7 Ways to Cut Down Your Drinking

While is occasional tipple is alright to enjoy an evening out with friends drinking and drinking too much on a regular basis can have certain side effects in your health. Excess consumption of alcohol is known to affect you liver and it has been considered the second biggest risk factor for cancers of the mouth and throat. So, how do you define too much? Binge drinking refers to drinking excessive alcohol in a short span of time and it usually refers to five or more drinks at one time for a man, or four or more drinks for a woman. If you are concerned about your alcohol intake or feel that you have been drinking too much and too often, here are six ways to control the habit. 

1. Drink slowly: The next time you're out with your friends, take time to enjoy your drink and sip slowly. This will help you consume less alcohol. Mix the liquor with some juice or water to dilute it a bit and avoid drinking on an empty stomach. 

2. Keep a track: Keep a track of how much you're drinking. Moderation is the key. Anything more than required is bound to have repercussions. Avoid mixing alcohols and stick to one liquor if you're out with friends.Count and measure your drinks and know the standard sizes. 

3. Keep alcohol free days: You should choose to be off alcohol on certain days of the week. Taking a break for a week or so may also help in abstaining from alcohol in future. Keep a watch on how you feel physically and emotionally when off alcohol to manage thee symptoms better.

4. Set a limit: Set a limit for the amount of alcohol you will drink during a night out with friends. Make sure you abide by it and not go overboard. The recommended guidelines for drinking are as follows: not more than one drink per day for women and also for men aged 65 and older, and no more than two drinks per day for men under 65

5. Include food: It is important to keep munching on something light while drinking as this slows down the absorption of alcohol in your system. 

6. Indulge in some activities: Take up a hobby or a sport to use up your free time and keep yourself busy. By spending more time in an activity that you like you may be able to control your urge to drink. Avoid people or places that make you want to drink.

7. Be consistent: There's no shortcut to give up your drinking habit, but key is to reduce your alcohol intake gradually and be consistent in all your efforts to do so. Make a plan and stick to it. 

Once you've reduced the amount and frequency of drinking, work on maintaining it and if your drinking habit crops up again, you must get some support from family and friends or even consult a doctor if you feel the need.