How Did Y'all Stop Drinking?

[the bossman]

Alcohol just gets boring after awhile to where you just start drinking less and less. Now I probably only drink on special occasions

 

[Da_Eggman]

RIP Prodigy but i drink away the pain

 

[Fresh]

instead of drinking, if weed is legal where you live and your job allows it, switch from alcohol to weed

weed is superior to alcohol in every way, no blacking out, no throwing up, no hangovers, it doesn't affect your coordination or balance, and weed is an aphrodisiac too

 

[I'm Blackman]

I just stopped cold turkey about 2 years ago.

 

[O.T.I.S.]

Honestly, I drink because I'm bored and depressed.

I took a year off work to help my dad after a stroke and I have no one helping me.

I have siblings, but I'm the only one bathing him, taking him back and forth to appointments and literally waiting at his bed.

When my day is finally done nothing feels better than drinking.

Then I think about the fact that I'm alone, no one is helping me and when I have to go back to work my days will consist of working in the morning, taking care of my dad when I get off, and nothing else.

And I'm a functional drunk. I'll drink all night and regardless of what time my dad's appointment is the next morning, we'll be there on time.

That kind of scares me. The fact that I've fit drinking into my schedule so easily.

I have no life to look forward to.

Not to mention I have a little resentment towards my dad because I told him 6 months before he had his stroke that he needs to go to the doctor for a checkup.

He on that old black man wave of not trusting doctors. So I had to figure out his insurance, get him a primary doctor and make sure he's taking his prescriptions.

I wouldn't have had to change my life so drastically if he would've listened to me when I told him to go.

I completely understand

Was in a similar situation about 6-7 years ago… and I was also drinking at night to help ease the frustrations.

Different situations but similar results… yours probably more extreme than mines because I had help from a lot of elder people in the fam (none of the kids, just like yourself).

But the bolded is the “why” part. You have figured that out but now you have to figure out how to better manage that without as much alcohol.

Because it becomes a habit. Alcohol is a natural depressant, so you actually feel worse mentally and physically after drinking.. especially binge drinking.

I had other reasons why I began but this was one reason why I continued at the frequency I was at. Depression, dissatisfaction, anger, and loneliness.

You are functioning for now, but the longer it goes on and the worse it gets, the more it takes a toll on your body and mind especially as you age.

Just know, that situation you are in now will not last forever. But the toll of alcohol abuse just might.

I don’t have all the answers because I still fight against having a drink myself and I don’t even have an addictive personality, I’ve done all kinds of drugs and didn’t felt like I needed any to function alcohol included. But it was about how it made/makes me feel at the time and once I start, there’s really no limit. You probably feel more social, more confident, and just at ease while drunk. I know that feeling

It also affected all of my relationships.. every single one in a negative way. From other family to women.


My advice, sense you know your reasoning, try to find an alternative way to release your stress, and get out of your boredom and depression. Get a hobby you enjoy (for me, it’s music, gaming, lifting) and just decrease the days you drink. Like make it a week without a drink then maybe celebrate that with one day on the weekend.

Also, I look and test out a lot of natural alternatives. Mushroom based drinks, weed/THC, Kratom, etc. to relax. Whether thats are good or bad idk. But maybe take those in moderation to replace out right drinking and see how it makes you feel.

No one is perfect but I do understand what you are going through. You feel isolated.. just come up with a plan to un-isolate yourself and to do things you can enjoy without alcohol

 

[TAYLONDO SAMSWORTHY]

I don’t drink, but the way I’ve stopped bad eating habits was by not buying the food anymore. Can’t eat it if it’s not in the house. Can’t drink if it’s not in the house. And with drinking, even if you go out, if you’re smart you won’t drink that much because you could get a DUI so you sort of have to cut down on it, I would think.

Saves u helllla money too

 

[Pool_Shark]

1 year and 8 months here. I think it depends if you're just a problem drinker vs a real alcoholic. Problem drinker you can probably dial it back or apply some of the tips and tricks you see online. An alcoholic theres nothing you can do but get help. Only you know how severe your problem is.

I go to AA meetings. I tried AA a few times but I just wasn't desperate enough, I still had a job to tend to, kids to care for, friends, a girlfriend. When my life got so bad all of that was gone I had nothing but time to just go to meetings all day. What I wish I could tell myself is not to wait till shyt hits the fan to get help.

You just keep showing up even when it doesnt make sense when you think its stupid and doesnt work just keep going, get a copy of the big book, get a sponsor, work the steps. Don't worry too much about the God thing just keep going.


They have zoom AA meetings all hours of the day. Not as good as in person but its a start.

Meeting Directory – Online Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous

aa-intergroup.org

 

[O.T.I.S.]

Also, there’s medication called Naltrexone that takes the desire for alcohol away. That helps but you have to take it

 

[⠀X ⠀]

You just gotta make that decision to not do it. Then you gotta change your environment or the people you hang around, if needed. It doesn’t hurt to find another activity to replace it with.

 

[Orbital-Fetus]

I'm drinking right mother fukking now.

 

[Bryan Danielson]

i just stopped….. but GOTDAMN my last night almost 20 years ago!!! I went out hard! With a crazy binger!!

 

[StackorStarve]

Just stop. Can’t let a drink defeat you. Easier said than done but I’ve ruined multiple relationships because of it so it was necessary for me.

 

[Fillerguy]

I never understood the appeal. Weed i understand but alcohol doesn't even feel or taste that good, plus hangovers aren't worth it. The shyt can get expensive too.

 

[Smokin Rider]

DUI and losing my license for a year and my good job. fukk all that

 

[Mike18jj]

One day I looked at myself and thought about all the trauma my family suffered from losing people at early ages whether it was drunk driving, Liver disease or Stroke and said I got to stop this shyt. I never drove drunk , but I knew I had to stop that shyt. I ultimately determined that it was pointless and to get healthier.