You may also consider joining an online support group to help you feel less alone. It might also be worth checking out a 12-step program in your area, like Alcoholics Anonymous or SMART Recovery, to see if it feels like something that might be useful for you. Quitting alcohol alone is harder for some than others, but there’s no need to go it alone. From monthlong sobriety challenges to the Sober Curious movement, more and more people are taking a closer look at the role alcohol plays in their lives.
Monument’s anonymous forum connects you to other people navigating similar challenges. It’s a judgment-free community where you can feel comfortable asking questions and getting the motivation you deserve as you make progress with learning ways to stop binge drinking how to stop binge drinking. If you want to stop binge drinking, make temporary changes to your environment, or implement permanent alternatives to activities that involve drinking in order to distance yourself from alcohol.
Certain personality traits can make you more prone to engage in binge drinking. If you’re a highly impulsive person, you may be more likely to reach for another drink without stopping to think about the consequences. If you’re the type of person who likes to seek out novel sensations and situations, you might also be more willing to engage in risky drinking habits. If you have trouble stopping drinking once you start, these tips can help you build a healthier relationship with alcohol. Other social events—such as weddings, parties, reunions, conferences, networking, and more—can all involve alcohol and cultures that support binge drinking. Binge drinking is the most common type of excessive alcohol use by far.
If you drink alone, find a hobby you can do yourself, like knitting or painting. Doing things you enjoy will help you stay sober and feel good about yourself, even without alcohol. Consider understanding your drinking habits or talking to a healthcare professional to find the best strategy for you.
It might help to not drink for a while or limit yourself to one drink per week. And if you’re worried about yourself or a loved one’s relationship with alcohol, the NIAAA’s treatment navigator can help you find treatment programs in your area and answer questions about insurance and costs. Furthermore, eating while you drink can change how your body processes the alcohol. The most difficult https://ecosoberhouse.com/ part of limiting drinking for many people, Koob says, is how much alcohol is tied to socializing. It can be awkward to tell a friend that you usually drink with that you’re not going to drink. More comprehensive apps like Ria Health take things a step further, allowing you to track your drinking while teaming up with medical professionals, coaches, and support groups along the way.
It might seem convenient when you have company over, but it also makes it easier to reach for multiple drinks while you’re alone. If you do end up storing alcohol at home, keep in the back of the fridge or in the basement—somewhere out of immediate sight. You might arrive at a friend’s party in an upbeat and energized mood, but by the end of the night, you’re feeling sick and regretting your decisions. You might wonder why you always seem to make the same mistakes.
If you develop an AUD, you also run the risk of developing other personal problems and negative consequences, such as losing your driver’s license, losing your job, and having problems with relationships. Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy. 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.