If you’re an alcoholic which, by definition, means you aren’t able to control your drinking, it’s best to try to stop drinking entirely.
RELATED ARTICLE: AA advice: Overcoming alcohol addiction
But if you’re not ready to take that step, or if you don’t have an alcohol abuse problem but want to cut back for personal or health reasons, the following tips adapted from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism can help:
Set a drinking goal
Choose a limit for how much you will drink. Make sure your limit is not more than one drink a day if you’re a woman, or two drinks a day if you’re a man. Now write your drinking goal on a piece of paper. Put it where you can see it, such as on your fridge or bathroom mirror.
RELATED ARTICLE: AA advice: Overcoming alcohol addiction – part two
Keep a “diary” of your drinking
To help you reach your goal, keep a “diary” of your drinking. For example, write down every time you have a drink for one week.
Try to keep your diary for three or four weeks. This will show you how much you drink and when. You may be surprised. How different is your goal from the amount you drink now?
ALSO READ: AA advice: Overcoming alcohol addiction – part three
Watch it at home. Keep a small amount or no alcohol at home. Don’t keep temptations around. Drink slowly. When you drink, sip your drink slowly.
Take a break of one hour between drinks. Drink water, or juice after a drink with alcohol. Do not drink on an empty stomach! Eat food when you are drinking.
READ THIS: AA Advice: Overcoming alcohol addiction – part four
Just for today
I admit that I have had enough. I am ready to work my First Step.
Uma unenkinga yophuzo oludakyo siza thintana nalezi nobolo ezingezanzi.
The AA Estcourt branch hosts meetings every Tuesday at Forderville Primary School from 7pm to 8pm. Contact Desigan on 082 849 3014, Roy on 081 874 8016 or Tony on 079 513 4422.
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.
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