Quiting drinking

[727Goon]

So has anyone here just straight up quit drinking? I'm at the point where I think I probably should before it becomes a real problem. I never really drank by myself until May or so. Basically it started with just having a few beers after work when I was watching TV. I figured that I'm a dad now, and drinking beers on the couch and watching baseball is shit dads do, so why the fuck not? Anyways I've noticed lately that ever since my daughter started sleeping through the night I've been having issues getting to sleep and sleeping well, and I've started using alcohol or nyquil as a way to get to sleep. At this point I'm just drinking liquor and I've developed a hell of a tolerance already. I mean my mom used to be an alcoholic when she was younger I guess but she turned heavy into religion when she had me and never fucked with drinking. I think I got her genes though, because even before now I've noticed I've had a much higher tolerance than most people. Anyways I've decided that I need to quit before it becomes a serious problem in my life. Does anyone have any tips? I'm going to start boxing again and get really into training, but other than that idk what to do. Should I try and turn to religion? I've been pretty ambivalent to it and am pretty solidly agnostic but I guess that's part of the AA program or whatever. Idk revleft alcoholics help me out here this will be my alcoholic anonymous for now.

[Hebrew Hammer]

Religion is good, religion got me through my coke phase but I think it's good you noticed you had/have a problem, alot of people can't and that's the problem. If booze is really having a genuine negative impact on your life or daily routine or your concerned about the impact of your drinking, cool. Depends on how much spirit you drink everyday I would say. The first few days, tobacco, ganj, water, vitamins and protein should become your friends. Idk, I've never had the urge to stop drinking but kuddos.

[Chairman Mike]

Instead of turning to religion, just devote yourself to boxing and become a better boxer. Just find something you're passionate about and devote yourself to it. Having some self-control also helps. Best of luck.

[727Goon]

Yeah but idk if I can do the whole religion thing is the problem. Idk what religion I'd be and I've never really prayed or believed in god. I mean I can't be a muslim because I like pork and smoking bud and white women, I can't be a christian because both my mom and gf are heavy into that shit and basically fuck that. That pretty much leaves judaism and buddhism. There arent too many brothers in either of those religions so I'd probably be kind of ostracized but jews are pretty cool I guess. Buddhists are pretty straight too so its a toss up I guess. And I wouldnt give myself too much credit for realizing I have a problem, I just get paranoid when I drink for some reason so basically I realized I have a problem by being a fucking pile.

[A Revolutionary Tool]

My dad is in AA and for some people (like him) it's a pretty good support group and you basically decide yourself how much you want to get into it. I've gone to a few camping/fishing trips with the AA and NA (Narcotics Anonymous) people and it can be pretty cool. But the only part of it that I dislike is the religion part. But if you have a serious drinking problem then you should definitely try taking care of that, I don't know of any other groups like AA but they have to exist right? But if they don't just shoot for it if you feel it's a serious enough problem.

[Viet Minh]

Yeah I gave up for about 5 years. There are a lot of alcoholics in my family, on my dads side. In fact basically every one of them to an extent has alcohol issues so it worried me. I developed a bad attitude to alcohol, I'd drink way beyond the point I was drunk even when I was a teenager, I think the idea was to actually pass out which is just stupid. In my case I was able to give it up (plus I stopped smoking cigarettes and weed at the same time) and it was okay, I still went to clubs and had a good time. Actually I think I had a better time because I was in control, and didn't get a hangover the next day. For me it was easy though, I never really liked 'downers' anyway (weed makes me paranoid, alcohol makes me depressed or aggressive or both). I could have gotten very addicted to speed or ecstasy if I could afford it though I reckon.

[727Goon]

Yeah the social aspect is another thing thats gonna fuck me. I'm only 18 and most of my friends are just graduating high school and are at that time of their life where they just wanna party hard af and all that. Idk how to avoid that scene, especially since, without going into to many details my family situation sucks so its kind of an escape.

