Many people who are battling alcoholism simply want to cut back their drinking, rather than quitting permanently. They believe that if they can just stop abusing alcohol, they can get their act together before things spiral out of control. If moderate drinking is your goal, here are some basic steps you should take.
Before we begin, you have to understand what moderate drinking is: Moderate drinking is often described as having no more than 3 – 4 drinks per day, with no more than 9 drinks per week for women and no more than 14 drinks per week for men. Obviously, for many of us battling alcoholism, moderate drinking is NOT that easy. However, if you think you can handle those limits, here are guidelines that can help you become a moderate drinker.
3 Tips To Be a Moderate Drinker
1. Detox Your Body: The first thing you will need to do is detox your body, and the best way to do this is to NOT drink for 30 days. I know you’re thinking “But I just want to cut back. Why should I quit for 30 days?” Your body has built up a very high tolerance to alcohol. You drink heavily because 2 or 3 drinks no longer satisfies you, and you need more and more alcohol to get the same feeling. By taking 30 days off you will reduce the tolerance down to more normal levels, so that a couple of drinks feels like just enough. In other words, it will be EASIER to be a moderate drinker after you have abstained for 30 days.
2. Swear Off Those Bad, Old Habits: What got you so deep into alcohol in the first place? For many people, it starts with doing “shots” or being involved in drinking games. With others, it revolves around a social life, as one spends night after night at the local bar. Other old habits might be to start drinking immediately after work, at lunch, or even earlier in the day. Analyze the reasons YOUR drinking got out of control, and make a resolution to NOT repeat the same mistakes again.
3. Adopt Some Good, New Habits: Take a moment to ask yourself what good habits WOULD a moderate drinker have. For example, moderate drinkers eat 3 meals each day, rather than skipping a meal in favor of alcohol. They store very little or NO alcohol at home or work. They place their families needs and their work before alcohol. Adding a few, good habits to your moderate drinking lifestyle is the best way to reinforce your decision.
Moderate Drinking is All About Balance
Millions of people around the world drink in moderation. They are able to do so because they adhere to certain “good habits” that consistently place alcohol at the bottom of their daily to-do lists.
Remember the old saying “all things in moderation”? It means you can find happiness by balancing different parts of your life. Not getting too carried away in one area will allow you to enjoy other areas to the fullest.
If you wish to drink moderately, rather than quitting, keep in mind the 3 tips above. Keep your life in balance, and make sure that alcohol has a VERY LOW PRIORITY in your life. You’ll be glad you did. ♦