Check off perhaps two or three to try in the next week or two, then add others as needed. If you haven’t made progress in cutting down after two to three months, consider quitting drinking altogether, seeking professional help, or both. In this article, we’ll talk about the health risks that come with drinking and the benefits of quitting alcohol.
Renewal Center for Ongoing Recovery
As mentioned above, we strongly recommend speaking with a doctor to ensure your plan is a safe one, and won’t cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms. If you’ve decided to quit drinking, and tapering seems like the right approach, we’ve got you covered. Here’s how to wean off alcohol—including useful strategies, how to create a tapering schedule, and how to stay safe throughout the process.
5 myths about using Suboxone to treat opioid addiction
- They see the pain and struggles and reality of addiction that you may feel others can’t begin to comprehend.
- Whether you choose to tackle your alcohol addiction by going to rehab, getting therapy, or taking a self-directed treatment approach, support is essential.
- Neurotransmitters can rebound beyond their usual activity levels, which can leave you feeling anxious and irritable.
- Support can come from family members, friends, counselors, other recovering alcoholics, your healthcare providers, and people from your faith community.
Plus, if people see your glass is full, they’ll be less likely to offer you a drink. If you’re tapering off, try only keeping a minimum amount of a drink you don’t especially like, and choose a cutoff date. Delete alcohol delivery apps from your phone, let drinking buddies know that you won’t be joining them for a while, and even avoid restaurants that serve booze.
Have a Plan
You’ll have more energy and stamina, and you may notice that your skin looks healthier. But, as many in recovery will tell you, it is only the first chapter in a long process. Quitting alcohol is a long process for many people, and setbacks are common. Many others who have succeeded before you hit tough barriers along the way, or needed several tries to find the best approach for them. Although it can help some people fall asleep quickly, it can disrupt your sleep patterns and stop you sleeping deeply. So cutting down on alcohol should help you feel more rested when you wake up.
Family and friends can provide encouragement and support when you stop drinking. By opening up about your relationship with alcohol, you might also encourage others to explore their own drinking habits. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ To stop drinking alcohol, you first need to understand your relationship with drinking. From there, you may need social support, consistent self-care, and new routines that can help redirect your mind.
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. At the end of the day, one of the most important tools you have at your disposal is self-compassion. Instead of criticizing yourself for having a hard time or slipping up and having a drink, remember that no one’s perfect. What matters most is your ability to maintain an open, curious outlook as you learn what does and doesn’t work for you. Research shows that most people believe that drinking can make them feel better.
- But if you’re committed to sobriety, it’s possible to achieve your goal.
- People who have a severe reaction to quitting alcohol should seek emergency treatment.
- Fortunately, reducing your alcohol use can help improve your sleep over time, although you might experience more sleep disturbances for some time after you quit.
- You don’t have to leave the house to get support from other people who understand and respect what you’re trying to do.
- 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.
Avoiding social events that involve alcohol may also help someone overcome the urge to drink. Avoidance can be temporary, and people can return to social activities when they can better manage their urges. SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.
Alcohol has woven itself into so many aspects of our culture, and many more people experience some level of alcohol use disorder (AUD) than one might expect. According to the NIAAA, alcohol pretty much affects you head to toe. Alcohol can make it hard to think clearly, cause strokes or high blood pressure, lead to cirrhosis and weaken your immune system.
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 tips to quit drinking minimize your risk of potentially dangerous withdrawal complications. The mental health changes you experience when you stop drinking can include symptoms of withdrawal, difficulty sleeping, irritability, mood swings, and clearer thinking.