Stopping drinking is something which is more frequently contemplated these days than ever before, perhaps as a result of the realization that as a nation we consume far more units of alcohol than are good for us. I write this (a little tongue in cheek!) whilst sipping a nice cool glass of Chablis whilst flying back across the pond, and a large expanse of land, to San Francisco.

We spend a considerable amount of time travelling backwards and forwards, which necessitates many hours in airport lounges and sitting in airplanes. I find myself noticing how many more people these days refuse the proffered alcohol and instead choose the teetotal route. We all know the negative effect which too much alcohol can have upon ones health, abilities and equilibrium. Equally, the benefit of passing on the wine, beer or spirits is emblazoned quite vividly in our minds.

One has to have sufficient personal, individual and unique motivation to even consider stopping drinking let alone carry through with that intent. It has to be your own personal desire. People do what they want to do, be it to choose to drink or to stop drinking, enter a relationship or walk away from someone who they had been involved with.

Those who find that their relationship with alcohol becomes more important than their other relationships ultimately have a greater motivation to quit drinking altogether. If you only drink a couple of glasses of wine every day or so you probably have little motivation to stop drinking; in fact, you could probably argue that there are greater benefits to drinking alcohol in that moderate quantity than in giving up completely.

But there are also those who fear stopping drinking. I have seen clients over the years who have asked to be hypnotized so as to feel as if they have been drinking when they are out socially (when in fact not a drop of alcohol has passed their lips) because they don't want to seem "boring". I find that quite sad really. I mean, let’s face it, we have probably most of us been in a situation where everyone around us is the worse for wear because of drinking too much. Did they make sense? Were they interesting? Usually not! And yet here the non-drinker is, feeling afraid that he or she will be perceived as boring!

There can be many a fear when one contemplates stopping drinking; you might feel uncomfortable or lacking in confidence. You may well feel that you no longer fit in. And this may be why you see a lot of teetotalers starting afresh, leading a new life with new friends and companions in a different environment.

It is certainly undeniable that to stop drinking entails a change of lifestyle, and when looked at in reverse you can see how much easier it is to stop drinking by changing your lifestyle in a major way. This is especially so for a recovered alcoholic; your mantra becomes "out with the old, in with the new". It is your health and your life which is on the line and, if you have made your own firm decision to quit drinking, this is what you indeed do. An alcoholic is not known for moderation!

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