Tips on cutting down alcohol

There are a number of things you can try to reduce the amount you drink.

What can you do to reduce your drinking?

Why not begin by making a plan and before you start drinking, set a limit on how much you’re going to drink and stick to it.

You could set a budget and only take a fixed amount of money to spend on alcohol.

Do

  • take part in special alcohol-free initiatives like Dry January or Go Sober for October
  • try alcohol-free drinks or a selection of mocktails
  • have a smaller drink
  • cut down alcohol by swapping strong beers or wines for ones with a lower strength (ABV in %)
  • drink a glass of water before you have alcohol
  • alternate alcoholic drinks with water or a soft drink
  • have several drink-free days each week
  • cut back a little each day and make every day you do a success
  • let your friends and family know you’re cutting down and it’s important to you – they can support you

Drinking diary

If you’re aiming to cut down your drinking, a good thing to do is to keep a note of what you drink and when.

On a daily basis, make a note of:

  • the alcoholic drinks you’ve had
  • what time you have them
  • where you were
  • how many units you drink – use the Scottish Government’s alcohol unit generator and alcohol unit calculator to work this out

This will give you a good idea of:

  • how much alcohol you’re drinking
  • the situations in which you drink
  • how you could start to cut down

Download a daily drinks diary from Public Health Scotland or ask your GP for a copy.

Further information

Scottish Health Action on Alcohol (SHAAP) has produced a useful guide if you’re a heavy drinker and would like help to cut down your drinking.

You can also learn about mindful drinking at Club Soda

Last updated:
04 January 2023

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