Talk with a healthcare professional if you’re concerned you may experience detox symptoms when quitting drinking or cutting back. Meditation and mindfulness are two hot topics these days because they can create positive feelings and improve mental health. When learned and practiced, meditation can reduce urges and cravings as well as help develop a sense of calmness and well-being. The recovery process continues for years after stopping alcohol consumption.
You’ll improve your health, reduce your risk of liver disease, and give your mind the chance to heal. Health, nutrition, and mental health become stronger motivators than the short-term desire to drink. If you’re asking how can I stop drinking, remember that every social situation gets easier with practice. Missouri Behavioral Health offers outpatient support and lifestyle guidance to help manage these changes and avoid relapse. Missouri Behavioral Health offers outpatient alcohol detox, 16 ways to stop drinking alcohol therapy, and long-term support for people dealing with substance abuse and addiction. Treatment often includes counseling, group sessions, and personalized care plans.
While you can’t make the urge go away, you can see it for what it is. Forbes Health adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers. You might reach for alcohol when you’re really just thirsty, says Crews. Drink a cup of soothing tea or a tall glass of water before you imbibe—once your thirst is quenched, you may not feel the need for as much—or any—alcohol.
It’s important to be aware of your triggers and plan how you will handle them. This could mean you may have to avoid places where you know you’ll be tempted to drink, at least for the early stages of your sobriety. It may also mean you decide on what you will do when triggers arise. Quitting alcohol alone is harder for some than others, but there’s no need to go it alone. If you’re having difficulty sticking to your goal or just want some extra guidance, consider reaching out for professional support. Research shows that most people believe that drinking can make them feel better.
Anyone with moderate or severe withdrawal symptoms benefits from inpatient medical detox and around-the-clock supervision in a hospital setting. Most people’s symptoms will start to subside after 72 hours. Some minor symptoms may continue but are not as severe as before.
I see my therapist weekly, attend Bible study and church regularly, and remain active in 12-step programming. After 1 week without alcohol, most initial withdrawal symptoms begin subsiding. Sleep patterns start improving, though complete normalization takes weeks or months. Physical symptoms like tremors and nausea decrease significantly.
Your stomach lining can also repair, improving digestion and reducing bloating and nausea caused by alcohol. The risk of developing diabetes also drops as blood sugar levels become more stable after alcohol cessation. Fewer headaches, better sleep, and more energy are also common after stopping drinking. Recognizing you have a problem with drinking is the first step in your journey to a healthier, sober lifestyle. Start your recovery journey with peace of mind, knowing your care is covered. During this time frame, you will experience worsening symptoms.
Some people also lose weight as they taper off their drinking. Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional.
Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health. In particular, she’s committed to helping decrease stigma around mental health issues. 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. Say you don’t have any cravings when you go without drinking. All the same, “a quick drink” often turns into three or four drinks.
It’s about rediscovering who you are, rebuilding what matters and reclaiming your peace. These steps are here to support you, wherever you are on your journey. Discover what does cocaine addiction feel like, including its mental, emotional, and physical effects. Having a strong support system, such as therapy or peer groups, can help you stay on track. Ask yourself, how can you help an alcoholic if it were a friend? The goal is to reduce the risk and recover quickly if a slip happens.
It’s formally recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, alongside other mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Like diabetes or opioid dependence, alcohol problems require medical care and behavioral treatment. Outpatient rehab allows you to maintain your work and family life while getting support. Therapy addresses both addiction and any co-occurring mental disorder that may contribute to alcohol use. If you’re still asking how can I stop drinking, professional help can provide the structure you need to succeed.
Alcohol is closely linked to mental health issues like anxiety, mood swings, and depression. Substance abuse impacts the mind by disrupting emotional regulation and increasing the risk of a mental disorder. Drinking to ease stress, emotional pain, or pressure can quickly become a cycle of dependency. These aspects are often a large part of why someone becomes sober curious and decides to explore ways to stop drinking.
If you have tried quitting alcohol but experienced these uncomfortable symptoms, you may have had more alcohol to ease the discomfort. That can be a common reaction for someone drinking too much. Exploring, in writing, what you find difficult and when you most want to drink can help you notice patterns that offer more insight into your alcohol use. You may not need to completely reinvent your life to quit drinking, but making a few changes in your surroundings to help avoid alcohol triggers can make a big difference. To stop drinking alcohol, you first need to understand your relationship with drinking.
Being around them could make it harder to stick to your plan. If that’s not possible, admit your desire to drink and don’t judge yourself for it. Call or text a friend and have your goals handy to remind yourself why you’ve dropped drinking. A person can reverse the effects of heavy drinking with abstinence.
You can show the diary to a doctor or healthcare professional to help you maintain sobriety, especially if you’re having difficulties. Having a diary to keep track of your progress can also remind you about why you’re quitting in the first place. To Avoid this make sure you’re prepared to handle withdrawal symptoms. Talk with a healthcare professional if you’re concerned withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal is one of the biggest challenges people face when they stop drinking alcohol. If you’re addicted to alcohol, the first days of quitting can be difficult.