Some people will alternate a drink of water, juice, or soda between their alcoholic beverages to slow down their consumption. People who drink within the recommended guidelines have a much lower risk of developing problems. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, only two out of every 100 people who drink within the guidelines have an alcohol use disorder. Be sure to discuss your decision with a trusted healthcare provider because quitting drinking may have its own health impacts or affect another underlying medical condition. A fee-based program, The Recovery Village provides access to addiction experts, social workers, registered nurses, and licensed mental health therapists.

Knowing all the negative effects alcohol has on your physical and mental health can make it easier to understand why you’re better off without it. 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. Understanding these “standard” drink sizes can make it easier to follow health guidelines.

Change your environment

This increases the risk of falls, car crashes, and other accidents. Chances are, you are going to be in situations in which someone offers you a drink or expects you to drink with them as you have done in the past. Learn how to politely say “no, thank you,” and really mean it. Say it quickly and firmly so that you don’t give yourself time to change your mind. This is not true for everyone, but if eating something reduces your craving for a drink, eating a meal at times when you usually drink might help you reduce the amount you drink.

• There are specific groups for veterans, LGBTQ+ communities, and more.
• Avoiding social events that involve alcohol may also help someone overcome the urge to drink.
• Whether you want to cut back on your alcohol intake or give it up all together, we’re here to help with that goal.
• You’re likely to be in situations where you’ll be offered a drink.

If you’re accustomed to opening a beer at 5 o’clock every night, try waiting until 7. If you usually order a drink immediately upon arrival at a party, order a seltzer first. While it can be safe to drink moderately, many Americans may want to reconsider the amount they drink regularly, says George https://ecosoberhouse.com/ Koob, the director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand.

Measure your drinks.

There are more tasty nonalcoholic beverages on the market than ever before. Find one you like, and use it to replace your evening drink or give yourself something to sip on at a party. Plus, if people see your glass is full, they’ll be less likely to offer you a drink. “Know your no.” Once you begin venturing into social situations involving alcohol again, be prepared with a response when someone offers you a drink. The better you know how to handle peer pressure or awkwardness around your sobriety, the more comfortable you’ll feel in the moment.

• There are more tasty nonalcoholic beverages on the market than ever before.
• It affects between three and five percent of people who are quitting drinking and can be fatal.
• There are many potential reasons to cut down on or to stop drinking.
• Instead of criticizing yourself for having a hard time or slipping up and having a drink, remember that no one’s perfect.
• If you are currently drinking more than the recommended guidelines, any change that you make—even small changes—can help you reduce the harm that alcohol can cause.
• Self Recovery was founded by board-certified psychiatrist Daniel Hochman, MD, based on his experience as a private practitioner and consultant for facilities treating individuals for addiction.

Programming can range from hour-long sessions a few times a week to several hours per day. Adults of all ages who drink alcohol and drive are at higher risk of traffic accidents than those who do not drink. Drinking slows reaction times and coordination, and interferes with eye movement and information processing. People who drink even a moderate amount are at higher risk for traffic accidents, possibly resulting in injury or death to themselves and others.

Benefits of stopping drinking

If you let your friends and family know you’re cutting down and it’s important to you, you could get support from them. If you regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week, try these simple tips to help you cut down. American Addiction Centers can improve treatment outcomes for those in recovery for alcohol use disorder. Naltrexone is available as either a daily pill (available under https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/tips-to-get-started-on-the-road-to-recovery/ the brand names Depade and ReVia) or a once-per-month injection (available under the brand name Vivitrol). Research suggests that naltrexone can be helpful for reducing drinking, particularly when combined with other supportive treatments. People who consume drinks quickly, particularly the first few drinks, are at greater risk of misusing alcohol and developing alcohol dependence.