If you're considering cutting down on how much you drink or you want to cut alcohol out altogether, there is help out there. Overcoming an addiction to alcohol can take a lot of work, but it can be done. The good news is you do not have to wait until you have reached rock bottom to make a change. You can make the change any time, you can make that change today.

How to Stop Drinking

Alcoholism is a symptom of the troubles and torment that a lot of people have. Some people might tell you to stop drinking right away and deal with whatever is troubling you. However, it's not that easy.

If someone with an alcohol addiction were to strop drinking completely there's always a chance it could kill them. This is because their body has become dependent on alcohol. The best and most effective way to stop drinking is to slowly but surely cut down on how much your drink.

Setting Goals

Let's imagine you want to change your behavior. You want to know what sober living is like. To do this, you might want to think about setting some goals. Consider:

  • The date that you're going to quit drinking - Will you quit tomorrow or next week? Set a date as it can be a good motivator.
  • Whether you want to quit completely or cut down - If you simply want to cut down then limit how many days a week you drink. Try to aim for at least 2 days a week when you don't drink at all.

How to Achieve your Goals

  • Get rid of temptations such as alcohol, items that are related to drinking such as beer mats or pictures that have the logo of a bar.
  • Tell your friends and family that you're trying to cut down. If they drink ask them not to do it in front of you.
  • Avoid spending time with people who are a bad influence on you.
  • Don't let anyone consume alcohol in your home.
  • Don't attend events where alcohol is served.

Ask for Help

If you're not sure you can stop drinking, ask for help. There's no harm in it and you could get the support you need. When you're drinking less, you might be able to start working on those issues that made you reach for a drink in the first place. This can be quite scary, but talking about and tackling those issues can be a great way to deal with those demons.

There are many organizations and rehabilitation facilities that can help you. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Everyone has their own demons. Some choose to deal with their demons by drinking, some use drugs, some exercise, some read books. Getting help can encourage you to deal with your alcohol issues. It can also help you to look for a less harmful way of dealing with those things that might seem too hard to bear.