How to quit drinking alcohol

Not necessarily. Although they have fewer calories, many light beers have almost as much alcohol as regular beer—about 85% as much, or 4.2% versus 5.0% alcohol by volume, on average.

Check the alcohol content of your beverage. Malt beverages are not required to list their alcohol content on the labels, so you may need to visit the bottler’s Web site.

How many “drinks” are in a bottle of wine?

A typical 25-ounce (750 ml) bottle of table wine holds about 5 “standard” drinks, each containing about 5 ounces. This serving size of wine contains about the same amount of alcohol as a 12-ounce regular beer or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits.

Get to know what 5 ounces looks like by measuring it out at home. That way you can estimate how many standard drinks you’re being served in a restaurant or bar that uses large glasses and generous serving sizes.

Mixing alcohol with certain medications can cause nausea, headaches, drowsiness, fainting, a loss of coordination, internal bleeding, heart problems, and difficulties in breathing. Alcohol can also make a medication less effective. For more information, see Harmful Interactions: Mixing Alcohol with Medicines.

Examples of medical conditions for which it’s safest to avoid drinking include liver disease (such as from hepatitis C), bipolar disorder, abnormal heart rhythm, and chronic pain.

Among the dangers of underage drinking:

• Each year, an estimated 5,000 people under age 21 die from alcohol-related injuries.
• The younger people are when they start to drink, the more likely they are to develop alcohol use disorder at some point in their lives.
• Underage drinking is illegal—an arrest can lead to losing a job, a driver’s license, or a college scholarship.

Even moderate amounts of alcohol can significantly impair driving performance and your ability to operate other machinery, whether or not you feel the effects of alcohol.

Heavy drinking during pregnancy can cause brain damage and other serious problems in the baby. Because it is not yet known whether any amount of alcohol is safe for a developing baby, women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not drink.

Highest risk

About 50% of people who drink in this group have alcohol use disorder.

Increased risk

This “increased risk” category contains three different drinking pattern groups. Overall, nearly 20% of people who drink in this category have alcohol use disorder.

Low-risk drinking

Only about 2% of drinkers in this group has alcohol use disorder.

A U.S. standard drink contains about 0.6 fluid ounces or 14 grams of pure alcohol (also known as an alcoholic drink-equivalent). That’s the amount in 12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of table wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.

Distilled spirits include vodka, whiskey, gin, rum, and tequila.

Light to moderate drinking

• Men: Up to 2 drinks per day
• Women: Up to 1 drink per day

Heavy or at-risk drinking

• Men: More than 4 drinks on any day or more than 14 drinks per week
• Women: More than 3 drinks on any day or more than 7 drinks per week

Low-risk drinking

Men: No more than 4 drinks on any day and no more than 14 per week

Women: No more than 3 drinks on any day and no more than 7 per week

People with a parent, grandparent, or other close relative with alcoholism have a higher risk for becoming dependent on alcohol. For many, it may be difficult to maintain low-risk drinking habits.

Pace yourself: It’s best to have no more than one standard drink per hour, with nonalcoholic “drink spacers” between alcohol beverages. On any day, stay within low-risk levels of no more than 4 drinks for men or 3 for women. Note that it takes about 2 hours for the adult body to completely break down a single drink. Do not drive after drinking.

For comparison, regular beer is 5% alcohol by volume (alc/vol), table wine is about 12% alc/vol, and straight 80-proof distilled spirits is 40% alc/vol.

The percent alcohol by volume (alc/vol) for distilled spirits is listed on bottle labels and may be found online as well. It is half the “proof,” such that 80-proof spirits is 40% alc/vol.

Convert proof to alc/vol

Enter in the proof of the alcohol in the left field to automatically calculate the alc/vol.

July 16, 2020 , Agape Treatment Center

Binge drinking alcohol is one of the most common patterns of alcohol use in America. In fact, over 50% of all alcohol consumed in the United States is consumed in this manner. To explain, binge drinking is defined as consuming alcohol in a manner that produces a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 grams or more. In other words, binge drinking is characterized by a man consuming 5 or more drinks or a woman having 4 drinks in a 2-hour span. While binge drinking is typically viewed as an innocent form of adult fun, this activity is known to cause short and long-term adverse effects.

One of the most concerning long-term effects associated with binge drinking is the possibility of developing tolerance, dependency, and/or addiction to alcohol. Individuals who binge drink at a young age are more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder. Some people may binge drink due to peer pressure, attending a celebratory event, or as a way to “blow off steam”. Whatever the reasoning may be, individuals who binge drink on a regular basis will quickly begin to experience the adverse short- and long-term side effects. If you or a loved one binge drink alcohol on a regular basis, it may be time to seek professional help. Continue reading to learn more about the effects of binge drinking and how to quit binge drinking alcohol altogether.

Signs and Effects of Binge Drinking

Table of Contents

The signs of binge drinking vary from person to person, depending on a variety of factors. Unlike other forms of alcohol abuse, binge drinking may not be frequent or consistent. However, individuals who consume large amounts of alcohol in a short timespan will have negative short- and long-term effects on their overall health and functioning.

The common signs of binge drinking include:

• Drinking 5 or more drinks in 2 hours for men or 4 or more drinks in 2 hours for women. 2
• Drinking more than intended.
• Feeling unable to stop drinking or slow down.
• Blacking out or having gaps in memory while drinking.
• Displaying violent or dangerous behaviors while under the influence (i.e., driving while intoxicated, getting into bar fights, and having unprotected sex).

Episodes of binge drinking are potentially detrimental to an individual’s health and wellbeing. Additionally, binge drinking alcohol is known to lead to a number of social and economic consequences.

Binge drinking is known to cause severe negative side effects on the brain and body, including:

• Alcohol poisoning
• Hypertension
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Gastritis
• Pancreatitis
• Liver disease
• Fetal alcohol effects
• Neurological damage
• Sexual dysfunction
• Diabetes-related issues

Binge drinking alcohol is also known to significantly impair an individual’s judgment. As a result, individuals may find themselves involved in risky or dangerous situations as a result of their binge drinking. For example, it is common for individuals to experience motor vehicle accidents, legal repercussions such as DUIs, blackouts or falls, risky sexual behavior, unintended pregnancies, as well as being the perpetrator or victim of a sexual assault. In order to prevent these side effects, it is best to quit binge drinking alcohol entirely.

Long-Term Effects of Binge Drinking

The long-term use of alcohol is known to lead to severe consequences. This is especially true for individuals who routinely binge drink alcohol over a long period of time. Individuals who have been abusing alcohol over a long period of time may experience the following long-term effects of alcohol on the brain and body, including:

• Weakened heart muscle.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Hypertension.
• Alcoholic hepatitis.
• Cirrhosis.
• Liver cancer.
• Chronic pancreatitis.
• Weakened immune system.
• Memory and learning impairments.
• Mood changes.
• Increased risk of cancers of the mouth, esophagus, throat, and breasts.

In addition, the long-term abuse of alcohol can lead to the development of an addiction to alcohol. Unfortunately, the younger a person is when they begin to drink, the higher the risk of continuing to have drinking problems in the future and developing a dependence on alcohol.

Tips to Help You Quit Binge Drinking

People binge drink for a variety of reasons. As a result, each individual must find a strategy that works for them when attempting to quit binge drinking. If you or a loved one would like to stop binge drinking, you should consider one or more of the following ways to quit binge drinking:

• Change Your Environment- When quitting binge drinking, it is vital that you remove yourself from people, places, or things related to your drinking habits. For example, you may avoid certain bars or restaurants, and limit your time socializing with others who also engage in binge drinking.

• Get Support- Recovery from alcohol abuse or binge drinking is always easier when you have the support of friends and loved ones. Additionally, you may decide to attend support groups for binge drinking or alcoholism, such as SMART Recovery or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

• Attend a Detox Program- When a person who is physically dependent on alcohol attempts to quit, they will begin to experience withdrawal symptoms. For example, one dangerous withdrawal symptom associated with alcohol addiction is known as delirium tremens, which can include seizures, visual hallucinations, confusion, and possibly death. Due to this, it is vital that you seek a professional alcohol detox program in order to have a safe and comfortable recovery experience.

• Find Healthy Coping Mechanisms- Oftentimes, binge drinkers find that alcohol allows them to cope with negative feelings, such as stress, depression, anxiety, and boredom. This can cause them to continue drinking and further complicate their mental and physical health. However, this can be avoided by adopting healthy mechanisms of coping such as exercise, self-care, sports, hobbies, and connecting with others.

