If you're drinking too much on a regular basis, it's likely that you know it's having a negative impact on your life.
However, quitting drinking is not easy and many people make excuses to themselves for not stopping or taking control.
Here, we attempt to help you see past these excuses and so move beyond them.
I can't afford alcohol treatment There are ways around this and lack of money shouldn't stop you from quitting alcohol.
Talk to your GP or an alcohol addiction professional about free or funded alcohol treatment which may be available.
Alternatively, check your health insurance policy if you have one as some policies will cover you for alcohol treatment.
If I don't drink, I won't have a social life It's true that many social occasions do feature alcohol quite heavily but in time you can get used to a social life without drinking.
Your friends should support you, especially if you talk to them about what you're doing.
Don't be afraid to suggest activities which don't necessarily include alcohol too, such as exercise, the cinema or cooking - this can be better than just hanging out in bars.
Consider too whether alcohol really is improving your social life.
Think about the times you have been ill, embarrassed yourself or done things you can't even remember when you've drunk too much alcohol.
Alcohol helps me cope with stress It's true that many people turn to alcohol to help them cope with stress but in fact, it can actually have the opposite effect because it is a depressant.
Some people feel that alcohol makes them feel more relaxed and able to cope in the short-term but longer term it leads to poorer sleep, damaged relationships and problems at work.
All of these things and more contribute to feeling much more stressed.
It is much better to find other ways to combat stress such as poor sleep, damaged relationships and problems at work.
All of these things and more contribute to feeling much more stressed.
It is much better to find other ways to combat stress such as exercise and talking to someone about the issues causing anxiety.
I will stop later People often say they will stop drinking "later" and that they can quit drinking whenever they like.
However, in these circumstances, the reality often is that later never comes and they do not have the ability to give up drinking on their own.
Think about how alcohol is affecting your life negatively - why wait? The sooner you take action, the less damage you'll do and the more able you'll be to regain control.
The worst thing you can do is to put off taking action.
However, quitting drinking is not easy and many people make excuses to themselves for not stopping or taking control.
Here, we attempt to help you see past these excuses and so move beyond them.
I can't afford alcohol treatment There are ways around this and lack of money shouldn't stop you from quitting alcohol.
Talk to your GP or an alcohol addiction professional about free or funded alcohol treatment which may be available.
Alternatively, check your health insurance policy if you have one as some policies will cover you for alcohol treatment.
If I don't drink, I won't have a social life It's true that many social occasions do feature alcohol quite heavily but in time you can get used to a social life without drinking.
Your friends should support you, especially if you talk to them about what you're doing.
Don't be afraid to suggest activities which don't necessarily include alcohol too, such as exercise, the cinema or cooking - this can be better than just hanging out in bars.
Consider too whether alcohol really is improving your social life.
Think about the times you have been ill, embarrassed yourself or done things you can't even remember when you've drunk too much alcohol.
Alcohol helps me cope with stress It's true that many people turn to alcohol to help them cope with stress but in fact, it can actually have the opposite effect because it is a depressant.
Some people feel that alcohol makes them feel more relaxed and able to cope in the short-term but longer term it leads to poorer sleep, damaged relationships and problems at work.
All of these things and more contribute to feeling much more stressed.
It is much better to find other ways to combat stress such as poor sleep, damaged relationships and problems at work.
All of these things and more contribute to feeling much more stressed.
It is much better to find other ways to combat stress such as exercise and talking to someone about the issues causing anxiety.
I will stop later People often say they will stop drinking "later" and that they can quit drinking whenever they like.
However, in these circumstances, the reality often is that later never comes and they do not have the ability to give up drinking on their own.
Think about how alcohol is affecting your life negatively - why wait? The sooner you take action, the less damage you'll do and the more able you'll be to regain control.
The worst thing you can do is to put off taking action.