So, you have decided to count your drinks and beat alcoholism! This is great news. While it may seem like a daunting road ahead of you, you must remember that you are never alone. It will be a long road, but worth it in the end. However, here are a few extra tips to help you beat alcoholism.

Keeping Track of Your Alcohol is a Great First Step

Whether it be carrying a drink tracker card, making a mark on a calendar at home, or using your mobile device for a drink counter app, keeping track of your alcohol can be a highly beneficial step. Most importantly, though, find a method that you can stick to.

Measure Your Drinks

Second, knowing the standard size of drinks makes it easier for you to keep count. Measuring drinks away from home is often a difficult task. With mixed drinks, you can get more alcohol than you think. You will also need to tell your server not to refill or top off a glass of wine. Being in a social setting like this can make it difficult for a lot of people. But you will feel better at the end of the day when you know you have succeeded.

Find Alternative Activities

Third, finding ways to develop new hobbies, activities, or relationships. Renewing lost relationships can be a great alternative also. Finding ways to distract yourself from the thought of alcohol can be vital. Moreover, look for healthier ways to cope with stress, manage your mood, or feel comfortable in social settings.

Try to Avoid Triggers

Fourth, take a step back and look at your drinking habits critically. What triggers you to drink? If a certain person or place is your cause, then do your best to avoid them. If it is certain activities, times of day, or feelings, find ways to distract yourself. Again, finding new hobbies and activities is great for this.

Prepare Yourself for Urges

Fifth, knowing that you are going to have urges is very important. “Forewarned is forearmed,” as the saying goes. If you cannot avoid your triggers and the urges happen, then remind yourself of the reason for your lifestyle change. For example, talking with someone you trust or getting into physical activities can both help you cope.

Know When to Say No

Finally, there will be times that you are offered a drink. You may want to say yes, but it is important to remember how far you have come. Be ready to decline the offer politely. The faster you can decline any offers presented to you, the less likely you will cave and have a drink. Once you hesitate, the excuses will start to flow. In other words, try to stay strong and remember to say no.

While these tips are great for reminding yourself how to stay sober, they may not work for everyone. You are a unique individual, and you will need a unique way to find your path. But know that you can find it, and you can stay on it.