Help for Binge Drinking

If you or a loved one are suffering from binge drinking or any form of alcohol abuse, it may be time to seek professional help. Contact Agape Treatment Center today to get more information about binge drinking, alcohol addiction, and how to begin treatment.

July 16, 2020 , Agape Treatment Center

Binge drinking alcohol is one of the most common patterns of alcohol use in America. In fact, over 50% of all alcohol consumed in the United States is consumed in this manner. To explain, binge drinking is defined as consuming alcohol in a manner that produces a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 grams or more. In other words, binge drinking is characterized by a man consuming 5 or more drinks or a woman having 4 drinks in a 2-hour span. While binge drinking is typically viewed as an innocent form of adult fun, this activity is known to cause short and long-term adverse effects.

One of the most concerning long-term effects associated with binge drinking is the possibility of developing tolerance, dependency, and/or addiction to alcohol. Individuals who binge drink at a young age are more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder. Some people may binge drink due to peer pressure, attending a celebratory event, or as a way to “blow off steam”. Whatever the reasoning may be, individuals who binge drink on a regular basis will quickly begin to experience the adverse short- and long-term side effects. If you or a loved one binge drink alcohol on a regular basis, it may be time to seek professional help. Continue reading to learn more about the effects of binge drinking and how to quit binge drinking alcohol altogether.

Signs and Effects of Binge Drinking

Table of Contents

The signs of binge drinking vary from person to person, depending on a variety of factors. Unlike other forms of alcohol abuse, binge drinking may not be frequent or consistent. However, individuals who consume large amounts of alcohol in a short timespan will have negative short- and long-term effects on their overall health and functioning.

The common signs of binge drinking include:

• Drinking 5 or more drinks in 2 hours for men or 4 or more drinks in 2 hours for women. 2
• Drinking more than intended.
• Feeling unable to stop drinking or slow down.
• Blacking out or having gaps in memory while drinking.
• Displaying violent or dangerous behaviors while under the influence (i.e., driving while intoxicated, getting into bar fights, and having unprotected sex).

Episodes of binge drinking are potentially detrimental to an individual’s health and wellbeing. Additionally, binge drinking alcohol is known to lead to a number of social and economic consequences.

Binge drinking is known to cause severe negative side effects on the brain and body, including:

• Alcohol poisoning
• Hypertension
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Gastritis
• Pancreatitis
• Liver disease
• Fetal alcohol effects
• Neurological damage
• Sexual dysfunction
• Diabetes-related issues

Binge drinking alcohol is also known to significantly impair an individual’s judgment. As a result, individuals may find themselves involved in risky or dangerous situations as a result of their binge drinking. For example, it is common for individuals to experience motor vehicle accidents, legal repercussions such as DUIs, blackouts or falls, risky sexual behavior, unintended pregnancies, as well as being the perpetrator or victim of a sexual assault. In order to prevent these side effects, it is best to quit binge drinking alcohol entirely.

Long-Term Effects of Binge Drinking

The long-term use of alcohol is known to lead to severe consequences. This is especially true for individuals who routinely binge drink alcohol over a long period of time. Individuals who have been abusing alcohol over a long period of time may experience the following long-term effects of alcohol on the brain and body, including:

• Weakened heart muscle.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Hypertension.
• Alcoholic hepatitis.
• Cirrhosis.
• Liver cancer.
• Chronic pancreatitis.
• Weakened immune system.
• Memory and learning impairments.
• Mood changes.
• Increased risk of cancers of the mouth, esophagus, throat, and breasts.

In addition, the long-term abuse of alcohol can lead to the development of an addiction to alcohol. Unfortunately, the younger a person is when they begin to drink, the higher the risk of continuing to have drinking problems in the future and developing a dependence on alcohol.

Tips to Help You Quit Binge Drinking

People binge drink for a variety of reasons. As a result, each individual must find a strategy that works for them when attempting to quit binge drinking. If you or a loved one would like to stop binge drinking, you should consider one or more of the following ways to quit binge drinking:

• Change Your Environment- When quitting binge drinking, it is vital that you remove yourself from people, places, or things related to your drinking habits. For example, you may avoid certain bars or restaurants, and limit your time socializing with others who also engage in binge drinking.

• Get Support- Recovery from alcohol abuse or binge drinking is always easier when you have the support of friends and loved ones. Additionally, you may decide to attend support groups for binge drinking or alcoholism, such as SMART Recovery or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

• Attend a Detox Program- When a person who is physically dependent on alcohol attempts to quit, they will begin to experience withdrawal symptoms. For example, one dangerous withdrawal symptom associated with alcohol addiction is known as delirium tremens, which can include seizures, visual hallucinations, confusion, and possibly death. Due to this, it is vital that you seek a professional alcohol detox program in order to have a safe and comfortable recovery experience.

• Find Healthy Coping Mechanisms- Oftentimes, binge drinkers find that alcohol allows them to cope with negative feelings, such as stress, depression, anxiety, and boredom. This can cause them to continue drinking and further complicate their mental and physical health. However, this can be avoided by adopting healthy mechanisms of coping such as exercise, self-care, sports, hobbies, and connecting with others.

Help for Binge Drinking

If you or a loved one are suffering from binge drinking or any form of alcohol abuse, it may be time to seek professional help. Contact Agape Treatment Center today to get more information about binge drinking, alcohol addiction, and how to begin treatment.

Written by: John Dicey & Paul Baker | Last updated: 23 Jan 20

Allen Carr’s Easyway is more than just a list of tips to stop drinking or instructions which have to be followed blindly. Having said that – the method is beautifully simple – the instructions just have to be followed in conjunction with gaining a full understanding of the method.

Whether you think you’re a casual drinker, a medium drinker, a binge drinker, a problem drinker, or what you consider a fully-fledged alcoholic – you’ve been drawn to this page for a reason – to find help to stop drinking. Perhaps someone has criticized your drinking, or you recently embarrassed yourself at a work event, or you’ve just become worried about how much and how often you drink alcohol.

Once you’ve got it clearly into your mind that there are no advantages to drinking instead only benefits of not drinking alcohol, then the steps to quit drinking below will help you get free but if you are serious about quitting, we strongly recommend you attend your nearest Allen Carr center or have an an online seminar :

FREE Allen Carr Stop Drinking Video & Information!

1. You don’t need willpower to stop drinking

Allen Carr’s Easyway is the complete opposite of other methods of stopping drinking. Collectively we call those other methods ‘the willpower method’. For example, the most up to date version of the ‘Drink Aware’ site is the complete reverse of Allen Carr’s Easyway. The advice given, as well intentioned as it is, rather than help someone quit drinking easily, is likely to cause abject misery and failure.

2. The best way to stop drinking is to change the way you think about it; you won’t be craving alcohol

The willpower method suggests that you avoid temptation – with some advising that when you stop drinking you should find restaurants that don’t serve alcohol! Wouldn’t it be easier and so much more pleasant to change the way you think about alcohol so that you can enjoy going into any restaurant, bar, club, or party without feeling left out or deprived because you’re not drinking?

3. Don’t reduce your alcohol consumption; remind yourself how happy you are to be free

The hard way to stop drinking alcohol is to frequently remind yourself of why you want to stop drinking. Wouldn’t it be so much more wonderful to keep reminding yourself of how happy you are to be free?

Mainstream advice recommends cutting down gradually. Yet they don’t recognise that cutting down is even harder than stopping. How many times have you tried to cut down in the past and failed? It ends up as torture and misery.

4. Be cool about withdrawal; the key is to realise that you’re not “giving up” anything at all.

Willpower methods bang on and on about “giving up”. The key is to realise that you’re not “giving up” anything at all. You’re getting rid of something that was causing you tremendous problems.

So many other methods of quitting drinking put fear in your mind – warning of terrible “serious” physical withdrawal symptoms. Yet when you probe further they substantiate them as being “irritability, poor concentration, feeling shaky, feeling tired, difficulty sleeping or bad dreams”. It doesn’t sound that tough does it? I know blokes who feel like that when their football team loses at the weekend!

5. Quit alcohol without any unpleasantness and detox your body naturally; even for heavy drinkers

Help lines and advice lines such as ‘Drink Aware’ go on to talk about physical symptoms including trembling hands, sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting, palpitations and lack of appetite….but in the small print they do actually admit that they are extremely uncommon. Even at their worse they sound no more unpleasant than a touch of flu! If you’re worried about what alcohol is doing to you – would you waste a single moment worrying about having flu for a few days in return for your freedom? Of course not. In fact – most people who stop drinking with Allen Carr’s Easyway do so without any unpleasantness at all. Even heavy drinkers.

