Some people attain their goal only to find that old habits crop up again later. If you’re having difficulty sticking to your goal or just want some extra guidance, consider reaching out for professional support. Feeling at your best physically can boost resilience https://ecosoberhouse.com/ and emotional strength, equipping you to weather challenges that trigger the desire to drink. 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. 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. Knowing why you drink is essential, says Cyndi Turner, LCSW, LSATP, MAC, a Virginia therapist specializing in addiction treatment and alcohol moderation.
Best for Women: Women for Sobriety (WFS)
You should also surround yourself with people who will help you quit and celebrate your wins along the way. A recent study has shown that women who drink more than 8 drinks a week are at higher risk for coronary heart disease. If you’re a heavy drinker, you’re at an increased risk of developing certain diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and stroke. However, when you stop drinking, your risk of developing these diseases decreases.
- By this time, it’s likely you’ve seen a few of the people closest to you (friends, family, coworkers).
- Turner notes the importance of bringing along a trusted support person when attending events that involve alcohol.
- So, giving up alcohol can help your skin to look more hydrated and glowing.
- Physical activities may help curb urges to drink and improve a person’s mood so they are less likely to consume alcohol in the first place.
- During this period, you can expect to develop new skills you may have never learned that made you more susceptible to AUD in the first place.
Day 6
The program is based on healthy coping mechanisms (diet, exercise, relaxation), positive reinforcement, and cognitive restructuring. The goal of the program and the groups is to empower women to make changes in their lives to achieve sobriety. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is one of the most recognizable free options for people seeking to stop drinking. Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) offers a comprehensive approach to help you stop drinking that meets the needs of different types of people seeking to quit. There are specific groups for veterans, LGBTQ+ communities, and more. The challenge of this stage is to essentially develop and maintain healthy life skills that will serve you for a lifetime.
What Are the First 24 Hours Without Alcohol Like?
During these first few days of sobriety, you may have trouble sleeping. Night sweats, insomnia, and frequent sleep interruptions are to be expected. These sleep disturbances occur because your body is adjusting to the absence of alcohol.
Look into drinking support groups.
You might turn to friends, family, and loved ones for this type of support, but this can be challenging if your past alcohol use has alienated people in your life. It can also be difficult if the people in your immediate social circle continue to drink or if they don’t support your plans to quit. Your body has acclimated to quitting drinking over the past couple of years. To avoid a relapse at this stage, your mental health is vital.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Cravings, drinking triggers, and even brain chemistry can all challenge your motivation. Many people make several attempts to quit before successfully getting sober. If you want to quit drinking, start by talking to your doctor.
I stopped drinking for six months – five reasons why it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done
The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers. If you tend to drink too much whenever there is any alcohol in the house, get rid of it altogether, the NIAAA recommends. Food can absorb the alcohol in beverages, so eating before or even while you drink can dampen the effect and may make you want to drink less, says Crews. A standard glass of wine is 5 ounces, which contains about 12% alcohol. A shot of distilled spirits like vodka is 1.5 ounces and equally 40% alcohol.
A person can use various strategies to help them stop drinking alcohol. It is helpful for individuals to understand their motivations and goals behind it. Having a personalized plan can also increase the success rate of stopping drinking. So many other methods of quitting drinking put fear in your mind – warning of terrible “serious” symptoms of alcohol alcohol withdrawal. By this time, it’s likely you’ve seen a few of the people closest to you (friends, family, coworkers).
- For additional support, see the activities on drink refusal skills and handling urges to drink.
- Before you get started, take some time to reflect on the reasons you want to cut back or quit.
- Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy.
- Research shows that most people who drink heavily, even those with AUD, can cut back significantly or quit.
- Of course, being sober doesn’t mean your glass has to be empty, either.
- The study also showed that there was no single treatment approach that was right for every individual.
Identifying triggers
Avoiding temptations requires being aware of external and internal triggers. Strategies that are easier to implement may be more effective for some people. Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss…from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date tips to quit drinking of last review or update on all articles.
