7 Life-Changing Journal Prompts to Answer: Should I Quit Drinking or Just Drink Less?

Should I quit drinking or just drink less? The question we ask ourselves, but never answer. We toggle with this idea, but sometimes seem to not get any resolution. We keep drinking, keep questioning, and take no action.

Our relationship with alcohol can be extremely challenging given how our society has embraced it. So, how can we get to a place we feel comfortable? 

We all deserve to have a good, even great, relationship with alcohol. It is a sacred art that nature provides us without cost. So, should you quit drinking or just drink less?

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I have asked myself this question so many times. Especially after a slip up of a moment of temptation. And I realized they key to this, understanding where I am at and where I want to be, then I took (and continue to take) those steps towards who I want to be.

Here I will guide you through some tough questions so you can evaluate yourself and your life and see where you want to go, and ultimately, should you quit drinking or just drink less? 

And if you just drink less, then what? These are the questions we will answer together.

This post is all about should I quit drinking?

Should I Quit Drinking or Just Drink Less?

So, should you quit drinking or simply drink less? Let's get to the root of the issue. Some people might have to stop drinking entirely, others just need to create a new relationship with alcohol so they can comfortably drink less. 

Grab out your journal and start with these prompts to gain clarity on what you want and what is best for you, and additionally use the Sunnyside App to track your drinking to get a sense of where you are.

Start with These Questions

1. How often are you drinking?

First, let's take a step back and see what you current patterns are. Understanding where you are will help you get to where you want to go. Which, in this case, ultimately answering the question of "should I quit drinking?". 

Here are some questions to get you to the root of this:

• How many times a week are you drinking? 
• What nights a week are you drinking? Is there one or two specifically you are drinking extra?
• What drinks are you drinking? Cocktails? Cheap beers? *important question we will come back to later*
• How many drinks do you have at one time?

You can start to track your drinking in the Sunnyside app. A psychology-based program to help you drink less or quit all together.

2. In what setting are you drinking?

Now that we can see how often you drink and when that is taking place, let's check out what setting those drinks are taking place. This is important to know so you can take a bird's eye view of your situation.

Deeper questions to dive into:

• Are you going out to the bars?
• Are you drinking around a lot of people? If so, how many? 
• Are you drinking alone?
• Are you drinking just at friends houses?
• Are you drinking around dinner time? Sunset? Late? Or in the afternoon?

3. Do you want to change that setting?

Last question in these beginning reflections, and maybe the most important. Do you want to change that setting you noticed above? 

Some people do not like the bar scene, they are simply just there because friends are there. They actually want to completely change their social behaviors. Others, love going out to the bars and just want more control when they do go out. 

What part of your drinking is causing you the resistance? 

Figure out how you want to show up differently in your drinking setting. Whether that is completely avoiding a certain setting or just coming up with alternatives. 

Finish With These Questions

The questions above were targeted to bring awareness to your habits and analyzing where you are. Now, I don't know where you are at with your relationship with alcohol, but sometimes we all need a break from a given relationship. 

Only you know you the best, finish these last questions with honesty so you can move forward with clarity and action to build a better relationship with alcohol.

4. Have you tried conservative approaches to drinking, yet? 

Let's take a look at what we have already tried. So you don't just repeat the same "solution" hoping for a different result. Write down what you have tried and reflect on why it didn't work. 

If you haven't tried anything yet, take a glance at these alternatives to drinking and see if any speak to you in the setting you need to change.

Now, you might be thinking that you have tried everything and just so over it. You are ready to throw in the towel. So, listen to that instinct. If you are ready to just totally change your life and quit drinking all together, only you know what you need. 

5. Why do you want to quit drinking or drink less?

A great question to ask yourself is "why". We took a glance at the situation we are in now and the parts of the drinking that are causing resistance. So, now we ask ourselves why...

For example, for me, I wanted to slow my drinking to have more energy, live healthier, and be better to my body. My long term goal was to find friends, community, and a husband that was not revolved around drinking. 

If that is your "why" and those are your goals, run with it! But, otherwise, be honest on why you want to either quit drinking or just drink less. 

6. Do you enjoy high quality alcoholic drinks? Are you open to doing so?

Probably, my favorite part of this exercise... 

Can you go out and simply have a nice cocktail or an elegant glass of wine without getting out of control? If so, this is a great way to start to build a better relationship with alcohol. 

Though, if you are out drinking cheap drinks (because cheap drinks come in abundance), then try for doing out for one nice *and expensive* cocktail or glass of wine. Respect the alcohol and she will respect you in return.

Overtime, learning to savor those high quality drinks will give you a great relationship with alcohol. Make these drinks sacred, special, and elegant!

7. Should you quit drinking or simply drink less? 

And the question remains, should I quit drinking or simply drink less? Now that you have answered all the questions above, and hopefully you were being honest, then you are ready to answer the big question. 

• Do you see yourself being able to have a high quality drink every once in a while without getting out of control? 

If you see yourself being able to only have high quality drinks every once in a while then you are ready to take action towards building a better relationship with drinking.

If you can not see yourself having one drink, then maybe it is time to consider visiting aa.org, or seeking help from a professional to help guide you towards quitting drinking. 

With that, make intentions and make goals, and ultimately take action! Explore this website for more tips and tricks on how to drink less and drink high quality wines.

This post was all about should I quit drinking?