6. Enjoy your freedom; don’t be afraid of quitting alcohol

Of course if you’re worried about stopping drinking you should talk to your GP but first maybe decide to find out a little more about Allen Carr’s Easyway to Stop Drinking and why you really don’t have to be afraid of alcohol withdrawal. Why not take a look at our alcohol seminar and online video programme information and Frequently Asked Questions on our website?

Has the way we drink alcohol changed?

Has the way we drink changed dramatically over the past few decades? Of course it’s always been the case that people have taken alcohol – seemingly in order to get drunk – and over the centuries what we drink and how we drink it has evolved many times. A basic appreciation of Hogarth’s Beer Street and Gin Lane is evidence enough – albeit satirically so. At face value it warns of the dangers of consuming ‘new-fangled’ highly potent gin versus the purported benign effects of drinking traditional ‘olde English ale’. That comparison is not a million miles away from that made between the apparent binge drinking culture that appeared to morph out of the “normal” level of drinking of the 1960s, 1970s, & 1980s.

Even today – new ways of describing or labelling the effects of drinking on our behaviour seem to appear as each week passes. Who’d have thought that ‘drunkorexia’ would ever claim to exist as a real ‘thing’? Apparently it’s the ‘phenomenon’ of people who are concerned about their weight skipping meals in order to ‘save’ calories so they can be consumed as alcohol. Of course the condition shouldn’t be dismissed – the phenomenon is certainly creating a problem for those who suffer it.

Of course – drink problems are largely the same as they’ve always been and are causing exactly the same kind of behaviours as they’ve always caused. You could say that the only differences in recent years are the amount of alcohol drunk (is there such a thing as a small glass of wine anymore?), the frequency of drinking, the heavy consumption of alcohol being considered normal (where did the repulsive phrase “mummy juice” come from?), the potency of the alcohol, and the early age at which youngsters are starting to drink. That said – I have no doubt Hogarth could have made the same, or at least similar, observations in 1751

Before you try to achieve sobriety, you need to think about your drinking habits. The way that a social drinker stops drinking is different from the way that a high-functioning alcoholic quits drinking. People with the disease of alcoholism require formal treatment. Those who aren’t addicted to alcohol may be able to quit on their own or with the help of friends.

You can find out if you’re addicted to alcohol by taking an alcoholism assessment quiz. These quizzes help you determine whether you meet the criteria for an alcohol use disorder — the medical term for alcoholism, alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse. The diagnostic criteria for an alcohol use disorder were published in the American Psychiatric Association’s fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

You can decide how much help you need to quit drinking based on the results of the quiz.

How to Stop Drinking

Once you know how much of a role alcohol plays in your life, you can figure out how to quit drinking. Unfortunately, abstaining from alcohol isn’t a simple process. Things that work for some people don’t necessarily work for others.

If you’re a casual drinker, saying no to peer pressure may not be easy. You may see a friend who is a casual drinker say no when offered a drink and wonder why it’s easy for them. He or she may not need self-help tools, but those resources might work for you.

Similarly, some alcoholics may be able to stop drinking with the help of Alcoholics Anonymous. Others need residential rehab and long-term aftercare support. If one strategy doesn’t work for you, try another.

Quitting Cold Turkey

Stopping alcohol use abruptly is the riskiest way to quit drinking. If you feel physical cravings or withdrawal symptoms when you quit drinking, you shouldn’t try to stop cold turkey. Casual or social drinkers may be able to quit cold turkey.

Dr. Kevin Wandler of Advanced Recovery Systems describes the potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms that can occur when a person quits drinking alcohol cold turkey.

Tapering

People who are physically dependent on alcohol should gradually reduce, or taper, their alcohol intake. Dependence is different from addiction. People who are dependent but not addicted to alcohol may not require rehab.

Asking for Support

Almost everyone who struggles to quit drinking requires some form of peer support. As with any goal, quitting alcohol is easier if you have friends and family members supporting you. They can encourage you to stay sober and help you find other healthy ways to have fun.

Allison Walsh of Advanced Recovery Systems illustrates how peer support can help individuals in recovery avoid relapse.

Self-Help Books

Self-help books can boost your confidence and motivate you to stay sober. They provide strategies and tools to help you maintain sobriety. Numerous self-help books are available in print or online.

Smartphone Apps

The app store on your cellphone has several sobriety apps that can inspire you to quit drinking and stay sober. Some apps help you keep track of alcohol intake or sobriety dates. Others provide daily motivational quotes. They may help you quit drinking, but most of these apps haven’t been medically reviewed.

Support Groups

Alcoholic support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, provide free help for people struggling to quit drinking. People with minor alcohol problems or people who have already received treatment for moderate or severe alcohol problems usually benefit from AA.

Alcohol Counseling

Anyone experiencing problems with alcohol can benefit from counseling and therapy. A counselor can help you develop personalized strategies to get sober. Counseling can be simple or intensive depending on the severity of your drinking problems.

Alcohol Rehab

If you’ve struggled to quit drinking or overcome alcoholism, you may require rehab. Formal treatment for alcohol addiction allows you to detox in a safe environment and provides comprehensive therapy to teach you how to stay sober.

In general, it’s better to put time and effort into sobriety than to try to do the bare minimum. If you’ve struggled to quit drinking, you should consider support groups, counseling or rehab. Self-help books or apps are less likely to help you successfully quit if you are addicted to alcohol.

Help for Alcoholics: Where to Find Sobriety Resources

People with alcohol use disorders don’t have to look far to find help. Almost every community in the United States has community initiatives, support group meetings and some form of help for alcoholics.

Those seeking assistance while working to overcome alcoholism can talk to a therapist or expert in person or on the phone.

• Alcoholism hotlines: Several toll-free hotlines provide free information for people with alcohol use disorders or loved ones of people affected by alcoholism.
• Other alcohol-related resources: Several websites, support groups and nonprofit organizations can help you learn about overcoming alcoholism and staying sober.
• Rehab facilities: Addiction treatment centers can provide over-the-phone assessments and help you determine how your insurance policy covers treatment for alcohol addiction.

If you’re still unsure of how to find help in your community, contact your local hospital or health department. Most health care organizations can direct you to helpful resources near you.

Tips for Those Trying to Stop Drinking

For many people, abstaining from alcohol is a major lifestyle change. It requires a lot of time, effort and mental energy. Some people can decide to quit drinking and do it without help. If you’re reading this page, you probably aren’t one of those people. Don’t compare yourself to them.

Use these tips to increase your chances of overcoming alcohol problems:

• Stay positive. Quitting is more difficult if you have a bad attitude.
• Commit fully. Sobriety isn’t something you can achieve with minimal effort.
• Ask for help. Getting sober is hard to do on your own.
• Have faith. When you believe sobriety is possible, you’re more likely to achieve it.
• Take it one day at a time. Thinking about quitting for a year can seem daunting. Taking things one day at a time is more achievable.

Always think about the benefits of quitting alcohol and how they will improve your life. It may also help to think about the negatives that alcohol causes. With a realistic strategy, support and faith, you can quit drinking and begin alcohol recovery.

Share on Pinterest Though the benefits can vary widely from person to person, taking a monthlong break from alcohol can do your body good. Getty Images

• Cutting out alcohol if you drink in excess can bring about health benefits for your liver, heart, and body composition.
• The current Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that alcohol should be consumed in moderation — up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.
• Alcohol consumption has been linked to cancers of the head, neck, esophagus, liver, breast, colon, and rectum.

Many people turn to Dry January as a motivator to start off the new year alcohol-free.

But while abstaining from alcohol for a month might seem like a trendy, short-term New Year’s resolution, there are several health benefits that come with it.

“The benefits can vary from person to person depending on how much of a change from their baseline behavior this is,” Dr. Rekha B. Kumar, medical director of the American Board of Obesity Medicine, told Healthline.

Kumar explained that someone who drinks minimally, but chooses to do Dry January, “might feel a sense of control over their health or feel a sense of accomplishment from achieving a set goal.” Meanwhile, others who drink heavily “might notice more pronounced physiologic effects, such as more mental clarity, better sleep, weight loss, and feeling the ‘detox’ sensation, in addition to achieving a set goal.”

Amitava Dasgupta, PhD, professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth in Houston, and author of the book The Science of Drinking, agrees.

Dr. Dasgupta said for social and moderate drinkers, participating in Dry January won’t make much difference to their body. However, for people who exceed recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans , he said Dry January can reap changes.

The guidelines state that alcohol should be consumed in moderation — up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.

“Studies show that even if you drink in excess once a month, it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke,” said Dasgupta. “My warning is not for the people who drink in moderation. It’s for the people who drink too much.”

For those who drink frequently or binge drink, Dry January can help your body in the following ways.

