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Keep in mind the Sobriety reasons you chose to cut back on or quit alcohol. It’s possible to develop a better relationship with alcohol and make more mindful, informed choices about drinking without total sobriety. Becoming more aware of your alcohol triggers and reasons for drinking can help you plan ways to help manage the urge to drink. At Allure Detox, client safety and comfort are our top priorities.
If taking a break from alcohol proves more difficult than you expected, it could mean you need some extra help from a professional. Stockwell says almost anyone can choose not to drink for a day or two or even a week. But the stronger one’s drinking habit, the harder it can be to cut back.
- I knew I needed to make a change, but traditional recovery programs didn’t resonate with me.
- “Find a believer,” she says, or someone who is supportive of you.
- Whether your goal is long-term or short-term sobriety, this is the wrong mindset.
- Talk with a healthcare professional if you’re concerned you may experience detox symptoms when quitting drinking or cutting back.
- What’s interesting is that I don’t even remember my exact sober date—because I never intended to quit drinking.
- Strain through a cheesecloth-lined strainer, discard the solids, and let the syrup cool to room temperature.
Develop and lean on a support system
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. Comparing the emotions that come up when you have a drink with the feelings you experience when abstaining also helps you recognize when drinking doesn’t fix the problems you’re trying to manage. 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. It’s important to know that if your body has developed a strong dependence on alcohol, trying to quit “cold turkey” can be hazardous to your health. For some people, it’s best to get professional help when creating your reduction plan.
For Treatment Providers
Some detox facilities provide medication to help ease both the cravings and the withdrawal symptoms. However, without alcohol as a means of coping, emotional challenges can become more apparent, and you’ll be forced to confront your issues and triggers without the crutch of a depressant. Finding healthier ways to cope at this stage is critical to maintaining your sobriety, such as building new routines and habits. Incorporating relaxation techniques, such as yoga and meditation, can also make the recovery journey easier. Acute withdrawal symptoms include tremors, sweating, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms could be mild or intense, depending on the severity of your addiction to alcohol.
Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders
- Delirium tremens is a severe withdrawal condition that can lead to confusion, hallucinations, agitation9, and in extreme cases, heart failure.
- Drinking can also give us a rebound effect when we wake in the early hours of the morning, when the alcohol in our system has worn off and our brains are overstimulated.
- It’s a 10-question screening test that gives you research-backed, personalized advice for quitting or reducing your intake of alcohol.
- Maybe you’ve never been interested in logging your innermost thoughts, but journaling can be a great tool to track your feelings as you work on quitting alcohol.
When you quit drinking alcohol, there isn’t any way around feeling like you’re missing something. It’s hard to quit drinking when you only see yourself as a person who normally drinks but is taking a break. Whether your goal is long-term or short-term sobriety, this is the wrong mindset. A smart recovery strategy is to completely embrace a new identity as a person that does not drink. Talk with a healthcare professional if you’re concerned you may experience detox symptoms when quitting drinking or cutting back. If you or a loved one would like to quit alcohol in a safe, non-judgmental space, contact Allure Detox.
Questioning Your Relationship with Alcohol? Here’s What to Do Next
From the moment you walk through our doors, you can expect a warm welcome from every member of our team. We are committed to providing exceptional drug and alcohol detox services and creating an environment that supports long-term, successful recovery. Call Allure Detox now to speak with our caring professionals and begin your personalized treatment plan. The one challenge many newly sober people have is embracing a sober lifestyle.
- In the beginning stages of drinking, the experience and effect can be subtle on schoolwork.
- The concept of “Dry January,” when people pledge to abstain from drinking for the month of January, following the holidays and any excessive celebrating, may be the first time the idea had a name.
- By six months, your immune system is stronger, your skin is healthier, and if alcohol leads to weight gain, you might notice changes in your body.
Why I Didn’t Want to Try AA
- Every effort toward reducing or eliminating alcohol is a step in the right direction.
- This medical emergency is characterized by sudden and extreme confusion, agitation, hallucinations, and severe changes in nervous system function.
- They won’t make you feel intoxicated like alcohol but they may make you feel happier and more relaxed.
While not everyone experiences dangerous symptoms, listening to your body and seeking help if something feels wrong is important. The first day is often the hardest, but every moment without alcohol is a step toward recovery. Your body is already working to heal, even if it does not feel that way yet.
The benefits of completing this stage
Fortunately, there aren’t any alcohol withdrawal symptoms that are life-threatening or even need medical supervision. Individuals with a strong support system, such as friends and family, typically have an easier time quitting alcohol. Another factor that can affect the timeline is access to treatment options, such as therapy, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
Life
Talk therapy is an important part of treatment for alcohol use disorder, but Dr. Streem says just about anyone who is making a life change, like quitting drinking, can benefit from therapy. Dr. Streem says that if your goal is to stop drinking altogether, you’re more likely to have success quitting all at once, rather than weaning off alcohol. But that advice changes if you’re living with alcohol use disorder.
