Daniel Ofisi

Commit to change

First and foremost, you need to make a commitment to change. Ask yourself why you want to quit drinking.

Perhaps your drinking has taken a toll on your relationships, or maybe you just want to feel healthier.

One helpful tool to use to solidify your commitment to change is the cost-benefit analysis. This helps you explore both what you like about drinking, and what you don’t.

Seeing all negative consequences of alcohol use can provide you with the motivation that you need to make a change.

It can also be helpful to look back at the cost-benefit analysis when your motivation is lagging. 

Let friends, family know

If you want the best chance of sticking to your goal, you should inform the people around you.

This is important for a number of different reasons. Firstly, once they know you’re trying to quit, and equally important the reasons why, they can help keep you on track.

Perhaps they may even decide to join you. Letting friends and family know also means they’re less likely to put you in a position where you may be tempted.

Your family will know to keep alcohol out of the house, while your friends will remember not to offer you a pint before the football match or after work.

The support and acceptance of your loved ones can go a long way in achieving your goal.

Take up new activities 

Visit the gym after work to replace having a beer. Participate in social groups that focus on shared hobbies such as music, sports, arts and crafts, or hiking.

Complete your schedule with things to do instead of drinking, and observe as they eventually take the place of alcohol.

One might be surprised by social opportunities available without alcohol. There are applications and online communities that could link you with other sober people who share the same interests.

New activities and pursuits that don’t consist of drinking alcohol will divert you in a short period of the term.

And as time passes by, they’ll naturally lead you towards a more fulfilling and committing alcohol-free personal life.

No alcohol in house

It’s much easier to stop drinking when there’s no alcohol in your house tempting you to have a sip.

It’s easy to reach for a bottle of wine or bourbon when it’s sitting right on your cabinet. Out of sight out of mind works wonders; all it takes is to try.

Ward off temptations

During social outings, you may find yourself in a situation where you are tempted by alcohol.

It happens all the time; people will break their streak while out with friends or family.

Don’t make this mistake. Before you even go out, make the promise to yourself that you will not drink.

If you fear that the temptation will be too strong, then avoid going out altogether. 

Prepare for withdrawal

Going through alcohol withdrawal may be the hardest part of overcoming addiction.

As your body rids itself of alcohol, you may experience painful symptoms such as sweating, tremors, insomnia, increased temperature, increased heart rate, or increased breathing rate.

Your body will crave alcohol during this detox stage. During this stressful period, it will be up to you to say no to alcohol.

Remember that once you get over the cravings and withdrawals, you will be feeling better than ever.

Consider counselling

Anyone experiencing problems with alcohol can benefit from counselling and therapy. A counsellor can help you develop personalised strategies to get sober.

Counselling can be simple or intensive depending on the severity of your drinking problem.

Don’t fear opening up, because it’s one of the soberest ways to solving deep-lying issues.

Know the benefits

Reducing or quitting alcohol can improve your life in many ways. It can improve your mood and sleep, increase your energy, improve your relationships with your loved ones, help you perform better at work, lower your risk of long-term health problems such as cancer and heart disease, and also save you money.

Keeping these benefits in mind can help you to stay motivated towards giving up on drinking.

Find alternatives 

Choosing the right replacement beverage can help you stand firm in your desire to stop drinking.

Plain water might offer plenty of health benefits, but it’s admittedly not the most interesting choice.

With a little creativity, you can find something enjoyable that doesn’t make you miss your favourite drink.

You can try infusing plain or sparkling water with chopped fruits or herbs, adding spices to tea, or hot chocolate as well as mixing juice or lemonade with sparkling water, which will go a long way to help you quit the booze.

Don’t give up

Always keep your goals in mind along with the reasons you even set these goals in the first place.

If you have too many drinks in one night, don’t let it spoil the goal you’re reaching for.

Just get right back on track the next day. When you fail yourself, just remember this quote by Robert F Kennedy: “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.”

You will succeed if you truly want to get your drinking habits under control or stop drinking altogether.