At this point, doctors broadly agree that there’s no good medical reason for people who don’t drink to start drinking. “There are many reasons to drink, but the idea that it will improve your health is on far too shaky scientific ground,” Stockwell says. This is a recovery program and national support group network.

Perhaps you want to limit yourself to drinking only when you’re with other people. Or maybe you want to cut back on the number of drinks you consume, rather than the frequency. Sometimes people over-drink in social situations if they feel uncomfortable, or they may use alcohol to make an awkward or unhappy situation feel a little better. If your drinking is triggered by specific people or situations, take note of that. You may need to avoid those things in the future.

Struggling with Alcohol? How to Know If You Should Moderate or Quit

Spread out your drinks by alternating them with “spacers.” This is a helpful way to stay hydrated while you’re drinking or to simply give yourself some space to check in on how your body is feeling. Alternate each alcoholic drink with a glass of water or some other kind of non-alcoholic beverage. Limit yourself to 1 drink for every 30 to 60 minutes. When you start drinking, make a note of the time. For men, it’s recommended they drink 1 alcoholic beverage per half hour at a maximum, whereas for women, it’s recommended they drink 1 beverage per hour.Avoid gulping your drink.

• For some types of cancer, the risk increases even at low levels of drinking .
• Overall, approximately 25% of those who tried moderation with this program ultimately switched their goal to abstinence.
• Because this makes drinking less pleasurable, people are less likely to crave alcohol.
• In this study, heavy drinkers and binge drinkers were more than 10 percent more likely to die prematurely from all causes and 22 percent more apt to die from cancer.

Depending on your insurance plan, you may be able to get these services at no cost to you. Check with your insurance company to find out more. Keep this list in your wallet, on your fridge, or in an app on your phone. Stay away from bars and other places that may make you want to drink.

Potential Health Benefits of Sea Greens

In short, drinking less can give you more out of life as you promote and sustain your well-being. As you introduce healthy activities, alcohol alternatives, and productive coping mechanisms into your life, you will likely find that alcohol becomes less important to you. As you change your drinking habits, it’s important to check in with yourself and your needs. You may decide that abstaining from alcohol is the best course of action for you, or you may decide that being able to drink in moderation is a realistic long-term goal. Whatever the case, we’re here to support you in a way that makes you feel empowered and confident.

One https://ecosoberhouse.com/ per day is considered moderate drinking for women. The higher the alcohol content of the beverage, the less you should drink. During the times when you’re alcohol-free, does it change how you feel and where you place value in your life? Do you find you’re able to think more clearly, focus better, and maintain your energy? Build upon these positive changes as you continue to cut down on drinking alcohol, and don’t feel discouraged if you face challenges along the way.

Don’t Forget to Eat

Let a supportive friend and/or family member know that you’re trying to cut down. By explaining how important it is to you that you moderate your drinking, they may be able to offer their help. Be honest about what you do and don’t need and how they can help you to find balance.

If you don’t drink alcohol, don’t start because of potential health benefits. However, if you drink a light to moderate amount and you’re healthy, you can probably continue as long as you drink responsibly. Be sure to check with your doctor about what’s right for your health and safety.

How to moderate your drinking

Eating beforehand will slow down the passage of can you moderate your drinking and subsequent absorption. Each person is unique and therefore, you may find that you need to try different methods to create a balance with your own drinking habits. It’s also recommended to spread out the drinking to over 3 or more days so as not to consume too much at once. This Finnish proverb can be applied to many things in life but particularly holds true when it comes to alcohol consumption. After all, life is all about balance and moderation.