How to Stop Drinking

If you’ve started to think you’d like to reduce or quit using alcohol completely, but you don’t know how to stop drinking, you’re not alone. It’s estimated that over 10% of adult Americans may have a drinking problem. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of people each year seek and get help. It’s often because of the difficulty and fear associated with doing so.

Affect’s program is designed to remove the barriers that keep people from getting the support they need, so that they can lead healthier and happier lives. Affect ranks in the top 1% of all treatment providers. It’s more than twice as effective as traditional treatment programs in helping people break free from alcohol dependency.

It also works for people who are becoming concerned about their drinking habits and the amount of alcohol they are consuming. The negative effects of alcohol and heavy drinking impact physical health and worsen mental health conditions. Affect’s app helps people track their drinking and provides motivation so they can drink less and feel better.

Do I need to go to alcohol rehab?

“Rehab” or “rehabilitation” is short-hand for a variety of traditional treatment options. Rehab is usually found in physical locations that range from residential hospitals to outpatient facilities with daily scheduled sessions. These types of programs offer intensive care. But, they can be difficult for people to attend, due to work, childcare, transportation, or financial limitations. Evidence shows that the main factor in achieving lasting sobriety is having a program that fits your life.

Affect was designed to make treatment accessible to anyone, anywhere, without going to “rehab.” Our program is entirely digital and delivered through a smartphone app. You can do it from home or work, in the city or in the country. We accept both employer and Medicaid insurance, so you don’t have to worry about high healthcare costs. It’s convenient and cost-effective, but it’s also complete. You get care that is supported by science and is customized for your needs.

Can I quit drinking with a sober app?

You may have tried using a sober app if you have started to question your drinking habits.

Sober tracker apps can help you see if you have a drinking problem by letting you keep track of how much and how often you drink. By recording each drink, these apps show patterns in your drinking habits that you might not notice on your own, like if you’re drinking more frequently or in larger amounts.

Many of these apps also include tools like quizzes and tips to help you understand your drinking and suggest ways to cut back or quit. This information can help you recognize if your drinking is becoming a problem and guide you toward making healthier choices.

Affect’s app has a free sober tracker in it. People can use it without enrolling in the treatment program to set goals and count their sober days. When people find they are having difficulty reaching those goals on their own, there is help available.

Support from licensed and experienced professionals in addiction treatment helps people stop drinking, prevent relapses, and achieve sustained sobriety.

Does Alcoholics Anonymous work to stop drinking?

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a support group that can be very helpful for people trying to stop drinking. Through regular meetings, members share their experiences, offer mutual support, and follow a 12-step program designed to help them achieve and maintain sobriety.

However, while AA can be a powerful resource, combining it with professional addiction treatment often leads to better results. Professional treatment, such as therapy, counseling, or medical care, addresses the physical, psychological, and emotional aspects of addiction in ways that AA alone might not.

This combined approach provides a more comprehensive support system, increasing the chances of long-term recovery. There are many people who use Affect’s program while attending 12-step meetings like AA, Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and SMART Recovery. It’s ease of access to telehealth treatment makes it a great fit to get the support they need to succeed.

What’s the best way to quit drinking?

Decades of research have shown that an integrated, comprehensive program helps people get sober and stay sober. Affect’s program was designed by the best researchers and scientists in the field. It achieves results in the top 1% of all treatment providers. Our members dramatically decrease their number of drinks and increase their number of sober days in just the first month. Their energy and health improve as the side effects of heavy drinking get better. The Affect program includes:

• Medication for alcohol use disorder 
• Group and individual counseling
• Behavioral therapy, including contingency management
• Support for employment and housing
• Affect’s 5-star rated app with progress tracking, appointment management, daily inspiration, and useful tools to help you in your journey

What is alcohol use disorder?

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a pattern of problematic drinking that runs on a spectrum from mild, moderate to severe, and generally includes negative social, work, or health consequences. Historically, this condition has also been called alcoholism. 

There are many causes for AUD. They include family history of alcohol use, mental health conditions or trauma, and drinking at an early age. Often, people may be heavy drinkers for many years (known as alcohol misuse) before their brain chemistry changes, resulting in dependence and alcohol abuse. 

That’s probably the wrong question to ask, but if you’re wondering, you may have done some searching online, or even taken a few quizzes. Labels can often be harmful, especially if you’re worried about what others may think. However, it’s important to understand that alcohol use disorder is a medical condition that can be diagnosed and effectively treated. 

Our team will work with you to understand how drinking may be affecting your life and assess any increased risk factors. However, if you’ve tried to quit and failed, seen that your drinking is hurting your relationships or health, or found yourself choosing drinking over other fun or important events in your life, you likely need a change. We’re here to help. 

Is it risky to go “cold turkey?” 

About half of individuals with an alcohol use disorder who suddenly stop drinking or drastically reduce their alcohol intake experience a set of symptoms known as alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

The signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal may include:

• Sweating
• Rapid or irregular heart rate
• High blood pressure
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hallucinations
• Anxiety

More rarely, if left untreated, or inadequately managed, withdrawal can lead to violent seizures, delirium tremens (DTs), and even death.

What you’ll experience when you stop drinking depends on a variety of factors, including the amount you typically drink, how frequently you drink, and how long you’ve been drinking. In addition, older adults, those with a past history of seizures or stroke, and individuals with other serious health conditions may be at risk of experiencing more severe withdrawal symptoms.

Physical withdrawal from alcohol can be life threatening. Our team will help assess the possibility of you experiencing withdrawal and will recommend a treatment plan for your specific needs.

If you are asking yourself how you can stop drinking and searching for the answer, talking confidentially with a non-judgmental addiction treatment specialist is the place to start. Reach out to us and we’ll set up a time that works for you. Or, you can download our app and sign up.

When you enroll, you’ll start to realize the rewards of recovery immediately. Our members reduce their use by more than half in the first month. With insurance coverage, it is one of the most affordable treatment options available.