Reducing alcohol: How to Cut Down on Drinking Without Quitting

Introduction

Reducing alcohol is not about giving it up. It’s about cutting back and cutting down.

“Too much of a good thing” is a “thing.” If you love your drink a bit much, you know what we’re talking about. Moderation is the most effective key to a healthy life, and it is what ancient philosophers, modern stoics, and even your doctor will tell you. It’s the same with alcohol - moderate consumption of alcohol is alright, and even a bit of alcohol every day is okay. But how much is too much? What can you do to reduce drinking? Here’s how to cut down on drinking without quitting.

Why reduce drinking?

If you are worried about the quantity you drink or if a loved one has voiced their concerns about your alcohol consumption, you probably know it’s time to kick the habit. You might have a problem if you spend a lot of money on booze or are not at home enough with your family because of your social drinking habit. Maybe your life goes by in a blur, and you want to do something about it. There’s good news. You don’t have to give up drinking altogether. Cutting down on alcohol can help improve your life, get your life and your family life in order and allow you to lead a more meaningful and healthy existence. A doctor can advise you on whether to cut back or stop altogether.

The benefits of drinking less alcohol

Deeper sleep, better mood, and more energy: Do you use your anxiety and stress as an excuse to hit the bottle? Here’s some news: Alcohol can increase your stress and anger levels, mess with your sleeping patterns, and affect your mental health. If you feel sluggish and lethargic after a night of binge drinking, it’s because alcohol is hard on your digestive system and can even cause liver disease.

With less alcohol in you, your brain is happier. You will be able to concentrate better, work better, and notice a change in your mood. Drinking less and consuming healthy foods and drinks will get your system back in shape and make you feel energetic while helping you sleep better.

Better skin, body, and health: If you look older than you are, blame it on excessive high-caloric alcohol intake. Alcohol dehydrates the body and skin, leaving your skin parched, dry, wrinkled, and dull. Excessive alcohol intake has several health repercussions. You have a high risk of falling extremely ill from pancreatitis, cancer, high blood pressure, liver disease, heart disease, and more.

Once you switch to non-alcoholic beverages – like water, your skin will regain its health. Cutting down on alcohol gives your body a chance to recuperate and regain its original health. When you replace those high calories with water, you will lose weight.

How to cut down on drinking without quitting

Reducing alcohol is not for everyone, and sometimes you’ve just got to lay it off for good. Consult a healthcare specialist regarding your drinking problem. Remember, you don’t have to have a drinking problem to reduce drinking. If your doctor gives you the green signal to reduce drinking, the next question is: how to cut down on drinking without quitting. Is it even possible? Wouldn’t there always be that urge to have one more drink? Can heavy drinkers learn to cut back?

Let’s face it: cutting down on drinking is no easy task, and drinking less alcohol requires grit and determination. But with the right advice (from experts) on how to reduce alcohol consumption, it can be done. Here is some advice from experts on reducing alcohol.

Know why you want to reduce drinking

This first step comprises several mini-steps – each one critical to your success. Decide that you want to cut down on drinking, but have a meaningful reason (or several reasons) to cut back on your drinking. Unless you have a reason – a motive - that is strong enough to push you to reduce drinking, you risk failing. Your motivation could be your health, family, or even your job. Whatever your reasons, write them down.

Set a realistic goal and stick to it

Set a realistic limit of how much you drink every day. The standard guidelines are as follows:

Women and men over 65: One standard drink a day.

Women under 65: One standard drink a day.

Men under 65: Two standard drinks a day.

If you suffer from certain medical conditions, you might need to cut back even further. Your doctor can advise you about your daily limit. To help you stick to your goals, try this:

• Avoid keeping alcohol at home.
• Drink slowly.
• Keep busy.
• Don’t give in to peer pressure.

Swap alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic drinks

Your body loves water better than anything else. But if you don’t, try something more exciting like a non-alcoholic beer.

At Better Rhodes, we don’t believe in abstinence. We believe in empowerment to make healthy choices while enjoying that occasional drink.

If you like mixing cocktails, Better Rhodes has an excellent choice of alcohol-free spirits that give you the satisfaction of creating and drinking a cocktail, minus the alcohol. See the selections here. 

 

If wine is your choice, then try Better Rhodes’ Better Wine Variety – a pack of six bottles (750 ml per bottle) of non-alcoholic wine, including red, white, rose, and sparkling.

Set rules for when you go out

Going out with friends and family can be challenging when cutting down on alcohol. There is pressure to keep up, buy rounds, and accept drinks.

• Limit your alcohol intake and opt for non-alcoholic alternatives.
• Avoid drinking in rounds, as that could lead to drinking more than you planned.
• Set a drinking budget for when out.
• Find social alternatives that don’t involve alcohol. For example, choose a day at the beach or a picnic rather than heading for a pub.

Conclusion

A drink or two every day is fine, and reducing drinking is a better alternative than giving it up completely. Opt for non-alcoholic cocktails, wines, and beers – they are healthier but equally flavorful.