1. Liver relief

Cirrhosis of liver can occur over time in those who drink excessively.

“It doesn’t happen in a day, but for anyone who drinks in excess, which again is more than two drinks a day for men, and one a day for women, there are fatty changes in liver, so when you stop drinking, those changes are reversible and the liver can become normal again,” said Dasgupta.

Because the liver is a tolerant organ, he said positive changes can occur within weeks of going dry.

Kumar added that in the absence of alcohol, “the liver can focus on its other jobs, such as breaking down other toxins produced by the body, metabolizing fats and excess hormones that need to be broken down.”

2. Decrease risk of cardiovascular disease

Alcohol is metabolized by the liver and an enzyme called dehydrogenases. However, when you drink in excess, the enzyme gets saturated and is metabolized by a different enzyme.

“When it’s metabolized by this different pathway, it produces lots of free radicals which is known to oxidize bad cholesterol (LDL), and when the LDL is oxidized it deposits on the carotid arteries forming [blockage],” said Dasgupta.

On the other hand, if you drink in moderation, alcohol doesn’t have any effect on LDL, and instead increases good cholesterol (HDL).

“Drinking one or two glasses of wine once or twice a week has some health benefits, especially for men over 40; it reduces risk of cardiovascular disease… for women you can get those benefits anytime, it’s not age-dependent,” Dasgupta said.

However, he notes that people of Chinese and Indian descent do not get the benefit of drinking alcohol due to a genetic reason that isn’t clearly known.

“[The bottom line] is, protect the heart with low amount of alcohol, but increase the risk of cardiovascular disease with high amount of alcohol,” Dasgupta said.

To better your heart further when cutting out alcohol, he suggests adding in exercise, which also increases good cholesterol.

3. Reduce risk of cancer

The National Toxicology Program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services lists alcohol as a known human carcinogen in its Report on Carcinogens.

The report states that a person’s risk of developing an alcohol-associated cancer increases with the more alcohol they drink regularly over time. Links are shown between alcohol consumption and the development of the following types of cancer:

• head and neck
• esophageal
• liver
• breast
• colorectal

Data from 2009 published in the American Journal of Public Health estimated that about 3.5 percent of cancer deaths in the United States were alcohol related.

4. Weight loss

While alcohol is high in calories, and wine, beer, and mixed drinks add sugar to one’s diet, Kumar says cutting it out may or may not help to lose weight.

“Again, depends on what the baseline alcohol consumption is. If heavier drinkers remove alcohol for a longer period of time, they might see weight loss, improvement in body composition, less stomach fat, improvement in triglycerides (one of the fat particles in the blood),” she said.

Depending on the patient, she said she sometimes suggests cutting back on alcohol to lose weight.

“I have recommended completely eliminating alcohol for weight loss as a trial for some patients who have optimized all other aspects of their life (diet is pristine, exercise is maximal, sleep is adequate, stress is managed) to see if they are particularly sensitive to the weight gaining effects of alcohol,” said Kumar. “For instance, many women around menopause report gaining weight from alcohol much easier than they did prior to menopause.”

However, if you’re banking on Dry January to help you lose weight, Kumar said it’s not your best bet.

“I would suggest cutting back on several things rather than completely eliminating to avoid feeling deprived, which can lead to rebound eating/drinking and weight regain,” she said.

5. Boost brain power

Dasgupta says the best people to practice Dry January and being dry all year-round are those under 21 years old, and not just for legal reasons.

“There’s a reason why the legal age of drinking is 21 years. Teenage and college drinking is a huge problem. It can cause memory loss and interference with brain development. For college students, being dry is the best thing to do,” he said.

Same goes for those with alcohol use disorder or for those with a family history of it.

“Alcoholics have some specific disorders of the brain which are due to excess alcohol drinking. Brain damage can reduce memory and concentration,” said Dasgupta.

If you want to know how to stop drinking alcohol, the first step is a true understanding of your relationship with alcohol. Do you drink a few a month and want to stop because you have health concerns or need to cut down on your sugar, or are you courting a substance abuse or dependency issue? Maybe you’re already completely caught in the cycle of addiction and you want to know how to quit drinking successfully when nothing else you tried has worked.

How you quit drinking depends heavily on these factors, because if it’s not a habit for you at all, you simply cut drinking out of your life by making different choices. And this can be confusing for those stuck in addiction or the people who love and care about them, because many people don’t understand why some individuals can’t make these choices.

For anyone who has developed any type of dependency on alcohol, it’s not necessarily a habit you can break by sheer will; it’s likely become a chronic disorder with physical, mental and emotional symptoms and effects that need to be addressed during alcohol rehab.

Plus, chances are that if you’re dealing with alcohol dependency or addiction, it’s not enough to learn how to quit drinking. You also have to learn how to move positively into the future, breaking the cycle you’re caught in, addressing the root causes for why you drink in the first place and developing healthy coping mechanisms and lifestyle choices to foster long-term sobriety.

But this is something that’s possible, and there are options for seeking help if you’re serious about getting out of the cycle of alcohol addiction.

Alcohol Addiction by the Numbers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other government and health organizations are pretty clear about the damage that alcoholic beverages can cause. According to the CDC, alcohol abuse caused a loss of life between 2006 and 2010 equal to 2.5 million years of living . On average, those who die from excessive consumption are losing potentially 30 years that they could be seeking their dreams or spending time with loved ones, says the CDC.

One of the reasons many people are all in with addiction before they figure out they may need to stop drinking is that many people don’t understand what binge drinking or excessive alcohol intake is. These are the types of alcohol abuse that can lead to physical dependency or addiction. The CDC says that heavy drinking is defined as more than 8 drinks weekly for women and 15 weekly for men. Binge drinking occurs when you have more than four or five drinks at a single dinner, party or other social events.

If you’re looking at those numbers and thinking you’re well below them, consider this. One drink is only 5 ounces of 12%-alcohol-content wine. In a quality, large pinot noir glass, 5 ounces takes up about a quarter of the available space, which means many people have multiple drinks when they pour a single glass of wine.

Other examples of a single drink include 12 ounces (one small can) of beer that has an alcohol content of 5% or a single 1.5-ounce shot of harder liquors. You can see with these serving sizes how it’s easy to get to the 8 or 15 per week drink numbers without even realizing it. And by the time you do the math, you may already be spiraling into addiction.

And you wouldn’t be alone. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, more than 15 million adults in the United States struggle with alcohol use disorder.

How to Quit Drinking With Professional Help

If you’re drinking despite negative consequences or to make it through the day, can’t keep yourself from drinking or find yourself wanting to drink increasing amounts, you may be dealing with alcohol addiction. Here’s how to quit drinking with professional help.

First, make contact with professionals who can offer information, evaluation and referrals. At Changing Tide, our caring counselors are available to answer your phone calls and emails 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We listen to your story and help you understand what type of treatment you may need. If that’s our oceanside alcohol rehab in North Carolina, we’ll help you understand how to start the process of seeking treatment with us. But if we’re not the right option, we can provide referrals to other alcohol treatment centers.

Second, decide whether inpatient or outpatient treatment is best for you. For many people, residential (or inpatient) alcohol rehab is the right step because it forces them to break away from whatever is keeping them in the cycle of addiction and connects them with 24-hour support from medical and therapy staff. At Changing Tides, we provide this level of expert, research-backed treatment in a relaxing, beach-side atmosphere that allows you to walk on the beach, enjoy spectacular sunrises and engage with a variety of recovery methods for holistic rehab.

In many cases, once you decide on residential recovery, you can talk to your treatment team about options for medically assisted detox. This can be helpful if withdrawal symptoms have been driving you back to alcohol abuse and you’re worried about discomfort or even health issues within the first few days or weeks after you quit drinking. Medical teams work with you to ensure you’re as comfortable as possible and monitor you for the safest possible detox.

At Changing Tides, we work with all our residents to develop a treatment plan that works for their unique needs. Whether that’s alcohol detox, yoga-enhanced AA meetings or something else, we strive to create recovery that works for you and supports long-term sobriety. Because when it comes to the question of how to quit drinking, while there are best practices for treatment, we know that much of it depends on the individual person.

Take the First Steps to Recovery Today

Don’t spend more time looking for a magic answer to the question of how to stop drinking alcohol. Reach out to our beachside treatment center today by filling out our contact form to find out more about our treatment options and how we can help you break the cycle of addiction.

For more guidance through this process call us at 252-715-3905.

Ready to Get Started?

Our caring and compassionate staff can guide you all the way through the admissions process.

When you give up alcohol, having been a dependent drinker, you’ll move through various stages of recovery.

