Feeling guilty after drinking doesn’t always mean you did something wrong. Alcohol changes brain chemistry, disrupts sleep, and can temporarily increase anxiety and self-criticism the next day. For many people, guilt also reflects a mismatch between how they drank and how they wanted to drink, rather than the events of the night itself.
Ever felt confident about cutting back on drinking but stumbled as soon as friends and social events came into the picture? it can be hard to drink less around friends
Even if you think there’s no way you could be an alcoholic, going through this article might help you reflect on your own drinking habits as well as the habits of those around you. We will also discuss some modern support systems that can help with moderation, depending on your needs or your loved ones’ needs for support.
A bad day at work, a fight with your partner, or just the monotony of everyday life can all lead us to drink — maybe without even thinking about it. We live in a world where grabbing a drink is the norm for socializing, celebrating, or coping with stress. So changing these habits, especially if they’re unconscious, doesn’t come easy. With some self-reflection, though, you can identify your drinking triggers and learn strategies to overcome them.
Experts say that if you want to develop healthier habits and improve your life, you should be kinder to yourself. But, how exactly do you do that? If all you know is self-criticism, a kind inner voice isn’t going to pop up out of nowhere.
But changing how you speak to yourself can completely change how you respond to difficult situations and move forward.
If you’re one of the more than 30 million Americans taking antidepressants, you might be wondering if a drink now and then is a problem. After all, alcohol is famous for numbing emotions and it’s everywhere you look, making it hard to say no. But is it safe to mix antidepressants with even one drink of alcohol?
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About Sunnyside
Sunnyside is a comprehensive platform for building a healthier relationship with alcohol. We combine a behavior-change app, real human coaching, and Sunnyside Med — our Telehealth service where licensed providers can prescribe medication to help reduce alcohol cravings. Members using the Sunnyside app report an average 33% reduction in weekly alcohol consumption, and Sunnyside Med customers are reducing their drinking by nearly 50% on average — along with improved sleep, better mental clarity, and an overall improved sense of well-being.
What is Naltrexone? Naltrexone is a medication that works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, which reduces the pleasurable effects of alcohol and helps decrease cravings. Originally approved by the FDA in 1994 for the treatment of alcohol dependence, Naltrexone has been shown in clinical studies to significantly reduce heavy drinking days and support long-term moderation. Sunnyside Med prescribes a compounded oral formulation containing Naltrexone as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes coaching, tracking, and ongoing medical support.
Sunnyside Med connects you with licensed medical providers who can prescribe compounded medication containing Naltrexone, an active ingredient that is FDA-approved to support alcohol moderation, through a private Telehealth process. Sunnyside Med is not a substitute for emergency services or inpatient treatment. If you are in crisis or experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms, please contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 or call 911. We are proud partners of Moderation Management, a non-profit dedicated to reducing the harm caused by the misuse of alcohol.
Alcohol Moderation guides