April is Alcohol Awareness Month

31. Mar, 2009 Comments Off

When we think of alcohol abuse, we tend to stereotype homeless people or college students. But in reality, alcohol is abused by people of all races, genders, economic status’ and ages. Whether you party on the weekends, hit up happy hour at the end of a long day, drink out of lonlieness or boredom or binge drink, take a few moments out of your life this coming month to simply evaluate your habits.

Do you:

Forget things or black out when you’re drinking?
Drink alone when you feel sad?
Get hangovers after drinking?
Worry family members about your drinking?

If so, here are a few ways you can help yourself to cut back on your drinking:

Set a drinking limit. You may choose to set a limit for yourself by cutting your drinking down by a drink or two or even choose not to drink at all for a specific amount of time. Look at the reasons why you think you may want to cut down on your drinking. Do you want to be healthier? Do you want to sleep better or eliminate arguements with family and friends?
Write it down. Many times when we write things down, they become clearer to us. Write down every time you have a drink and when you had that drink. You may shock yourself at how quickly they add up.
Try limiting the amount of alcohol you have at home. Keep a small amount or no alcohol at all at home. This may help limit drinking out of boredom or stress.
Drink slower. Take a break in between drinks. Have a glass of water, soda water or juice to slow your alcohol intake.
Be active. What do you enjoy doing? Maybe you like to walk, go for a jog or play a sport. Try not going out for that extra happy hour and instead, go do something you love. Keep your body healthy and fit. You may find that your body feels better without the alcohol.
Just say “NO”. Do your friends pressure you to drink? If so, take a firm but polite stand and simply say “no”. Maybe you feel better when you don’t drink. If that’s the case, then say so. Your true friends will understand.
Watch out for temptations. Avoid places, times or people that may influence you to drink. Instead, take a different route home or offer to do something in place of drinking with those people who may influence you to drink.
Lean on family and friends for support. The people who love you the most will be the people who will be there for you when you need a little support. Don’t feel embarrassed to make a phone call and ask for a little help. You would do the same for them.
Stick with it! Just like anything else, cutting something you like out of your life is hard. But if you don’t do it the first time around, be gentle with yourself and try again. No one’s perfect.