However, we should also state up front that a lot of people struggle with sleep in early sobriety. For more on the benefits of exercise on mental health, I highly recommend this talk by Wendy Suzuki. But see, you don’t have to train hard multiple times per week to see results. Research has shown that even ten minutes of walking per day can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. But for now, you just gotta make it through today without How to Stop Drinking drinking. If you can stay mindful and take it day by day, you’ve won half the battle.
Know Your Reasons For Quitting
You may have tried to quit in the past and are ready to try again. You may also be trying for the first time and are not sure where to start. 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.
Don’t rely on alcohol-free drinks
BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat. Identifying why you drink alcohol is an important step in giving it up. By understanding the root cause of your alcohol use, you can reduce cravings by avoiding that situation. Changing old habits also means making an effort to build a sober social network. It is essential to have sober friends who will support your recovery journey.
- The best way to stop drinking is the one that’s most helpful for you.
- Talk with a healthcare professional if you’re concerned withdrawal symptoms.
- During this time frame, you will experience worsening symptoms.
How To Find Sober Friends (When You Don’t Know Where To Start)
- When you consider how to go about giving up alcohol, account for factors like how much you drink and your reasons for drinking.
- You may have tried to stop drinking many times in the past and feel you have no control over it.
- You have places, people, and events that are tied to drinking.
- When the alcohol level in your system suddenly drops, your brain stays in this overactive state.
A strong purpose reinforces long-term success in achieving an alcohol-free life. Self-awareness and intention are what is Oxford House key to lasting change. Before you quit drinking, it is essential to discuss your plans with a healthcare practitioner. If your alcohol consumption has been heavy or chronic, you may be dependent on alcohol.
You may not think about this constantly, but it’s in the back of every drinker’s mind. It’s one of the things that all recovering alcoholics warn you about. Fear of loneliness can keep you cutting back or cutting out your drinking.
Going from a life of drinking to a life in recovery from alcoholism can be challenging. A healthy fear of the consequences is important, but using them alone to curb your alcohol consumption has another serious drawback. We tend to gauge how we should behave by our environment. By this metric, it’s easy to justify consuming alcohol to excess because so many people are doing it. Once this was no longer an option, I started to write instead.
Understand Detox
But while you can’t do the hard work of overcoming addiction for your loved one, your love and support can play a crucial part in their long-term recovery. When you’re craving alcohol, there’s a tendency to remember the positive effects of drinking and forget the negatives. Remind yourself of the adverse long-term effects of heavy drinking and how it won’t really make you feel better, even in the short term. Distance yourself from people who don’t support your efforts to stop drinking or respect the limits you’ve set. This may mean giving up certain friends and social connections. Let friends, family members, and co-workers know that you’re trying to stop or cut back on drinking.