That said, there are now several medications that can help reduce your cravings and make weaning off alcohol easier. There are many healthy habits you can replace drinking alcohol with, whether it’s drinking a healthier option, such as sparkling water, or doing something different altogether. Binge drinking entails having four or more drinks in two hours for women and five or more drinks for men. About 25.8% of people 18 or older binge drank in 2019, and 14.5 million adults have an alcohol use disorder. But most people have a hard time discerning when they’ve gone beyond moderate drinking and should consider cutting back, according to Koob.
Reduced Heart Disease Risk
Fortunately, reducing your alcohol use can help improve your sleep over time, although you might experience more sleep disturbances for some time after you quit. “Furthermore, consistent use of alcohol to induce sleep only increases the need to use alcohol in the future to get to sleep,” he explains. It is potentially life-threatening, so it is essential to seek medical attention immediately if you experience such symptoms. The brain also begins to repair some of the damage and shrinkage you may have experienced while drinking. One study showed that after 6 weeks of abstinence from alcohol, brain volume increases by an average of 2%.
How do trees and green spaces enhance our health?
We aim to change how you feel about your vaping so that getting free becomes easy, enjoyable and you do not miss anything. We have a whole article dedicated to the benefits of giving up alcohol which you can read, with additional free resources https://ecosoberhouse.com/ available. The question you need to ask yourself is not “ Shall I have a drink now” but “Do I want to become a drinker again and never be allowed to stop? Live an alcohol-free life and be on your guard not to fall back into the trap.
- While these findings are a concern, there are practical ways to cut back on drinking, such as planning break days and switching to mocktails or nonalcoholic beers.
- Cold turkey is a common slang term for quitting alcohol (or any substance) all at once.
- If you experience dangerous signs such as high blood pressure, racing heart, or arrhythmias, slow your taper and seek assistance.
- Memory loss can be a problem during drinking and in the long term for regular heavy drinkers.
- It’s important to remember that they are only temporary and will usually subside within a few days.
Limit Your Exposure to Alcohol
Here’s how to wean off alcohol—including useful strategies, how to create a tapering schedule, and how to stay safe throughout the process. Ria Health offers treatment for alcohol addiction via telemedicine. Our program includes medication for alcohol cravings, recovery coaching, online support groups, medical consultation, and digital tools to track your progress.
- But if you’re committed to sobriety, it’s possible to achieve your goal.
- In a large-scale study of alcohol treatment methods, researchers found that a combination of medical management, medication, and cognitive-behavioral interventions was most effective.
- You might notice this effect more if you were drinking to manage your mood, such as drinking to temporarily relieve negative emotions or boost positive ones.
- Self-improvement coach Clark Kegley shared some of the tips and tricks he’s picked up throughout his sobriety journey in the hopes that they will be of service to other people in the same boat.
- To stay better informed on addiction research and statistics, you can also explore resources like the CDC and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
It’s important that you work with your doctor when you’re ready to stop drinking rather than trying to do it alone. Many people do learn to moderate their drinking and are successful in returning to a pattern of low-risk drinking. Just as there are support tips to quit drinking groups for those trying to quit drinking, there are support groups for those who are trying to cut down or moderate their drinking. If you’re living with alcohol use disorder, treatment at a medical rehabilitation facility is your best option.
