Introduction
You can take steps today to stop drinking. Your first step might be to see your doctor, contact a support group, or set a date in the near future to stop. While some people can stop drinking on their own, others need medical help to manage the physical process of withdrawal.
If you think you have an addiction to alcohol, talk to your doctor about whether you need to withdraw from alcohol under medical supervision. Your doctor can give you medicine that will help you safely withdraw from alcohol. Other medicines might be prescribed later to help you stay sober. With a doctor's help, withdrawal from alcohol is safer.
Stopping alcohol use can:
- Prevent or reduce health problems that are made worse by alcohol use, such as liver damage.
- Prevent harm to your unborn baby if you are pregnant.
- Reduce related family concerns or relationship problems.
- Increase your ability to be productive at work, school, and home.
- Reduce legal problems that you might have as a result of misuse of alcohol.
Why should I stop drinking?
How to stop alcohol use
Where to get more information
More information about alcohol problems can be found in the topics Alcohol Abuse and Dependence, Alcohol and Drug Problems, and Teen Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
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What resources are available to help you cut down on or stop alcohol use on your own?
You need education and emotional support when you stop drinking, especially if you abuse alcohol or are alcohol-dependent. Some resources that can help you stop drinking include:- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Alcoholics Anonymous organizes meetings all over the world to help those who have a desire to stop drinking. The groups are made up of people who have had alcohol use problems, and you may remain anonymous.
- Family medicine physicians or other doctors, psychologists, or other health professionals.
- Inpatient or outpatient treatment centers or hospitals.
- Local or national alcohol treatment hotlines (check your local white and yellow pages).
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