Consider setting up a reward chart with things you really want — maybe it’s a dinner out at a new restaurant or a pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing. Set targets for each reward and enjoy How to Stop Drinking them when you get there. You could even go all-out and reward yourself with something big with a major milestone like a year alcohol-free — a vacation sounds lovely, for example.
- Belinda Gordon-Battle is a licensed clinical therapist and life consultant based in Miami while providing therapeutic services across the globe.
- The program operates under the framework of a 12-step program that is rooted in spirituality.
- For serious alcohol use disorder, you may need a stay at a residential treatment facility.
- Whether you choose to tackle your alcohol addiction by going to rehab, getting therapy, or taking a self-directed treatment approach, support is essential.
Depression and anxiety often go hand in hand with heavy drinking. Studies show that people who are alcohol dependent are two to three times as likely to suffer from major depression or anxiety over their lifetime. When addressing drinking problems, it’s important to also seek treatment for any accompanying medical and mental health issues.
How much alcohol is okay to drink?
Just as some people with diabetes or asthma may have flare-ups of their disease, a relapse to drinking can be seen as a temporary setback to full recovery and not a complete failure. Seeking professional help can prevent relapse—behavioral therapies can help people develop skills to avoid and overcome triggers, such as stress, that might lead to drinking. Most people benefit from regular checkups with a treatment provider.
- The goal was to address an unmet need to provide treatment for substance use along with underlying mental health issues.
- One of the most significant benefits of giving up alcohol is that you may increase your lifespan.
- Its comprehensive treatment programs address not only substance use but also any other accompanying mental health disorders.
- It is important that as you try to help your loved one, you find a way to take care of yourself as well.
- I was doing a play and I had to give birth onstage every night,” Hathaway shared.
But maybe you’re unsure about quitting completely and don’t want to hold yourself to that goal. Knowing why you drink is essential, says Cyndi Turner, LCSW, LSATP, MAC, a Virginia therapist specializing in addiction treatment and alcohol moderation. Hathaway was similarly open about why she stopped drinking—and how that choice changed her life for the better. She first spoke about that decision in January 2019, revealing then that she stopped to be more present for her 3-year-old son. For now, I’m grateful for the quotes and fine editing skills of the online sober community, and for my weekly singalong.
How to help someone stop drinking
The WFS programs are based on “acceptance statements” that help women to achieve emotional and spiritual growth and engage in better thinking patterns. Members are given a list of 13 statements that they must review each morning. They are also asked to choose one statement for the day that they will focus on. Doctors, nutritionists, and counselors can help people stay on track to stop drinking. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also has an Alcohol Program with printable resources for people to follow. Severe symptoms may require benzodiazepines to prevent serious consequences of alcohol withdrawal.
What medications can help me stop drinking? – Alcohol and Drug Foundation
What medications can help me stop drinking?.
Posted: Thu, 21 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
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. This means that if you suddenly stop drinking, you may experience symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
Avoiding drinking triggers
Try to remain neutral and don’t argue, lecture, accuse, or threaten. It’s much easier to avoid drinking if you don’t keep temptations around. Make a table like the one below, weighing the costs and benefits of drinking to the costs and benefits of quitting. Celebrate if a friend or loved one with an addiction takes a step toward rehabilitation … but don’t be surprised by a stumble. Relapse rates are common among those who seek treatment for an addiction.
So, giving up alcohol may help you to improve your relationships with friends and family. One of the unexpected benefits of giving up alcohol is that you may find yourself more productive than before. This is because alcohol can cause fatigue and decreased motivation, so when you stop drinking, you may find it easier to get things done. “Furthermore, consistent use of alcohol to induce sleep only increases the need to use alcohol in the future to get to sleep,” he explains. Others may want one-on-one therapy for a longer time to deal with issues like anxiety or depression.