Do you wake up in the morning and immediately go into “what if” mode? If so, you’re someone who engages in negative thinking. The problem with this is that these thoughts lead to anxiety and depression. And as we know, many people use alcohol to deal with these emotions. Through this, you might also be able to identify triggers that make you want to drink, especially if you begin to notice patterns with your drinking. This should be easier to consider because it provides a finite boundary (“two drinks”) and does not encourage you to quit cold turkey (“when I go out”). So, she started getting out of bed, going down to the beach with some bin bags and clearing it of rubbish.

You might tell yourself you’re never drinking again, all while knowing deep down that your first drink of the day is just a few hours away. Getting honest with yourself will help to quiet those voices justifying bad behavior. Restructuring habits can be difficult because you often find a sense of comfort in them, but that comfort is often convoluted due to alcohol’s control over you. You should be able to see how some of your bad habits play out once you’ve completed the first three tips we’ve outlined, and this is simply the next step. You should write down what time, where, and what you had to drink each day so that you can visually see how it might be affecting you. Alcohol can impact your heart rate, lead to high blood pressure and liver damage, and can contribute to liver disease.

Track Your Alcohol Consumption

Breaking down step-by-step what you want to accomplish can help to make the transition away from alcohol easier. In theory, you could do this on your own, but having someone who has walked this path already can be a gamechanger. I have personally been part of 40,000 people’s journeys in a variety of roles and have seen the subject of alcohol addiction from a number of different perspectives. In the FREEDOM Programme, we https://ecosoberhouse.com/ spend a bit of time having some fun exploring a lot of this stuff. Just as importantly, set a wider goal to make quitting alcohol mean something. Signing up for a physical challenge, putting the money aside for a treat, or even reconnecting with a hobby that you have neglected for a while can be very fulfilling. OK, I appreciate that this sounds counterintuitive, but this tip has a huge effect on becoming alcohol-free.

Recognizing that you have a drinking problem is the first step toward being alcohol-free. Our website services, content and products are for informational purposes only. While our team of experienced journalists and medical experts offers timely wellness insights, news and reviews, we do not provide medical advice, diagnoses or treatment. Medical experts now use the term “alcohol use disorder” rather than “alcohol abuse” to address the concern of excessive drinking.

Get rid of your alcohol

Withdrawal symptoms might also occur when you stop drinking. In a treatment program, skilled professionals can help you manage withdrawal symptoms and keep you safe. They can also use medication-assisted treatment programs, like those at Soledad House, to reduce these symptoms early on in the recovery process. You can benefit from our inpatient and outpatient medical treatment options. Our medical professionals aim to improve the lives of people struggling with substance use or mental health disorders. Quitting drinking completely can take some time, so go easy on yourself if you’re not successful after the first try. Remember that you are not expected to do this alone and there is nothing wrong with seeking out some extra help along the way.

It might also be worth checking out a 12-step program in your area, like Alcoholics Anonymous or SMART Recovery, to see if it feels like something that might be useful for you. Exploring, in writing, what you find difficult and when you most want to drink can help you notice patterns that offer more insight into tips to quit drinking your alcohol use. Technology makes it easier than ever to learn new skills and find creative ways of connecting, even when you can’t physically participate in activities with others. Satisfying hobbies can distract you from wanting to drink, but they also help you relax — something everyone needs to do.