There are always going to be individual variations to these but broadly speaking we can make some assumptions about what we expect to happen and when.

Anyone who has been a heavy or dependent drinker should seek medical support and advice before they quit drinking due to the potentially dangerous – even fatal – impacts of going cold turkey without the right monitoring. However, no one should be scared off giving up drinking due to this – the right help for you is out there.

What happens when you quit drinking – timeline

This timeline is a broad estimate of what will happen and when after a dependent drinker has their last alcoholic drink.

Everyone is likely to experience slight variations on this.

Can the health impacts of heavy drinking be reversed?

Whilst drinking alcohol has been shown to increase the risk of developing many cancers, ending alcohol consumption will reduce the risk compared to if you continue drinking.

Research suggests any amount of alcohol consumption increases the risks of cancer of the mouth, voice box, upper throat, oesophagus and breast.

Drinking in the region of two or more drinks every day increases the risk of colorectal cancer. Whilst drinking three or more drinks per day increases the risk of stomach and liver cancer.

Alcohol Change UK says, women who drink between 14 and 35 units of alcohol per week, have a 15% chance of developing breast cancer, compared to an 11% chance for those who don’t drink. It says men who drink up to 14 units of alcohol per week have a less than 1% chance of developing colorectal cancer, but an 11% chance if they drink more than 35 units per week.

Male fertility can be impacted by heavy drinking, but it is felt those impacts can be quickly reversed when drinking stops.

Sexual function problems are very widespread among heavy drinkers, including premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction. In women, vaginal dryness can be an issue. These issues are reversible when drinking stops.

How long does it take to feel better after quitting alcohol?

Whilst physical withdrawal symptoms are likely to be at their worst during the first couple of days and are usually very much improved in a couple of weeks, emotional issues may remain for longer.

There are many other stages of recovery after drinking and the timeline for those will be very dependent on the individual.

The Jellinek Curve, a tool that outlines signs and symptoms of alcoholism and indicators of addiction and recovery, details some of the other formative milestones people may experience as they get well.

These milestones are hugely important and knowing that they will come is hugely reassuring to people in recovery.

In the early stages, these milestones are things like reaching the point of honestly desiring help, beginning not to obsess about alcohol and improved thought processes. Later they’ll include moving towards feeling hope, returning self-esteem and may include creating new circles of stable friendships or reviving and rebuilding relationships.

Recovery is not one smooth upward curve. Almost everyone will have moments of feeling worse before they feel better, experiencing a sense of being stuck or of relapsing either emotionally or physically, but everyone has the capacity to move forward. With the right support, you can feel better, you can leave alcohol and addiction behind and you can create a new, healthier, happier future.

Further information

For further information about drinking problems and alcoholism please visit our resources:

Need help?
Call us confidentially at any time to speak to a member of our team.

This article describes how to determine if you have a problem with alcohol use and offers advice on how to decide to quit drinking.

Recognizing you Have a Drinking Problem

Many people with drinking problems cannot tell when their drinking is out of control. You likely have a drinking problem when your body depends on alcohol to function and your drinking is causing problems with your health, social life, family, or job. Recognizing that you have a drinking problem is the first step toward being alcohol-free.

Talk with your health care provider about your drinking. Your provider can help you find the best treatment.

Are you Ready to Change?

You may have tried to stop drinking many times in the past and feel you have no control over it. Or you may be thinking about stopping, but you’re not sure if you’re ready to start.

Change takes place in stages and over time. The first stage is being ready to change. Important stages that follow include:

• Thinking about the pros and cons of stopping drinking
• Making small changes and figuring out how to deal with the hard parts, such as what to do when you are in a situation where you would normally drink
• Stopping drinking
• Living an alcohol-free life

Many people go back and forth through the stages of change several times before the change really lasts. Plan ahead for what you will do if you slip up. Try not to be discouraged.

Lifestyle Changes That can Help

To help you control your drinking:

• Stay away from people you normally drink with or places where you would drink.
• Plan activities you enjoy that do not involve drinking.
• Keep alcohol out of your home.
• Follow your plan to handle your urges to drink. Remind yourself why you decided to quit.
• Talk with someone you trust when you have the urge to drink.
• Create a polite but firm way of refusing a drink when you are offered one.

Getting Help From Others

After talking about your drinking with your provider or an alcohol counselor, you will likely be referred to an alcohol support group or recovery program. These programs:

• Teach people about alcohol use and its effects
• Offer counseling and support about how to stay away from alcohol
• Provide a space where you can talk with others who have drinking problems

You can also seek help and support from:

• Trusted family members and friends who do not drink.
• Your place of work, which may have an employee assistance program (EAP). An EAP can help employees with personal issues such as alcohol use.
• Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) —

Alcohol Withdrawal

You may be at risk for symptoms of alcohol withdrawal if you stop drinking suddenly. If you are at risk, you will likely need to be under medical care while you stop drinking. Discuss this with your provider or alcohol counselor.

Alternative Names

Alcohol use disorder – quitting drinking; Alcohol abuse – quitting drinking; Quitting drinking; Quitting alcohol; Alcoholism – deciding to quit

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Fact sheets: alcohol use and your health. Updated December 30, 2019. Accessed January 23, 2020.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism website. Alcohol & your health. Accessed January 23, 2020.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism website. Alcohol use disorder. Accessed January 23, 2020.

O’Connor PG. Alcohol use disorders. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 30.

Sherin K, Seikel S, Hale S. Alcohol use disorders. In: Rakel RE, Rakel DP, eds. Textbook of Family Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 48.

Live Life Better

How to stop drinking alcohol in 8 steps: Practical how to guide to giving up alcohol completely

Updated Apr 3, 2020

How to stop drinking alcohol on your own, at home, every night

In this post we are going to share with you the 8 actionable and practical steps you can start implementing today to help you to stop drinking alcohol:

• Write it down & Visualise
• Set your stop drinking goals
• Start a journal
• Clear your home of alcohol
• Plan alcohol free days
• Keep Busy
• Tell your friends & family
• Be consistent

What is the best way to stop drinking alcohol?

We find one of the best ways to stop drinking is to find an accountability buddy this could be a friend or loved one, someone you trust to help keep you on track and provide you with the support you need during these first few days and weeks.

This can act as a really personal and closed support group for quitting alcohol.

Do you find yourself drinking wine every night at home? Does stress from work or your relationships have an effect on how much alcohol you drink? Even a simple change to stop drinking alcohol during the week on your own can make a huge difference to your health and mindset.

There are so many benefits when you give up alcohol for as little as one week. If you are looking to stop drinking for good or even for a month, it is a good idea to have a plan in place.

This is one of the most important factors when it comes to “quitting alcohol”. So let’s look at the 8 steps you can start taking today to help you start changing your relationship with alcohol, drink less and improve your health.

Figure out your triggers

Reflect on what your drinking habits were like before: were you out with friends or work mates? After you put the kids to bed? When you are home alone? Consider what would trigger you to drink in these situations and how you could respond to these differently.

Preparation is key, don’t be afraid to use alcohol free alternatives, organise new activities to keep yourself busy or try practising meditation to take control of your triggers.

Write it down & visualise

Everything starts with you. Write down the reasons why you are looking to stop drinking. These reasons can be related to your health, relationships, career, children and sleep.

To ensure you see your goals every day by writing them down on a piece of paper and placing them front and centre somewhere like your fridge, mirror or work locker well serve as a reminder that you want to stop drinking and make sure you actually cut back on your alcohol consumption.

Here are some examples:

• I’d like to lose some weight in order to complete a 5k.
• I need more energy so I can play football with my kids.
• I’d like to spend more quality time with my other half.
• There is a promotion at work I’d like to apply for.
• I’ve not had a good night’s sleep in months, I want to get 6-8 hours worth.

Once you have these goals written down. Take 10 minutes each day in a quiet space, this can be done any time of the day but we recommend in the morning.

Now visualise yourself in each of the scenarios that matter most to you.

This could be you at your local park kicking the ball around with your son, or playing in the park with your daughter. It could even be taking a long Sunday stroll with your dogs surrounded by fresh air and the crisp feeling of the British winters.

Set your drinking goals

Remember this is a process to changing your relationship with alcohol. Even the fact that you are reading this guide after looking up “how to quit alcohol” is a huge step in the right direction.

Rather than going cold turkey straight away set a drinking goal. A good place to start is within the recently updated alcohol drinking guidelines.

The new advice says men and women who drink regularly should consume no more than 14 units a week – equivalent to six pints of beer or seven glasses of wine.

So if you are looking at how to quit alcohol every night then start by cutting the amount of wine, beer or spirits you consume during the week.

