Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

Why should I stop drinking?

131 Answers
Last Updated: 05/25/2022 at 9:07pm
Take the first step toward feeling better
Begin your therapy journey today and receive $25 off (use code 25OFF7C)
Moderated by

Graham Barrone, ICHP, MCBT

Counselor

Believing in and supporting you wholeheartedly, we cultivate gentle awareness for responsibility in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Together, we foster growth, improve your

Top Rated Answers
Profile: NaturalScience
NaturalScience
June 24th, 2016 9:25pm
Alcohol is socially acceptable, but physically and mentally destructive! Strictly speaking, alcohol (ethanol) is a toxin to our bodies. And because it is socially acceptable, we can poison ourselves without reproach from our peers. But heavy, sustained, drinking leads to addiction and will negatively impact your life. Addictions consume the energy normally used for other tasks. Basically, drinking takes away from your ability to grow and adapt to your environment in a healthy and productive way.
Profile: gentleNight34
gentleNight34
June 25th, 2016 11:09am
Quit drinking alcohol is so difficult as it is to find reasons to stop it. Most people tend to drink alcohol to forget a situation or feel better about themselves. Having their emotions controlling them they become addicted to it and lose control of their life. I'd stop drinking to gain control of my life and drive it to success.
Profile: Pandette
Pandette
- Expert in Alcohol/Drug Abuse
July 10th, 2016 11:46pm
I believe everyone has their own reasons for not drinking. Do you think it is becoming an issue? Are you drinking every single day and is it changing your behaviour for the worst? Try to think about associated questions and base your decisions off of that. For example, as someone who used to be an alcoholic, I stopped drinking for 3 years and just recently began to enjoy a drink here and there. I believe if you want to drink, it is all about balance. If you don't want to drink, that is your decision and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise! Hope that helps. :)
Profile: Nevergiveup22
Nevergiveup22
April 13th, 2017 4:42am
I'm going to state many reasons why- first off though it's your choice and if you're not 100% into quitting then these reasons won't bother you. 1- You will immediately start having more money. That's money that you would've wasted on alcohol, instead you can treat yourself or save it in case something happens. 2- Your mood will increase- Some people say after 2 months they feel their mood has increased and they have a better outlook on life. 3- Your friends will admire you and look up to you for quitting- 4- You won't have to worry about hiding it from friends and family- Those days would be gone! No more worrying! Wouldn't it be nice? 5- Heavy drinkers sometimes get alcoholic hepatitis which can lead to the development of jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). 6-Liver disease- When alcohol reaches the liver, it produces a toxic enzyme called acetaldehyde which can damage liver cells and cause permanent scarring- this can cause liver disease which could be life threatening.
Profile: luminousMirage15
luminousMirage15
January 9th, 2019 7:56pm
Drinking is one of the main problems that occur in our society. Alcohol is considered to be the most dangerous drug if we consider all the problems it cause. It damages you in every aspect. It ruins your finance and destroys your social life. Also we should consider that alcohol is addictive because it's considered by others as a "quick problem solver". But the thing is, alcohol doesn't fix your problems, it just helps you forget them which is worst. That's because, while the time you are "gone" your problems start growing larger and drinking starts becoming the best alternative at the moments of desperation.
Anonymous
March 1st, 2018 2:55pm
There are many reasons... health... financal reasons... but it's a decision you need to make yourself. Maybe by writing a Pro's and Con's list and comparing both sides
Profile: Kanga
Kanga
February 10th, 2018 8:30pm
Alcoholism is very very serious. It might not seem like it would be that bad, but it is. Addictions can ruin relationships. Also, in severe cases, your body becomes dependent on the alcohol, and you could die from not drinking it. It this case it would be important to be hospitalized while quitting.
Anonymous
December 1st, 2017 6:54am
You can collect reasons for why to stop drinking, but you're ultimately the only one who can decide for yourself what you "should" and "should not" do, and why. Possible reasons to stop drinking are, if it interferes with any area of your life, if it has become a daily habit or even a daily need, if you think you cannot have without it, if you think you cannot relax without it, if you experience mood swings while drinking, if you tend to make poor decisions with consequences while drinking, if your loved ones are negatively affected by your drinking - or if you just want to for no particular reason. It's your life, and your choice, and often there isn't a "right" or "wrong" answer for these kinds of habits. It's very personal, and you know your personal situation better than anyone else. This question does imply you have been thinking about this subject. Good luck thinking on it and I hope you come to a decision that is right for you!
