10 Steps on How to Stop Drinking Alcohol
People who only drink occasionally probably won’t notice any how to control drinking physical or psychological symptoms. People who have a severe reaction to quitting alcohol should seek emergency treatment. Dr. Streem suggests starting with the World Health Organization’s Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT).
What happens to your body when you stop drinking?

You and your community can take steps to improve everyone’s health and quality of life. Because alcohol dehydrates you, drinking water is another way to heroin addiction counteract its effects. Plus, holding a drink discourages others from urging you to drink more. Then, there are the less measurable impacts of binge drinking.
What does drinking alcohol do to your body?
- We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans.
- Instead of going to a bar where they can “drown their sorrows,” offer other alternatives, like taking a hike together or going on a road trip.
- One of the best things about moderating your alcohol use is filling newfound time with fun hobbies and activities.
- Gyms offer a wide range of equipment and classes designed to cater to various fitness levels and interests.
Practicing your refusal ahead of time can help you feel more comfortable and confident when you find yourself in a situation that involves alcohol. Letting others know about your choice to stop drinking may help motivate you to stick with your decision. 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. If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s drinking, there are resources and helplines to support you as well. Of course not, in fact – most people who stop drinking with Allen Carr’s Easyway do so without any unpleasantness at all.
- Allowing emotional reactions to process and move through you is called “riding the wave,” because it’s like surfing on the wave of emotion to shore.
- You need to find new activities and people to socialize with if all of your previous social activities revolve around boredom.
- Self-reflection identifies triggers and highlights personal growth, making it easier to stay committed.
- Focus on how good the food tastes (without alcohol compromising your palate).
Alcohol Moderation Management: Steps To Control Drinking
Whether you decide to set a hard limit or not, make a habit of following up every alcoholic beverage with a non-alcoholic one. Because excessive alcohol use impairs judgment and inhibitions, it can lead to risky behavior that can come with some serious consequences. When you feel isolated or lack direction and purpose, it’s common to turn to alcohol and other drugs to fill that void. For example, you might feel tempted to recline on your couch, drink beer, and watch television simply to kill the hours spent alone. Maybe you feel overconfident in your ability to drive while intoxicated, or you don’t think of the risks involved with physical stunts or going home with a stranger. You might arrive at a friend’s party in an upbeat and energized mood, but by the end of the night, you’re feeling sick and regretting your decisions.
How to Help a Loved One Stop Drinking Alcohol?

Reducing or quitting alcohol helps improve brain function, energy levels, and overall health. If you are reading this, you are well on your way to understanding yourself better and getting what you want and need in life. If one has never exhibited signs of alcoholism, then controlled drinking, a technique or approach that is a form of harm reduction, is a reasonable yet delicate first step.