Small goals big impact

Reward your progress. Set small goals and reward yourself for achieving these.

Start a journal

During the first month keep a daily journal of your drinking habits. This could be the very start of a life changing process for you, with this in mind it is important to document each stage.

In your journal or diary keep track of the following each day:

• How much alcohol you consumed
• Where you consumed it
• Who you were with
• How you felt
• How well you slept
• What you ate that day
• How productive your day was
• Track your drinking goals
• Write down accomplishments

Example of a journal entry:

My AF journal

Day 17 – Tuesday 5th December

Today I consumed 2 pints of beer while out with my team for a Christmas meal. I am very proud of myself as last year I can’t remember how much alcohol I had and ended up having to waste a holiday. During the day I ate a late breakfast and a sandwich for lunch before our 3 course Christmas meal. I went to bed feeling great and even got a good night’s sleep, waking up before my alarm and had some extra time to spend with the kids before heading to work.

Writing a journal can be extra beneficial for those of you that looked up how to stop drinking alcohol on your own, your alcohol diary can be a rather useful tool in your arsenal.

Clear your home of alcohol

Over the years you may have collected an array of spirits, wines or beers that have created your own personal mini bar.

You could look to replace these with a selection of non alcoholic wines or even some alcohol free beers!

Think about it if you were about to start a new weight loss diet, you wouldn’t stock your fridge full of cakes, cheese and chocolate. When answering how to quit drinking alcohol everyday one of the easiest things you can do is remove the temptation.

If there are members of your household that are not looking to take charge of their life like you are, it is perfectly reasonable to ask them if you can throw out any beer or wine you have lying around.

It’s not like you are trying to make them stop drinking forever.

Try to agree on a specific time frame at first and who knows with no alcohol around they too may adopt your new attitude and embark on giving up alcohol with you.

Plan alcohol free days

The first few weeks on your campaign to stop drinking alcohol will fly past. Once you feel ready to start planning alcohol free days.

Break yourself in gently and start by planning a couple of days during the week. Once you have managed this plan a non alcohol day over the weekend.

This can give you the opportunity to try something new with your other half or spend extra time with your kids.

The next step would be to plan an alcohol free week then a month. Before you know it you will be challenging yourself to give up alcohol for a whole year!

If you do fancy having a “drink” at the weekend there are plenty of alcohol free wines to be had.

There are many reported techniques on how to quit drinking alcohol on your own. Some are helpful, while some lack the safety measures that should be observed during alcohol withdrawal. If you are a heavy alcohol drinker, you know better than anyone else that immediately stopping your liquor intake can cause withdrawal symptoms. Even light drinkers can experience these symptoms, especially if it has become a part of their daily lives. Stopping your alcohol intake can improve the quality of your life, but quitting this habit abruptly can also harm your health.

This article will explore the different ways to stop drinking alcohol on your own without suffering from the harsh side-effects of alcohol withdrawal.

Quit Drinking Alcohol without AA through At-Home Detoxification

Alcoholic Anonymous has been the lifesaver of many people with drinking problems. However, not everyone who joins the group recovers fully from alcoholism. There are also methods to give up alcohol on your own like performing at-home detoxification.

Detoxification or simply detox is the process of removing toxins inside your body. Detox is actually a misnomer because it does not really involve the removal of alcohol in your system. What it does is get you off alcohol safely and comfortably. Detoxification is usually done at detox centers, but you can also do it at home. At-home detox is best for drinkers who are not yet alcohol dependents.

The process of at-home alcohol detox is a simple way on to stop drinking on your own. All you need are plenty of water, potassium-rich foods like bananas, oranges, and green leafy vegetables, and heavy blankets and sweatshirts. At home detox focuses on flushing out alcohol from your system through sweating and shedding liquids from your body.

Drinking plenty of water also helps reduce the withdrawal symptoms. Foods that are high in potassium keep your body well-hydrated and also aids in replenishing the lost potassium because of liquid shedding. Cover yourself with blankets and put on heavy sweatshirts to allow yourself to sweat. Taking long hot baths can also help as long as you keep yourself hydrated.

How to Stop Drinking Alcohol Safely through Slow Reduction and OTC Medications

Common beverage alcohol is considered as a drug that works as a central nervous system depressant, which is the same as sedatives, barbiturates, and anesthetics. One of the initial methods on how to cease drinking is by reducing the intake gradually.

This approach is called gradual tapering approach, a technique used in alcohol detoxification and rehabilitation centers. This method is best for drinkers who are not alcoholics and suffer from withdrawal symptoms.

Gradually reducing the amount of booze you take may also cause some withdrawal symptoms, like nausea, shaking, vomiting, insomnia, restlessness, agitation, diarrhea, and anxiety. Taking over-the-counter medications may aid in preventing and reducing these side-effects. Mild painkillers and medications for headaches, nausea, and diarrhea can lessen the symptoms during the gradual tapering approach.

Reducing your alcohol intake is one of the safer ways to give up drinking. Just remember that you should not drink when you are in medication to prevent medicine interaction. It is recommended that you taper your liquor consumption to the low-risk amount, which is no more than four alcoholic drinks a day. Work your way to the healthy recommended alcohol intake of no more than two drinks per day.

How to Give Up Drinking by Knowing the Standard Drink

Once you are able to lessen your alcohol consumption, the next thing you need to learn is the amount of standard alcoholic drink. In the United States, the standard drink contains approximately 0.6 ounces or 14 grams of pure alcohol. This translates to one 12 fl oz (fluid ounce) of regular beer, 8-9 fl oz of malt beer, 5 fl oz of table wine, and 1.5 fl oz of 80-proof spirits or hard liquor, like margarita, whiskey, vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and others.

The amount of standard drink may vary if you have an existing medical condition, if you are pregnant or trying to be pregnant, or if you are going to operate heavy machinery or are going to drive home.

Knowing the amount of standard drink can help you to leave booze by keeping your intake to the minimum. According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the moderate level of alcohol intake for men is two standard drinks per day and one standard drink for women. If you can stay within these limits, there is a huge chance that you can stay sober safely any day.

How to Quit Drinking on Your Own by Avoiding Triggers

Triggers are things, people, and other factors that prompt you to get drunk. Each person has different triggers. Some sample of triggers include peers, sleep disorders, and even places where you have a history of drinking. Some people also tend to binge when they are alone at home, or when they feel depressed or stressed.

One way to avoid liquor is by recognizing these triggers. Write these triggers on paper and list ways on how to avoid them. If you tend to drink when you are alone, call one of your non-drinking friends and ask if they (or you) can come over for some midnight game or chat.

When you feel stressed at work, release it by engaging in sports. Invite your colleagues to a bowling or tennis game. Going to batting cages and hitting some balls can also help release your stress. Some people also used alcohol as sleep inducers. Prevent this by doing some exercise and taking a long hot bath to relax.

Unhealthy emotional relationships can also trigger your alcohol cravings, as most often than not, these entanglements can cause depression that can lead to drinking problems. Release yourself from such attachments and start a sober life.

Leave Booze and Stay Committed to Your Decision To Stay Sober

When you start your plan on how to quit your drinking on your own, you should stick and commit to this plan no matter what. During this plan, you will go through a lot of challenges and face many temptations.

It would be useless to go through such hardships and pain if you drink at the most basic urges, like seeing a bottle of beer or wine. When someone asks you out for a drink, just say “no” politely or persuade the person to eat a healthy dinner or lunch with you instead.

You will not be able to stop drinking if you don’t take control of your alcohol cravings. When you decide not to drink, you should prepare yourself for the significant changes that are going to happen in your life. Remember that you are doing this all for yourself and not for someone else.

You are the one who is responsible for your own drinking problems, so you should be the one to solve by planning carefully the ways to quit liquor. Life is all about making tough decisions and sticking to commitments. It may be difficult at first, but it is all worth it in the end.

Are you worried about your drinking? Alcohol use is highly prevalent in the United States. Over 14 million adults (18+) have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). And only 7.9% of them receive treatment. 1

If you want to take control of your life and break free from alcohol but AA is not for you, don’t worry. There are many resources available to find guidance during your journey. Quitting alcohol is not easy, but with the right support, succeeding is not impossible.

Table of Contents

These are the best 4 resources to help you quit drinking alcohol:

1. Support Groups

AA is not the only group offering support to people who want to quit drinking alcohol. There are plenty of places where you can find help and be part of a community.

These are some support groups helping people stay sober:

• SMART Recovery : This abstinence-orientated group helps people with addictions overcome their issues through self-empowerment and mutual support.
• Refuge Recovery : Using Buddhist principles, Refuge Recovery helps people overcome addiction with mindfulness practices.
• Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) : This nonprofit organization helps people achieve and maintain sobriety through nonprofessional local groups.
• LifeRing : Individuals in this organization support each other and offer their experiences to help one another.

