10 Steps to Stop Alcohol Consumption

30 June 2023

It’s how you keep in touch with your buddies. After work, this is when you get to know your coworkers better. After a long day with the kids, you do it to relax. It’s how you maintain your composure while you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed.

There will always be many justifications for continuing to use alcohol. When do the benefits of quitting drinking outweigh them is the question.

Whether you battle with alcoholism, which is medically referred to as a drug use disorder, or the negative effects of binge drinking appear to never end, finding sobriety is a solution that many individuals have successfully followed.

That doesn’t mean the path will be simple. The correct resources and a solid support network, however, can help you find a better, healthier way of life.

It’s a good start just to be here, reading advice on how to stop drinking, and evaluating your options for the future. Let’s get you one step closer to discovering new life and hope in recovery.

Table of Contents

Consult a physician

It may sound harsh to describe drinking alcohol in an unhealthy amount. It could make you feel guilty or uncomfortable to discuss your drinking habits.

However, it could be a good idea to start by being upfront and honest with your doctor about how much alcohol you consume daily.

You must cleanse if your body is desiring booze. Your body may experience a variety of withdrawal symptoms if there is a rapid drop in the amount of alcohol in your blood. A doctor can determine if you require medical supervision and support for alcohol addiction or whether your body can properly handle the withdrawal process.

Understand why.

Why do you want to stop drinking? What would you say was your main motivation for giving up and remaining clean if you were never allowed to drink again?

You are not required to respond to this query right away. This one is huge! Take your time, then.

On the other hand, it’s also one of the most significant inquiries you’ll address during your recuperation. You’ll want to frequently go back to your why when temptations present themselves or as the sickness of drug use disorder urges your body to cave in to temptations.

Some people base their motivation on relationships. spouses, parents, children, etc. Others have experienced a setback in their professional lives as a result of their drinking. Others’ transition to sobriety is motivated by a variety of causes.

You are not required to respond to this query right away. This one is huge! Take your time, then.

Write down your why as soon as you can—everywhere. Placing a sticky note where you know you’ll need an extra reminder is a good idea. For the times of day you know you’ll desire a drink the most, set a daily SMS alert on your phone. Post images of your why all around your house, in your car, and as the wallpaper on your phone and computer.

Set objectives

The goal of “never drinking again” seems reasonable in principle. Unfortunately, many people struggle to stop drinking or relapse early in their recovery journey because they don’t instantly put their minds to reaching this one and only hard-and-fast objective.

Instead, concentrate on creating more manageable, smaller goals that will assist you in achieving your larger ones.

Attend a support group once a week, such as AA (Alcoholics Anonymous). Avoid going to locations where you could be tempted to drink.
begin seeing a therapist
Contact family members who are supportive of your sobriety.
Plan beforehand for times when detox feels too much.
Find healthful routines to replace the times when you would typically drink.

Take away your booze supply.

In the early stages of recovery, it’s extremely important to restrict your access to alcohol. There will be temptations in your environment that you have no control over, so pay attention to that.

Put it on paper

Anyone may use writing as a strong tool. Writing can help you accept and recognize facts about your relationship with alcohol that you hadn’t known before while you’re trying to stop drinking.

Think about writing about:

Drinking patterns: lessons you might draw from the past
Why—the justification for quitting alcohol—to increase the impact of that justification
feelings about drinking, and how you relate to it
Understanding your triggers can help you identify what made you feel the urge or want to drink.
Every day, find a secure, private place to write in a journal. It’s not necessary to use several words all at once. It doesn’t have to be deep. Additionally, it is only for your own eyes.

Learn what triggers you.

Your will to give up drinking is strong. Knowing what in your life makes you want to drink will help you make that decision stronger. Understanding what’s causing your mind or body to tell you that you need another drink is essential to achieving a better level of sobriety.

A trigger may be mental or physical, such as:

negative feelings such as guilt, humiliation, rage, and fear.
taking part in social events
driving by a bar where you used to consume alcohol
taking a look at old photos
being around specific individuals
either at work or at home.
viewing a certain television program or advertisement

Therapy is a helpful tool for long-term healing whether or not you have a recognized mental health issue. Your alcohol consumption can be better understood with the assistance of a therapist, who can also provide you with the tools you need for long-term success.