How to stop social drinking?

[courtney251]

I want to start by saying I don't consider myself an alcoholic bit over the past couple of years I don't like who I Am when I've had a drink.
I come from a family of women who drink a lot. Whenever we see together the wine will
Keep flowing and now I am 32 I am Bering concerned About my health.
Over the past couple years is always came into my head that I want to either stop or really slow down with my drinking honestly I don't know where to start. Every night and every day out with my friends always is based around drinking so how am I going to stop drinking when really all my friends and family are quite big drinkers. I really don't want to lose friendships and I don't wanna come across as boring so I don't know where to start. Any advice

Alternate drinks? Have a glass of wine and then follow it with a glass of water or seltzer? If you don’t want to drink at all switch to a non-alcoholic beverage or propose other activities. I agree that drinking in and of itself should not be an activity. I am sure others will have more advice, but you can half what you drink by alternating.

I’ve started just getting a lemonade but asking for it in a gin glass with lemon etc, I know I shouldn’t have to explain but it’s so much easier, nobody even notices they just assume I’m drinking - I just stay out of rounds etc

Hi I'll be honest with you I am one of those people that when I start drinking I don't know when to stop like I can drink and drink and drink and then I wake up the next day with the horrible anxiety in the home sick feeling and a horrible feeling like I just want the floor to swallow me up I really just don't know how to pace myself I wish I could

I cannot recommend the book "The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober". I was a social drinker but never knew when to stop and all of my friends were drinkers too. I used to sit and wish it was possible to not have to drink to socialise. This book helped me givey mself permission to stop drinking altogether. Good luck x

It's tough but I have drastically cut down and am now considered boring by DH and friends but I don't give a shit. I'm not the one feeling rotten the morning after.

My advice, is to drink water in between each drink and sip drinks very slowly. ThT way no one will even notice you've hardly drink anything.

Now two drinks and I'm happy and done, that'll last me the night

I think for me drinking gives me confidence when I'm not the most confident of people so it makes me more comfortable being around people and speaking to people and being myself so I think that's why I drink

@courtney251

Hi I'll be honest with you I am one of those people that when I start drinking I don't know when to stop like I can drink and drink and drink and then I wake up the next day with the horrible anxiety in the home sick feeling and a horrible feeling like I just want the floor to swallow me up I really just don't know how to pace myself I wish I could

I could have written this. The best thing about quitting drinking is that you will never have to feel that way ever again. Xxxx

@courtney251 honestly, I think that's why lost people drink. ThTs why I used to drink lots too. I got to an age where I just don't care about social anxiety anymore and can cope with it so feel I don't need alcohol as a crutch.

If you find ways to get over social anxiety and confidence you'll feel comfortable drinking less