How to Reduce Your Alcohol Consumption

The benefits of reducing your alcohol consumption are tremendous; alcohol affects not only your wallet but more directly, your body. There are many effects of alcohol on the human body, including on the brain, heart, liver, pancreas and immune system. By reducing your alcohol consumption, you benefit from a better bill of health and being one step closer to sobriety. Here are some tips from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) that can help you reduce your alcohol usage.

Keep Track—If you are drinking, make sure to keep a mental tally of how many drinks you’ve consumed. This simple step will make you aware of your consumption and allow you to stay within your limit.
Set Goals—Set a goal to limit how many drinks you plan to have. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, moderate alcohol consumption qualifies as 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men.
Pace and Space— Know your limit. Consuming an alcoholic beverage over a prolonged period of time is an effective way of limiting your intake and staying within your limit.
Know to Say “No”— Alcohol can and will be offered to you. Learn to say no.
Find a Hobby— Make sure to find an alternative to drinking, whether that is playing sports, video games, or becoming involved in another physical or mental activity. Find your productive method of occupying your mind.

These steps are meant to advise you on how to reduce your alcohol consumption in order to live a healthier and fuller life. However, if you are ready to make a change, you likely understand that everything comes with a sacrifice. Recovery is not a one-step miracle; it takes commitment and a strong desire to get better. The results are worth the struggle though. By reducing your alcohol usage you will reduce your risk of cancer, improve your health, and help mend damage to your personal relationships.

Heavy alcohol consumption is a very dangerous habit. If you’ve already tried to cut your alcohol usage and have been unsuccessful, make sure to seek a medical professional for advice.

You can quit and you most certainly will!