Breaking free from the bottle
By Noah Brasseur a student submission
Looking to cut yourself off from alcohol in 2023? Here’s a few tips from Healthline to help you get started.
Take some time to think about your drinking habits. If you feel like you are drinking too much, ask yourself what causes you to drink. Is it for social reasons? Is it for dealing with pain? Is it a reaction to stress? Knowing what causes you to drink will help you avoid alcohol in the future.
Talk about your goal. Sharing your desire to cut back- or completely cut out- alcohol with friends and family usually makes it so you are more determined to stick with your goal. That extra bit of support can be just what you need to stay strong and away from drinking.
Know how to turn drinking down. Most people will respect your decision to stay away from the bottle, but sometimes people can be pushy. In these cases, it is a good idea to have a response ready. If you are comfortable with it, you can share that you are cutting back for health reasons, or just because you want to. Alternatively, it is perfectly okay to share a white lie if it makes it easier. Just say you are the designated driver for your friend group, and you should be all set.
Keep busy with other things. Sometimes staying away from drinking is as easy as doing something else. You could try a new hobby, make an old favorite recipe, or finish that book you swear you were going to get to. Just occupying the mind can help.
Need more tips to stop drinking? Head Click here to for more information.