Profile: exquisiteSea58
exquisiteSea58
May 1st, 2020 9:40am
There are lots of reasons why you might want to stop drinking alcohol. Some people need to stop drinking as a result of developing an alcohol related medical condition such as liver disease, or because they start taking medication which reacts badly with alcohol. Others choose to do so for religious reasons, or simply as a move towards a healthier lifestyle If you want to stop drinking alcohol as part of a move towards a healthier lifestyle, cutting down on the amount of alcohol you drink as opposed to giving up alcohol completely can help bring lots of health benefits, and can be easier to stick to. Reducing the amount you drink can also be an effective stepping stone to giving up alcohol completely in the future.
Anonymous
January 26th, 2017 5:51pm
Drinking is alright as long as it's done in moderation and responsibly... like everything else for that matter. If you start experiencing health, behaviour, relationship problems due to drinking, it would be best to seek the help of a professional. If you just want to kick your lifestyle into a higher gear health wise, lose weight, etc. stoping drinking can be a step in that direction.
Profile: PoolOfBrokenMemories
PoolOfBrokenMemories
September 24th, 2016 4:13pm
Because it doesn't solve any issues, it just pushes them to the background while it create's even more issues (health related, social isolation, etc)... Drinking alcohol allows you to supress emotional issues, it never has and never will allow you to find the true sollution for whatever goes on in your life. Alcohol is a way to pause your issues, pause your life... I see it life as a movie you just have to watch until the end, you can pause parts you don't like but in the end you'll have to press the play button and experience the rest of what, if you allow it, could be a very beautiful movie.
Profile: ForVanGogh
ForVanGogh
September 21st, 2016 7:33pm
Because alcohol does not solve problems, it only masks them for a short period of time. Perhaps, if you pay attention, you will notice that the emotional improvement only occurs while the alcohol is affecting your system (not everytime, the effect can decrease your emotional too). After that, things return to the same point, or even worse point (accompanied by a hangover, for example). Moreover, losing control of your thoughts and actions tends to encourage you to do wrong things, things you normally wouldn't do in good conscience and can lead to consequences. Not to mention the problems that the drink can generate in your body, in the long run.
Anonymous
June 28th, 2016 6:35pm
If you drink to numb yourself, you can become very dependent on it and it can dames your body in many, many ways. Trust me, I know first hand, as I have a drinking problem.
Profile: Flawlessinsanity21
Flawlessinsanity21
July 10th, 2016 6:46pm
Drinking can be very serious. It could seriously damage your body and your mind. It can also hurt other people and damage relationships that you have built or are currently building in a bad way. Drinking can make you very ill and can even effect work ethic and ability. It can also result in major debt and homelessness if it gets that far. Socially drinking is different. An occasional drink, there's nothing wrong with. But excessive drinking can lead to some very bad/dangerous things.
Profile: NonjudgementalMegan
NonjudgementalMegan
August 15th, 2019 9:30am
Drinking alcohol can be a fun experience. However for some people it can become an addiction. Personally I know I have an addictive personality so drinking is not a good idea. In addition if your vulnerable to mental health issues it can make them alot worse. I'm not sure id want to stop altogether but it has made my life a lot more enjoyable not drinking all the time. How many hours have we wasted being hungover. How many stupid mistakes have we made drunk. In the end I was just tired of waking up and wondering what the hell have I done last night.
Profile: 0verTheRainbow
0verTheRainbow
March 5th, 2020 5:34am
Reasons for quitting drinking are highly individualized. The more relatable the reasons, the more impact they may have on your decision to quit or continue. If you are questioning if you should stop drinking perhaps there are important reasons already in mind. It can also be helpful to create a list. Common reasons may include health, money/expense, legal or personal consequences, etc. If you have anyone close enough whom you trust, they may be able to give you additional insight or raise concerns that weren't previously considered. Counselors, doctors, and recovery groups are also great resources to help explore the possible benefits of quitting and consequences of drinking.