[Hebrew Hammer]

Yeah but idk if I can do the whole religion thing is the problem. Idk what religion I'd be and I've never really prayed or believed in god. I mean I can't be a muslim because I like pork and smoking bud and white women, I can't be a christian because both my mom and gf are heavy into that shit and basically fuck that. That pretty much leaves judaism and buddhism. There arent too many brothers in either of those religions so I'd probably be kind of ostracized but jews are pretty cool I guess. Buddhists are pretty straight too so its a toss up I guess. And I wouldnt give myself too much credit for realizing I have a problem, I just get paranoid when I drink for some reason so basically I realized I have a problem by being a fucking pile.

If you want to try the religion thing, don't worry about the rules or whatever to much at first, just try. Find which one suits you, your beliefs, your experinces, etc. Judaism, idk, you have to be extremely devoted but it's not something you should just rule out either, we're just not looking for converts and if you went to some Orthodox rabbi, he'd probably turn you away multiple times to test you, see how serious you are, is what I've heard. But if you were serious about it and you genuinely wanted to convert and believed it, etc. it's possible. If you're just looking for something to try out your spirituality and help you through getting sober, I think any one will do, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc. Just focus on practicing and learning and such and try. Being a good and proper whatever could come later, dig?

[Viet Minh]

I'm nobody to give advice on anything but get some alcohol free beers to drink, and see how you get on. It sounds stupid but it could be purely psychological, like a comfort food thing rather than an actual need to get drunk. If you find that hard try restricting yourself to weekends. Its never too early to get help though, the sooner the better. Although be aware that AA can be pretty extreme in their anti-drinking, I believe even ex-alcoholics can learn to drink in moderation.

[Hebrew Hammer]

Weed and tobacco I think would be very helpful in trying to get sober. If you crave that mind alteration, ganja and tobacco provide this. It helps you sleep, your appetite, etc. Then after awhile, if you wanted, you could stop both and it'd be easier than booze.

[727Goon]

I'm trying to ease up on my tobacco consumption as well and I cant really afford weed all the time so thats not really an option.

[MarxSchmarx]

Have you tried to control your drinking? There are certain things you could do along these lines. FOr example mixing your liquour with say soda will make it easier to pace yourself. Even something as simple as pouring the beer in a glass instead of drinking it out of a can or bottle will slow down your drinking.

[The Dark Side of the Moon]

i dont know, some of the things i did to stop drinking:
1. stoped buying beer.
2. went to the gun range instead of drinking. nothing is more satisfying then poppin of a couple of 22 rounds
3. started reading more often

[Hebrew Hammer]

Have you tried to control your drinking? There are certain things you could do along these lines. FOr example mixing your liquour with say soda will make it easier to pace yourself. Even something as simple as pouring the beer in a glass instead of drinking it out of a can or bottle will slow down your drinking.

^Exactly, this, everythings kosher in moderation.

[RichardAWilson]

Just because you're a heavy drinker doesn't mean you're an alcoholic (or even that you suffer from an alcohol-dependency problem). I had a problem with drinking. However, it didn't stop me from quitting cold turkey.

[Viet Minh]

The thing is if you quit something completely you just crave it, so its best to just cut back. To be honest if you're not waking up in the morning feeling rough as fuck and pissed yourself it doesn't sound like you have a problem, a lot of people drink heavily but you can still live your life around it. If you do really want to quit though just use association techniques, thats the best way to make it easier on yoursef. Whenever you crave a drink just make yourself think 'it tastes like piss its disgusting'. Instead of thinking of being drunk think of feeling sick and hungover and vomiting. You won't believe it at first but as you keep doing it your mind gets used to the association, until its automatic and you don't want it anymore.

[RichardAWilson]

Well, I had a problem, so I had put the bottle down. I had no problem with being tempted to touch the bottle. The problem has always been that once I started drinking, I didn't quit until I was hammered.

The interesting thing is that I didn't have withdrawal symptoms when I stopped drinking. I didn't have to go to Meetings and I didn't turn to religion.

With that said, I’m not some hard-lined on-the-wagon type recovery case that is going to preach willpower. I am still addicted to cigarettes and certain foods (sugar).

[Che a chara]

Personally, I don't have an alcohol problem, but when I do drink, i don't do it in moderation. It'll either end up being a binge, or til i'm tired, skint or we all end up going home -- it's very rarely to have a casual few.But I can stop drinking for a few months if i ever wanted. You can get in a bad rut though, but try to eat and live healthy if you really are serious about coming of alcohol but don't be encouraged to substitute one addictive substance with another. Exercise, or as you say, boxing, would be a good start.

