Cutting back

[Sdreid]

I'm trying not to stop drinking but yo cut back and manage my intake of alcohol.Do folk go for cutting back or stopping completely.

[FatOldMan]

I have been cutting down my intake for nearly 2 years now. I use the Drinkaware app to track my daily consumption and I have managed to get my weekly intake from over 100 units per week to an average of 20 units per week. I am also finding as time goes by that the frequency and amount are getting less. It's working for me but may not be for everyone.

[Jampacked]

I tried cutting back for a year but found it was using a lot of brain space. Giving up alcohol was very much like giving up smoking for me. At first I watched everyone else drinking/smoking and it was really tough, in time things git a lot easier. Now I wonder why I ever drank/ smoked. Giving up has given me more time to do all the things I should have been doing when I was alcohol focused in my social life. However the year cutting back gave me lots of strategies which helped me when I quit for good. Whatever you choose read up and download a tracking app xx

[Glayvalover]

I've been cutting down since mid-December. My doctor is very on board but local health services are totally focussed on abstinence which doesn't feel possible for me. I've set myself very specific targets - no drink AT ALL the day before a work day - (I'm self-employed so work the days I choose more or less) - and this has helped me to four alcohol-free days per week. Last year I had only 20 free days in the whole year till mid-Dec. So it's working for me!

[ScoobySnack]

Hi, very similar comments to the above. Have managed to cut down from 100+ units a week to between 15 and 30. NHS drinkaware app is a good motivator and I now average 4 days a week completely drink free. Have managed to hit my minimum 3 days a week drink free every week since last October (including Xmas! ). So it is possible. My next target will be to increase drink free days, but not ready for that yet.Best wishes.

[SoberDrunk1]

Alcoholics can never moderate because of the physical condition. Once they put a drink or two something happens, not always but sometimes, they go extremes. So total abstinence is suggested.

[DicCarlson]

Cutting back never worked for me. Go to zero! Simply, I just decided I didn't want something to have a hold on me. To wean away, a friend had given me a pint of whiskey for Christmas. I dolled it out to myself literally with a tablespoon/day. Coupled with NA Beer, NA Wine and Kombucha - I'm 2 years+ in. Good luck!