How to Stop Drinking When Everyone in Your Family Drinks

I functioned well, had a successful 28-year military career, and could “party like a rock star.” But deep down, I knew something wasn’t right. I’ve known for a very long time that I had an issue with alcohol. Two of my brothers abuse alcohol, and my oldest brother would have as well if my sister-in-law hadn’t convinced him drinking wasn’t a good idea. Actionable goals can help you by giving you exact data on your drinking habits.

Recovery Month 2025

But winter can be even trickier for the sober and sober-adjacent among us. The fact that it’s too cold in the UK to go anywhere other than a bar, pub or venue, where alcohol is often flowing and where there can be an expectation to partake. If you drink and know it’s time to stop but think it will alcoholism be too hard, I love you and encourage you to seek help. A traditional approach like Alcoholics Anonymous might be for you, or another group may be a may be a better fit. Here’s a great list of options to help with sobriety. Find your own way and don’t ever feel like you have to explain or defend it.

Overdose Awareness Day

• That moment, that understanding was so healing for me.
• Family and friends, often having suffered greatly too from their loved one’s drinking, may find this a worrisome time of year, wondering how their newly sober loved one might cope.
• Employing affirmative declarations is beneficial in reinforcing dedication to remaining alcohol-free while simultaneously strengthening emotional stability.
• A simple, “I’m drinking seltzer tonight,” is enough.

Your friends will appreciate your responsible decision, and being sober around drinkers you’ll have an easy excuse to skip drinking. Maintaining a clear image of long-term aspirations can bolster motivation and concentrate attention on sobriety’s advantages. Contemplating individual reasons for staying sober can fortify determination to sustain abstinence.

Always Keep a Beverage in Your Hand

You may have started this year with Dry January, but it doesn’t need to stop there. Reducing or cutting out alcohol has major benefits and can lend itself to more authentic social connections. Identify alternative ways to cope with stress or anxiety that don’t involve alcohol.

• Let them partner with you as you create your sobriety plan.
• Alcoholics Anonymous, for example, has more than 2 million members in the United States, making it one of the most well-known groups for people recovering from addiction.
• That decision was the hardest part of learning how to stop drinking when everyone in your family drinks.
• She took her plan with her and journaled about her experiences.