
Motivation Isn’t the Key to Mindful Drinking—Here’s What Is
Motivation isn’t the secret to success when it comes to mindful drinking. The real key? Momentum, thoughtful planning, and a few science-backed tricks.

Motivation isn’t the secret to success when it comes to mindful drinking. The real key? Momentum, thoughtful planning, and a few science-backed tricks.

Here’s the truth: Most of us don’t fall into the simple categories of “totally fine” or “addicted.” And more importantly, clinging to labels like “addictive personality” generally doesn’t help you make actual improvements.

Cutting back on alcohol is a huge win. Still, you might be afraid you’ll slip back into old habits. Even if mindful drinking is going well, self-doubt can appear like an annoying ghost, making you wonder if you can really trust yourself when it comes to alcohol.

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

Dry January is a challenge that brings people together to notice their drinking habits for one month. It’s meant to inspire you to drink less by noticing just how great you feel by the end of the month. Now, a Dry(ish) January is also making headlines as a more inclusive challenge to those not wanting to quit cold turkey.

More than 25,000 individuals participated in Sunnyside’s Dry(ish) January Challenge, a challenge to reset alcohol consumption in January with no pressure to quit, and the majority intend to continue drinking less in the following months.
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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