We never know what happens behind closed doors – I did most of my drinking in secret. Many so-called ‘moderate drinkers’ aren’t actually in as much control as they think. For others, alcohol just isn’t why can’t i control my drinking their thing – perhaps there’s something else they fall back on instead. Struggling to control your alcohol intake isn’t something you should be ashamed of. As noted before – every drinker ends up drinking more than they did initially, because, at one point in time, we were all non-drinkers! By now you’ve probably tried all the tricks – only drinking on weekends, limiting yourself to just one or two drinks, or maybe proving your control by taking breaks.
Consider professional support
For example, if a 12-ounce beer has about 150 calories, and you drink five, you’ve consumed an additional 750 calories which can quickly add inches to your waistline. It’s not uncommon for young adults to encourage one another to drink in excess, mix their drinks, or add rounds of shots. Even older adults can find it harder to turn down “one more drink” when they’re out having fun with friends. And peer pressure doesn’t necessarily come in the form of friends loudly encouraging you to drink more. You might convince yourself that you need to drink to impress someone or fit in with the crowd.
- These medications minimize the endorphin release in the brain that usually accompanies drinking.
- Track Your IntakeUse a notebook or app to log how much you drink.
- This might mean making the effort to increase your social activities with people who don’t drink, or it might be introducing some new activities or hobbies that don’t involve drinking.
- Some experts also believe that it is appropriate for people taking medication daily to take an extra dose before high-risk events as long as their total dosage remains at levels shown to be safe.
Can you control drinking without quitting?
For example, aim to fill a 20-ounce water bottle four times daily and sip throughout the day, or drink a large glass of water with each meal and snack. As we age, however, the body’s regulation of fluid intake and thirst decline. Research has shown that both of these factors are impaired in the elderly.
Medical Professionals
If you’re attending social events, let the host know about your decision beforehand, ensuring they provide non-alcoholic options. By planning ahead, you take control of your environment, making it easier to stick to your goals,” advises Oar Ambassador “KS”. You might like my article on 3 cheap supplements that can help you feel better after quitting drinking, and my more recent article on the biochemical root causes of alcohol addiction. Social drinkers don’t understand why alcoholics can’t control their drinking. However, they can understand driving a car with no brakes and not being able to stop the car.
The Myth of Moderation: Why You Can’t Just Drink Less
If your excessive alcohol use is a recurring issue, you might admonish yourself for your poor self-control or even develop a sense of self-loathing. Remember that the hibiscus family contains many species, and not all are suitable for food. The plant that is growing in your yard may not be an edible variety. If you’re preparing your own hibiscus products, use them in small amounts until you’re sure that you’ll have no negative reactions. The phytoestrogens in hibiscus tea may cause complications during pregnancy.