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The best combination was among the participant group who watched the television ad and kept count of their drinks. These individuals saw a significant reduction in alcohol consumed over the course of the study. They were most likely to say they intended to change their habits, as well as most likely to find real-world success using these attempted behavioral changes. Fear of cancer is a good reason why one might want to reduce their alcohol intake, but that’s only half of the story.

A support group to build connections with others who are going through similar experiences can be beneficial. It’s also important to address your family’s own needs at this time. Make sure your children are eating a healthy diet and getting adequate exercise and sleep. Learn more about the levels of care offered at American Addiction Centers’ nationwide treatment centers. Medications can sometimes be helpful in both the short term and the long term. Talk to a doctor about the options that are available to and appropriate for you.

Legal Conditions and Terms

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. 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. Once you know how much of a role alcohol plays in your life, you can figure out how to quit drinking.

If you find yourself in a situation where someone offers you a drink, just politely decline. 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. Goals can help you stay on track, but sometimes one big goal feels too out of reach. Consider setting smaller goals for yourself — and celebrate them as you go. Rather than one overarching “I want to quit drinking” goal, start by telling yourself you’re going to cut back.

Signs of an Alcohol Use Disorder

However, when alcohol makes up part of your typical routine, drinking can become something of an automatic response, especially when you feel stressed or overwhelmed. Turner notes the importance of bringing along a trusted support person when attending events that involve alcohol. It’s often easier to turn down a drink when you don’t have to do it alone. It’s possible to develop a better relationship with alcohol and make more mindful, informed choices about drinking without total sobriety. But maybe you’re unsure about quitting completely and don’t want to hold yourself to that goal.

You’ll get a 100% custom plan, then daily texts to track your progress and help you stay on target. You don’t have to leave the house to get support from other people who understand and respect what you’re trying to do. In fact, you can find it online with sites like Sunnyside, which helps you create https://ecosoberhouse.com/ a customized plan, Tempest, Moderation.org or Ben’s Friends for people who work in the food and beverage industry. If you turn to alcohol to ease anxiety, try exercise as a healthy alternative. You’ll get a 100% custom plan, then use daily texts to track your progress and help you stay on target.

Make a plan.

To learn more about the rehabilitation services we offer, visit our addiction treatment centers page. Take time to contact friends and family who will support you in your goals. You might also want to let those friends who drink, use drugs, or engage in addictive behaviors know that you are planning to change. Learning how to overcome an addiction is important for anyone experiencing a substance use disorder (SUD), alcohol use disorder (AUD), or behavioral addiction. While challenging, recognizing that there is a problem and learning more about the process of quitting are important first steps in recovery. Your health care provider or counselor can suggest a support group.

Comparing the emotions that come up when you have a drink with the feelings you experience when abstaining also helps you recognize when drinking doesn’t fix the problems you’re trying to how to overcome alcoholism manage. People who are physically dependent on alcohol should gradually reduce, or taper, their alcohol intake. People who are dependent but not addicted to alcohol may not require rehab.

Things You Should Know About Helping an Alcoholic

American Addiction Centers recommend no more than one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men, so keep that in mind as you’re setting a goal to cut back. Dr. Streem says that if your goal is to stop drinking altogether, you’re more likely to have success quitting all at once, rather than weaning off alcohol. But that advice changes if you’re living with alcohol use disorder.

• These tips can help you get started on the road to recovery.
• Asking yourself questions can help you more accurately assess the circumstances.
• If you turn to alcohol to manage emotional distress, the added overwhelm can prompt the urge to drink, making success seem even more out of reach.
• If you’ve been covering up for your loved one and not talking about their addiction openly for a long time, it may seem daunting to reach out for help.