I gotta quit drinking.

[efw]

What is it that makes you not want to do AA?

Don’t overthink the whole “alcoholic” label. If you’ve decided you don’t want to drink do what ya gotta do to quit. There are many ways out there that people have found beneficial.

 

[Nick87]

Alcohol

Not particularly hunting related, but I graduated 8th grade with about 20 other boys. I graduated high school with about the same. Of guys in my class who I went to K-12th grade with, which were all mostly the same folks, 5 are dead. When I think about all the ones who came and went, it really...

www.hunttalk.com

This is a really good thread to read. Ive read through that thread probably 100 times. Lots of perspective and good info on it. I have tried to quit probably 5x more than that. Ive quit for pretty long periods
of time like 3 to 6 months and then slowly crept back. Im afraid I have to admit the fact that I just cant drink one or 2 days a month. I dont binge and get shitgaced but if I drink today im drinking tomorrow. My body just cant take it like I used to. I literally had 3 beers last night and felt like death this morning. My body is trying to tell me something. Unlike @Ben Lamb its definitely genetic on both sides, big time. This is a good place to discuss it believe it or not. You and I have never really interacted on here pm or anything so I dont know you well, but your not alone. Of you want someone to quit with you, I'm game.

 

[Gerald Martin]

Some of us have addictive personalities. You probably can’t change that fact about yourself but you probably can redirect towards a more healthy outlet. A different hobby or something that keeps your brain stimulated and focused on a different direction?

It could also be a coping mechanism to deal with other areas of your life such as anxiety or stress? If you’re in the place of recognizing that you’re not handling alcohol well, you might also be able to give yourself an honest assessment of
why you drink in the first place. If you’re able to understand what motivates you to drink perhaps you can also find ways to address some of the root causes rather than only the symptom of how you cope with it.

I’m not speaking from experience with alcohol but I have had to sort through a lot of emotional distress/trauma and figure out how to change my coping mechanisms that were keeping me from being who I wanted to be and hurting those I cared for.

Every single one of us is screwed up to some degree or another. In my opinion, personal growth is about figuring out how to be less screwed up today than I was yesterday.


Good on you for having the courage to speak rather than keeping it inside. There’s incredible power in that.

 

[INMT]

All I’ll say is if you can’t or don’t think you can quit by yourself, reach out for help.

Alcoholism is a disease, and no matter the amount of “I can do it by myself “ it won’t happen.

No disrespect, but the folks on here saying to use will power, aren’t alcoholics.

It’s a different beast. I know because I’m still in the bottom of the boat trying to quit myself.

 

[Irrelevant]

I stopped for a year just to see if I could. The key for me was to build different habits while still doing the same shit I was enjoying while drinking. And never conceding to an "off day", it's work, treat it as much

 

[chevyman181]

I used to self medicate until I'd pass out. Sit on the couch drink and smoke until I fell asleep... I was going to counciling at the time for PTSD among other things... When I wasn't drinking I'd be up for days... My councilor told me the best things for me were church and exercise... I hated the pills they gave me because they made me feel like a zombie.

Church and exercise are now a big part of my life... I'd find a good support group of some short and start training for an ultra..

 

[CRJR45]

I did the same thing , quit for five years , out of necessity.
Then thought I’d outgrew it , so I started drinking a beer after golf , first wedding I went to I’m drunk out on the floor trying to dance and people laughing at me , DUI on the way home.
Find what works for you , whatever it is stick with it . I’ve been alcohol free since 91 .
You can do this !

 

[Nick87]

Then thought I’d outgrew it

I wish I had a dollar for everytime. Doesn't exist does it...

 

[Irrelevant]

start training for an ultra..

That's a different kind of sickness! Lol

 

[rtraverdavis]

All I’ll say is if you can’t or don’t think you can quit by yourself, reach out for help.

Alcoholism is a disease, and no matter the amount of “I can do it by myself “ it won’t happen.

No disrespect, but the folks on here saying to use will power, aren’t alcoholics.

It’s a different beast. I know because I’m still in the bottom of the boat trying to quit myself.

Nailed it.

@Brian in Montana , I’m and alcoholic who’s been sober for almost 14 years. Happy to talk any time.

You’re in the worst of it right now in the beginning, but things get better with some work. Reaching out like this and accepting that things are unmanageable is a huge first step.

 

[Redraider7]

Have you heard of Psychedelic Therapy?

This is going to seem like a crazy thing to do but magic mushrooms (psilocybin) could really help you. There is also really solid research iboga, LSD and other psychedelics can help with addiction.

Addiction, at its core, is pain avoidance. Psychedelic therapy can help you relieve and process your internal pain which will help you lose weight, improve relationships, improve health, improve sleep and also reduce your urges for alcohol.

I started my psychedelic therapy journey a few years ago and I have lost 20 pounds, cleared my rosacea/acne, drinking has gone down dramatically and my relationships with my wife and kids are much better.

If you are interested in knowing more, reach out. Happy to help however I can. Good luck brother, I hope it gets better for you.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

Runs in my family. Never been an issue for me, thankfully, I didn’t taste it until 6 months after I was 21 because of the fear DARE and seeing my dad drunk every weekend.

