Looking to reduce your alcohol intake?
Perhaps you’ve noticed yourself drinking more than you used to. Maybe one glass of wine in the evening has turned into two or three. Or maybe you’ve been?drinking 8-12 beers a day?for a long time, and finally decided to make a change.
But here’s the catch: What if you find yourself thinking, “I want to reduce my drinking, but not quit completely.” Is it possible to change your relationship with alcohol, and still have a drink on occasion?
To begin with, how do you know if you need to cut back? What are the symptoms of drinking too much alcohol?
The short answer is that if drinking is having a negative impact on your health or quality of life, it’s time to curb your consumption. But some specific signs include:
- Feeling fatigued and mentally sluggish
- Getting sick more often
- Frequent hangovers
- Cravings or persistent thoughts about alcohol
- Blacking out when you drink
- Increased anxiety or depression
- Higher alcohol tolerance
- Conflicts with others in your life
- Difficulty limiting your drinking
The guidelines for?moderate drinking for?men and women is that they are advised not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis
If you’re having more than this, and experiencing any of the above signs, it might be time to cut back on alcohol
Tips to Cut Back
Further information on how to reduce alcohol consumption can be found here:
Tips on cutting down - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
How to cut down on alcohol at home | Drinkaware
If you or a loved one are struggling with drinking, the Where to get help | NHS inform?webpage provides information on support facilities in your area.?