AA Advice: Reduce the amount you and your partner drink – part two
If you've formed habits that involve drinking, you'll need some alternative things to do to help you cut down
Cut down on drinking: how to help each other
If you’re going to cut down on your drinking, it’s important that both partners really buy into the change. There’s less likely to be friction or resistance if you decide to do this together. One of the reasons we automatically say ‘yes’ to another drink, even though we’d intended to stop for the evening, is we don’t have a concrete plan or an alternative course of action.
With your partner, think about situations when you might be tempted to drink more. Talk about how you can avoid those situations, and what you can do instead. Maybe you always get through a bottle of wine when you have your weekly takeaway. If you know you’re going to order one, decide together to avoid getting a bottle on the way home from work.
Do something different
If you’ve formed habits that involve drinking, you’ll need some alternative things to do to help you cut down. If that time happens to be when you both settle in front of the TV for the evening, try extending your meal with a healthy dessert or a hot beverage like a cappuccino.
Or get into the habit of heading out to do something together after dinner, even if it’s just a walk. Making changes to your routine can be a great way to discover new, shared interests.
Just for today
I will be grateful for the opportunity to be of service.
The AA Estcourt branch hosts meetings every Tuesday at Forderville Primary School from 7pm to 8pm. Contact Desigan on 082 849 3014.
The AA Winterton branch hosts meetings every Thursday at the Springfield Church opposite the police station from 7pm to 8pm. Contact Dolly on 071 688 5330 or Virgilo on 079 688 0432.
