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Trying to stop drinking alcohol can be hard. But as impossible as it may seem at times, it’s not. If you have made the gutsy decision to stop drinking alcohol, and are willing to get the support you need, you can regain control over your struggles with moderation.
If you want to cut your drinking down to healthier levels or stop drinking alcohol altogether, the guidelines in this post will help you achieve your goals faster.
Before we begin, please remember that changing one’s drinking is typically a gradual process. Most individuals are not able to change their drinking habits overnight.
Once you have identified that your drinking has been resulting in problems half the work is done! Ambivalence and denial can be a major obstacle in the initial stages of change. If you can’t decide whether you’re ready to make a change, consider our Drinker’s CheckUp. It takes about 30 min and can help you find your own internal motivation or reasons for changing, and think about the benefits and costs of each choice.
With that being said, here are a few ways you can stop drinking or reduce your alcohol consumption:
· Self-reflect and seek counseling to figure out why you drink.
· Make it harder to drink alcohol. Stop keeping alcohol at home and avoid going to bars and liquor stores.
· Change the habits that are linked to drinking. For example, if you routinely stop by a bar for happy hour, commit yourself to an alternative activity during that time.
· Instead of meeting friends/peers for a drink, go play sports or see a movie.
· Avoid friends, colleagues, or family members with whom you spend time drinking; spend time with people who don’t drink. Let your loved ones know you are cutting back on alcohol consumption and ask them to support your efforts.
· Seek support by attending therapy, joining a support group like Smart Recovery, Moderation Management, or taking a more self-directed approach such as our CheckUp & Choices program. Don’t just try to stop drinking alcohol on your own. You don’t have to go through it alone.
Finally, if you’ve been drinking heavily for some time now, stopping suddenly can be physically dangerous. Consider asking your primary care provider whether you might need some outpatient supervised detox to reduce your risk of serious medical problems from stopping.
Recovering from a battle with alcohol consumption is much more effective and attainable when you receive the right guidance, encouragement, and support. While support from friends and family can be invaluable during your journey to reduce or eliminate alcohol use, having clear guidance and the support of a research-backed program on your side can improve your odds of success.
In several studies conducted by the NIAAA, CheckUp & Choices online program has demonstrated a 55% reduction in frequency, quantity, and intensity of alcohol consumption in non-dependent drinkers. Study participants reported, on average, a clinically significant 50% decrease in alcohol-related problems.
This is a completely web-based self-help program which can be accessed via your smartphone, tablet, or computer. It includes:
The CheckUp: An in-depth alcohol self-assessment with objective feedback to motivate you to change your drinking habits or stop drinking alcohol.
Choices programs: Guided, structured programs of motivational and cognitive behavioral exercises to help you achieve and maintain sobriety. Individual modules on stimulants, alcohol, opioids, marijuana, and gambling are included. It also includes CheckIns every 3 months to measure your progress.
Choose a plan and try out the program with no obligation – if it doesn’t work, we will issue a full refund, no questions asked. Contact us here to learn more.
