28th September 2026

RESET your relationship with alcohol this October

Every year Belfast Drug & Alcohol Connections Team encourage us to consider October as the perfect time to RESET our use of alcohol.

RESET and Cut Down on Alcohol – Practical Tips

R – Reflect

Take note of when and why you drink. Are there certain times, places, or feelings that trigger it? Understanding your patterns is the first step to change.

E – Establish Goals

Decide how many drink-free days you want each week or set a limit for yourself. Write it down to keep yourself accountable.

S – Swap

Replace alcohol with healthier alternatives—sparkling water, mocktails, or a new evening routine like reading, walking, or exercising.

E – Engage Support

Share your goals with friends or family, or use tools like the NHS Drink Free Days app to track progress and stay motivated.

T – Take it One Step at a Time

You can find advice, information and self-help tools on the on the Drugs & Alcohol NI Website including their mocktail guide with recipes for delicious alcohol-free alternatives.

Alcohol is associated with increased risk of several physical and mental health conditions including heart attack, stroke, cancers of the stomach, breast, mouth, throat and liver, depression and anxiety.  It is also linked with issues such as traffic collisions, injury, domestic violence and sexual offences.

To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level, it is safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis; however, the World Health Organisation states that when it comes to alcohol consumption, there is no safe limit or baseline where health is unaffected.

Bear in mind that it can be dangerous to health, if people who are clinically alcohol dependent suddenly, completely stop drinking. Anyone who experiences fits, shaking hands, sweating, seeing things that are not real, depression, anxiety, or difficulty sleeping after a period of drinking and while sobering up may be clinically alcohol dependent and should NOT suddenly, completely stop drinking. You can however,  still take control of your drinking. Talk to a GP or your local community alcohol service who will be able to provide support to reduce drinking safely.

For more information check out Alcohol & Other Drugs | B Well