That said, there are now several medications that can help reduce your cravings and make weaning off alcohol easier. Choose a structure that works for you, and have it medically supervised. Since quitting alcohol can involve withdrawal, or “detox,” it’s best to have a medical professional oversee it—even if you do it solo.

Take it a day at a time

Take our free, 5-minute alcohol misuse self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with alcohol misuse. The evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of an alcohol use disorder. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result. In a large-scale study of alcohol treatment methods, researchers found that a combination of medical management, medication, and cognitive-behavioral interventions was most effective.

Make a plan

• Along with anxiety and irritability, you may also experience mood swings when you give up alcohol.
• Before you quit drinking, it is essential to discuss your plans with a healthcare practitioner.
• Consider joining a support group; if Alcoholics Anonymous isn’t your thing, there are AA alternatives like SMART recovery and LifeRing.

Delirium tremens (DT), 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 https://ecosoberhouse.com/ can be fatal. If your goal is to reduce your drinking, decide which days you will drink alcohol and how many drinks you will allow yourself per day. Try to commit to at least two days each week when you won’t drink at all.

Out of sight, out of mind

• Before you get started, take some time to reflect on the reasons you want to cut back or quit.
• It’s best to reduce your drinking by a small amount each day to avoid the shock to your system.
• When those cravings kick in, it’s normal to feel anxiety, fear or shame.
• Consider writing them down and keeping notes on hand, so you have a physical reminder to look at when you need it to help motivate you to stay the course.
• As your mind and body try to tell you that you need another drink, understanding what’s at the root of that thought or feeling is key in reaching a healthier state of sobriety.

However, for many people with alcohol use disorder, tapering off alcohol is a far better experience than quitting abruptly. Reducing your drinking beforehand often makes it easier (and safer) to quit completely. Some people create a tapering schedule and gradually cut back. This can be difficult if you have a tips to quit drinking history of alcohol dependence, but there are medications such as naltrexone that can make this achievable. If you’d like to still have the occasional social drink, that may be a real option. Whether you’re a daily drinker or simply sober curious, figuring out how to stop drinking alcohol can be a challenge.

• During this time, she was also diagnosed with breast cancer – something she’s sure would’ve had her reaching for the wine even more frequently if she hadn’t already quit.
• For light or moderate drinking, you might experience a more temporary, mild effect on mood.
• If that’s where you’re setting your expectations, you might feel like you gave up something you loved (getting really drunk) for no good reason, even when that’s objectively not true.
• If you want to quit drinking, start by talking to your doctor.

Mental Health Benefits of Quitting Alcohol

It’s always best to consult a physician on the best strategy, especially if you drink heavily. If you’ve decided that it’s time to quit or cut back on alcohol, we congratulate you. Oftentimes, it’s best to have some form of support, whether that’s a peer group, a doctor, or a full treatment program.

• Alcohol robs your body of nutrients and derails your metabolism.
• All the same, “a quick drink” often turns into three or four drinks.
• As alcohol is broken down and metabolized by your body, toxins get released.
• Every time you think he can’t sink any lower, it gets worse.
• The urge to drink will inevitably come—so make a plan for it.
• There are also a number of anti-craving medications to help you avoid drinking again, or even help with your tapering process.

I tried Allen Carr’s Easyway to Stop Drinking Alcohol