Concerned about your alcohol intake but not able to stop? Alcohol addiction is not just detrimental to health but also takes a toll on your bank balance and relationships. According to dietary guidelines, drinking daily leads to liver damage, heart disease, obesity, kidney failure, cancer, and even mental health issues.

It is important to make the correct decision to stop drinking alcohol, as it is a highly addictive substance that leads to chemical changes in your brain or body when used consistently over time. As you get used to the drug and develop a tolerance, the change in your body makes you physically dependent on alcohol.

And so, to stop the addiction, you need a strong resolve and a few steps, which include:

According to doctors, it is important that you set a limit to your drinking. While many feel that you must quit immediately, experts advise setting small goals with a limit on how much to drink daily.

Keep your drinking below the recommended guidelines: no more than one standard drink per day for women and for men ages 65 and older, and no more than two standard drinks per day for men under 65. These limits may be too high for people who have certain medical conditions or for some older adults. Your doctor can help you determine what's right for you.

It is important to nurse your drink and not just gulp it down. Sip it and enjoy the drink along with soda, water, or juice to dilute it. Never drink on an empty stomach.

Make sure to remove all kinds of alcohol from your home, including beer and wine so that there are no temptations that you need to resist.

Also, avoid meeting people who can encourage you to drink alcohol or may not support your decision to stop. It may be easier on your rehabilitation to meet up with your drinking buddies.

Even though it is not easy, it is extremely important to keep your stress down to reduce withdrawal symptoms and help you control cravings. That can be done by making your environment soothing and doing activities that you like, like reading a book, listening to music, exercising, meditating, getting a massage done, gardening or even cooking.

Start by eating healthy, nutritious, and seasonal foods, which can take care of any kind of alcohol withdrawal symptoms – like mood swings that you may have. Also, you can take supplements like multivitamins or drink a beverage high in electrolytes.

According to experts, those who are able to successfully stop drinking do so only after several attempts. So, never give up on setbacks, and do not let them keep you from reaching your long-term goals. There's really no final endpoint, as the process usually requires ongoing and strong efforts.

Quitting alcohol is no mean feat. Ask your friends and family members for open support to help you get over the addiction. Also, be honest with your doctor, counsellor, or therapist who can give you positive insights.

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