How Can I Stop Drinking So Much at Home?
Alcohol consumption is a habit, and like all habits, they tend to come out when we’re most comfortable and safe. Home is where we often let our guard down and relax, which can lead to letting ourselves give into our temptations. So how can we stop ourselves from drinking so much at home?
A Note on Your Perspective
It’s important first to note that a lot of the time, we turn to things like alcohol or other negative habits because we feel like we’ve broken one of our own personal boundaries. We may be upset about work or stressed about relationships or other things. So the first step is to re-evaluate your personal life. Is there something that you’re treating alcohol to cope with? It could be something obvious or something as simple as boredom. This is the first thing you need to address in order to change your relationship with alcohol.
Once you’ve identified why you’re drinking, you can start to look at other ways to cope with whatever it is that’s bothering you. If you’re bored, try picking up a new hobby or activity. If you’re stressed, try meditation or talking to a friend. If you’re upset, try writing down your feelings or going for a walk. There are endless possibilities, but the key is to find something that works for you and that you can stick with.
Start a Brand New Habit
Drinking is a habit. Your body and mind become used to alcohol and crave it when you’re in certain situations, including just coming home after a long day. So, to break the cycle of drinking too much at home, you must create a new habit to replace it.
Some people find that working out or taking a brisk walk immediately after getting home helps to take their minds off drinking. But, isn’t that easier said than done? After a long day, it’s hard to have the energy or motivation to exercise. If that doesn’t work for you, there are other ways to develop new habits, such as:
Cooking instead of drinking. When you get home, start cooking dinner instead of having a drink. This will not only help you avoid drinking, but it will also give you a chance to bond with your family or roommates over a meal.
Reading or taking a bath. If you find yourself wanting to drink because you’re bored, find something else to do that relaxes you, such as reading or taking a bath.
Play a video game or work on a puzzle. If you’re someone who likes to drink while watching TV or playing video games, find something else to do with your hands, such as working on a puzzle or playing a game that requires the use of your hands.
2. Try an Alternative Therapy
If self-help isn’t enough, which for many it isn’t, there are other ways to help you break the cycle of drinking too much at home. One such way is to try an alternative therapy.
Acupuncture: A 2018 study from Int J Physiol Pathophysiol Pharmacol found that acupuncture can help to reduce alcohol cravings and consumption. This may be because acupuncture helps to release endorphins, which can help to reduce stress and anxiety. It also helps to improve sleep, which can be beneficial if you’ve been using alcohol as a way to help you fall asleep.
Hypnosis: Alcohol relief can be found in alcohol hypnotherapy, and many people have had great success with it. The best part is, you can do it in the comfort of your own home. Hypnosis is not only effective in helping you to quit drinking, but it can also help you to change your relationship with alcohol and how you think about it.
Talk Therapy: Talking to a therapist can also help you to understand your relationship with alcohol and figure out why you’re using it to cope. They can help you to develop new coping mechanisms and work through any underlying issues that may be contributing to your drinking.
3. Seek Professional Help
If you’ve tried to stop drinking on your own and it hasn’t worked, or if you feel like you can’t stop drinking without help, it may be time to seek professional help. There are many treatment options available, and a professional can help you to figure out which one is right for you.
Conclusion
Drinking too much alcohol at home is a common problem, but it is one that you can overcome. Start by trying to develop new habits to replace your drinking habit. If that doesn’t work, try an alternative therapy, such as acupuncture, hypnosis, or talk therapy. If you still can’t seem to stop drinking, seek professional help.
