Home / How to break your drinking habit

How to break your drinking habit

Have you found yourself drinking more often recently? Read on to discover expert tips for reducing your alcohol intake.

study conducted by the Australian National University shows that people have been drinking more frequently during the pandemic than in the three years before. 

Perhaps you got in the habit of having a drink when you closed your computer at 5pm, or when home-schooling finished for the day. Maybe you’ve been drinking to escape loneliness, boredom, or anxiety.  

The good news?  

Whatever the reason for your drinking, if you want to cut back, there are many things you can do to break the habit. 

First, how much is too much alcohol? 

The Australian Government Department of Health recommends that healthy men and women drink: 

  • no more than 10 standard drinks a week, and  
  • no more than four standard drinks in a day. 

Now here’s where it gets tricky: one drink may contain more than one standard serving of alcohol.

So, always read the serving size label and follow the government’s guide to figure out the standard number of drinks in different serves of alcohol. 

Click here for an extended version.  

While these recommendations are an excellent guide, it’s important to remember that drinking alcohol is never risk-free.

Cutting back on alcohol can improve your life in so many ways. 

You’ll be healthier long-term: Many people who cut back on drinking report feeling less anxious or depressed. They’re also less likely to develop alcohol-related cancers and heart disease. 

You’ll have more energy: Drinking can make you feel sluggish. Reducing your intake can help you stay fitter and healthier because you’re left with more energy for physical activity.  

Your finances will be healthier: We don’t usually factor the cost of alcohol into our budgets. Cutting back leaves you with more money to afford the things you want and need.  

Call Camcare if you’d like help managing your finances: 9831 1900. 

You’ll sleep better: While alcohol may help some of us fall asleep, alcohol disturbs the rhythm of our sleeping patterns which means you won’t feel rested in the morning.   

Your immune system will be stronger: Alcohol reduces the quality of the gut bacteria that’s linked to your immune system, weakening your body’s ability to fight off illness.  

Are you ready to reduce your alcohol intake?

Here are 5 ways to cut back on alcohol

  1. Introducalcohol-free days into your week. Do something to keep you distracted from drinking on that day, or start by having one less drink every day. 
  2. Stick to a plan. Decide ahead of time how much you’ll drink, when you’ll start and when you’ll stop. Your plan could be to head home at 9pm or to switch to water after 4 drinks.
  3. Find alcohol alternatives. Look for drinks with low alcohol content – like light beers or watered-down wine – or opt for no-alcohol options such as mocktails.  
  4. Eat before you drink. A healthy meal before you start drinking, and snacks between drinks, can help slow down alcohol absorption, helping you stay in control. 
  5. Pace yourself.  There are lots of ways you can do this: 
  • Avoid drinking in rounds as rounds can make you drink more and faster than you intend to. 
  • Opt for a non-alcoholic drink between alcoholic drinks. 
  • Finish your drink before you start another, and try not to top up your drink as you might lose track of how many you’ve had.  
  • Stick to one kind of alcohol so you can keep an eye on the number of standard drinks you’re drinking. 

Don’t beat yourself up if things don’t go to plan. It takes time to build a habit and it takes time to undo a habit. You can always try again tomorrow.  

Would you like support for your drinking? 

The AccessHC team offers a wide range of alcohol and drug support services 

Gives us a call on 1800 778 278. We’d love to help you. 

You can also contact:  

Contact us







After-hours contacts

For after-hours assistance regarding AccessHC property and security call 0466 501 902.

For after-hours medical care call 132660.

Scroll Up