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How To Give Up Alcohol
Want to give up the booze? Whether it’s for health reasons or a personal choice, giving up alcohol is never easy. Temptations are everywhere and there can often be a social stigma to drinking. That said, giving up alcohol is becoming easier. Here are just a few tips for those wanting to go sober.
Focus on the positives of giving up
A lot of people make the mistake of focusing on the negatives of not drinking when trying to go sober. However, there are positives to giving up, which many people overlook. These include the health benefits, the costs saved, the lack of hangovers and the freedom to drive whenever you like. By focusing on these positives and the improvements it can have on your life, you’ll be more motivated to stay sober.
Be the designated driver
If you drive, bringing your car to social functions where you think there may be alcohol could be a great incentive not to drink. You could even volunteer to run people back home – this will encourage you to stay sober throughout the night and not leave your car there to collect in the morning.
Try non-alcoholic options
There are plenty of non-alcoholic alternatives to alcoholic drinks. These can help to replicate the taste of alcoholic drinks and help you to fit in when attending social events, reducing the temptation to give into the real thing. Try various non-alcoholic drinks to see which ones you prefer.
Surround yourself with the right people
You should avoid surrounding yourself with people that are likely to be negative influences. Instead, surround yourself with people who will support your decision to not drink. This way, you’re not going to be pressurized into giving in.
Join support groups
Support groups could be useful for connecting with people that are also going sober. This could be useful if you don’t have any friends or family who can relate to your struggles. AA support groups are particularly popular with those trying to recover from alcohol abuse. There may also be online forums and social media pages that you can join.
Know when to consider professional help
Sometimes professional help can be needed, especially when battling alcoholism and associated withdrawal symptoms. It could be worth signing yourself into a rehab spa to get away from negative influences in your everyday life. Alternatively, you could look into one-on-one counselling if you’re battling addiction that may have other root causes.
Record your progress
Keeping a record of your progress can help to spur you on. This could be something as simple as ticking days off on a calendar or it could involve using apps to keep track of your progress. By seeing how far you’ve come, you’re less likely to want to relapse.
