Encouragement from family, friends, and others you trust can be an invaluable source of strength as you make this change in your life. The best way to stop drinking is the one that’s most helpful for you. The practical methods and tactics below are some of the ways people find success in quitting alcohol.
Set Realistic and Achievable Goals
Tapering off alcohol helps some people start their recovery journeys. It can also be a good idea for people who don’t want to, or can’t, attend any type of full detoxification program. You’re likely to start by seeing your primary health care provider. If your provider suspects that you have a problem with alcohol, you may be referred to a mental health provider. Primary care and mental health providers can provide effective AUD treatment by combining new medications with brief counseling visits.
The more symptoms you have, the more urgent the need for change. A health care provider can look at the number, pattern, and severity of symptoms to see whether AUD is present and help you decide the best course of action. AUD is characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences.
Getting Started
Drinking less each day can help you eventually achieve alcohol abstinence or drinking moderation. Based on clinical experience, many health care providers believe that support from friends and family members is important in overcoming alcohol problems. But friends and family may feel unsure about how best to provide the support needed. The groups for family and friends listed in the “Resources” section may be a good starting point.
What Is Emotional Sobriety In AA?
If you’re having trouble doing the same things you used to do, try new hobbies to fill your time. Join a gym, learn a new skill, or find sober social groups you can enjoy. You’re likely to be in situations where you’ll be offered a drink. And practice what you might say as a follow-up best way to stop drinking explanation if someone ask.
However, even with precautions taken, it is likely someone will offer you alcohol during your sobriety journey. Preparing a response ahead of time can help relieve any pressure you may feel and let others know your boundaries. Sunnyside Med offers access to compounded naltrexone (50mg + B6 5mg), paired with behavioral tools to help you reduce your drinking over time.
Attending an outpatient or inpatient rehabilitation facility is the best way to stop drinking. It’s common to have difficulties adjusting to big changes, especially old habits like heavy drinking. To make sure you’re not overwhelmed, focus on your well-being. Spending time with people who understand what you are experiencing can be healing. You can also learn from what others have done to achieve sobriety to guide your journey. If you want to quit drinking, you can try following these steps.
Seek Support
Withdrawal symptoms can be serious, and your health deserves careful attention. Drinking alcohol can have a direct impact on your mood, increase anxiety, and disrupt your sleep, making it harder to cope with daily stresses. Sometimes, people use alcohol as a way to manage feelings of depression or anxiety, but this often leads to a cycle where drinking makes mental health symptoms worse over time. Talk with a healthcare professional if you’re concerned you may experience detox symptoms when quitting drinking or cutting back. Staying motivated to quit drinking long-term requires setting personal goals, tracking progress, and surrounding yourself with supportive people.
Learn how to say, “No.”
- The severity of your withdrawal symptoms and how quickly they progress determine whether you have mild, moderate, or severe withdrawal syndrome.
- Drinking on an empty stomach is never a good idea, so make sure you eat food when you drink.
- Alcohol recovery is a process—one that often involves setbacks.
- I explain addiction’s connection to dopamine and isolation, and how developing a new identity away from alcohol was crucial.
Regularly drug addiction reflecting on the benefits of sobriety can reinforce your commitment. To stop drinking without professional help, you need a clear plan, accountability, and alternative coping strategies. Reducing triggers, replacing alcohol with healthier activities, and joining peer support groups can help maintain sobriety. Alcohol Tapering can help people start their recovery journey, including those with goals of stopping completely or curbing drinking. Tapering can also be effective for people who are unable to attend an in-person program or detox to help them stop drinking.
- Here is our guide to giving up (or cutting back) on alcohol.
- Understanding triggers and setting clear intentions strengthens commitment.
- Setting a goal to stop drinking alcohol requires a person to be aware of their reasons for this behavioral change.
- Do not fall prey to unknown calls or messages promising benefits for porting your policy or offering attractive premium discounts for making payment to unidentified Bank A/Cs.
It can be used with counseling or therapy and is not meant as a substitute for professional help. If you choose to try it on your own and at any point feel you need more help, then seek support (see Help Links). AA and other support groups can be helpful in quitting drinking, but you can find assistance in other ways. Therapy is effective in helping people quit, as is medication prescribed by a healthcare provider. Although everyone’s experience will be unique, below is a general timeline of what happens to you when you quit drinking alcohol.