How to stop / cut down on drinking alcohol

[michW84]

Has anyone got any tips on how to stop / cut down on drinking alcohol?

I drink twice a week, 3/4 bottles in total which I know isn’t healthy.

I suffer with Health Anxiety and the Anxiety is always much worse after drinking, and now I am going through perimenopause it’s even worse.

My drinking is more of a habit / reward something to look forward to rather than an addiction, I have done 2 months without a drink before.

I know perimenopause will make my health anxiety worse so I want to try and eliminate the alcohol so I can have more control over it.

Any advice is appreciated x

There's no magic trick. Just stop drinking.

Set yourself a challenge. There's often charity fundraising around not drinking. Tell other people about your challenge for accountability. Write a diary. But most of all you just have to stop.

When you reach for the bottle of wine, remind yourself what the anxiety feels like.

• Someone who used to drink two bottles of wine a night, for years, and eventually couldn't cope with the panic attacks anymore. I'm not T-total now, but I can have two glasses on a Saturday and be done with it, or no glasses at all without missing it.

If ever I think about having a drink I ask myself ‘would I like a glass of anxiety, flushing, palpitations and insomnia?’ And I soon realise I don’t want any!
I view alcohol as a toxin or carcinogen and reward myself in other ways like a cup of tea with some dark chocolate or a film or bath.

I’m also going through this at the moment. I still have a glass or two when out for dinner or a drink, but that’s only once a month or so.

I’ve decided to stop drinking at home. I just don’t buy it anymore. I don’t even look at it in the supermarket.

It isn’t worth it any longer - I’m awake from 3AM with anxiety, texting silly nonsense to friends, feeling deep shame the next day.
Also in my 40s with health anxiety and peri symptoms.

Read some quit lit. Helps you realise you are not alone