5 Ways that Will Help You Cut Your Alcohol Consumption

03/20/2024

How to stop drinking alcohol?  

No doubt, alcohol consumption has increased drastically over the last few decades. Youngsters and adults are making it a part of their daily routine. However, the negative result of alcohol consumption on health can be life-threatening. Therefore, incorporate these habits into your life to find the right balance.

Jot down the positive points of cutting off binge drinking: 

Nothing is above your health. Therefore, you should give it what it needs to flourish and stay healthy. Binge drinking daily or weekly can severely affect your health and result in serious health conditions. Hence, keep a check on your daily consumption. 

Tapering off your drinking habits will lead to several health benefits, such as: 

• Better, clearer, and healthier skin 

• Improved mood

• Cutting down on extra weight 

• Quality sleep  

If you are someone who drinks daily, try to reduce your consumption before it takes a toll on your health. If cutting down on alcohol usage seems hard, go with baby steps. For instance, if you drink daily, try to leave one day between two days. Taking baby steps will add up to big results in your journey. You should not forget that you are on this journey for yourself; make it successful. 

Find your “Why”: 

You might have a distinct reason for quitting drinking. Finding your “Why” will help you stay determined and driven throughout your journey. Share and celebrate each milestone, no matter how small; this will keep you motivated along the journey. If you often forget your “Why,” try writing it down on a sticky note and pasting it somewhere you spend most of your time. The place could be your office, home, phone case, etc.  

Your “Why” could be different from other people's because you have a different objective, too. Your “Why” could be: 

• Attaining an optimal weight 

• Keeping your health in check 

• Preventing yourself from its ill effects 

• Achieving any fitness goal 

Know the ill effects of alcohol consumption:

Knowing the ill effects might help you to stop drinking alcohol. Taking alcohol once in a while seems to be less dangerous, but regular consumption of alcohol can affect your health in a thousand ways. Try to keep the ill effects of alcohol in your mind; it will help you to stay away. Whenever you are taking alcohol, try to remember alcohol's side effects; it will help you to reduce the quantity and frequency significantly. Taking alcohol can lead to the following health problems:  

• Disturbed sleep 

• Digestive issues

• Anxiety 

• Irritability 

• Disrupted mood 

• Memory problems 

• Fights and conflicts with closed ones 

• Performance issue 

Drinking alcohol affects your mental, physical, and sexual well-being in unwanted ways. Therefore, reducing its consumption can boost your overall well-being.

Be ready for alcohol withdrawal symptoms: 

Detoxification can lead to alcohol withdrawal symptoms, ranging from moderate to severe. When you plan to cut down on alcohol, you are prone to experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as

• Mood changes 

• Shakes

• Fatigue 

• Anxiety 

• Headache

• Insomnia 

• Sweating 

If you are apprehensive about these symptoms caused by alcohol detoxification, get in touch with your doctor. Your healthcare provider will assist you in getting through these symptoms with a plan. When you cut back on alcohol, try to stick to the plan, as suggested by the doctor. 

Change your atmosphere:  

To quit alcohol consumption, you need to break old habits and patterns. Another effective way to quit alcohol is by changing your surroundings. It is believed that changing your surroundings can make a big difference in your overall journey. Kindly incorporate the below-listed ways into your daily life: 

Don’t keep alcohol in your home: whenever you feel emotionally overwhelmed or mentally stressed, you pick up your bottle and start drinking. So, when you are on an alcohol-quitting journey, you need to make sure you don’t keep any alcoholic drinks at your place. If it is easily accessible, you won't be able to curb your cravings. On the other hand, if it is not at home, you will have to go to the liquor shop and make a purchase, which may take a lot of your time, keeping you distracted. 

Pick any other healthy drink: Finding an alternative healthy drink can help you stay firm and committed to your journey. Whenever you feel like drinking alcohol, try flavored soda, tea, coffee, or any other beverage. However, make sure you take these alternative drinks in a limited proportion. 

Keep yourself packed: If you drink daily after your shift, try to keep yourself busy at that time. You can keep yourself busy by hitting the gym, going for a walk, or doing anything. This will help to break unhealthy habits of drinking. 

In case your drinking habits are determined by your mood, try to opt for different coping techniques. For example,  

• If you are anxious, do deep breathing practice rather than taking alcohol. 

• If you are emotionally overwhelmed, try to talk to a friend or someone you trust. 

To conclude: 

We have listed above the great strategies to cut down on alcohol consumption. Remember, it is all about finding what works best for you, whether it's setting limits, finding alternative healthy drinks, seeking medical help, or changing your surroundings. These small lifestyle modifications will help you reach your goal and stay healthy. Alcohol withdrawals will fade away shortly. In case they persist, please seek medical attention.  

FAQs:

1. Will cutting down on alcohol affect my social life?

As you already know, cutting back on alcohol can prevent you from several serious health conditions. No, it won't affect your social life as long as your friends, colleagues, and close ones respect your boundaries. Rather than taking alcohol, you can go for other options like coffee, tea, juice, shakes, etc., whenever you catch up with your friends.  

2. What are the long-term benefits of reducing alcohol consumption? 

Quitting alcohol can greatly improve your overall life over time. The long-term benefits of not consuming alcohol are the following: 

• Reduced risk of developing heart conditions 

• Better sleep 

• Lower blood pressure 

• Less chances of developing cancer 

• Less fatty build-up around your liver 

• Enhanced energy levels 

• Mental and emotional stability 

3. How can I reduce my alcohol consumption?

The following ways can be adopted to cut back on alcohol usage:

• Change your surroundings

• Find your “why” 

• Know the harmful effects of alcohol on health 

• List down the benefits of leaving alcohol 

• Prioritize your well-being