5 Tips to Help You Drink Moderately

The benefits of drinking alcohol have long been known. Hypertension, heart, liver, and kidney disorders and diseases, digestive ailments, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, hearing loss, macular degeneration, poor cognition and memory, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, stress and depression, and erectile dysfunction are just some of the conditions that can be helped by moderate alcohol consumption.

For many people, however, drinking within safe limits is not an easy feat, especially when they’re out having a convivial time with friends. It would be wise then to keep some tricks up one’s sleeves.

1. If you know you’re going to be drinking alcohol, quench your thirst by drinking some water first. Make sure too that you have something to eat before you begin to drink.

2. Chase your alcoholic drink with water or a soda. Munch on snacks in between taking sips. This will cause you to drink less and also slow down the alcohol’s effects in your body.

3. Select your drinks well. If you’re drinking wine, ask for a small glass, not the gargantuan goblets that some restaurants have taken to serving lately. Opt for spritzers and shandies and other low-alcohol drinks to reduce alcohol content.

4. Set a limit for yourself and count your drinks. When you’ve reached your set limit, then stop. Don’t feel compelled to keep up with everyone else. If you’re finding it difficult to stop drinking in the environment you’re in, then just leave. You can simply say that you’ve had your limit.

5. Choose to socialize with people whom you’re comfortable with under any circumstances. If you’re not comfortable with certain people unless you’ve had something to drink, then avoid socializing with them.

By changing your drinking patterns, it is possible to drink in moderation, have a good time, and enjoy the healthful benefits of alcoholic beverages.

Get help here.

Cutting Down on Drinking

Do You Have a Drinking Problem? Find out here.

Alcoholism is a serious sickness. But you needn't fall prey to it. Get timely help to prevent this disease.

Do I Really Have to Stop Drinking Alcohol?

Okay, perhaps you're not an alcoholic, but are you willing to consider that you may have a drinking problem? If you're open to the possibility, then read on. You may gain some valuable insight into your situation.

Answer the following questions honestly.

Do you drink alone?

Do you feel you need a drink at a certain time each day, for example after work or before going to sleep?

Do you seek out a particular friend or set of friends or is there a particular ambience that you prefer when you drink?

Do you have a difficult time stopping after a couple of drinks?

Do you want to continue drinking even after those with you say they've had enough?

Do you find yourself sneaking drinks?

Is a good portion of your day alcohol-related - i.e. you're either in the process of obtaining a drink, thinking of having a drink, actually having one, or getting over its effects?

Do you sometimes stay drunk for days at a time?

Do you feel uneasy when you're in a social situation and alcohol is not a part of the picture?

Has drinking caused you to fail to do something that was normally expected of you?

Is your drinking causing you financial difficulty?

When you're upset for any reason, do you react by having a drink?

Do you often get into arguments or fights while drinking?

Have you been arrested for drunken conduct or drunk driving?

Has anyone been injured due to your drinking?

Have your friends or family commented about how your personality changes when you drink?

Has anyone suggested to you to quit drinking or to at least cut down?

When family or friends voice their concern about your drinking, do you get irritated?

Have you broken relations with any family members or friends because they've pestered you about your drinking?

Do you ever have trouble remembering what you may have done while under the influence of alcohol?

When you've sobered up, do you often regret things you may have said or done while under the influence of alcohol?

Do you suffer from frequent hangovers?

Do you find yourself needing a drink the day after a drinking binge just to get yourself going?

Do you find yourself having regrets after drinking?

Have you promised yourself to stop or cut down but been unable to keep your promise to yourself?

The answers that you supply will give you an indication of where you're at. If you've answered yes to at least four of these questions, then you may already have a drinking problem or are on your way to developing one. A yes to five or more of these questions suggests that alcohol abuse is becoming a pattern in your life.

Examine yourself honestly. Perhaps you just need to decrease your drinking to a safer level. Then again, your situation may be such that you require more drastic measures. Whatever the case, there is help available. You only need to decide to take it.

Get help here.