How to stop drinking 6 tips to quit drinking alcohol
Vivitrol (naltrexone), Campral (acamprosate), and Antabuse (disulfiram) have been FDA-approved to treat alcohol use disorder. If you have been drinking heavily and chronically, it is also a good idea to have your detox medically supervised to minimize your risk of potentially dangerous withdrawal complications. There are many benefits to giving up alcohol, both short-term and long-term.
Prepare for potential alcohol detox
Designing a supportive environment may require removing items or people from someone’s life. Removing triggers helps support the goal of stopping drinking. Once urges and cravings are well-managed, a person may consider reconnecting with certain individuals. That said, If you’ve been drinking excessively, then stopping drinking cold turkey can lead to withdrawal symptoms.
Recovering from A Drinking Episode When Your Goal is to Quit
One 12-ounce can of beer contains about 5% alcohol, and a standard glass of sherry is 3 to 4 ounces and contains about 17% alcohol, according to the NIAAA. A person may require intravenous (IV) rehydration fluids to correct any electrolyte imbalances. Some people may also need supplements such as folate, multivitamin, thiamine, and dextrose.
- You might have noticed that your drinking is affecting your health, your mood, how you’re doing at work, or your personal relationships.
- Journaling can be a great way to document the ups-and-downs, and learn from your past experiences.
- Self Recovery uses a holistic treatment model that considers the underlying causes of addiction and incorporates these into a self-help program.
- Support groups are run by facilitators who lead members through a structured program that delves into mental health and addiction with a focus on the present instead of the past.
- Rather, any path to sobriety that the individual chooses is respected in this model.
Tell family members and friends you want to get healthier.
- At first I felt a little out of place, and my moves were far less flamboyant than before, but after a while I settled into things and enjoyed myself.
- A support group specifically focused on alcohol recovery can provide valuable encouragement and information that can aid you on your road to being free from alcohol.
- Instead of aiming for complete abstinence, for instance, aim to drink fewer than seven days a week.
- Some people also lose weight as they taper off their drinking.
- If mild symptoms do not progress, the person will likely stabilize and recover.
So I decided to quit drinking for a month, curious to see what a dry spell could do for me. Around day 10, you might experience your first full night of quality sleep. You might realize you’re having more dreams than you did before, and waking up feeling more rested and energized. It’s likely the past few days have been challenging as your body is healing from the effects of alcohol. There may be some thoughts like “do I really have to do this for 25 more days!?
Women who had two or more drinks per day and men who had four or more drinks per day had significantly increased mortality. Some people who stop drinking may experience delirium tremens (DT). This condition is serious and may lead to symptoms such as high blood pressure, tremors, and seizures. There’s a reason you’ve reached the decision to quit or cut back.
Examine your current relationship with alcohol
You may also consider joining an online support group to help you feel less alone. It might also be worth checking out a 12-step program in your area, like Alcoholics Anonymous or SMART Recovery, to see if it feels like something that might be useful for you. You might run into obstacles along the way that tempt you to drink. Keep in mind the reasons you chose to cut back on or quit alcohol.
If you slip, return to your plan.
” Remember that it https://ecosoberhouse.com/ will get easier, and you only have to get through one day at a time. Social gatherings may seem like too much right now, and it’s okay to give yourself some extra rest and time to heal. It’s also vital to consult a medical professional before you stop drinking. Alcohol withdrawal is a serious medical concern, and you should make a plan with your physician to ensure that you can start cutting back safely. Quitting alcohol completely can seem like a big step, but it could be the change of direction you need.
As you find yourself achieving goals or hitting major milestones in your progress, don’t forget to reward yourself. If it’s been a tips to quit drinking month since your last drink, buy yourself a nice dinner or a new piece of clothing. Remind yourself how far you’ve come, and give yourself the credit you deserve. Of course, being sober doesn’t mean your glass has to be empty, either. There are more tasty nonalcoholic beverages on the market than ever before.