When trying to quit alcohol, having someone to rely on who is also overcoming the same issue as you is impactful. Find a group that works for you and join their support team. Being part of a community makes a huge difference when overcoming an addiction.

2. Sobriety Blogs

Sobriety blogs support, inspire, and teach people about alcohol addiction and recovery. And on the journey of quitting alcohol, they’re a great way to find extra support online.

These are some blogs to keep in mind when you need ongoing support:

• Soberocity : Created especially for people living a sober life, this community shares success stories and encouragement to quit drinking alcohol, as well as events with like-minded people.
• The Naked Mind : By sharing success stories, this blog helps you rethink addiction and frame how you think about alcohol. You’ll find practical advice on dealing with sobriety in social events and how to overcome cravings and addiction.
• The Fix : A great place for facts and information, this blog has news, success stories, resources, and essays on sober living. They also offer expert counseling.

These blogs are great alternatives to community support, and the success stories, tips, and advice they offer make your sober journey easier.

3. Online Counseling or Therapy

Overcoming an alcohol use disorder is hard, but support from a professional makes the journey easier. Therapy gives you the guidance and support you need to quit drinking alcohol.

If face-to-face counseling is not suitable for you, online therapy might be right for you. With wider and more affordable options, you can decide what’s best for you.

These are a few of the online counseling sites helping people on their sober journey:

• Ria Health : With recovery coaching, support groups, and telemedicine, Ria Health helps simplify alcohol treatment. By treating their patients remotely with easy-to-schedule appointments, Ria Health makes online therapy easy and accessible.
• Virtual Therapist Network : This affordable platform allows you to see and talk to real therapists from home. Find the right counselor for you, book an appointment, and get better. Therapy made easy.
• Lionrock Recovery : This online clinic is dedicated to offering counseling on substance abuse. They make therapy easier with video counseling and a mobile app. Bonus: They accept most major insurance carriers.
• TalkSpace : Choose from thousands of licensed therapists on this online space, where you can text, video chat, or send audio messages to your therapist. TalkSpace makes counseling affordable and convenient.

4. Sobrietea

When trying to quit drinking alcohol, having the right support is a key to succeeding. Online and community groups are a great way to keep you motivated. But when cravings and withdrawal symptoms hit, you need to give your body extra support.

Sobrietea is a mix of organic herbs crafted specially to help you quit drinking alcohol. Its natural ingredients support your health and help you cope with withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

With a refreshing lemon-mint flavor, Sobrietea helps you deal with stress, promotes a better sleep, and supports your liver.

Its natural ingredients include kudzu root, milk thistle, ashwagandha root, dandelion root, among others.

Sobrietea is the natural way to quit drinking alcohol. Order it here and give your body the support it needs.

The Takeaways

Giving up alcohol is a tough decision, but that doesn’t mean it has to be hard. Finding the right support within your circle of friends, your family, or your community makes your sober journey much easier. And now you have plenty of resources to find the right fit for you.

Thousands of people quit drinking alcohol every year—and you can too. Use the resources you have available and don’t give up.

The physical consequences of heavy alcohol use, such as liver damage and high blood pressure, are well known. Alcohol use at any level, however, is also bad news for the brain.

Even moderate users or those who have been drinking in excess for a short period of time can experience mental fog, anxiety, and mood changes.

For people who have alcohol use disorder, binge drink, or have been using alcohol for many years, brain changes affecting cognitive function and mood can become severe and debilitating.

The good news is that by quitting alcohol, even those who have spent years throwing off the balance of their brains can begin to heal and restore the brain’s natural function. Here are some of the changes that will occur in your brain once you stop drinking.

Regeneration of the Frontal Lobe

The frontal lobe of the brain, responsible for many critical functions including reasoning, behavior control, memory, and motor function, takes a heavy hit when you drink in excess.

Years of alcohol abuse can damage this area of the brain extensively, leading to a wide variety of issues including memory loss and the inability to think rationally.

While people in early recovery may still suffer from these symptoms, as well as an inability to process large amounts of information, new cell growth will eventually begin to repair this damage as time passes.

Rational decision making and impulse control are crucial in fighting addiction, and luckily these powerful functions of the brain will return as you begin to heal.

Dopamine Levels Begin to Normalize

Alcohol abuse creates a complex imbalance of dopamine in the brain.

Dopamine release is triggered when you engage in activities you find pleasurable, such as eating chocolate or playing sports, and it teaches your brain what actions to repeat, and eventually, to crave.

Alcohol use overloads the brain with dopamine, while also reducing the brain’s dopamine receptors in the process. When you first quit drinking, the lack of dopamine and diminished receptors can lead to feelings of sadness and hopelessness.

Both excessively high and abnormally low levels of dopamine can have adverse effects, but over time your brain will begin to normalize dopamine levels as well as your brain’s response to the chemical without the intrusion of alcohol.

Motivation Returns

As mentioned above, early recovery might mean struggling with mood and overall mental wellness, but as your body and brain begin to heal, you will experience renewed motivation towards healthy habits in your life.

This means you will be able to take up new activities that boost your mood and stimulate cell growth in the brain, such as daily exercise.

The early days of sobriety can be draining and challenging for anyone recovering from addiction, but a balanced and healthy brain will return, and with it, a sense of heightened motivation towards positive goals.

Serotonin Production Increases

While the short-term effect of alcohol may boost serotonin, a chemical that increases feelings of happiness and wellbeing, the long-term repercussions of heavy alcohol use often include a decrease in serotonin production, leading to an increased chance of depression.

Once you quit drinking, serotonin production can eventually return to normal. If you continue to struggle with depressive symptoms during recovery, you may require medication.

By eliminating alcohol from the equation, you can better understand your mental health and determine what it is you need to feel your best.

Healthy Activity Returns as You Learn New Skills

For many chronic drinkers, alcohol becomes a crutch to handle many situations and emotions in daily life. You may have used alcohol to become more outgoing, manage stress, or combat depression.

While alcohol isn’t a cure for any of these problems, it can numb your natural response to life’s circumstances and make it hard to function without it. While early sobriety can be challenging, for this reason, experiencing life without alcohol means that you must learn new coping mechanisms and social skills.

This is an opportunity for your brain power to grow and evolve as you begin to participate in the same activities as you have before, but while sober.

Depending on how long you have been a heavy drinker, entering recovery may mean you are socializing and emotion-managing sober for the first time.

With the acquisition of each new coping skill and the evolution of emotional maturity, your brain builds new connections and creates pathways for healthy interactions in the future.

While the damage you can inflict on your brain with heavy alcohol use is disturbing, it is entirely possible to experience recovery from addiction and begin to heal from the inside out.

Know Someone Who needs Help?

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, now is the time to reach out for help. At Renewal Lodge by Burning Tree, you will find a team of compassionate, knowledgeable professionals ready to coach each client through the 12-steps and beyond.

By structuring treatment to fit individual needs, including the identification of co-occurring disorders, Burning Tree facilitates an environment of healing and holistic wellness.

Here, our clients tackle their addictions head-on and harness the power to restructure their lives through high accountability and life skills that foster lasting sobriety.

We specialize in treatment for the chronic relapser and believe that with the right tools, you can put an end to the cycle of addiction. For more information on how we can help, call us now at 866-287-2877

If drinking less is your New Year’s resolution, you aren’t alone. A Greek (as in fraternity, not Athens) guy in college once swore to me on January 2nd that he’d go sober for 365 days. Incredulous, I asked how that was possible, and he answered: “Well, not in a row.”

Americans like to drink. Not as much as Canadians and Russians , but still a lot. The good news: A recent study published in Preventing Chronic Disease found that most Americans who drink “excessively” (15 or more drinks a week for men; 8 or more drinks a week for women) aren’t alcohol dependent. Meaning they aren’t alcoholics. Meaning if you wanted to stay sober for one month, odds are it wouldn’t lead to withdrawal. Sure, you might suffer from fear of missing out (FOMO), but you shouldn’t lose control of your bodily functions.

But how good is one month of sobriety for your health anyway? The staff of the New Scientist attempted to answer that question, and found that avoiding alcohol for a few weeks may actually do wonders for your body.

First: 14 staff members gave blood samples and had ultrasounds done to measure the amount of fat in their livers. Next, 10 of them abstained from alcohol for five weeks, while four continued to drink normally. At the end of five weeks, they all went back to the hospital to repeat the blood work and ultrasounds.

