Some people can get control over their drinking and drink safer levels of alcohol without having to quit entirely. If you plan to attempt to control your drinking, there are several steps you should take to assist you in this process. Medical experts now use the term “alcohol use disorder” rather than “alcohol abuse” to address the concern of excessive drinking. Family and friends can provide encouragement and support when you stop drinking. By opening up about your relationship with alcohol, you might also encourage others to explore their own drinking habits. Pay attention to the thoughts or feelings that spur you to drink.

Make Behavioral Changes

• Many people use alcohol as a “social lubricant” when getting together with friends and family.
• Don’t lie or cover things up to protect someone from the consequences of their drinking.
• This could include stress, social pressure, or certain locations like bars or parties.
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• You may drink to avoid certain feelings, for instance, but you also may drink to enhance certain feelings.

Within just a month of not drinking, your body can begin to reap the benefits. Your liver can start to heal, your risks of heart disease and cancer go down, and you may begin to sleep better. 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 https://ecosoberhouse.com/ goal or just want some extra guidance, consider reaching out for professional support. You might run into obstacles along the way that tempt you to drink.

The Power And Potential Of Endorphins For Alcohol Use Disorder

These individuals can offer encouragement, accountability, and a listening ear when you’re struggling with cravings or temptations. For example, you might notice that you drink more on weekends when socializing with friends or that you reach for a glass of wine after a stressful day at work. By identifying these patterns and triggers, you can develop strategies to manage or avoid them. Next, identify your reasons for wanting to reduce your alcohol consumption. These could include improving your health, saving money, or enhancing your relationships.

• One of the active ingredients in milk thistle extract is silymarin, which may improve liver function in people with alcohol use disorder.
• This may mean making major changes to your social life, such as finding new things to do with your old drinking buddies—or even giving up those friends and finding new ones.
• All you need is a pair of running shoes and a safe route to get started.
• But the data is far from perfect, given inconsistencies over time, or the fact that people often underestimate how much they actually consume.

Expert Tips For Reducing Your Alcohol Consumption

You may find that the first few days are challenging, but that you soon get used to not drinking. You will likely also find that you sleep better, feel more rested, or are more alert, which will strengthen your decision to address your drinking. Over time, meditation can help you become more comfortable with the thoughts and feelings that arise in moments when you crave alcohol, which will help lessen cravings in that moment and in the future. Ashwagandha is an herbal supplement used in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine.

Alcohol Moderation Management: Programs and Steps to Control Drinking

As you continue tracking your alcohol consumption and working Oxford House towards your reduction goals, it’s important to periodically assess your progress and make adjustments as needed. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem, and don’t be too hard on yourself if you experience setbacks. By understanding your personal triggers and developing a plan to address them, you’ll be better equipped to stick to your alcohol reduction goals. While it’s important to challenge yourself when setting goals, it’s equally crucial to ensure that your targets are realistic and achievable. Setting overly ambitious goals can lead to frustration and discouragement if you consistently fall short.

If certain environments, scenarios and places tempt you to drink, the simplest and most effective approach may be to avoid them, at how to control drinking least temporarily. Most people likely wouldn’t question what you’re drinking anyway, he says, and it gives you something to sip on throughout the party. For example, you may realize you’re always drinking when you’re sad or you’re always drinking when you’re with certain friends.