Uncle had a pretty bad episode a couple years ago. Made me really think. I would drink maybe 2-3 beers a week. More I read and thought about it I realized with my family history 2-3 could easily become 5-7 and then from there it’s just 1-2 per evening and on up. What I asked myself was “why am I drinking?” Didn’t have a reason so now I only drink when we have special guests over or go out to celebrate with a nice dinner etc.

Wishing you the best. Proud of you that you are mature enough to not only recognize the slope/trajectory you are on but also to desire to do better for yourself and those around you. I would encourage you to find some sort of support or help rather than trying on your own but that’s just my observations I’ve seen with my families inability to do so on their own.

 

[Nick87]

because of the fear DARE

Well it worked on at least 1 person.

 

[grizzly63]

Alcoholism is not a clearly defined one size fits all thing. No one cure or rehab is for everyone so I will tell you my story. By the time I was 18 or 19 I realized i had alcohol problems. I was pretty darn sure I was an "alcoholic". When I was 23 I had to attend a week long thing for a relative alcoholic in a treatment facility. They give everybody there the 20 question test to determine if you might have a problem. I failed with probably 17 or 18 incorrect answers but damn I'm honest. They told me I couldn't do it on my own and that surely I would fail. I'm not only honest but kind of strong willed. I told 'em I would try on my own first and if I failed I would go their way. That was 39 years ago. I had to change the things I do in life without alienating a lot of people. There are a lot of people that assume you are just kidding and having one beer isn't going to hurt you. They are not helping but they don't know any better. I mean its the American way, enjoying a cold one, right? I stopped going to bars, and the places that went along with drinking. I lost some friends. Gained some respect from others. Lifestyle changes help. I got married but no alcohol was in the refrigerator for the first couple of years just to help me get on solid ground. She still drinks but I don't think she has a problem. At the present time there is a 12 pack of Busch light in the fridge and I do not get any urges to drink it. Its just waiting for a relative to stop by and retrieve. The only problem I have with it being there is it takes up too much space. If you think you have a problem, you have a problem. Not doing something about it would be wrong and you will continue to regret not fixing it. Alcoholism is not a disease in my opinion, its a trait like having orange hair or being short.(not that those are bad traits) You are probably predisposed to be that way. You can't change it but you can control it. Do not be ashamed of it. Deal with it. If you can't then be enough of a man to admit it and get help. There is nothing wrong with that and the rewards will be many. Good job taking the first step. Rock on. PM me any time.

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

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?

Saying no is hardest the whole first year. Find easy excuses to have handy. Good ones if you don't want to explain a no response to being ask what you want to drink.
Sorry, can't on meds
Not feeling well
No thank you

Honestly the last is the only thing I use anymore. If they're a friend I'll explain if feel like it. Coworker or acquaintance I'll just say no thank you and leave it at that. Many folks will drop it after a firm no thank you, but a few will pry. They suck, but I usually just say I don't drink and don't give room for follow up.


Also, if ever at a bar, work wedding whatever, just order a diet coke with a lime. Everyone will assume it's a cocktail and leave you be about it.


You'll be tested in your sobriety, but stay strong brother. Tomorrow will be easier than today was

 

[Rogerdoger]

I came to this conclusion 2 years ago, I did tell myself I was an alcoholic. NOMO is a good app to keep track of the days. Just remember you don’t have to worry about staying sober tonight, tomorrow, or the next. Just focus on staying sober right now in the moment.

The hardest for me was going out to dinner or social events, felt awkward and didn’t know how to act. But I found most people supported my decision.

I also would turn to exercise every time I had a bad craving. Made me a better hunter, well maybe not the killing part.

Good luck, you got this.

 

[Redmt]

All I’ll say is if you can’t or don’t think you can quit by yourself, reach out for help.

Alcoholism is a disease, and no matter the amount of “I can do it by myself “ it won’t happen.

No disrespect, but the folks on here saying to use will power, aren’t alcoholics.

It’s a different beast. I know because I’m still in the bottom of the boat trying to quit myself.

I can agree and disagree at the same time. There's the people that are mentally addicted and those physically addicted. For me I was mentally addicted thinking that the crowd I ran with wouldn't accept me if I wasn't drinking too. That might not make sense but it's a hell of a lot easier to quit if your body isn't screaming out for alcohol, it's a chemical dependency much like a hard drug habit. I think like others have said, as soon as you figure out why you drink it will make your direction to sobriety much easier.
Was I an alcoholic? I actually don't think so but many of my family and friends would disagree.

 

[CRJR45]

I wish I had a dollar for everytime. Doesn't exist does it...

Nope , I just don't process alcohol well , or at all . I quit a thousand times it seems , then finally I had enough .

OP , don't worry about AA , try it . While I thought it sucked at the time , the benefits of being around people that have the same trouble you do can make a big difference .
If that don't work try one on one consulting , church , VA , whatever assets you can get to , something will click .
You are not the only one having this trouble , as evidenced by this thread .
It gets better .

 

[RojoGrande]

How I Drank My Way to Sobriety

I spent half my life trying to beat alcoholism. AA didn’t save me. This did, writes Katie Herzog for The Free Press.

www.thefp.com

The article outlines a different approach to stop drinking.

 

[Carl 9.3x62]

I don't have anything to add, but threads like this are one of the reasons I keep a hunttalk account...folks reaching out for help and others helping them. Good stuff.