5 tips for drinking less alcohol

From sleeping better to helping manage your weight, there are lots of health benefits to cutting back on alcohol.¹

If you’re looking to change your drinking habits, HBF dietitian Kate Kenny shares a few things that can help make it easier.

1. “Explore your reasons for cutting back on alcohol. This could be for weight control, future health protection or financial reasons. It needs to be meaningful to you.”
2. “Getting used to social occasions without alcohol is important, so you don't feel you need to avoid them altogether. You might like to try cutting back on what you would normally drink and then work up to having a night off completely.”
3. “Involve a friend or partner in this change. Having an ally can help you feel supported if you find limiting alcohol difficult to do at first.”
4. “Own it! There can be pressure from others to participate in drinking. The more you own that decision to cut back or take a night off, the more people respect it.”
5. “Enjoy non-alcoholic drinks. There’s never been a better time to cut out alcohol, with a variety of non-alcoholic drinks on the market, so you can get in the spirit without the spirits.”

If you need support with your alcohol use, talking to your GP is a good first step.

You can also call the National Alcohol and Other Drugs Hotline on 1800 250 015 or check out the Australian Government’s list of alcohol support contacts.