[SHORAS]

I have some very simple advice. Stop buying alcohol. Anyone I know who's quit either drinking or smoking including myself has done it by doing this. Stay away from where alcohol is consumed or mentioned, you should start to think about it less and lose the urge for it. Also recognise it for what it is and how it can effect people. With smoking, accepting that it's a 'nicotine delivery device' and nothing else is quite powerful. Personally, I wouldn't have thought being around other people all trying to quit and that being a central theme constantly would do anyone any good at all. It's just gonna be on your fucking mind all the time.

[Le Libérer]

Yeah but idk if I can do the whole religion thing is the problem. Idk what religion I'd be and I've never really prayed or believed in god. I mean I can't be a muslim because I like pork and smoking bud and white women, I can't be a christian because both my mom and gf are heavy into that shit and basically fuck that. That pretty much leaves judaism and buddhism. There arent too many brothers in either of those religions so I'd probably be kind of ostracized but jews are pretty cool I guess. Buddhists are pretty straight too so its a toss up I guess. And I wouldnt give myself too much credit for realizing I have a problem, I just get paranoid when I drink for some reason so basically I realized I have a problem by being a fucking pile.

AA is for athiests too. You dont have to believe in Gd for it to work. You have to believe theres something out there bigger than yourself to look to when you need something to help through the tough parts.

For some its their sponsor, merely because they have the experience of staying sober and you dont. That is a higher power.

Good luck getting and staying sober. Addiction is a motherfucker, especially alcohol, food or sex. Its in your face all the time.

[bailey_187]

Yeah the social aspect is another thing thats gonna fuck me. I'm only 18 and most of my friends are just graduating high school and are at that time of their life where they just wanna party hard af and all that. Idk how to avoid that scene, especially since, without going into to many details my family situation sucks so its kind of an escape.

can u not just decide that drinking outside of social environment is weird

i drink alot, but its always with people when we're doing something or out. in the occasional times when iv drank on my own its seemed weird as hell.

if u can limit urself to drinking when at parties or out at a club, u wont be missing out at parties but u will only see drinking as something to do socialy for fun - and so wont do it on ur own. maybe u have trouble doing that tho, but rather than outright quit u may want to try that before

if ur stressed and shit, this may be very bad advice (probably better than drinking everyday tho), but u could start smoking cigaretes. then if shit gets too much for u and u feeling stressed u can go outside for cigarete - it will make u feel better

[727Goon]

I know it's weird to drink alone but it really mostly comes back to my inability to sleep and stress. Also idk if I'm actually an alcoholic or not, I don't think I am yet but I've been drinking for years and this is the first time I've had any problems. I have always had a high tolerance though which makes me think alcoholism might be in my genes and I'm certainly not trying to fuck my life up with that shit.

[727Goon]

AA is for athiests too. You dont have to believe in Gd for it to work. You have to believe theres something out there bigger than yourself to look to when you need something to help through the tough parts.

For some its their sponsor, merely because they have the experience of staying sober and you dont. That is a higher power.

Good luck getting and staying sober. Addiction is a motherfucker, especially alcohol, food or sex. Its in your face all the time.

Alright I'll look into it, and thanks.

[bailey_187]

I know it's weird to drink alone but it really mostly comes back to my inability to sleep and stress. Also idk if I'm actually an alcoholic or not, I don't think I am yet but I've been drinking for years and this is the first time I've had any problems. I have always had a high tolerance though which makes me think alcoholism might be in my genes and I'm certainly not trying to fuck my life up with that shit.

start smoking then. being addicated to cigaretes may shorten ur life, but u can live a normal life

[727Goon]

Idk I dont really get a buzz from cigarettes anymore so theres not much of a point. Maybe I should start dipping like a whiteboy :laugh:

[bailey_187]

man i want to try that but dont think anyone does in england

[727Goon]

For what its worth its a fuck of a lot better buzz than cigarettes. I kind of enjoy having a jaw tho.

