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16 tips for reducing your alcohol consumption

Quick screening for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Answer the following questions - in the past year, have you...
1. Had times when you ended up drinking more or longer than you intended?
2. More than once wanted to cut down or stop drinking, or tried to, but couldn’t?
3. Spent a lot of time drinking or being sick or getting over the aftereffects?
4. Wanted a drink so badly you couldn’t think of anything else?

Quick screening for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Answer the following questions - in the past year, have you...
5. Found that drinking or being sick from drinking often interfered with taking care of your home and family or caused job or school problems?
6. Continued to drink even though it was causing trouble with your family or friends?
7. Given up or cut back on activities that were important or interesting to you or gave you pleasure in order to drink?

Quick screening for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Answer the following questions - in the past year, have you...
8. More than once gotten into situations while or after drinking that increased your chances of getting hurt, such as driving or having unsafe sex?
9. Continued to drink even though it was making you feel depressed or anxious, or you had a memory blackout?

Quick screening for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Answer the following questions - in the past year, have you...
10. Had to drink much more than you once did to get the effect you want? Or found your usual number of drinks had much less effect than before?
11. Found that when the effects of alcohol were wearing off, you had withdrawal symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, shakiness, irritability, anxiety, depression, restlessness, nausea or sweating? Or sensed things that were not there?

AUD screening scoring results

If you answered ‘yes' to 2 to 3 questions, your symptoms align with mild AUD.
If you answered ‘yes' to 4 to 5 questions, your symptoms align with moderate AUD.
If you answered ‘yes' to 6 or more questions, your symptoms align with severe AUD. Consult with a licensed mental health professional to further explore AUD.

16 ways to reduce alcohol use

1.

Measure your drinks

2.

Track your intake

3.

Make a plan

4.

Tell family members and friends you want to get healthier

5.

Try a month of abstinence

6.

Get exercise

7.

Drink water

8.

Eat before and in between drinks

9.

Make a plan for cravings

10.

Remove alcohol from the house

11.

Watch out for anger, resentment, or grudges

12.

Avoid loneliness

13.

Get online support

14.

Avoid triggers

15.

Learn to say no

16.

Return to your plan if you slip

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