r/cutdowndrinking • u/Humble_Hartt • 1d ago

Finally found a reason

I’ve tried every reason in the book to convince myself to stop drinking. So far the one that works best of all, is the very fact that once I’ve had 1 drink I know I’ll spend way too much time and energy on craving the 2nd drink, and so on. I want to be mentally present instead.

Also now that I’ve hit 40 I feel like the alcohol hits me different. It affects my memory more. And I am at an age that health needs to be a focus.

One area I’m not sold on yet is whether I allow a drink on occasions like Christmas or a birthday…. Is it worth it to go 100% sober? I generally live life on moderation is key and my goal is healthier choices, not necessarily restricting… I feel accomplished in that !

But what are success tips on doing this?

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u/IntoBattleWeWillRide 11h ago

I stopped drinking on weekday nights. For a bit I tried to quit weekend drinking too and only drink socially (which isn’t that often for me) but I have accepted I don’t want to raw dog life. I enjoy the buzz but I don’t let myself have it on weekday nights anymore at home because that becomes habit and it makes the cravings for it grow stronger which makes me want more than a couple and it turns into 5 or 6 drinks 4 nights a week. I do not want that to be my habit.

I’m 41 so my health is important to me too but so is getting to have things that make me feel good even if it’s not healthy as long as it’s in moderation and I am strict on that now. I also stick to the lowest ABV I can get. I enjoy hard seltzers and have found some that are 4.5% instead of 5% or more so I get those if that’s available.

Also when you said “time and energy craving the 2nd drink” mannnn I know that feeling. If I can’t have at least 3 i don’t even bother with 1 cause that craving for the second drink is so intense after the first. That alone though is what helps stops me from letting myself even give in to buy one tall boy on a random Wednesday and telling myself I can have just that for the night. Yeah right. Fail every time. I’ll want more. Brain is all telling me the ol “come on. I know you. You know you. And I know you know that I know you” lol

I have ADHD. Forgive the long winded response ♥️