If you are struggling with addiction to alcohol or you want to reduce how much you drink now, it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor who might be able to direct you toward resources for managing withdrawal symptoms.
In the meantime, it’s important to have a plan of action and a support network that can help you reduce how much you drink.
A Guide to Stop Drinking: Making a Plan
Whether you are trying to quit drinking entirely or you just want to drink less, it’s always good to have a plan.
Most people who are struggling with alcohol consumption or addiction prefer to quit all at once and to immediately focus on sobriety, while other people want to slowly reduce how much they are drinking until such time as they can quit entirely.
Each person is different, so it’s up to you to decide what would work best given your circumstances. This is where it is beneficial to speak with your doctor or with a drug rehab center like Sequoia Recovery about what would work best.
As you make your plan, there are a few other things that you want to consider:
Goals
What are your goals? Having a legitimate reason for wanting to quit or reduce how much you drink will help give you purpose and keep you motivated.
- Are you looking to be healthier?
- Do you want to be there for your family?
- Are you trying to have more energy or save money?
Make a list of your personal reasons for wanting to quit drinking.
Triggers
What are your triggers? It is important to figure out what things, circumstances, or even people might encourage you to drink so that you can avoid them. When you don’t know what your triggers are it can be difficult to reduce or stop drinking alcohol entirely because you might be triggered while trying to get better.
- Where do you drink most often?
- Is there a time of day that you drink the most?
- Do you feel pressured to drink, or do you want to?
When you know the situation that might trigger you and make you more likely to drink, you can find ways to avoid them. This will make it easier to work through your recovery and to quit drinking alcohol.
Strategies
What are the strategies you plan to use when you are triggered?
There will always be times when you are faced with triggers or cravings, no matter how far you have come in your pursuit to stop drinking. It is important that you have things you can do when these situations arise. For example:
- Organize alcohol-free events with friends instead of meeting for drinks or at a restaurant where you know drinking will happen
- Suggest meeting for tea or coffee instead of drinks
- Form friendships with people who don’t drink
It can be difficult to quit drinking or stop drinking when you used to use things like a glass of wine after work to help you relax before bed or when you used to grab a beer at a local bar every Thursday afternoon with your coworkers.
Learning how to avoid these triggers or to swap alcohol out for something like a mocktail might take more than your personal motivation; it might take additional help from a professional treatment center.
Support
Do you need extra help in avoiding these triggers? There are many things in life that are made easier when you have support from your loved ones or from medical professionals. If you are looking for a guide to stop drinking, it’s important that you tell your loved ones what you are trying to do so they can support you and that you reach out to things like support groups or addiction recovery centers.
Creating a Guide to Stop Drinking with Sequoia Recovery
At our facility, we offer specialized programs, like our alcohol rehab program. With every level of care, it is easy to get the type of treatment you need with the support you need. During each level, you will participate in individual and group therapy sessions, which help you identify your personal triggers, set important goals so that you are motivated, and develop strategies that you can use when tempted to drink.
Call our support team today to learn more about the admissions process and our alcohol rehab program.