Profile: CouncillorDavies1989
CouncillorDavies1989
February 28th, 2020 7:08pm
Drinking is a hard choice to go ahead, In a personal prospective, its not the right medicine and I would recommend anyone to try an seek a therapist. Its not always okay to drink, but to have the right support helps people for the future and gives the individual support and therapy. Breaking out and accepting the support is a major step, and gives you certain control on what you can do. Speak to a member of your family or who ever is close to you. Ask them for there supportive guidance and so you feel your not alone.
Profile: BundlesOfLove93
BundlesOfLove93
February 3rd, 2020 10:51am
There are several reason why one should stop drinking, however, I am going to list only a few reason why you should stop drinking. First of all, drink driving is caused by, guess what? Drinking.. and driving! Drink driving is one of the biggest reasons for crashes and death on the roads because your reaction times are delayed and your vision can also be altered because of drinks. On another side of things, there the drinking to make yourself feel better. Unfortunately, that is wrong, and drinking will only boost those emotions, like anxiety. It can also lower one’s awareness of danger, which is why drunken brawls are a thing
Profile: colourfulVision12
colourfulVision12
February 5th, 2022 8:22am
There might be many reasons but you should stop drinking because it impacts your health, your liver, your mind, your boy and wellbeing, it impacts relationships and mood, it impacts employment and financial wellbeing. Drinking costs alot of money and can lead to broken relationships, debt or trouble with the law. Drinking can cause addictions which can destroy your body. The impact of drinking is social, physical ,mental, emotional and finnicial. This is why it hink it is important to stop drinking as it does more wrong than have any benifit. I would learn to cope in other ways avioding drinking.
Profile: bellarina74
bellarina74
January 31st, 2020 2:46pm
A good way to succeed in this is to slowly reduce your intake first. Doing this cold turkey will be very challenging so by taking small steps forward to ceasing your intake you will feel a better sense of achievement. Putting yourself under pressure to do this instantaneously is going to be setting yourself up for failure. In this case, maybe reduction is a better way to go. Finding a substitute is also another option. Instead of becoming anxious and being hard on yourself when you have a slip up, maybe reward yourself when you don’t have a drink. For example, if you go without a drink for two days in a row, reward yourself with a treat of some sort. It could even be something as small as buying a new magazine for yourself that you wouldn’t normally read.
Profile: tranquilHoney6294
tranquilHoney6294
January 16th, 2020 11:53pm
I know it’s hard to stop, but there’s many benefits. Think of all the things you could do by stopping. Without the shame of being an alcoholic, in my experience, it’s much easier to make friends. You’ll likely have a better grip on the world around you, and you’ll start feeling better. Not only that, but you’ll save money that you would have spent on your addiction. There are many health benefits to stopping drinking, and after some time you’ll begin to see them. Alcohol dehydrates your body, and damages your liver. I’ve been there, and I feel much happier now that I’ve stopped drinking all the time.
Profile: rainyHeart6389
rainyHeart6389
January 11th, 2020 6:41pm
When I have a choice to drink or not, I first think about my body. How alcohol will affect my organs. And I end up telling myself that I love myself and won't harm myself in such a way. Also, I try to have fun independently of whether I'm drunk or not. Another reason is that alcohol is very expensive and I would rather buy something useful than waste my money on that. Finally, I'm afraid that drinking will become a habit and I will become addicted, my close ones will call me alcoholic and they will hate me.
Anonymous
March 8th, 2022 6:54am
You should stop drinking to avoid stomach issue like I have right now. It is acid re-flux back to the throat. It is irreversible. If you know your limit, it doesn't matter. You can enjoy the moment of drinking. However, you can go wild or do something you regret. Losing self-control is mostly problematic. Plus you will suffer from headache and dehydration in the next morning. It can destroy your reputation if you act really bad infront of strangers/acquaintances. Drinking helps you talk to girls/boys, turn coworkers into close friends, and forge bonds with friends. Be careful not to lost control. Know your limit.
