How to Stop Drinking Alcohol Every Night 

If you want to quit alcohol completely, you need to start by learning how to stop drinking every night. It’s important to recognise that excessive drinking can lower your quality of life and negatively affect those around you. This article will explore the impact of alcohol on your well-being and provide practical steps to help you take control and achieve long-term sobriety.

Is Drinking Every Night Harmful?

Drinking alcohol in small amounts, like having a couple of drinks now and then, can be acceptable for some people. Throughout the UK, it’s considered high-risk to drink more than 14 units of alcohol in a week, equivalent to about 6 pints of beer, 6 glasses of wine, or 7 double measures of spirits. It’s best to distribute these drinks over the week and have some alcohol free days. While drinking less reduces harm, it’s not entirely safe. Alcohol still poses health risks, especially if you drink every night. 

Effective Ways to Stop Drinking Alcohol Every Night

Craving alcohol is a common struggle, especially if you are becoming dependent on the substance. Staying committed to abstinence and diligently following these strategies can help you stop drinking every evening and improve your overall health.

Create a Plan

It’s essential to have a plan in place if you want to control excessive alcohol consumption. This can include establishing realistic goals, setting clear expectations, and tracking progress in your healing journey. Developing a structured plan, knowing the dos and don’ts, and following through can increase the possibility of a smooth recovery process.

Avoid Triggers

Identify and stay away from triggers that make it more difficult to stop drinking. Change your environment, if possible. Instead of sipping alcohol at night when you feel upset or tired, explore other healthier coping options like journaling, reading a book, or listening to music. Finding alternative ways to deal with stress can divert your urge to drink.

Remove Temptation

Keep alcohol out of your house and out of your sight. Avoid places and situations where you know you’ll likely be encouraged or tempted to drink. Maintain a circle that does not normalise heavy drinking, and consider letting trusted people know about your decision to quit alcohol. This way, they can offer the emotional support you need.

Evaluate Drinking Habits

Take a moment to reflect on why you drink alcohol every night. Whether it’s to relax, escape problems, or simply out of habit, understanding the underlying reasons that lead to you drinking can build self-awareness and help you avoid slipping back into harmful patterns of impulsive drinking. Knowing when and how to stop is an essential part of taking control.

Change Your Routine

For many people, drinking every night has become a part of their daily routine. This before-bed ritual or nightly drinking habit can be hard to eradicate. Gradually substitute alcohol with something else, like herbal infusions or milk, before going to bed. Engaging in regular physical activity, spending time with loved ones, or taking a restful nap can also shift your focus away from alcohol.

Get Professional Help

It’s best to consult a doctor or specialist if your drinking habits are unmanageable or if you think you have developed an alcohol addiction. These experts will provide you with personalised treatment plans and help you work through the physical and mental health effects of alcohol dependency. Entering an alcohol rehab centre can also be one of the most effective approaches to improve.

Is Nightly Drinking a Sign of Problem Drinking?

Drinking alcohol every night doesn’t necessarily indicate problem drinking. However, it could be a sign to watch out for, especially if it becomes a habit you feel you can’t live without. While frequent nighttime drinking may seem harmless at first, over time, it can lead to dependence, increased tolerance to alcohol, and various health risks.

A gradual loss of control in alcohol consumption is also a primary concern when you drink every night. If you plan to have just one drink but end up having more, or if you feel uneasy when you skip a night, these may be signs that you’re becoming too dependent on alcohol.

A key indicator of problem drinking is when alcohol starts interfering with daily life. If your relationships or responsibilities are affected, it may be time to reevaluate your habits. Even if you’re drinking only in moderation, doing so every night can raise a red flag, particularly if it’s driven by stress, emotional need, or a sense of dependence or reliance.

Effects of Too Much Alcohol

The less alcohol you drink, the lower the impact on your health. Alcohol abuse has been linked to multiple chronic and life-threatening illnesses. Among the most serious are cancers, including mouth, throat, liver, and breast cancer. Cardiovascular problems, such as hypertension, stroke, and coronary heart disease, and liver issues like failure or cirrhosis are also major health risks. In addition to affecting vital organs, drinking alcohol every day can damage the nervous system, leading to poor memory, lack of coordination, and a decline in cognitive functioning.

Beyond physical health risks, dependence on alcohol can also take a significant toll on mental health. Studies have shown a strong connection between alcohol dependence and a higher risk of developing mental health conditions such as severe depression and anxiety. There is also evidence of a link between alcohol misuse and self-harming behaviours, which increases the risk of suicide.

Treatment Options to Help You Stop Drinking Every Night

There are different ways to address alcohol use and dependency, and finding the right approach is crucial for your recovery. From managing alcohol withdrawal symptoms to addressing deep-seated causes of alcohol abuse, the interventions below can aid you on your healing journey.

Detoxification

It’s dangerous to suddenly stop drinking. Ridding your body of alcohol requires careful planning because of mild to severe withdrawal symptoms that may arise. Detoxing in a rehabilitation centre, under medical supervision, minimises complications and reduces the risk of relapse.

Therapy

Individual therapy and group counselling provide a safe, supportive space to share thoughts and feelings without fear of criticism or judgment. You can explore the root causes of substance use and develop strategies to cut back and prevent problems with alcohol from escalating.

Mental Health Treatment

An individual dealing with unresolved trauma may turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism, while someone who drinks regularly may develop depression, creating a vicious cycle of mental distress. Proper mental health treatment can break this rotation, allowing you to heal from deep within.

Residential Treatment

Residential treatment offers intensive care and full-time supervision in a controlled environment free from potential triggers that can hamper recovery. This treatment programme incorporates medical support, evidence-based tools and holistic techniques for those with uncontrollable urges to drink.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient care is ideal for individuals who need structured treatment but prefer to continue living at home and maintain their daily routine. Like inpatient treatment, this programme includes therapy sessions and wellness activities to keep you from binge drinking or giving in to cravings. 

Where to Get Help to Quit Drinking

If you or a loved one has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, is showing signs of alcoholism, or may be at risk of addiction, now is the best time to seek help. At Sierra Recovery, we take pride in our decades of clinical experience in addiction treatment. We’re here to guide you every step of the way with compassionate care and unwavering support.