Overall we are a nation of pretty prolific drinkers.
Its no wonder thatcutting backmight prove harder than it seems.
Since you clicked on this article, chances are something about your drinking isn’t sitting well with you.
Getty Images/ Francesco Bittichesu
You might even wonder if your alcohol use meets the threshold of alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder.
I stopped liking who I was when I would drink.
But somewhere along the way I stopped liking who I was when I would drink.
Id say or do something awful and then I would spend days regretting it.
As I get older the stakes are too high.
I have a great relationship and a good job.
I am not going to blow this over alcohol.
Plus thattwo-day hangover is real.
Now I venture to drink only on special occasions, likeweddingsor other celebrations.
I also rewarded myself.
It helped me not feel so deprived.
The hardest part has been fielding questions from people who dont understand why I dont drink much anymore.
Id never met them before, and they immediately asked why I wasnt drinking.
I lied and said, Surprise!
This guy got me pregnant!
Amanda T., 30, cut back in June 2017
2.
My relationship with alcohol wasnt healthy.
For me cutting back means that I pay attention to my body and I know my limits.
I used to consume anywhere from four to six drinks a night.
Now its two or three, max, on special occasions.
Drinking less has also been part of thefitnessandweight lossjourney Ive embarked upon since January.
Ive lost a lot of weight in these past eight months.
Also my mind is clear, and I now face my problems head on instead of coping with alcohol.
That said, being around my relatives can be a bit challenging because we are a drinking family.
We might hang out and have wine or have dinner and drinks.
Chineye E., 34, cut back in January 2019
3.
Its expensive to drink.
A few drinks felt necessary to deal with all the ridiculousness that’s out there.
Now I’ll still drink, but I just ensure to be smart about it.
Instead of ripping shots I’ll nurse a beer or a cocktail for a while.
I also ask myself if I’ve fulfilled all of my financial obligations before I start drinking.
If I’m having a tight month, I’ll abstain.
But if I’m in a good place I might have a couple of drinks to unload a little.
The hardest thing about beingsoberis having ridiculous conversations with someone who’s already wasted.
Ive always felt that no one wants to be the sober person at a party.
And why is this?
Because drunk people are kind of the worst.
As long asno one is in danger, of course.
If youre thinking of cutting back, my advice would be to remind yourself why.
Keep your head up and start again.
The friends that are nearest to you will understand, and the others willfall by the wayside.
Bobby M.*, 35, cut back in April 2014
4.
My mental strength goals were more important to me than drinking.
I used to drink Thursday through Saturday.
I probably had like 15 drinks or so a week.
I drank because I enjoyed how it made me feel in the short-term: sexy and free-spirited.
But I was not being healthy about it mentally.
I was using it to find confidence.
Now I barely have one drink on the weekends.
I save drinking for when I am on vacation or at a nice dinner.
My energy level is better and I dont feel sluggish.
Even then, I dont.
Ultimately I think cutting back on any habit that isnt making you a better person is a good thing.
Kayla S.*, 36, cut back in Fall 2017
5.
I was unhappy and using alcohol to cope.
I never had more than three drinks in a night, but I felt alcoholic beverages would furtherdepressme.
What surprised me about drinking less in the beginning was how my true introverted personality started to reveal itself.
Not drinking made going out withfriendswho still drank heavily hard for me.
I concentrated on nurturing myself and didnt focus on what I was missing by not drinking.
I feel happy and stay hydrated that way.
My advice to anyone who might be thinking about cutting back?
If you’ve got the option to, just do it and dont dwell on it.
Looking back I realize that I was unhappy and using alcohol to cope.
-Tia C., 43, cut back in June 2013
*Names have been changed upon request.
