jls35,
Welcome to the boards and thank you for sharing your experience with other members here. Changing your drinking habits may seem like an overwhelming step but by creating small and achievable goals, you will get through this.
You mentioned a number of important points in your post, one of them being your wish to cut back on drinking and to control your alcohol intake. Your motivation to succeed and your self-control will be key during this time. Take some time now to review the resources and information available here. Hopefully you will find it helpful. You may also want to read through older posts by other members here. Many have had similar experiences to your own and these posts will provide further insight into how to cut back on drinking and tips and strategies you may want to try.
Here are some basic tips for you to try when cutting back on drinking:
Before heading off to the festivities have a goal set. Ex: I will only have 4 glasses of wine today.
To meet your goal, come up with strategies such as:
* If I am tempted to keep drinking beyond my goal, I will leave or remove myself momentarily from the situation.
* I will remind myself of the benefits of reducing my consumption.
* I will reward myself for meeting my goal with...
* I will decrease my portions. Instead of having a full glass, I will have half a glass.
* Eat something either before, after or during.
* Watch the alcohol content: an alcohol concentration of 10-30% is absorbed faster in the bloodstream. Sticking to drinks like beer or wine, gives you a better chance of diluting the alcohol with water before it impacts your body.
* Space out your drinks: generally recommended 1 per hour
* Know what a standard drink is and set a goal before heading out for the evening. A standard drink is considered to be a 5 oz. glass of table wine, a 1.5 oz mixed drink, a 12 oz. cooler, a 3 oz. glass of fortified wine or a regular 12oz. beer.
* Alternate with water or other alternatives such as soda in between your drinks. You can also ask the bartender to include more mix than alcohol in your drink.
* Keep hydrated at the bar and when you get home.
Continue to keep yourself and your health as a top priority during this time. Perhaps try checking in with your doctor as well. He or she may have additional suggestions for you, especially in consideration with your tremor.
Stay close to the boards and post as often as you need to. The members are all here to support one another and will be along shortly to offer you further suggestions.
Sarah, Health Educator
