding that members work toward the greater good of the group, as well as spread the message to others who may need help.
Best Secular Option: Secular Organizations for Sobriety
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- Are you ready to quit drinking or cut down to healthier levels?
- Some people may also need supplements such as folate, multivitamin, thiamine, and dextrose.
- A standard glass of wine is 5 ounces, which contains about 12% alcohol.
- Many online communities, from fitness groups to sober communities, offer this accountability.
Letting others know about your choice to stop drinking may help motivate you to stick with your decision. From month-long sobriety challenges to the Sober Curious movement, more and more people are taking a closer look at the role alcohol plays in their lives. Many of these groups are free and available to the public; online support groups are also an option. For help quitting, resources are available from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) or the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Individuals should be prepared to be uncomfortable during this period and have medical help available if needed.
Staying Social When You Quit Drinking
To prevent symptoms of alcohol withdrawal from worsening, people need to stay in a controlled and calm environment. They can help people manage withdrawal symptoms and keep them on track to stop drinking. The best program to quit drinking is the one that delivers results for your unique situation, and it varies from person to person. However, our top pick is Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) because of how effective it is for a variety of people.
Tell family members and friends you want to get healthier.
For many, maintaining sobriety is a lifelong process that requires commitment, self-compassion, and patience—all of which may benefit from ongoing support via aftercare services. Some of the more commonly utilized aftercare services include 12-Step meetings (AA), regular sessions with a counselor or therapist, sober living residences, and non-12-Step groups like SMART Recovery. The Recovery Village offers teletherapy and telepsychiatry with licensed professionals and has locations across the United States. Its comprehensive treatment programs address not only substance use but also any other accompanying mental health disorders. In this way, The Recovery Village offers a full spectrum of care for your path to recovery.