How to stop drinking alcohol completely

It’s important to acknowledge your ambivalence about stopping drinking. If you’re not sure if you’re ready to change or you’re struggling with the decision, it can help to think about the costs and benefits of each choice. Decide what you want to achieve and why—whether it’s for better health, improved relationships, or greater mental clarity.

Discover your triggers.

During the recovery stage, it’s not uncommon to feel temporarily worse. For some people, AUD has hurt their relationships, careers, health, finances, self-esteem, and other aspects of their lives. Since withdrawal symptoms tend to ebb and flow, you may be tempted to feel like you’re not making progress ― even though in reality, you’ve come a long way. That said, there are four general stages of recovery, as compiled by addiction expert Steven M. Melemis, MD.

• It’s important to acknowledge that everything you try won’t be right for you.
• They’re the people you feel safe being vulnerable with, and you trust to hold you accountable.
• In order to change your drinking habits, your first step is to take a close look at your current behaviors and find patterns.
• You might reach for alcohol when you’re really just thirsty, says Crews.
• Arming yourself with strategies and tips can help you or a loved one take small steps towards big results.
• People in AA are either working to become sober or are in recovery.
• By opening up about your relationship with alcohol, you might also encourage others to explore their own drinking habits.

I’m In Recovery

Talk therapy is an important part of treatment for alcohol use disorder, but Dr. Streem says just about anyone who is making a life change, like quitting drinking, can benefit from therapy. Dr. Streem suggests starting with the World Health Organization’s Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). It can be a particularly helpful way to help you get a clearer understanding of your drinking habits and your relationship with alcohol. It’s a 10-question screening test that gives you research-backed, personalized advice for quitting or reducing your intake of alcohol.

Tell family members and friends you want to get healthier.

Drink a cup of soothing tea or a tall glass of water before you imbibe—once your thirst is quenched, you may not feel the need for as much—or any—alcohol. A standard glass of wine is 5 ounces, which contains about 12% alcohol. A shot of distilled spirits like vodka is 1.5 ounces and equally 40% alcohol. 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. If you identify with any of the scenarios above, try the expert tips below for reducing your alcohol consumption (or even eliminating it altogether).

Many people in recovery discovered that mental health disorders, such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, ADHD, etc., and trauma helped to fuel their unhealthy relationship with alcohol. Try hobbies and self-care activities that make you feel relaxed, proud of yourself, included, and mentally and physically healthy. It’s important to acknowledge that everything you try won’t be right for you. Keep trying until you find the activities that resonate with your passions and ultimate wellness goals.

• Through therapy, support groups and medication, you’ll be supported on your path to recovery.
• Inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities are another effective place to surround yourself with people who will walk you through detox and recovery with no judgment.
• For example, keeping the home alcohol-free may prevent people from drinking.
• Regular exercise provides structure, releases endorphins, and creates a sense of accomplishment—all of which can help reduce the urge to drink.
• So far, there’s no consensus on the medical definition of recovery in alcohol treatment literature.

You have places, I drink every night am I an alcoholic people, and events that are tied to drinking. Being around them could make it harder to stick to your plan. If that’s not possible, admit your desire to drink and don’t judge yourself for it.

However, self-affirmation exercises may be time-consuming. Structured self-affirmation exercises that take up less time, such as answering a series of yes or no questions, can also be effective in helping people reduce or stop drinking alcohol. Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only.

Avoiding drinking triggers

• “Try sober Mondays or sober Mondays through Wednesdays,” he says.
• Dr. Streem says that if your goal is to stop drinking altogether, you’re more likely to have success quitting all at once, rather than weaning off alcohol.
• BetterHelp is an online therapy service that matches you to licensed, accredited therapists who can help with depression, anxiety, relationships, and more.
• How you feel when you stop drinking is largely based on how often and how heavily you drink.

From month-long sobriety challenges to the Sober Curious movement, more and more people are taking a closer look at the role alcohol plays in their lives. Therapy combined with an AUD program tends to lead to a high recovery success rate. The growth stage is all about improving and moving forward.

If you experience DTs, such as confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, or delusions, seek medical attention immediately. Put a sticky note in places where you know you’ll need that extra reminder. Set a daily message alert on your phone for moments when you know you’ll crave a drink the most. Place pictures that remind you of your why around your home, in your car or on your phone and computer backgrounds. 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.

Factors that influence what your experience will likely include how much you drink and your overall physical and emotional health. Delirium tremens (DTs), also known as alcohol withdrawal syndrome, is a severe form of withdrawal that can happen when a person gives up alcohol. It affects between three and five percent of people who are quitting drinking and can be fatal. Before delving into how to quit drinking, it’s essential to understand the benefits of sobriety.