I gotta quit drinking.

[Brian in Montana]

Can't keep it under control. I don't want to go to AA, I'm not sure I'm really an alcoholic per-se, but it's been an off-and-on problem since high school. Not sure why I'm actually posting this, but there it is. Any advice out there?

 

[elkduds]

Talk to your doctor, prescription meds combined with therapy is the most successful approach. You'll be amazed how much better life gets. I know I was, and am every day.

 

[FairWeather]

Good on you for recognizing you have a problem and need a change. I believe the crisis hotline can connect you with resources in your area.

 

[buckbull]

No advice. Addiction sucks. Watched my dad try to stop smoking a dozen times before dying of lung cancer at 53. Sorry.

 

[jimh406]

Find something else to do with your time that makes alcohol inconvenient.

 

[blackbeard]

No advice, I feel the same way you do. Good luck to you! Maybe I need to start working out again.

 

[Treeshark]

Do you think you can go two days in a row @Brian in Montana? If so, start there- once a streak starts you’d hate to break it right?

Good for you for having the self-awareness to identify something is not serving you well anymore. Halfway there just by doing that.

 

[Redmt]

I quit drinking by popular demand. Use your will power. Tell yourself your going to quit and do it. Tell yourself that you can do it and don't lie to yourself.

 

[mdhunter]

I have quite a few buddies that have quit alcohol whether it be rehab or AA. I can honestly say none of them are less happy.

 

[Ben Lamb]

6 years dry as of August 1st. You have support, and you can do this. Feel free to PM me if you need someone to talk with.

Alcohol was a huge part of my life from 16 until 47. My sign to quit was 5 days of hospitalization for alcohol induced pancreatitis. That pain was a fantastic motivator to get off the sauce. I'm lucky that I hadn't developed dependency issues given the genetics of my family.

It's hard, it sucks and if you feel like there's a physical problem with detox, have some liquor but recognize a bigger issue is there medically and seek attention from a doc. A good NP or Counselor can be helpful as well. I had a great NP that spent the time to help me understand what I was doing to myself. Not sure I'd still be around if I hadn't stopped drinking.

I will say this, the first year was the hardest. I couldn't hang with my circle of friends, work events were tough, etc. After that year, I re-learned how to have fun without it. After 5years, I can't imagine going back to how I was - drunk 4-5 nights a week on a bad week, 2-3 on a good week.

Finding something to do with yourself that isn't connected to booze is a big thing as well. I went back to pottery. I should have chosen something cheaper. Life is pretty danged good without the sauce.

 

[Dave N]

You've already taken the first step in admitting you have a problem. Not just to yourself, but publicly. Keep reaching out and talking to us and anyone else that you know for help and support. I got a lot here in the past and I'm sure you will have a lot of people in your corner willing to help you through this. I've seen firsthand what it can do and I hope you can kick it while you can. Good luck!

 

[marksjeep]

I quit several years ago. Duds is correct, life will get better. A lot. You got this.

 

[kwyeewyk]

You've made the first step, acknowledging the issue. Some self assessment of what you drink, when you drink, why you drink, how you drink might bring some more clarity. Finding an acceptable replacement to focus on certainly helps, like Jim said, something that isn't compatible with alcohol is best. Lots of NA varieties available these days might be a way to start.

My brother is severe, literally drunk all day every day, and totaled his car last year, got a DUI and they put a substance detection anklet on him that would notify the police if he had blood alcohol. Forced him to go cold turkey, best thing that's happened to him in years. Unfortunately they took it off him and decided he didn't need further treatment and within a couple months he slipped back to it. But seeing how he was able to quit for a time from such a severe point with some "motivation" gives hope, it can be done.

Strength to you, you can do it.

 

[noharleyyet]

Good first step Brian...

 

[Brian in Montana]

I quit drinking by popular demand. Use your will power. Tell yourself your going to quit and do it. Tell yourself that you can do it and don't lie to yourself.

About a decade ago I quit for a little over a year. I don't remember why I started up again except I figured I had a handle on it at that point, but this was pretty much the way I did it. Just decided to, no exceptions, learned to say "I don't drink." Now I'm sitting here in my office with my hands shaking and gut churning and thinking how stupid it is that I do this to myself. That tends to be my pattern - I'll go until I start actually having some physical symptoms and then back off before it gets too bad. I'm done. At least I hope I am. I've been "done" before just to walk into a liquor store the next day. Yeah, I think I'm done. Screw this.

 

[Ben Long]

Good on you man. I wish you the best. We are pulling for you.

 

[Redmt]

I am extremely lucky that I don't have an addictive personality. Hang tough, you CAN do it. If you need help in whatever way or method, get whatever help you need.

 

[The_Jim]

I can’t help directly but I listen to this podcast and I’ve heard a few of his calls about alcohol and have always thought he gave great advice.

The Dr. John Delony Show

Podcast · Ramsey Network · The Dr. John Delony Show is a caller-driven show that gives you real talk on relationships and mental health challenges. We want to talk to you! To send us your questions, leave a voicemail at 844-693-3291 or email [email protected].

open.spotify.com

 

[seeth07]

My sign to quit was 5 days of hospitalization for alcohol induced pancreatitis.

My dad had this happen twice to him. The first he was only in his thirties and my brother and I weren't even out of grade school. It was a wake up call for him and for awhile he had given it up. Drinking came back and after a crazy weekend of fishing (mostly drinking honestly) he was hospitalized again on Monday morning after returning for the same thing. This weekend I actually turned 21 and didn't feel great for a whole week.

That has always stuck with me and although I still drink regularly, I very rarely get drunk. I feel there is a big difference there and to each person I'm sure that limit and need to feel that drunk is where most of the problems lie.

Brian, I take it that is the case for you? Needing to be drunk or at least finding yourself there all the time? If so, great job on you to recognize it and seek some advice. There is so much help out there especially if you can find close buddies nearby to help. They can be with you to go on fishing and camping trips, spend the night hanging out, etc. Lots of things where there doesn't have to be alcohol present.

 

[howl]

Is the root cause a physical need for alcohol or other factors leading to self-medication with alcohol?

I quit drinking when I contracted a kid and a mortgage because I couldn't afford the good stuff for several years. Then when I could afford it, I got acid reflux going. I pretty much just drink water now.

Point? If, after all these years you haven't figured out what the actual problem is, you're probably not going to do that alone. Talk to a specialist of some sort to get help figuring it out. It doesn't matter who at first, because you may have to try more than one.