Mendelson emphasizes that moderation often doesn’t work by itself. In some cases, he says, “You really need to add to that with medication and counseling support.” If you have trouble cutting back on your drinking, speak to a health care professional. Many people — including many addiction experts — believe that the only way to handle a drinking problem is to quit altogether.

• This article discusses the causes, common symptoms, and different stages of alcohol withdrawal.
• Some people with a long history of alcohol misuse may start to experience seizures, which peak around 10 hours then taper off and subside entirely within 2 or 3 days.
• For example, a flavored cognac with seltzer has half the alcohol content of a gin drink, and probably twice the flavor.

Many American adults, at some point, have considered reducing the amount of alcohol they drink. In this post, I break down cutting down drinking into four steps. With these steps, I hope you will gain some clarity about how to move toward the healthy life that you wish to live. The main treatment type to help with alcohol issues is counselling. Counselling is suitable for any level of drinker who is trying to make changes. If you’re not dependent, you should be able to either reduce the quantity or frequency of drinking or quit altogether.

Heart

If you’re having trouble doing the same things you used to do, try new hobbies to fill your time. Join a gym, learn a new https://g-markets.net/sober-living/how-to-clean-your-system-from-alcohol-in-24-hours/ skill, or find sober social groups you can enjoy. You’re likely to be in situations where you’ll be offered a drink.

You are here to make a difference in your life, which takes tremendous courage, and that alone says more about you than the amount you are drinking. If you are dependent on alcohol, the smell and taste of zero-alcohol drinks can act as a trigger for drinking alcohol. They might make it more difficult to make permanent changes to your drinking. If you experience any symptoms of dependence, once you stop or cut back your drinking, you might need specialist treatment or ongoing support to prevent going back to heavy drinking. Tell trusted family and friends about your plan to quit or cut back on alcohol. When those around you are in the know, it can help them know not to offer you drinks.

If you slip, return to your plan.

“You get the best benefit from alcohol when you drink in moderation. Just being dry for 1 month and going back to drinking in excess is a bad idea. If you are drinking in excess, it’s better to cut your alcohol intake,” said Dasgupta. Depending on the person, Kumar said she sometimes suggests cutting back on alcohol to lose weight. Dr. Dasgupta said for social and moderate drinkers, participating in a month break won’t make much difference to their bodies.

Belinda Gordon-Battle is a licensed clinical therapist and life consultant based in Miami while providing therapeutic services across the globe. BGB, as her clients and colleagues call her, is an advocate of “removing the stigma” Facts About Aging and Alcohol National Institute on Aging and normalizing the therapeutic process. She incorporates cultural relevance and non-traditional interventions and strategies to strengthen her clients’ steps towards goals of behavioral, emotional, social and mental wellness.

Behavioral Treatment

If you’re having difficulty sticking to your goal or just want some extra guidance, consider reaching out for professional support. You might run into obstacles along the way that tempt you to drink. Keep in mind the reasons you chose to cut back on or quit alcohol.