Dry January: How to take a break from alcohol so you’ll actually stick with it

Don’t be hard on yourself if your new happy hour habits take a few tries to catch on. Chiligiris says that once her patients make a change, they recognize that their overall quality of life has improved. They sleep better, are less anxious, and have more energy — a virtuous cycle. If you’ve been drinking more than you’d like, try replacing happy hour with a nondrinking activity that will activate the reward centers in your brain — and curb your craving. “Trying new things and experiencing pleasure without alcohol use can definitely provide the same sort of pleasure reinforcement you may be looking for with alcohol,” Chiligiris says. But if you’ve noticed that the main or only way you’re doing so is by reaching for a beer, glass of wine, or cocktail, we have some alternatives you can try.

As Orren describes it, the synthetic molecule works in much the same way Sentia does, only better—and without any plant-y flavor, making it more versatile. Food can absorb the alcohol in beverages, so eating before or even while you drink can dampen the effect and may make you want to drink less, says Crews. Instead of aiming for complete abstinence, for instance, aim to drink fewer than seven days a week. “Try sober Mondays or sober Mondays through Wednesdays,” he says. Though the benefits can vary widely from person to person, taking a month-long break from alcohol can do your body good.

Healthy SwapsThe Blaylock: A mocktail recipe for Dry January

If you’re trying to shed a few pounds, keeping that goal in mind can be great a list-topper for why you’re quitting booze. Identify the benefits of quitting and write them down as a reminder of why you’re doing this. These beverages vary in the actual amount of alcohol that is in them. Nonalcoholic beer contains a minor amount of alcohol, whereas most sparkling juices contain no alcohol at all. Trained Emergency Physician who has practiced for 15 years and also had guided alcohol and drug addiction programs for the past 20 years.

Family and friends can provide encouragement and support when you stop drinking. It’s possible to develop a better relationship with alcohol and make more mindful, informed choices about drinking without total sobriety. From monthlong sobriety challenges to the #SoberCurious movement, more and more people are taking a closer look at the role alcohol plays in their lives.

Therapy (Learn How to Reduce Self-Critical Behaviors)

I was using booze in ever-increasing quantities and frequency to numb myself to the serrated edges of life. We’re a modern recovery company that helps you stop drinking and start feeling better.By using evidence-based treatment and peer support, we can provide you with the education, tools, and community you need to recover. There are many people who decide to drink as a stress relief method. There are other people who start drinking in social settings as a way to fit in. While drinking for stress relief can feel comforting at the moment, the reality is that it can open the door to a black hole that you will continue to fall through. A functioning alcoholic, for example, may find stress in nearly every aspect of their life.

• Hitting the gym or a fun workout class with a friend or coworker can help you beat stress without the hangover.
• People who are dependent on alcohol, or have other medical or mental health problems, should stop drinking completely.
• Whether it’s from a strenuous hike, the stressful hours you put into the workday, or a difficult exercise you tried for the first time, tight muscles can drag down your body and…
• It’s possible to develop a better relationship with alcohol and make more mindful, informed choices about drinking without total sobriety.

You do not have to drink just because others are, and you shouldn’t feel obligated to accept every drink you’re offered. GABA Labs is also working on bringing the synthetic alcohol it invented to market. “The botanical is wonderful, but it’s not near as strong or effective” as the synthetic version of alcohol Nutt has created, says GABA Labs co-founder David Orren.

Don’t keep alcohol in your house. Having no alcohol at home can help limit your drinking.

Say you don’t have any cravings when you go without drinking. All the same, “a quick drink” often turns into three or four drinks. When you’re having a good time, you find it hard to stop, especially in the company of friends having the same amount. Replacing an alcoholic drink with a non-alcoholic drink that feels “special” to you can be a big help when quitting booze.

Remind yourself of why you want to cut back, talk to a friend about it and distract yourself with a hobby or exercise, the NIAAA suggests. If you answer “yes” to two to three questions, your symptoms align with mild AUD. If you answer “yes” to four to five questions, your symptoms align with moderate AUD. If you answer “yes” to six or more questions, your symptoms align with severe AUD. Consult with a licensed mental health professional to further explore AUD.

Reasons to Choose Kava as an Alcohol Alternative

Moderation management, an approach that Turner practices, is just one alternative to full sobriety. “Not only does it offer a strong flavor, the phenethylamine triggers the release of endorphins, feel-good neurohormones,” she says. “When we work through and tap into each component, break down the drives and processes, we can make choices that support our why alcohol disrupts your sleep priorities without feeding the habit .” For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. The use of any of the above-listed drugs for recreational purposes is prohibited, as the majority are controlled substances and require a prescription from a physician. Physicians do not prescribe benzodiazepines or opiates for recreational purposes.

Hitting the gym or a fun workout class with a friend or coworker can help you beat stress without the hangover. Even a quick 20- or 30-minute exercise session has calming effects—and research showsthese benefits can last for several hours after your workout is complete. Photo by Luis Quintero on UnsplashOne problem many people face when they quit drinking is plain-old boredom. Perhaps your social life generally revolves around drinking, and you need a break from that environment. Or maybe the things you used to do while drinking just don’t seem as interesting sober.

If you’ve become dependent on alcohol, cutting it out of your life may produce withdrawal symptoms, such as a rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, sweating and shaking. Psychological symptoms can include irritability, anxiety and restlessness. While they have some things in common, they differ in important ways. Kava is a natural, nonalcoholic drink made from the ground root of the plant Piper Methysticum. It’s common to have a difficult time when making big changes, but good self-care practices can help you manage overwhelming feelings and take care of your mind and body.

You may want to abstain for a week or a month to see how you feel physically and emotionally without alcohol in your life. Taking a break from haven house los angeles alcohol can be a good way to start drinking less. “Try doing a ‘dry’ month like Dry January, Go Dry for July or Sober October,” says Moore.

If you turn to alcohol to ease anxiety, try exercise as a healthy alternative. Choosing to limit or cease your alcohol consumption can feel intimidating—especially alcoholism after gastric bypass surgery if you’re concerned about the effects on your social life. However, it’s very much possible to lead a full life without drinking alcohol.

Taking an occasional break from booze, like a Dry January challenge, can be good for your mental and physical health. Using any of these substances would simply be the act of replacing one substance of abuse with another substance of abuse. Breathing techniques and guided imagery can be used to relieve stress and induce relaxation.

Brittany has been working in behavioral health since 2012 and is the Assistant Clinical Director at our facility. She is an LCSW and holds a master’s degree in social work. She has great experience with chemical dependency and co-occurring mental health diagnoses as well as various therapeutic techniques. Brittany is passionate about treating all clients with dignity and respect, and providing a safe environment where clients can begin their healing journey in recovery. After a long day at work, you may not think you want to exercise but doing so is one of the best ways for you to find relief from the ups and downs of daily life.

Similar to establishing a fitness routine, making dietary changes alters your perspective on drinking. When your focus is putting healthier foods in your body, you’re less likely to want to drink high-sugar beverages like alcohol. Too much alcohol, especially over many years, negatively impacts just about anyone who engages in the behavior. There are both negative physical and mental health effects. If you’ve tried all of the above and are still struggling to cut back on your drinking, it’s also easier to find support than ever.

I order a mocktail when I meet people for drinks because it feels good to sip a drink that has an air of indulgence to it. The action also helps reduce any worry of being interrogated by strangers about why I’m not drinking because mocktails look just like cocktails. The use of alcoholic beverages is ingrained in American culture. Alcohol is consumed regularly in many social situations and business interactions, and as a way to relax.