How to Stop Drinking Every Night

Let us explore the murky world of nightly drinking and why and how to stop drinking every night.

First, let us have a little look at the criteria for alcoholism. If your recycling bin sounds more like a musical instrument than a paper filler, or if your liver is starting to send you bitter postcards wishing it was given a holiday, you might need to ponder whether you’re overdoing it in the drinking department. If you have tried to stop before, or your drinking is causing problems, there may be deeper issues. See below for more help on that front.

Drinks to Relax

Nightly drinking can seem as necessary as watching reruns of “The Office” to some. It might seem like a method to unwind, a way to deal with stress or just a daily habit that’s become as routine as picking up the remote. But let us not forget alcohol, while initially feeling like a comfortable friend, can relatively quickly morph into a powerful enemy.

You see, alcohol is highly addictive. It weaves its way into your neural pathways, brainwashing you into believing that life without it is as dull as a Tuesday afternoon in Des Moines.

More people find themselves under its spell than you might think. Over 14 million adults in the United States had an alcohol use disorder in 2018, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. It’s far from being just ‘your’ problem. And plenty of people want to know how to stop drinking every night.

How to Stop Drinking Every Night

However, let’s not despair. There are ways to help moderate.

First, try switching up your routine. If your nightly tipple has become as predictable as the sunset, do something different at that time. Take a walk, read a book, or discover the joys of bird watching.

Consider also replacing your usual alcoholic beverage with a healthy alternative. Instead of a pint, opt for sparkling water with a splash of fruit juice. You can make a nice ritual out of brewing a pot of herbal tea.

One can also find numerous healthier alternatives to that nightly drink. There is a burgeoning market of alcohol-free drinks that mimic the taste of your favorite alcoholic beverages. Alcohol-free beer, wine, and even spirits are no longer the bland facsimiles they once were. Some are so well crafted that they could fool even the most discerning palates. Or perhaps take a leaf from the Italians’ book and indulge in an aperitivo-style drink. Something like a Sanbitter, a brightly colored, non-alcoholic aperitif served over ice with a slice of orange, offers a bitter-sweet, sophisticated alternative.

Here are some specific tips to get your mindset in the right place to stop drinking every night:

1. Start Small: Set achievable goals. If you’re drinking every day, don’t set a goal to stop drinking entirely all at once. Instead, aim to have two alcohol-free days per week. Once you achieve that, aim for three, and so on.
2. Be Specific: The more specific your goal, the easier it is to plan for it. Rather than “drink less,” you might aim to “only have two glasses of wine on Saturday night.”
3. Write it Down: Documenting your goals can make them feel more tangible and official. Keep track of your progress, and celebrate your victories – no matter how small they may seem.
4. Find your Why: Identifying why you want to reduce your drinking can be a powerful motivator. Is it for your health, your family, or your career? Keep this “why” at the forefront of your mind.
5. Get Support: Don’t hesitate to get professional help or join a support group. Sometimes, sharing your goals and progress with others can provide the extra push you need to reach your goals.

Once those are done, try putting these into your nightly ritual:

1. Mindfulness: Practice mindful drinking. Before you reach for a drink, pause. Tune into your senses. How do you feel? What can you smell, hear, taste, see, touch? Acknowledge the craving, but don’t act on it immediately. Consider what may be triggering this desire for a drink. Is it a stressful work situation? Are you feeling lonely or bored? Recognizing these triggers can be the first step in managing them more effectively.
2. Distraction: When a craving hits, distract yourself. Go for a walk, call a friend, or engage in a hobby. Essentially, do anything that changes your current environment or state of mind. Remember, cravings are temporary. Like unwelcome houseguests, they will eventually leave if you don’t entertain them.
3. Self-care: Ensure you are taking care of your basic needs. Are you getting enough sleep, eating healthy food, and exercising regularly? These can significantly impact your mood and energy levels, thereby affecting your cravings for alcohol.
4. Positive Imagery: Visualize yourself as a non-drinker. What does that look like? How would it change your daily routine, your relationships, your health? Hold onto that image. It can be a powerful motivator to stay on the path of sobriety.

What Does Drinking Every Night Do to Your Body?

Just like a beloved old car that starts to sputter if you fill it up with cheap gas, our bodies tend to protest with persistent alcohol abuse.

Perhaps the most prominent casualty is our liver. The liver is tasked with processing alcohol, but it can only handle so much at a time. When given a steady stream, it accumulates fat, leading to an ailment charmingly known as alcoholic fatty liver disease. Keep pushing; this can progress to alcoholic hepatitis and, ultimately, cirrhosis.

But the liver isn’t the only body part harmed by nightly drinking. Heavy drinking can also play havoc with your digestive system, leading to ulcers, acid reflux, and malnutrition, as alcohol impedes the absorption of essential nutrients.

It can increase your risk of several types of cancer, including mouth, esophagus, and breast. It can cause cardiovascular issues like high blood pressure and heart disease. In short, heavy drinking is akin to playing Russian roulette with your health.

What If I Can’t Stop Drinking Every Night?

But what if you can’t stop drinking every night? Well, don’t lose heart. Help is at hand. Asking for alcohol addiction help isn’t a sign of weakness. Instead, it’s a testament to your strength and determination to reclaim control of your life.

Nightly drinking, despite its initial allure, is far from benign. It can lead to various health issues, from liver disease to certain cancers—an alcohol detox in Orange County is the best place to start.

The journey to sobriety might seem daunting, but the road always looks longer than it is. Just remember to put one foot in front of the other; before you know it, you’ll have left the bottle far behind. For most, the first step is simply calling a qualified addiction treatment facility.

Why not take that step now? Our team is ready to help, answer questions, and let you know your options. Call Saddleback Recovery today: 877-843-5724.