When You Should Completely Quit Drinking

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhen to QuitSigns You Should QuitReasons to Talk to Your DoctorTips to Moderate Your DrinkingHelp May Be Needed

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

When to Quit

Signs You Should Quit

Reasons to Talk to Your Doctor

Tips to Moderate Your Drinking

Help May Be Needed

If you have been drinking at a level that is consideredhigh-risk or heavy drinking, you may want to consider making a change in your drinking patterns or quitting altogether. But which is the best choice for you? Should you trymoderating your alcohol consumption, or should you try to quit?

Many people do learn to moderate their drinking and are successful in returning to a pattern of low-risk drinking. Just as there are support groups for those trying toquit drinking, there are support groups for those who are trying to cut down or moderate their drinking.

At a GlanceSometimes, cutting back can be a good option, but there are also times when you should quit drinking alcohol altogether. If you are thinking about cutting back or quitting drinking, it is important to talk to your doctor. Suddenly quitting alcohol can lead to withdrawal symptoms, which can be dangerous if you have been drinking heavily for a long period of time. Keep reading to learn more about how to know when to quit and find tips that can help.

At a Glance

Sometimes, cutting back can be a good option, but there are also times when you should quit drinking alcohol altogether. If you are thinking about cutting back or quitting drinking, it is important to talk to your doctor. Suddenly quitting alcohol can lead to withdrawal symptoms, which can be dangerous if you have been drinking heavily for a long period of time. Keep reading to learn more about how to know when to quit and find tips that can help.

When to Quit Drinking Completely

If you try to cut down but find that you cannot stay within the limits that you set for yourself, it may be best to quit instead. One of the main reasons that people decide to quit drinking and seek help to do so is because they find they have lost the ability to control the amount they drink.

You are the person who is in the best position to make the decision of whether to cut down or quit. If you can consistently drink one or two drinks and no more, then you may be able to cut down to a low-risk drinking pattern. But if you find that those first two drinks usually trigger an urge for more and you rarely drink only two, chances are moderation is not an option.

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Other Signs You Should Quit Drinking

There are other reasons that quitting drinking may be a better option for you than moderation or cutting down, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, quitting might be your best option if:

If you are planning to make a change in your drinking, it is best if you discuss the decision with your healthcare provider. Your physician may recommend that you quit drinking based on other factors, including:

It is also important to talk to your doctor about your plans to stop drinking, especially if you have a history of chronic, heavy alcohol use. If you suddenly stop drinking, you may experiencewithdrawal symptoms, which can sometimes be dangerous.

Delirium TremensDelirium tremens(DTs) is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that can lead to dangerous and potentially fatal symptoms if it is not managed appropriately. Research suggests that about 3% to 5% of people who have a history of heavy alcohol use experience DTs when they quit drinking.

Delirium Tremens

Delirium tremens(DTs) is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that can lead to dangerous and potentially fatal symptoms if it is not managed appropriately. Research suggests that about 3% to 5% of people who have a history of heavy alcohol use experience DTs when they quit drinking.

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Make some small adjustments to the way you drink. It may work for you. If it does not, then adjust and try something else. You may be able to get drinking back under your control.

Tips to try for moderating your alcohol drinking:

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism also suggests finding alternatives to drinking. Look for activities to replace the time you would normally spend drinking. This can include pursuing new hobbies, health habits, and friendships.

Whatever your decision—to cut down or to quit drinking—there is support available to help you met your goals. If you decide to quit, you may want to seek help. You do not have to do it on your own.

Support groupscan also be an important part of the treatment process. Such groups can provide encouragement, advice, and a sense of solidarity as you work toward sobriety.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Best Programs to Quit Drinking

5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Smith DC, Cleeland L, Dennis ML.Reasons for quitting among emerging adults and adolescents in substance-use-disorder treatment.J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2010;71(3):400–409. doi:10.15288/jsad.2010.71.400National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.To cut down or to quit.Schuckit MA.Recognition and management of withdrawal delirium (delirium tremens).N Engl J Med. 2014;371(22):2109-13. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1407298National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Rethinking drinking: Tips to try.Witkiewitz K, Litten RZ, Leggio L.Advances in the science and treatment of alcohol use disorder.Sci Adv. 2019;5(9):eaax4043. doi:10.1126/sciadv.aax4043

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Smith DC, Cleeland L, Dennis ML.Reasons for quitting among emerging adults and adolescents in substance-use-disorder treatment.J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2010;71(3):400–409. doi:10.15288/jsad.2010.71.400National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.To cut down or to quit.Schuckit MA.Recognition and management of withdrawal delirium (delirium tremens).N Engl J Med. 2014;371(22):2109-13. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1407298National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Rethinking drinking: Tips to try.Witkiewitz K, Litten RZ, Leggio L.Advances in the science and treatment of alcohol use disorder.Sci Adv. 2019;5(9):eaax4043. doi:10.1126/sciadv.aax4043

Smith DC, Cleeland L, Dennis ML.Reasons for quitting among emerging adults and adolescents in substance-use-disorder treatment.J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2010;71(3):400–409. doi:10.15288/jsad.2010.71.400National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.To cut down or to quit.Schuckit MA.Recognition and management of withdrawal delirium (delirium tremens).N Engl J Med. 2014;371(22):2109-13. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1407298National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Rethinking drinking: Tips to try.Witkiewitz K, Litten RZ, Leggio L.Advances in the science and treatment of alcohol use disorder.Sci Adv. 2019;5(9):eaax4043. doi:10.1126/sciadv.aax4043

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.To cut down or to quit.

Schuckit MA.Recognition and management of withdrawal delirium (delirium tremens).N Engl J Med. 2014;371(22):2109-13. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1407298

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Rethinking drinking: Tips to try.

Witkiewitz K, Litten RZ, Leggio L.Advances in the science and treatment of alcohol use disorder.Sci Adv. 2019;5(9):eaax4043. doi:10.1126/sciadv.aax4043

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At a Glance#

When to Quit Drinking Completely#

Other Signs You Should Quit Drinking#

Delirium Tremens#

At a Glance

When to Quit Drinking Completely

Other Signs You Should Quit Drinking

Delirium Tremens