You can ask questions about our program, the admissions process, and more. Joseph Gilmore has been in the addiction industry for three years with experience working for facilities all across the country. If you are considering trying to overcome alcohol on your own, think again and look to get professional help. Yes, alcohol use can increase the risk of stroke and heart complications. There is no known safe amount of alcohol consumption for those who are pregnant.

Studies show outpatient treatment is just as effective as residential rehab for most cases of alcohol use disorder. I really wanted to quit drinking but at the same time hold down a job. Drinking can turn into an automatic response in certain situations, like an after work drink or a reaction to a stressful situation.

Health Essentials

Treatment success depends on examining the way alcohol abuse has impacted you and developing a new way of living. Let friends, family members, and co-workers know that you’re trying to stop or cut back on drinking. If they drink, ask them to support your recovery by not doing so in front of you.

It is not just the tendency to use booze to numb stress, sadness and exhaustion, it’s how to behave in the good times too. When I had been sober for three months, I received a really big job offer – the sort that warranted a celebration. But without the option of going straight to the pub to raise a few glasses, I was clueless as to how to express my excitement. You can become conditioned to reach for a drink when your environment offers up certain cues.

Tips

The imbalance in GABA that occurs when you suddenly stop drinking causes withdrawal symptoms. Slowly reducing your drinking over time instead of suddenly stopping allows your brain to change its response to GABA. The most important thing is to change your perception of fun.

• In some cases alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous or even fatal.
• This is one of the most important tips for quitting drinking.
• It’s often easier to turn down a drink when you don’t have to do it alone.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms range from extremely mild to life-threatening. OK, with those simple tips in place, you should now have an accurate idea of whether or not it makes sense for you to safely try quitting booze cold turkey. In most other cases, you could consider detoxing from alcohol at home, although it’s worth consulting with your healthcare provider first for advice.

Recognizing you Have a Drinking Problem

Any alcohol addiction treatment program should be customized to your unique problems and situation. Some people are able to stop drinking on their own or with the https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/tips-to-get-started-on-the-road-to-recovery/ help of a 12-step program or other support group (see below for links). Others need medical supervision in order to withdraw from alcohol safely and comfortably.

Most of the time, people will back off, and if they don’t, stand firm and say you’re not drinking tonight. You don’t owe anyone your reasoning behind why you’re refraining. Tell trusted family and friends about your plan to quit or cut back on alcohol. When those around you are in the know, it can help them know not to offer you drinks.

“Once you have a sense of how much you’re drinking, it’s helpful to track how many drinks you’re having per day,” says Witkiewitz. “You could use a calendar, journal or any number of tracking apps.” Drink Control Alcohol Tracker or Less are two examples of free tracking apps available on iOS devices. Take our short alcohol quiz to learn where you fall on the drinking spectrum and if you might benefit from quitting or cutting back on alcohol. Whether it’s regular meditation, yoga, tai chi, or even a smartphone app, research shows that finding a mindfulness practice can help people stick with sobriety long-term.

If something seems fun only when you are a bit drunk, then it’s not really fun at all and you should stop doing it. For me, that included days at the horse racing, stag weekends in Prague and visits to Winter Wonderland. For you, it might be dreary after-work drinks or that book club that just seems to be a cover for unbridled midweek boozing. But you will be amazed by how many things that you have spent time and money on for years are, in the cold light of sobriety, rubbish. Belinda Gordon-Battle is a licensed clinical therapist and life consultant based in Miami while providing therapeutic services across the globe.

I gave up booze and am having more fun than ever. These seven tips could help you do the same

For some, simply answering the question, “Does alcohol cause problems in my life? ” determines if you are suffering from a drinking problem. Regardless of how you got to this point, here’s how you can set yourself up to a brighter future. However, if you believe you have a drinking problem, it is best to consult a professional and get support.

• Facing challenges with alcohol abuse and addiction can make you feel hopeless and alone.
• Many people find willpower alone is inadequate and you should rethink seeking and obtaining the right professional treatment if you can’t go it alone.
• For heavy drinkers or anyone with reasonably high alcohol consumption, quitting alcohol is not risk-free.
• I spent time looking out for sober role models in my social and professional circles – men of a similar age who were sober but still funny, smart, confident and capable.
• 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.