How Do I Stop Drinking Alcohol for Good?

So, you're wondering how to stop drinking alcohol for good... It's not easy, I’ll be honest with you. I mean, it's not like we can just snap our fingers and poof – alcohol is no longer part of our life. If only it were that simple, right? But I’m here to tell you that it is possible. And trust me, it doesn’t have to be this grim, “life is over” situation either. We’re talking about finding balance, reclaiming control, and, yes, still enjoying life without needing a drink in hand.

Let’s get something straight from the start. It’s okay to have moments where you question yourself. Maybe you’ve tried stopping before and fallen back into old habits. You’re not alone in this, not by a long shot. I’ve seen it happen time and again. And, spoiler alert: it doesn’t mean you’re weak or that you can’t succeed. It just means you’re human. But here’s the good news: you can break free from that cycle. It starts with understanding why you drink and what you can do to fill that gap in healthier ways.

The First Step: Understanding Why You Drink

If you’re serious about stopping drinking alcohol for good, the first thing you need to do is figure out why you’re drinking in the first place. I know, sounds obvious, right? But honestly, so many people never really ask themselves this question. Are you drinking to unwind after a stressful day? Is it a social thing? Or maybe it’s just a habit that you’ve slipped into over time.

For me, there was a phase where I drank to fit in. Everyone was doing it, and honestly, I didn’t want to feel left out. I wasn’t really having fun; I was just drinking to be part of the crowd. But once I stepped back and realized it wasn’t bringing me real joy, I could see how unnecessary it was.

Break the Cycle with Small Wins

This is a big one, so pay attention. Breaking the habit doesn’t happen overnight, and that’s okay. In fact, I’d say the key is to make it a gradual process, rather than forcing yourself into an all-or-nothing situation. It's all about small wins.

For instance, try setting manageable goals. Maybe you say, "I won’t drink on weekdays" and slowly extend that to weekends. Celebrate those victories. You might think, "Well, that’s easy!" but the thing is, once you start seeing these small wins pile up, it gets easier to take bigger steps.

Don’t beat yourself up if you slip up every now and then. Seriously. If you mess up, it’s just a bump in the road, not the end of the journey. Every day is a new chance to start fresh.

Build a Support System

I can’t stress this one enough. Trying to go at it alone is tough. Find people who support your decision to stop drinking alcohol. This could be friends, family, or even online communities where you can share experiences and get advice. Heck, there are even apps and sober groups out there that offer a space to connect with others going through the same thing.

For me, having a support group was a game-changer. I would’ve never made it without the encouragement from my friends who didn’t mind grabbing a soda with me while everyone else had their beers. And trust me, it's way less awkward than you might think.

Replace Alcohol with Healthier Habits

Okay, here’s where it gets a little tricky. You might have this space in your routine that alcohol used to fill. You'd come home after work, grab a drink, and boom—your evening had a rhythm. When you take that away, it’s easy to feel a bit lost. So, what do you do with that space?

This is where you can get creative. Try out new hobbies that keep your hands busy and your mind engaged. Go for a run, pick up a new instrument, take up painting—seriously, anything. I've personally found that working out gives me that "high" that I used to chase with alcohol. The rush of endorphins is real, and trust me, it’s a lot healthier.

You could also try mindfulness or journaling. Some people find that it helps to write down their thoughts or meditate, especially when cravings hit.

Know the Temptations, and Prepare for Them

I’m not going to sugarcoat it—there will be times when the urge to drink sneaks up on you. Maybe it’s a stressful day at work, or you’re at a social event, and everyone around you is drinking. So, what do you do when you feel that temptation?

Preparation is key. Have a plan for those moments. Maybe you bring your own non-alcoholic drink (there are some fantastic options out there now—trust me, the mocktail game has leveled up!). Or you decide ahead of time that you’re going to call a friend or take a walk instead of reaching for that glass. The more you plan ahead, the more you’ll be ready to face those moments.

Be Patient with Yourself

This is probably the hardest part of all: being patient. We live in a world that wants everything NOW, right? But real change takes time. There might be days when you feel frustrated. You might even question your decision. And that’s okay. It's part of the process.

The important thing is to keep going, even when it feels like you're not making progress. Each day you wake up without the hangover, without the guilt, and with more energy and clarity—that’s progress. Don’t let the occasional setback define you.

A Final Thought

So, how do you stop drinking alcohol for good? There’s no magic formula, no single answer. It’s about understanding your reasons, taking it one step at a time, and building a support system that helps you stay on track. Along the way, you’ll discover new joys, new habits, and a deeper connection to yourself.

And hey, if I can do it, you can too. Just remember: it’s a journey, not a race. Keep going, and give yourself credit for every little victory along the way. You’ve got this.

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How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

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Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

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Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

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Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.