7 Ways to Cut Back Drinking Alcohol
Some people have a hard time with the idea that they should quit drinking, once and for all. To them, alcohol has always been a part of their lives, and it just doesn't register in their minds that a drastic change is necessary for their lives to improve.
If you find yourself in that group then you may want to focus on reducing your alcohol intake, instead of trying to quit. Then, down the road, when alcohol becomes a more minor part of your life, you can decide whether to give it up for good.
With that in mind, here are 7 ways to cut back drinking, and they should help you move your life in a healthier direction:
1 - Change Your Beliefs About Alcoholism: The biggest belief you may need to change is that you are powerless before alcohol, or that it's a disease you were born with. The truth is that alcoholism is NOT a disease, NOT a weakness, and NOT something you are powerless before. It is, in fact, a bad habit that you've acquired over the years. And, just like other bad habits we all have, it too can be broken. Once you realize that alcoholism is a bad habit, you can start cutting back on drinking just like you might cut back on other bad habits like smoking or eating sweets.
2 - Throw Away Your Booze: That's right, go into your cabinet or refrigerator and THROW AWAY your supply. As soon as you do this you take a big step towards cutting back drinking. By throwing away your booze you are telling yourself that alcohol means very little to you. If you don't have any supply to throw away then make sure you no longer buy alcohol to keep at your home or office. The easiest way to cut back on drinking is to remove the temptation to partake.
3 - Disavow Shots and Drinking Games: These are only designed to get you drunk quicker than normal drinking would. If you truly want to get your life back under control than you HAVE to give up shots of liquor and all drinking games. Besides, what is the point of getting drunk? What benefit does it truly give you? There is no benefit, really - unless you count acting stupid, wasting money and feeling lousy as a benefit! Besides, aren't you already sick and tired of those things?
4 - Food is Your friend, Alcohol is Not: Food gives your body all the necessary nutrients to help you feel and look your best. Alcohol is the complete opposite. It ROBS your body of water, and PREVENTS vitamin absorption. Make sure you get in the habit of eating 3 or 4 square meals a day, and you'll be surprised at how often the temptation to drink alcohol simply vanishes. Check out Get Sober by Avoiding These 2 Mistakes for more information.
5 - Replace Time Spent Drinking with Another Habit: Rather than plopping your butt down on the local bar stool and drinking all night, try and think of ANOTHER WAY you can spend your time. A way that would be beneficial to you and your loved ones. Maybe it's getting a part time job, or going back to school, or staying home with your family. Whatever it is, it's imperative that you REPLACE the alcoholism habit with a healthy habit during those hours you used to drink. As soon as you start doing something different your life will BE different.
6 - Start Skipping a Day: Many people who have trouble with an alcohol addiction drink every day. A great way to cut back on your consumption is to skip a day(s) so that your body can heal a bit. If you're not sure you have the power to skip a day try eating a full dinner, or working later than usual, and see if that helps you feel tired enough to go to bed without drinking. If you're not able to skip at day then first try to postpone your drinking an hour later than normal. Once you have the strength, skip a day entirely. Take notice of how good you feel in the morning after NOT drinking the night before!
7 - Attack the Problem from Multiple Directions: Alcoholism can be a stubborn thing. It can destroy our lives in a multitude of ways. The good news, however, is that this problem can also be attacked in a multitude of ways. There are probably a 100 different LITTLE things you can do to start reducing your intake. Please read Take a Baby Step Towards Sobriety, and you'll soon be on your way to feeling healthier and looking better than you have in a long, long time. 