Anonymous
November 5th, 2019 11:30am
I have always found that drinking can affect the mind very negatively. When I was around 17/18, I was a very heavy drinker and relied on it to get by and to drown my thoughts, but as I carried on, I realised that I was only making myself worse and making my actions and thoughts worse. Alcohol is a natural depressant so if you are feeling depressed/anxious, then it may be a good idea to skip the alcohol and go alcohol free. I have now gotten to the point where I can enjoy a drink without going overboard. Of course, we all may fall into a hole where we drink too much and all of those negative thoughts come out, we are only human and these things happen. If this does happen (as it did to me over Halloween), please make sure to surround yourself with those you love and care for, and take care of yourself, take a relaxing bath, eat plenty of good foods and keep yourself hydrated!
Profile: brianna67
brianna67
October 30th, 2019 4:34pm
You should stop drinking if you want to stop. You should also stop if you think it's negatively impacting your life. Are you missing work or school? Struggling with your health? Is it messing with your finances? An issue in your relationships? Those are things to consider. I'd weigh the pros and cons of continuing to drink if it is negatively impacting you. If you have any concern about an addiction, it would be helpful to stop too. If you are having trouble stopping, there are counselors available who specialize in alcohol or substance abuse and they are a great resource!
Profile: MedTheory
MedTheory
October 25th, 2019 7:21pm
Does your drinking habits get in the way of a healthy and productive life? If so, then you should probably consider drinking less or stop altogether. If you enjoy drinking with friends, and drink responsibly, then you can find a sweet spot where moderation is key. However, If you find yourself drinking everyday as a way to escape your reality, then that means you have developed an addiction. In which case you most definitely stop drinking, and you should probably seek professional help. It will be tough the first couple of months, however, with enough support and dedication you can pull yourself out of this. If this issue goes unresolved, it could end up costing you your employment, friends and maybe even your own family.
Profile: Jezbr
Jezbr
October 4th, 2019 10:52am
Its a very good question, because drinking is and has been at the centre of great moments of culture and history for milenia. Celebrations usually include great amounts of dancing and food and some type of alcohol. But the best questions we can answer for ourselves is what is controlling me? Why am I doing this? Does this bring me closer to life and what I want. So I had a season of life where I was working shift work, and playing a lot of RPG computer games. Both of which kept me from doing what I wanted - which at the time was social work, playing in hardcore bands and having bbqs. But to sleep I would drink a lot. And at BBQs I would drink. But both ended in bad sleep and not as intimate social interactions, so I decided that I would prefer to sleep and interact without it. After a season of not drinking I now can't get enough of hand crafted beers. I love different flavours and different branding. So what is drinking for you? Are you getting what you want? Is it controlling you? Because drinking can bring good things. Great pairings with food. Great tastes. Great many things. But it can also end with us waking up in different beds and clothes than what we had planned. So why should you stop drinking? - if it stops you getting what you want. How is a different question.
Profile: MadShtty
MadShtty
November 22nd, 2018 8:05am
If you don't have a reason to stop drinking, then just stick with moderation. Drinking isn't inherently bad...or good; it's an activity, and everyone has their own relationship with it. Just take care of your body and mind, try to live in a way that you find healthy and rewarding. If alcohol has a part in that lifestyle then fine, if it doesn't then let it go. If you notice a pattern of drunk behavior that you find unacceptable, then lay off the alcohol until you figure out what's going on with you. Also, try not to drink when in a depressive state, as that tends to bring out the worst in people.
Anonymous
November 16th, 2018 3:00pm
Drinking may be seen as a solution. I wasn't good so i said to myself "drinking will make you forget your problems and make you feel less" so i started drinking. I had a bottle of gin. I was drinking before going out after going out, after an argument,before my dates. And i thought that this could make me feel happy. But it didn't. It was just disaster. It made me have stomachache and headache etc. So i thought that drinking is so stupid. It is just like pressing the pain more inside you. Pushing and pushing more. You are having more problems and that sucks. So i think we should try to solve our problems and not forget them.
Profile: ItsSemo
ItsSemo
October 5th, 2018 11:52am
If you stop drinking completely one of the first things you notice should be improved energy levels. Regular drinking can affect the quality of your sleep making you feel tired and sluggish. This is because drinking disrupts your sleep cycle. When you drink alcohol before bed you may fall into deep sleep quicker. This is why some people find drinking alcohol helps them drop-off to sleep. But as the night goes on you spend less time in this deep sleep and more time than usual in the less restful, Rapid Eye Movement (REM) stage of sleep. This can leave you feeling tired the next day no matter how long you stay in bed.