Author: Alex Thompson
How to Stop Drinking: 14 Tips for Success
It’s common to have a difficult time when making big changes, but good self-care practices can help you manage overwhelming feelings and take care of your mind and body. Research shows that most people believe that drinking can make them feel better. However, when alcohol makes up part of your typical routine, drinking can become something of an automatic response, especially when you feel stressed or overwhelmed. Knowing why you drink is essential, says Cyndi Turner, LCSW, LSATP, MAC, a Virginia therapist specializing in addiction treatment and alcohol moderation. Even if you have no intention of getting drunk, making arrangements for a ride home is a good idea if you’re going to be drinking. Another option is to arrange a place to stay until you’re sober and it’s safe to drive again.
- That said, glass shape may make a difference when it comes to mixed drinks, too, according to an older study from 2005.
- If wine is more your jam, wine alcohol-removed options will let you enjoy your night through rosé-colored glasses instead of beer goggles.
- 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.
There are also issues regarding the impurities in alcohol entering the bloodstream without being filtered by the digestive system and concerns regarding the cleanliness of needles and the injection site. Talk with a healthcare professional if you’re concerned you may experience detox symptoms when quitting drinking or cutting back. Both Skeer and Lembke say that synthetic alcohol makes them think of e-cigarettes, a harm reduction product that comes with drawbacks. Also like synthetic alcohol, many experts worried there wasn’t adequate research to prove their benefits and rule out their harms.
How to Stop Drinking: Making a Plan That Works for You
But maybe you’re unsure about quitting completely and don’t want to hold yourself to that goal. Becoming more aware of your alcohol triggers and reasons for drinking can help you plan ways to help manage the urge to drink. Maybe you don’t think you depend on alcohol exactly, but you still wonder whether you might be drinking too much. That’s because shots are up there in alcohol concentration, with most distilled spirits containing 40 percent alcohol. Plus, you knock ’em back super quick, which can raise your BAC real fast.
Because these are not meant to be drunk to achieve a buzz, doing so is dangerous, and the risk of death is high. Getting drunk on household products should be avoided at all costs. Drinking can lower inhibitions because it releases dopamine, a chemical which makes you feel happier.
Kids’ Cookbooks Are Finally Growing Up
Most adults think of sticky, syrupy cold medications as a lifesaver when they’re sick. Teens, on the other hand, may turn to these substances in order to feel drunk without drinking alcohol. According to the Partnership at Drugfree.org, these substances typically cause the same sorts of symptoms seen in people who drink alcohol.
But, teens who do use inhalants on a regular basis may smell like chemicals, or they may have paint on their noses or fingers. Teens who inhale may also spend inordinate amounts of time in the basement or kitchen, and may scurry away when they see a parent coming. It then enters the small intestine, a long tube folded in on itself in the centre of our abdomen, where it undergoes further digestion, with nutrients and minerals crossing over to enter our bloodstream. Eventually, what is left enters the large intestine or colon, where water is absorbed and waste makes its way to the rectum. Within just a month of not drinking, your body can begin to reap the benefits. Your liver can start to heal, your risks of heart disease and cancer go down, and you may begin to sleep better.
Alternate between alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks
Feeling at your best physically can boost resilience and emotional strength, equipping you to weather challenges that trigger the desire to drink. Letting others know about your choice to stop drinking may help motivate you to stick with your decision. From monthlong sobriety challenges to the Sober Curious movement, more and more people are taking a closer look at the role alcohol plays in their lives. Water is always a good way to go, but if you prefer something more festive, you’ve got options in the way of booze alternatives that’ll make alternating a pleasure. Have a meal or at least a hearty snack before heading out to an event or night out, and continue to nosh while drinking. A BAC calculator can help you figure out how much you can drink to stay in the zone so you can set a drink limit.
Turner notes the importance of bringing along a trusted support person when attending events that involve alcohol. It’s often easier to turn down a drink when you don’t have to do it alone. 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.
The answer is in the name of GABA Labs, which was co-founded by David Nutt, a neuropsychopharmacologist who used to lead clinical science at the NIAAA. Alcohol also mimics the effects of GABA, which is why after a glass of wine or beer, you might feel anxiety and stress subside. But if one glass turns into many, that feeling might tip over into loss of control, coherence and (eventually) consciousness.
What’s most important is looking at your drinking habits and finding a way to cut back that works for you. Our ancestors started drinking booze millions of years ago, and we never stopped. Alcohol is embedded in nearly every culture in the world as a social lubricant, marker of taste and cornerstone of celebrations.
Keep in mind the reasons you chose to cut back on or quit alcohol. Satisfying hobbies can distract you from wanting to drink, but they also help you relax — something everyone needs to do. If you turn to alcohol to manage emotional distress, the added overwhelm can prompt the urge to drink, making success seem even more out of reach. It’s possible to develop a better relationship with alcohol and make more mindful, informed choices about drinking without total sobriety.
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While this may sound harmless as no alcohol or drugs are consumed, for alcoholics, it is not just the substances they use but the behaviors they exhibit that are problematic. Finally, another way to get drunk without drinking liquor is to consume household products that contain alcohol. Examples include rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, cleaning products, and cough syrups.