How Do I Drink In Moderation (or should I quit completely?)

How Do I Drink In Moderation (or should I quit completely?)

Fiona's Story

I have never been a real problem drinker but I have been known to drink too much.

I seldom get thoroughly plastered - perhaps 2 or 3 occasions a year - however when I do, it's to a disgraceful, unforgettable level. Traditionally, this has frequently coincided with the array of Xmas parties I have to go to.

This year, it will be different. Or that is the plan, at the very least.

Too many drunken stories

A few months back, after I heard myself saying to colleagues yet one more "amusing" story of a boozy accident, I got started on a self-imposed moment of alcoholic focus, I promised myself I would never let drink wipe me out like that again.

I realized that unless I can find the means to prevent my legendary displays I would be compelled to quit alcohol entirely. I was going to need to learn to slowly nurse a single drink or two, max!

I have learned the lessons the hard way.

To begin with, determine if you have a drinking problem

Hypnotherapist Craig Beck, the author of Alcohol Lied To Me and an expert in guiding individuals get control around drinking, states: "Everyone binges once and a while. The odd, one-off 'binge' night is alright. However, if it's a routine event in your life and it's not in check, that's an issue."

That may be the case for many, but even though my binge drinking was occasional, to me, those onslaughts felt bothersome.

But you were not that big a drinker!

"When I quit drinking alcohol, tons of folks said to me, 'You weren't that significant a drinker'. Some folks have the ability to consume massive quantities and not stress over it. I believe you only have an issue when you arrive at your private boundary of self-disgust."

Nicola (made up name), encountered this issue 3 years ago. Now a personal fitness instructor, she used to be employed on Wall Street where excessive drinking after work was almost expected.

"I was never dependent on alcohol, I never needed to drink on a daily basis," she states. "However if I headed out on the town, I had only to have a single glass of wine and that was it, I was off and running.

Each and every time I consumed alcohol, it would lead to me getting totally plastered. Just one drink was never an option for me"

Nicola was also becoming progressively depressed and watching her health go downhill, as well.

Try hypnosis

Several years ago Nicola saw a hypnotherapist for 10 treatments that, she claims, really helped re-programme her mindset, and persuade her that she has command over her decisions.

It also helped her handle other problems which were causing her tension and intensifying her binge alcohol consumption. She now finds it effortless to stop at 2 or 3 drinks.

"I am at a place where I will gladly suggest in the course of an evening's drinking, that we just have a cup of herbal tea, rather than, pouring out another round of Vodka".

Be positive, and prepared to lie.

Since her productive hypnosis treatments, Nicola still abides by a few tried and tested sensible measures to help regulate her alcohol consumption. And I can guarantee that these suggestions do the job even when you have not been using hypnosis.

"Regularly order a glass of mineral water with each and every alcoholic beverage," states Nicola, "and drink them at the same time. Stay with little drinks: insist if somebody insists on you getting a big glass of wine.

If they grumble, let them know you would prefer small glasses since the wine stays cooler." Be prepared for animosity, she adds: "A couple folks I used to work with did not react to it nicely. They felt it was a judgment on them.

If it gets a bit too much, states Foster, turn to white lies. "Make believe you're taking penicillin, that you have a serious business meeting the following day or that you have a hangover.

Drinking less can make people feel socially guilty

They feel they need to fit in with the crowd by consuming alcohol excessively." In my experience, this is not often the case: I was with a drinking buddy the other evening and I apologized for buying a Sprite.

"You do not have to justify yourself to me," he said. The reality is, the majority of people are too sidetracked by their own alcohol consumption to see yours.

The other guidance I have busily adhered to over the previous 6 months is screamingly clear, but it works. "It's all good sense really - have a meal prior to heading out," states Donald Shenker, president of Alcohol Concern.

"And do not drink in rounds," he adds, "you can end up drinking more than you want to, just because it's your round"

Can you have a few alcohol-free days a week?

If you have any hope of drinking in moderation, you must have several alcohol-free days per week.

But SEVEN from TEN of her customers are not impressed when she recommends this. "The majority of the individuals I see have drunk practically every day since they went to college."

For me personally, I can go for weeks with no drinking, and then have zero concept of restraint when I do get a drink in my hand. Frequently, folks who are irregular binge drinkers are purists, claims Foster. "They're sensible when they're on the wagon, but as soon as they drink, their defiance emerges and they end up being "excellent" at doing the reverse of what they're meant to.

These people need to stop being so black and white about it".

Exercise exceptional caution about free alcohol.

" There is a genuine mindset of, 'If it's free alcohol, we are required to drink as much as we can'," states Beck. "It seems impolite not to chug back as much freebie booze as possible."

Additionally, alcohol is not called the social lubricator for nothing: " Work functions maybe daunting," he states.

"Particularly if you are meant to be mingling and oiling the gears of business. The strain of needing to fit in can create huge pressure to drink"

Shenker's essential party survival recommendation is to stay clear of top-ups from the waitress: "Finish your glass and grab a new one so you know precisely just how much you've had. Make a decision ahead of time how much you are planning to consume and stay with it.".

If unsure, do not drink whatsoever.

If you are similar to me, then there may be some moments in your lifetimes of tension, anxiousness or juvenile over-excitement - when you are better off on the wagon because of the danger of binge drinking to too strong.

Taking the car is my top suggestion for total drinking dodging in these circumstances.

When I initially decided to cut back on my drinking I drove all over for months and drank absolutely nothing. Once you've done that for some time, when you begin consuming alcohol once more you can re-learn your limitations.

Now I know how I feel after one glass (not much different to sober), how I feel after 2 (a bit jolly), and after 3 (disastrously intoxicated and all set to get more so).

For more information on quitting drinking completely click here.

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