People who are dependent on alcohol, or have other medical or mental health problems, should stop drinking completely. There are many ways to lower blood pressure, but none is quick. Changes in diet, weight loss, exercise, medication, stress reduction, quitting smoking and alcohol, and improving sleep quality can all lower your blood pressure long term. Try to reduce your alcohol consumption, especially if you’re already at risk or have high blood pressure. The CDC recommends that men drink no more than two alcoholic drinks daily, and women no more than one.
Be patient as they manage withdrawal symptoms
It’s normal for certain stimuli to cause a reaction in your mind and body without even being aware of it. She enjoys interviewing medical experts and researchers about their work and is passionate about communicating accurate and relevant health information to the public. A standard glass of wine is 5 ounces, which contains about 12% alcohol. A shot of distilled spirits like vodka is 1.5 ounces and equally 40% alcohol.
Insomnia: What to Do When You Can’t Sleep
Through therapy, support groups and medication, you’ll be supported on your path to recovery. Talk therapy is an important part of treatment for alcohol use disorder, but Dr. Streem says just about anyone who is making a life change, like quitting drinking, can benefit from therapy. It’s always wise to check with your doctor — she should be able to help you decide whether it is best for you to cut back or to abstain.
- The NIAAA tells you the mathematical difference between drinking in moderation, binge drinking, and heavy alcohol use.
- A support group specifically focused on alcohol recovery can provide valuable encouragement and information that can aid you on your road to being free from alcohol.
- If you’re living with alcohol use disorder, quitting drinking is important for your health.
- It’s normal to have setbacks when you’re trying to stop drinking.
- If you are overweight and have high blood pressure, losing weight could help normalize your blood pressure.
Take some time to explore your relationship with alcohol
The entire treatment model is based on evidence-based addiction treatment and the delivery of high-quality care. While getting sober is an important first step, it is only the beginning of your recovery from alcohol addiction or heavy drinking. If you drink heavily, talk to your healthcare professional about how to quit safely. No matter how much you’re drinking, tips to quit drinking it’s possible to manage withdrawal with the right medical support. Your healthcare professional can also help you understand if it’s safe for you to detox at home or if you should stay in a hospital or treatment center. Talk with a healthcare professional if you’re concerned you may experience detox symptoms when quitting drinking or cutting back.
Through its holistic and scientific approach, Dr. Hochman aims to translate addiction recovery from the one-on-one treatment sphere into an easily accessible self-help program. Loosid also includes Boozeless Guides to help you find restaurants, travel destinations, or events that make it easy not to drink alcohol. There is also a dating community for those looking for others who are practicing sobriety and looking for a relationship. The Loosid app includes chat groups for meeting other people in your local area who are practicing sobriety. In addition, the app has a Sobriety Help component with tips on how to stay sober and what to do after a relapse. Support groups are run by facilitators who lead members through a structured program that delves into mental health and addiction with a focus on the present instead of the past.
Support Strategies for Quitting
And for some drinkers, including those with a more serious dependency, abstinence is still advised. AA and other support groups can be helpful in quitting drinking, but you can find assistance in other ways. Therapy is effective in helping people quit, as is medication prescribed by a healthcare provider. If certain people, places, or activities trigger a craving for alcohol, try to avoid them.