Drinking less alcohol is hard. But there are ways to get started
Megan Lee says even though she wasn't a big drinker, she didn't like the control alcohol had over her. (Supplied)
Megan Lee is halfway through reaching her goal of a year without drinking alcohol.
The assistant professor in psychology at Bond University on the Gold Coast/Yugambeh language region specialises in nutritional psychiatry.
Dr Lee says despite her scientific background, she is "still in this crazy system" of pro-alcohol messages, which is why she was motivated to try a year off booze.
"Most of us who are doing research on these things [it] is because we are interested in our own drinking behaviours," the 45-year-old says.
"We are also struggling with moderation, just as much as everyone else."
And Dr Lee says while many people find it hard to reduce their alcohol intake, the benefits are significant and there are some strategies that can help get you started.
How bad is alcohol for our health?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says there is no safe level of alcohol consumption when it comes to our health. They estimate that alcohol consumption plays a causal role in over 200 diseases, injuries, and other health conditions.
That includes the biological health risks such as cancer and liver disease, as well as things like car accidents, drownings and suicide.
Director of the Centre for Alcohol Policy Research at La Trobe University Emmanuel Kuntsche says while sticking to the Australian Alcohol Guidelines (no more than 10 standard drinks per week and no more than four standard drinks on any one day) reduces the risk, it doesn't eliminate it.
When you drink less, our experts say you may notice improvements quite early on.
Improved sleep quality, higher energy levels, clearer skin and possibly even weight loss, or at the least, reduced weight gain.
"There's this permanent hangover state that we kind of get used to if we drink every day — even one or two drinks every day, that goes away as well," says Dr Lee.
Knowing your why is a good place to start
Megan Lee, an assistant professor at Bond University, is halfway through One Year No Beer. (Supplied)
When it comes to drinking less, knowing your "why", and having clear goals, will help you be successful, says Dr Lee.
For her, it's about control, and enjoying life more.
"I didn't like my relationship with alcohol. I wasn't even a big drinker, but I still don't like it controlling me over me controlling it.
"Right at the beginning of my one year … before I started, we went to a wine tour in the Hunter Valley and my son's father doesn't drink and he was out in the vineyard kicking a football with my son.
"Looking out the window, watching them play football in the sun … they were having the best time.
"I was sitting there by myself, drinking my poison. I was like, 'I want to be out there'."
A recent poll shows 44 per cent of Australians who drink alcohol want to drink less or stop altogether.
Three in four respondents said drinking less was about improving their physical health, half wanted to improve mental health, and just over a third said they were looking to sleep better.
Dr Lee says cutting down on drinking is often part of someone's plan to achieve better overall health.
Positive role modelling for children is another common incentive to drink less, according to Dr Lee.
Professor Kuntsche says negative experiences with alcohol will often inspire people.
"That can be arguments with family, accidents, hangovers … but also life transitions like becoming a dad, for example, [or] turning 40."
Why it's hard to quit drinking
A deeply ingrained drinking culture and prolific positive messaging around alcohol makes cutting back or stopping drinking alcohol especially hard, says Dr Lee.
She adds that alcohol is attached to everything we do, and we're often discouraged by those around us when we want to stop drinking.
"Alcohol is the only drug in the world where people actually isolate you for not taking it."
Professor Kuntsche says even for moderate drinkers, the psychological and physiological effects of alcohol can be difficult for people to go without.
"You might have a nice little relaxing glass of wine each evening while cooking or watching TV, your body very quickly becomes used to that.
"It's very difficult to change."
So how do you cut back?
Introduce alcohol-free days
Committing to alcohol-free days each week or only drinking on weekends can help change your relationship with alcohol. (Pexels)
Having days off drinking helps prevent your body developing a tolerance to alcohol's effects, therefore reducing a dependence on the drug.
Committing to alcohol-free days each week can be useful, says Professor Kuntsche. For example, only drinking on weekends.
"Or maybe it's 'Whenever I play soccer, the day before I don't drink'."
Dr Lee suggests starting with one alcohol-free day the first week, then working up to more until you reach a week.
"After seven days of not drinking any alcohol, your system is then free of alcohol, so you've detoxed."
Working up to a month-long challenge like Dry July is ideal, she says.
Try a longer period of abstinence
What works for you will sometimes come down to trial and error, says Professor Kuntsche, and taking a longer break like Dry July is always a good experiment.
"If you drink it's a very good idea to abstain from time to time.
"See what's happening to yourself, what is happening to your environment. How hard is it? How beneficial is it?"
Dr Lee says after 30 days, you may feel you can go longer.
"After the 30 days it actually becomes easier because you're not … focusing all the time on not drinking.
"It becomes a part of your lifestyle."
Harm-minimisation strategies
Strategies such as drinking a glass of water or non-alcohol drinks between alcoholic drinks may help some people reduce their intake, says Professor Kuntsche.
He also suggests avoiding buying rounds with friends, and having smaller serves of alcohol, for example.
Be a team
Dr Lee says drinking less is easier when supported by those around you.
Taking a challenge with your partner or friend can provide accountability and motivation.
Joining communities such as Facebook groups of programs like Hello Sunday Morning can be helpful for these same reasons.
"It's good to surround yourself with other people who don't drink," says Dr Lee.
Educate yourself
Dr Lee is a big fan of reading books and listening to podcasts to learn more about alcohol and strategies to drink less.
Professor Kuntsche suggests counselling services if you need more support.
Ultimately, Dr Lee says it doesn't matter what the goal is, or the framework of how you achieve it, as long as you're moderating in some way "then you're succeeding".
"And you can build on that."
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