Alcohol is a fun drink with many consequences, from endless regret, developing severe substance abuse to getting arrested for a DUI (driving under the influence). It can lead you to do things that you’d regret, and although bail bonds can get you out of jail, it’s still up to you to get yourself out of the rut. Overcoming an addiction to it can be a long, arduous journey. However, it’s not impossible.
Here are the best tips to help you curb your drinking for a healthier, happier, and more sober life.
Set a Drinking Goal
Abruptly stopping your drinking can worsen your condition. That’s why it’s best to slowly but gradually limit on how much you will drink daily. It’s wise to keep our drinking below the recommended consumption guidelines, which is no more than one standard alcoholic drink daily for women and no more than two spiked beverages for men.
These limits may be too high for individuals suffering from medical conditions or older adults. Your physician can help you determine what’s the best limit for you.
Keep a Record of Your Drinking
To help you reach your drinking goal better, you need to write down every time you drink and the amount you drank for a month or at least three to four weeks. When you write it down, it gives you a better overview while keeping track of your drinking.
Learn to Say No
If you have friends or family in the same situation as you and offer you to drink, don’t let your hard work go to waste by succumbing to peer pressure and learn to say no. Always have a polite and convincing ‘no, thank you,’ ready when going out with friends. The faster you can say no, their offers, the lesser your chances of giving in to temptation. That’s because if you hesitate, it allows your mind to have more time to think of excuses to go along.
Change with Others
Quitting a bad habit is easier when you have friends or people going through the same rough patch. Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) are a fantastic place to start to find a supportive community with people willing to change with you. Opening up to your friends and family can make a considerable difference.
Keep Yourself Busy
Whenever you have the urge to drink, it’s best to keep yourself distracted by doing different activities such as taking a walk, playing sports, going out to eat, or watching a movie at home. Taking up a new hobby like painting or learning to play a musical instrument is also a fantastic way to fight the urge.
Get Rid of All Substances of Abuse in Your Home
Remove all substances of abuse in your house, and that’s not only limited to liquor. These include unused prescription drugs and cigarettes. Pouring out all your liquor drinks can help make your transition to an alcohol-free life more manageable because if it’s not in your house, it’s a lot harder to get tempted and drink it. Removing other substances of abuse can also prevent you from doing anything potentially dangerous from the sudden withdrawal.
If you feel like you’re becoming too dependent on alcohol and want to stop drinking entirely, don’t do it alone as sudden withdrawal from the habit can become life-threatening. Seek professional medical help for an effective and safe recovery.
