Explore Your Relationship With Alcohol

Have you thought about cutting back on or eliminating alcohol use? Participating in challenges that encourage alcohol-free months might be a good way to recover from overindulgence during the holidays, examine your drinking habits and notice the role alcohol has in your health and well-being. If you do not want to give up drinking for a whole month, that is OK, too. Consider exploring small ways to reduce your consumption this month and beyond.

When changing your alcohol consumption, you might notice you feel better, sleep better, have more energy, lose weight and are more focused — and even save a little money. Whether you eliminate or just cut back on your alcohol use this month, it is essential to make a plan so you do not fall back on old habits and patterns.

Alcohol-free challenges are not a medical treatment for alcohol dependency or addiction. It's important for people with alcohol dependency issues to seek professional help. Contact your medical provider or the NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator to help you recognize and find high-quality treatment for alcohol use disorder.

Printables

• Explore your relationship with alcohol education sheet (PDF)
• Planning for change: Rethinking Drinking activity

Blog posts

• Alcohol use disorder
• Alcohol use: Weighing risks and benefits
• Balancing the risks, benefits of alcohol
• Binge drinking and your body
• Effects of alcohol on health and liver
• Have you talked to your children about alcohol use?
• Recognizing, addressing loved ones' alcohol use
  
  

Videos

Mocktail recipes

• Blueberry lavender lemonade
• Non-alcoholic margarita
• Strawberry mockarita

Additional resources

• Tips for success in participating in "dry January"
• Rethinking drinking resources