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How to Stop Drinking Alcohol

Deciding to stop drinking alcohol or cut back is a big step, but it can bring many benefits into your life, such as to your health, wellbeing and confidence. Whether you want to stop drinking completely or or take better control of your alcohol intake, a clear plan and goals make the whole process much easier. This guide explains practical strategies that can help you take control of alcohol and change your drinking habits. It will guide you stay committed, control cravings and be motivated. It also explains how self hypnosis can help support you as you make these changes..

Should You Cut Down or Stop Completely?

The right approach to taking control of alcohol depends on the goal you are trying to achieve. Some people want to stop drinking alcohol completely, whereas others want to be able to drink less, perhaps to stop drinking every night if that has become a habit. If you believe you are physically dependent on alcohol or an alcoholic please do seek advice from your GP or doctor before stopping.

If your goal is to reduce your alcohol intake rather than stop completely, our Drink Less Alcohol hypnosis recording may be the better choice. It’s designed to reinforce healthy habit, reduce routine or habit drinking and reduce alcohol cravings. For instance you may have got into the habit of drinking most evening, where it used to be only at the weekend this can help you get back on track.

Benefits of Drinking Less Alcohol

Reducing alcohol or giving it up has many benefits. Many people notice their sleep improves significantly, they may have more energy, better concentration and feel happier and more confident. Some people notice that they look healthier too, with clearer, healthier looking skin. Drinking less or quitting alcohol also saves you money and is a positive achievement that feels really good. Whether your goal is to stop drinking completely or cut down, every step you take to control alcohol takes you closer to a healthier, happier version of you.

Why Is It So Difficult to Stop Drinking Alcohol?

Many people find that drinking alcohol becomes a habit that is connected with their daily or weekly routines and habits. It may be that after a stressful day you automatically want to drink alcohol to relax, and if you have a good day, you want to drink alcohol to celebrate. It is easy to end up where you are drinking more than you wanted.

For some people stress is the big trigger, where they want to drink if they feel upset, sad, nostalgic, worried or anxious. Social occasions can make it hard not to drink, especially if you’ve been used to drinking routinely in social settings. There are many possible triggers and as you go though the process of abstaining from alcohol it will get easier as the habit is replaced and it doesn’t feel so strange after a while.

If you have decided to stop drinking alcohol, or reduce how much you drink, initially you may notice you think about alcohol more than you might expect. This can happen because you are trying to change a habit that is established in your routines. Habits can be broken and resisting the temptation to drink gets easier as you commit to your decision and take control. With the right strategies, the urges to drink alcohol will fade and you will enjoy feeling healthy and free of alcohol.

Self hypnosis can also be helpful when you are cutting down or quitting alcohol because it helps motivate you, relax you and helps to change the subconscious habit pattern. Hypnosis is also deeply relaxing and helps reduce stress. If alcohol had become something that helped you sleep, listening to one of our sleep hypnosis sessions when you go to bed may help.

What Are Your Triggers?

If can be helpful to become very self aware about your own alcohol triggers. Take notices of when it is that you crave alcohol. Common triggers are getting home from work, watching tv, while cooking or if you are stressed. Knowing your triggers can help you plan other ways of responding such as going for a short walk, having a bath or sipping a hot tea.

10 Ways to Stop Drinking Alcohol

  • Set Your Goal
  • Identify Triggers
  • Replace With a New Habit
  • Remove Temptations
  • Manage Alcohol Cravings
  • Manage Stress
  • Announce Your Intention
  • Don’t Give Up
  • Consider Self Hypnosis
  • Try Meditation