Chronic drinking has become one of the long lists of bad habits that some may find difficult to escape, while some heavy drinkers are successfully deciding to cut down on alcohol.
Excessive alcohol consumption is a condition that can grow ahead of you as a result of your lifestyle decisions, such as jobs, relationships, and hobbies. However, the majority of heavy drinkers opted to quit eventually, either on their own or with the assistance of a rehab or self-help system.
While many may think there is no way of going back to sobriety, well there’s always help available for you.
In this article, we will thoroughly discuss some of the major reasons why heavy drinkers decide to cut down on alcohol.
Reasons why alcohol drinkers want to quit drinking
Opinion about drinking and their own drinking habits
Some people found that criticizing themselves and their drinking habits motivated them to improve. Their resentment towards their heavy drinking may be their primary red flag to recovery and try quitting alcohol.
New role to play in life
Other heavy drinkers may find themselves motivated to stop their chronic alcohol consumption due to their new roles and responsibilities in life such as parenthood.
This new responsibility sets their mind right given that they have duties and tasks to fulfil wherein alcohol involvement may just affect other people.
Comparing themselves to other drinkers
Some other alcohol drinkers found that they were intoxicated more than their friends and families, which made them wonder if they had been drinking too much.
They might end up being conscious of how much they drink.
Financial issues
Recognizing the expense of drinking would put some people off drinking too much alcohol. Some chronic drinkers may find themselves in a reflective moment wherein they spend a vast amount of money purchasing alcohol than of other products they bought.
Professional advice to cut it down
Having professional advice from experts to cut down your alcohol intake may convince some heavy drinkers to reduce or even quit drinking alcohol at all.
Health experts are proficient in their work field and hearing their advice might compel the drinkers to stop or reduce a significant amount of alcohol.
Health concerns
Many drinkers were discouraged by severe health conditions or even alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as bloodshot eyes or hangovers.
Over time, heavy drinkers might experience gradual health concerns until it becomes serious.
Weight gain
Chronic alcohol drinkers who are trying to lose weight may find it difficult to maintain their body goals provided that they are drinking heavily.
This weight gain may also be associated with health concerns. Many may find it difficult to maintain a healthy weight with alcohol consumption.
What’s stopping some heavy drinkers to quit drinking?
Opinion about drinking and their own drinking habits
Justifying your own drinking habits may probably be one of the most difficult obstacles to overcome if you are trying to quit drinking.
New role to play in life
Other professional occupations may involve the frequent drinking of alcohol such as being a bartender. In business meetings wherein celebration is rampant, some may find it hard to quit drinking because of the evident presence of alcohol.
Comparing themselves to other drinkers
Alcohol drinkers may feel the pressure of not drinking as much as their other peers. You might also feel that you are only drinking the normal amount because your peers are drinking the same amount as yours.
Others may also applaud because of your high tolerance for alcohol, therefore, boosting your confidence and morale.
Personal advice
Specific guidance from non-professionals, in comparison to expert advice, might just strengthen the decision of the drinker to persistently drink alcohol.
Health
Despite extensive research demonstrating the negative effects of alcohol on health, some heavy drinkers believe that alcohol is beneficial to their health.
Furthermore, where clinical advice is provided by professionals who may not seem to be in good health, it is not considered credible.
Will a support group help you?
Joining support groups is a great way in order to cut back on alcohol gradually. The purpose of a support group is to immerse yourself with people who have the same goal and experiences as yours.
Whether the level of intoxication or the side-effects of drinking may be different, making acquaintance with people whom you can be with and support you through the difficulties of sobriety will make the new chapter better.
Support groups come in handy especially on times that you feel like coming back to your bad habits of drinking or you are tempted to consume alcohol again. Getting to know people whom you can talk to in times of your recovery will help you realize that there is so much more to life than investing in too much alcohol.
Takeaways
Heavy drinkers quit drinking alcohol due to various reasons. Admittedly speaking, the path to sobriety can be challenging for some especially if alcohol has been a huge part of their life.
But provided with professional help combined with immense support from your peers, recovery will be so much easier and fun to deal with. Whether you want to start gradually or you want to cut alcohol all-in, it’s best to start with reflecting your personal motive as to why you want to cut back and why this is important to you.
