When you’re a teenager, drinking can seem like the most exciting thing in the world. It’s an act of youthful rebellion, making you feel like a grown-up. For many young people, it’s a way to distract themselves from the stresses of adolescent life. Peer pressure can be another factor, as people may feel coerced to drink to fit in. It may seem harmless to you at the time, but this is where drinking problems can start. Although the legal drinking age in the US is 21, 30% of teenagers have had a drink by the time they are 15. Alcohol can be addictive and have incredibly harmful effects on your body.
You may think a hangover in the morning is the only risk, but drinking too much can lead to alcohol poisoning, as well as putting you at risk of accidents and injury. The long term effects of excessive drinking are severe, as years of alcohol abuse take their toll on the body. Alcohol misuse can put you at risk of conditions such as heart disease, stroke, cancers, and dementia.
It’s clear that alcohol should be viewed with caution. Many adults manage to maintain healthy relationships with alcoholic beverages, enjoying a glass of wine with dinner or an occasional cocktail on holiday. Others, however, find it a struggle to moderate their drinking.
US government guidelines currently state that you should drink no more than two alcoholic drinks in a single day, and only one if you are female. And this advice is for people of legal drinking age. Young people should not be consuming alcohol at all. If you are drinking too much, it would be a good idea to cut down now, before it becomes a severe problem.
By cutting out alcohol, you will instantly feel the benefits to your physical and mental health. Mentally, drinking less will improve your mood and make you less susceptible to poor judgment and antisocial behavior. Being sober will also significantly improve your sleep quality, making you feel more rested when you wake up. Drinking affects your body’s ability to fight off infections, so quitting alcohol will improve your immune system while also making you less likely to develop serious medical problems in later life.
It can be difficult to quit drinking alcohol, so here some tips to help you break the habit.
Make a plan
It is not enough to simply say you are going to drink less, as this gives you nothing concrete to aim for. The vaguer your intentions to cut down on alcohol, the less likely you are to stick with it. Have a fixed goal for the number of units you will allow yourself to drink in a fixed period, such as a week. Alternatively, an even better solution would be to cut it out entirely.
Set a budget
When you go out drinking, many people find it hard to stop after a few drinks. Limit your consumption by forcing yourself to stick to a budget. Try only bringing a certain amount of cash with you so you can stop yourself before you have too much.
Count your drinks
If you don’t keep track of how many drinks you’ve had, it is a lot harder to stick to your goal. Keep a record of your alcohol consumption in a notepad or written on your phone so you know when you are getting close to your limit. Plus, a written record of everything you are drinking may be enough of a shock to cause you to quit altogether.
Let people know
By telling your close friends and family that you are trying to cut down, you create a network of support. It will give you someone to talk to when things get difficult and a source of motivation to help you persist. Some friends can be notoriously bad for peer pressure when it comes to drinking, so sharing your intentions will prevent any enablers from disrupting your plans.
Drink smaller or weaker drinks
One effective way to cut your drinking is to adjust your choices. Perhaps drink bottled beer instead of a full pint, or a small glass of wine instead of a large. You could also swap your regular tipple for a low-alcohol or alcohol-free version. These will usually taste the same while being better for your health.
Take it one day at a time
It’s not always the best solution to go cold turkey straight away, particularly if you have a severe problem with alcohol. Set your expectations and take it slow, cutting back a little at a time. This will make the process much easier to manage and reduce the chances of you slipping back into your old ways.
