1:23
Paulson offered tips for anyone, especially mothers, who are exploring sobriety or wondering if they're drinking too much.
Before a mindless pour, ask yourself, \"What am I feeling?\"
Channel the feeling beneath the urge to drink. Paulson said to instead explore these feelings through therapy. If it feels daunting or you can't attend face-to-face sessions, try an app that provides mental health and mindfulness support.
Change up the habit or routine
If at 5 o'clock you have wine while cooking, swap with a non-alcoholic drink. \"Maybe you just needed something in your hand,\" Paulson said.
Set a timer for 20 minutes before reaching for booze
\"The craving usually passes,\" Paulson said. \"There's a science behind it.\"
Replace drinking with another activity
Find something in its place, like taking a walk or yoga. It's all about mindfulness.
Ask a friend to tackle a \"dry\" challenge with you
A partner will help you have accountability. Setting short, little goals can be telling.
Try everything
See what works for you. For some, A/A is all they need. Others don't feel they connect with it.
Paulson said she suggests reading \"This Naked Mind\" by Annie Grace.
\"It's information, it's science, it's non-judgmental,\" she said. \"It can really help re-frame your belief about alcohol. That's usually the first thing I tell my clients.\"
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/GMA/moms-drinking-pandemic-ht-07-np-210402_1617376720449_hpEmbed_3x2_384.jpg\")
With women being hit hard while they balance family and career amid the pandemic, Dr. Sacks said the U.S. needs family-friendly policies for both women and men.
\"And we need to work on equal distribution of domestic roles within the home,\" Sacks said. \"So, encouraging fathers to step up in childcare, but also supporting initiatives like parental paternity leave to sort of help encourage families to think in a balanced way.\"
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/GMA/moms-drinking-pandemic-ht-08-np-210402_1617377509624_hpEmbed_3x4_384.jpg\")
Sacks offered more alternative coping mechanisms.
Body mindfulness
This includes meditation, deep breathing, acupuncture and education on the importance of sleep.
Friends and/or a community online with other moms
Share the load
Talk with your partner or loved ones for help with childcare, and be honest about what you need.
Set a realistic bar
\"Don't feel guilty about giving your kids the iPad [in moderation] so you can enjoy a meal,\" Sacks said.
Exercise and get healthy nutrition
Get fresh air, even if it's a walk outside with the stroller
Finding a guilty pleasure that's not self-sabotagingThink of another way to indulge that omits alcohol. Watch a show or take a bath. Do anything special that isn't going to be harmful to your health.
Speak with a professional
If you're not sure what you're experiencing is anxiety, depression or an alcohol problem, chat with your doctor about seeing a therapist or reach out to the Postpartum Support International helpline at 1-800-944-4773.
Instead of normalizing going out for drinks when you're feeling stressed, flip that with talking to a therapist.
Let's reduce the stigma and applaud health-seeking behaviors, Sacks said.
If you or someone close to you needs help for a substance use disorder, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit FindTreatment.gov, SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator.
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