When you feel a craving coming on, assess what’s around you and what you’re feeling. Watching a TV show or seeing specific commercialsīecause substance use disorder is a complex disease, you likely have more than one trigger.Driving past a place where you used to drink.Negative emotions, like fear, anger, anxiety, guilt, shame, etc.As your mind and body try to tell you that you need another drink, understanding what’s at the root of that thought or feeling is key in reaching a healthier state of sobriety.Ī trigger can be physical or mental, including: Recognizing the things in your life that trigger your desire to drink will further empower that decision. Your decision to want to stop drinking is powerful. And it isn’t for anyone’s eyes but your own. It doesn’t need to be a lot of words at once. Triggers, to understand the things that made you feel like you needed a drink or wanted to drinkįind a quiet, safe space to journal every day.Feelings about drinking, to understand your connections to it.Why-the reason to stop drinking-to strengthen the power of that reason.Drinking habits, to help you learn from the past.When you’re working to quit drinking, writing can help you come to terms with and realize things about your relationship with alcohol that you didn’t know before. Avoid places where you’ve had easy access to alcohol or frequently drank in the past, including loved ones’ homes as well as favorite bars and restaurants.If you live with people who drink, discuss a plan for them to keep alcohol out of the house or out of your presence.There will be temptations around you that you can’t control-so focus on what is in your control. Find healthy habits that replace the moments you would usually be drinkingĮliminating your access to alcohol is crucial, especially in the early days of sobriety.Have a plan in place for when detox feels overwhelming.Reach out to loved ones who support your sobriety.Stop going to places where you feel tempted to drink.Go to a support group, like AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), once a week.Instead, focus on setting smaller, more attainable goals that help you accomplish that big one. Unfortunately, immediately setting your mind to achieving this one and only hard-and-fast goal is why many people struggle to quit drinking or why they relapse early on in their recovery journey. In theory, setting one big giant goal of “never drinking again” makes sense. Place pictures that remind you of your why around your home, in your car or on your phone and computer backgrounds. Set a daily message alert on your phone for moments when you know you’ll crave a drink the most. Put a sticky note in places where you know you’ll need that extra reminder. Once you know your why, write it down-everywhere. And for others it’s a combination of factors that motivates their move to sobriety. For others, it’s their careers that have taken a hit due to the effects of their drinking. As temptations arise or the disease of substance use disorder tells your body to give in to temptations, you’ll want to consistently return to your why.įor some people, their why is centered around relationships. It’s a big one! So take your time.īut it’s also one of the most important questions you’ll answer on your road to recovery. You don’t need to answer this question immediately. Why do you want to get sober? If you never had a drink ever again, what would you say was your top reason for quitting and staying sober? A doctor can assess whether your body can safely manage the withdrawal process or if you’ll need medical monitoring and assistance. The sudden lack of alcohol in your system can send your body into withdrawal, resulting in various symptoms. If your body is craving alcohol, you will have to detox. However, talking openly and honestly to a doctor about how much alcohol you consume each day could be an important first step. You may feel ashamed or embarrassed to share your drinking habits. The terms associated with consuming an unhealthy amount of alcohol can seem harsh. Let’s get you even closer to finding new hope and life in sobriety. Simply being here, reading tips on how to quit drinking, considering the possibilities of your future is a positive first step. But we know you can find a healthier, happier way to live with the right tools and support system. Whether you struggle with alcoholism, clinically known as substance use disorder, or the consequences of drinking too much seem to keep piling up, getting sober is a path forward for you-one that millions of people know well. The question is, when do the reasons to stop drinking outweigh them? There will always be plenty of reasons for continuing to drink. It’s how you keep your cool when you feel overwhelmed and anxious. It’s what you do to unwind after a long day with the kids. It’s when you bond with your co-workers after work. It’s how you stay connected with friends.
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