How You Can Stop Drinking For Good

First, make a list of the reasons you want to stop drinking and write them down somewhere with a permanent marker or ink pen. Hang it up somewhere that you frequent often and will see, for example on the bathroom mirror or above your bed, in your kitchen, on the fridge, somewhere where the message of your mission will be seen to you at repeated hours of the day. Seeing this goal written in your own words will further cement it into your mind and strengthen your resolve.

Set Goals

You know that you want to stop drinking but sometimes it might feel as though you are caught in an endless cycle. You stop drinking for a few days, then start again. You decide to make it your New Year's resolution, but come the second week of January you are back at the bottom of a bottle. But, now, set a date and stick with it. Share this date with people in your life so that you all know that it is coming and you all can bond together and help make it a reality. Just as you did with your list, mark this date in a visible place, put it into your calendar, make it omnipresent in your life.

Keep a Journal

Keeping a journal is essential for mapping your progress and seeing what behavior changes you are making. For every drink you have, mark it down, and for every drink you refuse, jot that down, as well to keep a running evaluation of your changing behaviors. This way, you can get a broad overview of your actions and see if you are indeed, on the right track to stopping drinking. Do not be so hard on yourself if you do not see changes immediately. Allow yourself thirty days before you begin analyzing your log book and then give yourself another additional thirty days after that. If you still do not see changes,then you need to take additional steps.

Change Your Lifestyle

If you see that changes are not being made, then you need to alter the obstacles in your lifestyle that seem to be preventing them. For instance, avoid the friends that lead you to places where alcohol is a strong temptation. Do not go to places where you know the temptation will be too high. Try to find other activities that do not encourage or involve drinking and participate with people who share some of the same ideals that you do.

Attend a Self-Help Group

These groups are not for everyone, but sometimes they can help immensely. Try going to three sessions before you decide if this is beneficial or not. Often being in a room filled with people who are struggling with the same thing is a helpful way to reach goals and find common understanding. Try a variety of groups, perhaps a one-to-one session, or a group of all men or all women, or mixed. See which sort feels right to you and whether or not you benefit from sharing your experiences and finding others who are going through the same thing.

Be Kind To Yourself

This is a difficult journey, and throughout, be sure to reward yourself with small indulgences that make you happy. When you go without drinking for a while, buy something you have always wanted or take a vacation and know that you have earned it.