Whether you are trying to reduce your alcohol intake or quit drinking altogether, there are apps to help you succeed. We have searched through apps aplenty to bring you the best stop drinking apps based on their design, usability, user ratings, and ability to help you reach your target.

Share on Pinterest Quit drinking apps are designed to help you reduce your alcohol intake, stop drinking altogether, or stay sober for good.

Around 86.4 percent of adults in the United States have drunk alcohol at some point in their lifetime, according to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Consuming a moderate amount of alcohol – that is, up to one alcoholic drink per day for women and two for men – may have health benefits, such as a reduced risk for heart disease and ischemic stroke.

However, binge drinking and heavy alcohol use are linked with car crashes, burns, falls, alcohol poisoning, violence, sexually transmitted diseases, unintended pregnancy, chronic diseases, cancers, memory and learning problems, and alcohol dependence.

An estimated 88,000 individuals die annually from alcohol-related causes, which makes alcohol the fourth leading preventable cause of death in the U.S.

Moderating or quitting drinking alcohol involves limiting your alcohol intake as well as changing your habits and lifestyle choices, and apps can help you to achieve these goals. Here are Medical News Today‘s top 10 stop drinking apps to help you take charge of your drinking habits.

Published by Sobia Ameer on July 14, 2019 July 14, 2019

Need professional help? Call our 24/7 hotline: (929) 506-4934

Alcoholism is a family disease all over the world. It not only affects the person addicted to alcoholism but also affects its family members and friends. Family mental, physical, dynamic, finances, and stability are impacted negatively on a person’s drinking habits. In this article, we will discuss some important aspects of Quit Drinking Alcohol among your loved one.

What can I do?

If your loved one is suffering from alcohol addiction, then it is natural to question how to makes your loved one that they may need your help. When you are a concern that your loved one drinks too much heavenly, it can be difficult to understand what to do. You may feel hesitation or may not know properly that what to say.
At least one of the below things comes true when you want to talk with your loved one addicted to alcoholism and feel hesitation.

• You have been embarrassed or hurt by your loved one while they were drinking alcohol.
• Their behavior and attitude when they drink you may feel nervous.
• The money they spend on alcoholism concern you lot.
• You have thought or called about calling because of their drinking habit.
• You may bail loved one when their drinking habit keeps them away from responsibility.

Quit Drinking Alcohol

What help to Quit Drinking Alcohol?

a) Study about the alcoholism effect:

Search out about the harmful effects of alcoholism and the symptoms of misusing alcohol. So, it brings you away from drinking any more.

b) Focus on the result:

Explain your loved one how drinking can affect their health and how it brings negative outcomes in their life. Express your attention for the well-being of loved one so that they understand that you care him or her.

c) Time to conversate:

The conversation is likely to bring lots of positive outcomes while talking with your loved one who is addicted to alcoholism.

d) Prepare a plan:

Prepare an effective plan for your loved one who wants to Quit Drinking Alcohol. Search for local AA meetings, research the top-rated treatment facilities and find the perfect counselor that provides you effective insurance plan for your loved one.

Need professional help? Call our 24/7 hotline: (929) 506-4934

How to Quit Drinking Alcohol?

Many addiction treatment programs especially design for alcoholism operate your loved one, so that they come back to their life.
a) Detox:
Medical detox is the starting point of any recovery journey. It can be unpleasant because of unpleasant withdrawal syndrome. The withdrawal symptoms may be life-threatening and unmanageable. An effective and well-managed medical detox facility offers you 24-hours supervision, medical intervention and monitoring

b) Treatment
Two most commonly used treatment level need by alcohol addicts is inpatient and outpatient setting. Inpatient usually for short and long-time period depending on the condition and need of care from peers or staff. While outpatient is perfect who like to do routine work and treat their addiction. It only requires attendance for a few time to get healthy tips to get a sober life.

c) Aftercare
After following successful completion of rehab programs, it is important to get continued support for improving the chances of avoiding relapse and remain sober. Some of the aftercare services are SMART recovery, sober living residences, 12-step meeting, and non-12-step meetings.

Breaking free from alcohol is a life-changing decision—and it’s not easy. Figuring out how to quit drinking might feel overwhelming at first and almost unachievable, but it becomes easier. Especially if you have the right tools to support you. If you decided to kick the habit— this space is for you.

Here you’ll find the best tips and resources to help you quit alcohol for life. Losing the habit is tough, but you gain a lot more. When you realize drinking alcohol has very few benefits, you won’t look back.

Are you wondering how to quit drinking? Try these ideas to help you succeed:

Table of Contents

1. Set Goals for Yourself

Deciding to quit is the first step, now it’s time to take the next one. Setting goals for yourself helps you stay motivated and keeps track of your achievements. When there’s a clear path ahead, reaching your goals becomes easier.

Start by writing down why you decided to give up drinking, and revisit those reasons if cravings hit. Then set yourself small achievable goals, like staying sober for a week, listening to a sobriety podcast, or reading an article on alcoholism. Whatever works for you.

Add short-term and long-term goals to your plan on how to quit drinking. This makes giving up alcohol easier and allows you to see and measure your progress. This is your journey, and you can decide how to shape it.

If you notice a pattern or situation that triggers your need for a drink, write them down too. This helps you avoid them in the future and can give you the strength to overcome them.

2. Have a Back-Up Plan

When cravings come or withdrawal symptoms hit, having a back-up plan helps you stay on track. Keep your goals in mind and resources nearby for the hard days.

If cravings are coming in strong, have an alternative to alcohol ready to go. It can be an alcohol-free drink or your favorite food/dessert—whatever works for you. Keep these alternatives in stock at all times.

When you have a plan in place, getting over cravings and withdrawal is easier. And it gives you clarity on what to do next. You got this!

3. Get Support

Cutting back is easier if you have people to support you. Tell your friends and family about your decision to stop drinking, and ask for their help. If someone is not supportive, steer away from them—now is the time to surround yourself with positivity.

Try to find a sober partner who will cheer you on and hold you accountable. Maybe even try to quit drinking together and support each other. Having someone who understands your struggles makes a huge difference.

There are communities online for people who are quitting alcohol. This is another great way to find support— or an accountability partner. Reddit has an incredible support group, and anyone can join .

You can also find support on how to quit drinking in your community—with groups like AA. Find local meetings here .

Remember that you’re not alone, there are many people who, like you, are staying sober. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

4. Find a New Hobby

When you’re learning how to quit drinking, replacing imbibing with a new and exciting activity is a must. Finding new hobbies keeps your mind and body occupied.

Fill your schedule with whatever activity you’ve always wanted to try. There are plenty of options—hiking, painting, reading, playing tennis, or gardening are a few.

Eventually, these activities will become a part of your new life, as alcohol falls behind. Find something that brings you joy, and make time for it.

Your favorite hobby is waiting to be discovered. Don’t be afraid to try new things!

5. Practice Self-Care

It’s hard to figure out how to quit drinking, and to succeed, it’s important to be kind to yourself. There are good days and bad days, but consistency is key.

If you feel stressed out or anxious, practicing self-care makes a huge difference. Find a practice that helps you feel good, and make it a habit.

You can keep a journal to write down your feelings and struggles, do yoga, or practice meditation. Try breathing exercises or tai chi, take a nature walk, or do morning affirmations.

Whatever works for you, works. Create your own self-care routine and enjoy the benefits first hand. You’ll never regret taking care of yourself, and quitting alcohol is part of that.

6. Avoid Temptation

It’s a lot easier to avoid falling for temptation when there’s no temptation to begin with. When you’re ready to quit alcohol for good, go through all your cabinets and clean them out.

If necessary, avoid places and situations that might be tempting, like pubs and clubs. At least in the early stages when cravings and withdrawals feel stronger, it’s better to skip it.

If you are in a social setting, don’t forget to bring your alternatives. You can also practice polite but firm ways to reject a drink in case someone offers.

Remember that temptation wears off. In a short amount of time, you’ll be used to your sober-self, and rejecting a drink becomes a lot easier.

7. Use Natural Supplements for Added Support

Coping with how to quit drinking it’s hard, cravings and withdrawal symptoms are real—and sometimes strong. Having supplements to support your sober journey is important to overcome those feelings.

Quitting alcohol can cause trouble sleeping, headaches, digestive problems, make you feel stressed and anxious, and other withdrawal symptoms. Having natural supplements to help you manage these symptoms makes it easier to stay sober.

Sobrietea is a powerful alternative to help you quit . Its natural and organic ingredients are crafted to help you fight cravings and withdrawal—making it a perfect ally when quitting alcohol.

Alcohol takes a lot from you—it’s time you get it back. Order Sobrietea here and start your sober journey with the right support.