How to Quit Drinking and Get Past the First Week
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You really have to just keep throwing stuff at your drinking and seeing what works. Be open to trying different methods of support and try not to pre-judge anything as “this won’t work for me” before you even try it. If you’re just getting started or you want to learn some more ways to keep your sobriety going strong, then here are 3 steps you can take to stop drinking for good.
1. Make drinking a non-negotiable. Don’t drink no matter what.
I hear a lot of people say that they hope they can stay sober or they’re going to try to stay sober. To me, this means deep down you don’t think you can stay sober but you hope you’ll be able to figure it out. If you don’t believe in yourself, then it’s easier to drink because that’s the outcome you expected anyway. It’s easier to make excuses and bargain with yourself. Instead, tell yourself you’re not drinking no matter what. That’s all you have to do, just don’t drink.
2. Do different stuff
A lot of us think we can just stop drinking and that’s enough, but we build our lives around our drinking. You probably selected friends based on who wants to drink like you do and gave up hobbies that didn’t involve alcohol. Slowly, we change our lifestyle to revolve around alcohol and in sobriety we have to change our lifestyle again.
There’s a quote I love, “if you hang out in the barbershop for too long, then you’re going to get a haircut.” If you just continue to live the same drinking lifestyle, then you’re probably going to drink. Everything in that lifestyle is going to remind you of drinking and seem not as good sober.
3. Don’t do it alone
We feel like we should be able to do it alone or that we’re different from everyone else and we don’t need help, but being stubborn and proud could be preventing you from quitting. Social support is important. We need to realize other people can understand us, have experienced exactly what we’re going through, and get feedback from other sober people when we’re having a tough time. This also creates accountability because you feel that people care about you. Accountability and support makes you pause and consider if you shouldn’t drink before you make that decision to do it.
Ways to get support are therapy, meetings, in or outpatient treatment, or coaching. I started with therapy and the only time I was ever able to take a week off was when I knew I’d have to go back and see my therapist and tell her whether or not I drank. If you’re looking for a small, safe group to join then check out the video description for more info about my Living a Sober Powered Life membership. We have meetings and a private community.
What to listen to next:
E75: How Sleep Improves from Actively Drinking to Long Term Sobriety
E73: The Obsession Eventually Evens Out (I’m 2 Years Sober)
E21: I'm 1 Year Sober!
