When You Should Completely Quit Drinking

If you have been drinking at a level that is considered high-risk or heavy drinking, you may want to consider making a change in your drinking patterns or quitting altogether. But which is the best choice for you? Should you try moderating your alcohol consumption, or should you try to quit?

Many people do learn to moderate their drinking and are successful in returning to a pattern of low-risk drinking. Just as there are support groups for those trying to quit drinking, there are support groups for those who are trying to cut down or moderate their drinking.

When to Quit Drinking Completely

If you try to cut down but find that you cannot stay within the limits that you set for yourself, it may be best to quit instead. One of the main reasons that people decide to quit drinking and seek help to do so is because they find they have lost the ability to control the amount they drink.

You are the person who is in the best position to make the decision of whether to cut down or quit. If you can consistently drink one or two drinks and no more, then you may be able to cut down to a low-risk drinking pattern. But if you find that those first two drinks usually trigger an urge for more and you rarely drink only two, chances are moderation is not an option.

Other Signs You Should Quit Drinking

There are other reasons that quitting drinking may be a better option for you than moderation or cutting down, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, quitting might be your best option if:

• You have been diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder, or you currently have symptoms of alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence
• You have certain medical conditions, such as cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis C, chronic pain, certain heart conditions, or mental disorders such as bipolar disorder
• You are taking certain medications that can negatively interact with alcohol
• You are pregnant or planning to become pregnant

Reasons to Talk to Your Doctor

If you are planning to make a change in your drinking, it is best if you discuss the decision with your healthcare provider. Your physician may recommend that you quit drinking based on other factors, including:

• A family history of alcoholism
• Your age
• If you have had alcohol-related injuries
• Alcohol-related sleep disturbances or sexual dysfunction

It is also important to talk to your doctor about your plans to stop drinking, especially if you have a history of chronic, heavy alcohol use. If you suddenly stop drinking, you may experience withdrawal symptoms, which can sometimes be dangerous.

Tips to Moderate Your Drinking

Make some small adjustments to the way you drink. It may work for you. If it does not, then adjust and try something else. You may be able to get drinking back under your control.

Tips to try for moderating your alcohol drinking:

• Eat food along with your drink. Don't drink on an empty stomach. Food will help your body absorb the alcohol more slowly.
• Keep track of how much you drink. Make a note in an app or write it down on a piece of paper.
• Measure out your drinks at home. Drink standard sizes. Ask bartenders not to top off your drink. Do not supersize your drinks.
• Set goals and decide how many days a week you want to drink and how many drinks you will have on those days. Stick to your goals. If you stumble backward, start over the next day.
• Space out your drinks. Set a pace for your drinking to not more than one per hour. Sip slowly. Make every other drink a glass of water or soda.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism also suggests finding alternatives to drinking. Look for activities to replace the time you would normally spend drinking. This can include pursuing new hobbies, health habits, and friendships.

Help May Be Needed

Whatever your decision—to cut down or to quit drinking—there is support available to help you met your goals. If you decide to quit, you may want to seek help. You do not have to do it on your own.

If you are ready to quit drinking, start by making a plan for how you will quit. Talk to your doctor to learn more about what might work best for you. Depending on your situation, you might opt for a combination of:

• Medically-supervised alcohol detoxification
• Medications that can help reduce withdrawal symptoms
• Medications to decrease alcohol cravings
• Psychotherapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or motivational enhancement therapy (MET)

Support groups can also be an important part of the treatment process. Such groups can provide encouragement, advice, and a sense of solidarity as you work toward sobriety.