How do you know if it’s time to cut back on your alcohol consumption? “If people think they need to cut back, then they probably do,” Fulton T. Crews, Ph.D., Director of the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Medicine told Forbes in June. 

Alcohol has long been a social lubricant, a way to unwind, celebrate, or simply relax after a long day. However, for many, there comes a point when its consumption starts to take a toll on their well-being, health, or lifestyle. It’s not always easy to recognize when alcohol consumption transitions from being recreational to potentially problematic. Sometimes, the answer lies in exploring alternatives, like functional non-alcoholic spirits, which provide the taste and experience without the alcohol content. Let's delve into the signs that might indicate it's time to cut back on alcohol and consider these alternatives.

Signs That It's Time to Reevaluate

1. Increased Tolerance:

If you find yourself needing more alcohol to achieve the same effects, it could indicate a growing tolerance. This can lead to increased consumption and potential health risks.

2. Frequent Cravings:

Craving alcohol outside of social situations or feeling like you need it to relax or cope with stress might suggest an unhealthy dependency.

3. Interference with Responsibilities:

When alcohol starts affecting your work, relationships, or responsibilities, it might be time to reevaluate its role in your life.

4. Impact on Physical Health:

Noticeable changes in physical health, like disrupted sleep, weight gain, or frequent hangovers, could signal a need to reassess alcohol intake.

5. Mental Health Impacts:

Increased anxiety, mood swings, or feelings of depression associated with alcohol use might indicate a need for change.

Exploring Functional Non-Alcoholic Spirits

Functional non-alcoholic spirits offer an intriguing alternative for those looking to cut back on alcohol without compromising on taste or social experience. Aplós spirits calm and uplift without the negative effects of alcohol. Because Aplós replicates the ritual and feeling of a traditional spirit, it works well as a replacement for traditional liquors, and are a functional way to replace alcohol in your unwinding routine.

Aplós Calme, for example, offers a gentle calming, uplifting sensation instead of alcohol’s hangovers and health issues. Infused with hemp and crafted for moments of unwind, Calme features a layered, botanical flavor profile, and work well in complex cocktails, or paired with dinner.

Aplós Arise is a functional spirit crafted to put you at ease in social settings. Infused with adaptogens and crafted for moments of revelry, Arise offers an herbal citrus profile with notes of agave flower, lemon verbena, and black sarawak peppercorn.

Most importantly, though, Aplós spirits are a way to replace alcohol without feeling like you’ve been deprived of that reward at the end of the day or the indulgence of a cocktail with friends.

How to Transition to Non-Alcoholic Spirits

1. Experimentation:

Try different non-alcoholic spirits and explore recipes to find flavors that appeal to your taste buds.

2. Social Settings:

Incorporate non-alcoholic options into social gatherings to normalize their consumption and avoid feeling left out.

3. Mindful Consumption:

Practice mindful drinking by savoring the flavors and enjoying the moment without the influence of alcohol.

4. Seek Support:

If cutting back on alcohol feels challenging, seek support from friends, family, or professionals to help navigate the transition.