[Principia Ethica]

I don't know what to say in regards to the alcohol part. I just don't have much experience in that area.

But for problems sleeping: Try to get your wake up and bed time schedule regimented, maybe have a chamomile tea instead of beer before bedtime, take a cool shower to lower your basal body temperature so you can fall asleep easier, do some physical activities during the day to wear you out but not too close to bed time.

For stress: Find a hobby that engages you. For me it is cooking and plants (I'm Mr. Miyagi!) volunteer work helps me cope with stress, exercise, reading, walking my dogs.

I wish you the best in controlling or quitting the bottle :) You are right that it can mess up your life if it goes unchecked. We are all rooting for you!

[JustMovement]

if ur worried about ur drinking its probably because you should be. If you have a family history of alocoholism you want to stay away from that shit. If you have trouble sleeping go to a store and buy some aspirin that makes you drowsy, take four of those and ul be knocked out for sure, and ti will be cheaper than self-medicating with a bottle.

Alcohol is a pretty horrible drug. its rots you up from the inside, makes the next day completely wasted, and makes you act stupid. Doing exercise is good for you and will help you sleep.

[JustMovement]

to bailey you can buy it over the internet from sweden or some shit.

[Fulanito de Tal]

To the OP. I'm glad that you have the insight to realize when you are drinking too much and have the will to seek help.

There are several things that would help you when quitting an addiction.

1. You're going to have lots of free time since you're not dedicating it to drinking. You should occupy that time with several things. One will not suffice because there are always times when doing a specific thing isn't appropriate, so having "back-ups" is good. You may find a need to find a purpose in your life. Diversify your purpose; don't focus on only one thing.

2. Considering your drinking, don't think of it as quitting forever. Take it day-by-day. When you get an urge to drink, don't and think of it like you're not going to drink for that moment. In your head, it's much easier to quit drinking for a day than for your entire life. If you get a strong urge, understand that you can make it through that momentary urge. Eventually, that urge should go away and you will be happy that you made it through. Revel in your dedication to make it through an urge :)

3. If you drink again, don't feel ashamed. Understand that it's normal and get control of yourself. Just because you drank once doesn't mean that you "didn't make it", "are doomed to drink for your whole life", or "gave up on yourself". Pick yourself back up and work on your sobriety.

4. Keep a journal. Log every time you get an urge to drink, what you were doing, thinking, where you were, etc. Try to discover triggers for your urges. If you do, attempt to avoid those cues.

5. Regarding your sleep, teach yourself to be sleepy when you go to bed. Only use your bed to sleep, no reading, no tv, nothing but sleep. When you go to bed, don't lay there more than 15 mins awake. If you don't fall asleep, get up and do something else for a while. Then, go lay down again. Keep doing this until you fall asleep. Within a few nights, you're body will learn to get sleepy as soon as you lay down.

6. Seek social support. Tell others that you are quitting alcohol and that you would like their help. If they don't want to help or worse, do the opposite, tell them that you are sorry, but you will have to separate from them for awhile. Don't hang around bad influences. If you tell others that you are quitting alcohol, it keeps you in check.

Let me know if you have any questions! :thumbup1:

[Franz Fanonipants]

tobacco and alcohol reliance are a motherfucker.

smoke weed.

[Fopeos]

I don't think you need any religion, just a strong desire to better yourself.
Alcohol is a huge part of our culture but think about it, does it bring anything positive into your lfe?

[Lord Testicles]

AA is for athiests too. You dont have to believe in Gd for it to work. You have to believe theres something out there bigger than yourself to look to when you need something to help through the tough parts.

For some its their sponsor, merely because they have the experience of staying sober and you dont. That is a higher power.

I'm sorry but this is really bad advice. AA is a cult, the first step is to admit you are powerless and then the second and third steps are that only something "higher" than you can save you and that you should turn yourself over to it. Only you have the power to stop drinking, nobody else.

OP: If you need help to quit drinking I suggest you get in contact with someone like S.O.S (secular organizations for sobriety), who don't belittle you by trying to make you feel powerless and they don't suggest that you go to 90 meetings in your first 90 days (Y'know, so you can really get into that cult vibe.)