I gotta quit drinking.

[seeth07]

but if it’s beer try to do every other beer a Heineken 00

Absolutely this. I have moved to drinking a few non-alcoholic beers as well because I like to drink beer but don't necessarily need the alcohol when I'm just enjoying a couple of them while relaxing and watching the hockey game at night.

My wife has also found some seltzers and other flavored water type drinks that are non-alcoholic to replace the Vizzy and Carbliss she has been constantly drinking.

These are great ways to still have the same type of beverage without the alcohol part when you aren't looking to get a buzz/drunk

 

[TX Trophy Hunter]

I quit 5 years ago and this video was helpful for me. I have always been careful with my diet, but I drank beer for about 15 years and at times it was excessive. Four months ago I was diagnosed with colon cancer at 37 years old and I believe it was caused by drinking. We can’t change the past but we can create a better future by making good choices right now. I’m going through chemotherapy and it sucks, but I’m on track to beat cancer. If I hadn’t quit drinking I would probably already be gone. You are making an awesome choice that will improve every aspect of your life. There will be hard times and you might slip up along the way, but stay focused and you’ll be proud of what you achieve.

 

[Nick87]

Absolutely this. I have moved to drinking a few non-alcoholic beers as well because I like to drink beer but don't necessarily need the alcohol when I'm just enjoying a couple of them while relaxing and watching the hockey game at night.

My wife has also found some seltzers and other flavored water type drinks that are non-alcoholic to replace the Vizzy and Carbliss she has been constantly drinking.

These are great ways to still have the same type of beverage without the alcohol part when you aren't looking to get a buzz/drunk

I guess thats that makes me different. Im not drinking beer for flavor. I do obviously like certain flavors over others.

 

[MTGomer]

I Have never a problem without alcohol, but I still drink the NA beers that athletic brew makes because they taste so good and don’t have alcohol in them. Maybe they can be helpful if you’re like me and genuinely like the taste of beer.

 

[fulldraw]

Our son has battled an addiction problem for over 20 years. We had him in several treatment centers all over the state and nothing seemed to work. My wife and I joined several AA support groups and we learned a lot about the problem of addiction and made several friends who were in the same situation as we were. It was totally tearing our family apart. Finally my wife found a guy who worked with AA and we met him and discussed our situation with our son’s addiction. At the time our son was homeless and in a terrible place. Gregg said he wanted to meet our son and sponsor him in AA if he was willing. Things worked out for our son and Gregg and they attend several AA meetings each week. Our son has been sober 7 years and continues his journey one day at a time. I can proudly say my wife and I have attended most all of our son’s meetings when he earned a new chip. I know AA is not for everyone but I encourage people with addiction problems to give it a try. I can honestly say I think AA saved our son’s life. Hope you get things worked out.

 

[elkduds]

I'm not sure what the definition of an alcoholic is , but being able to stop is not it for me .
I blacked out from drinking when I was 17 , and then tried everything to master the art of drinking .

How about we don't sully the message with an argument about the workings of alcoholism ?

IYKYK. If you question yourself, you are on the way to knowing.

This thread is sort of it's own 12 step meeting. "Here's my story, do with it what you will."

Empathy and respect to all who posted about their road to recovery, and to all those on that road. Most recoveries have interruptions, when the choice is to get back on the road or fall off the wagon. Supports like groups, sponsors, counselors, understanding partners, family and friends help you get back on the road; which others have noted above, is ongoing. They help you stay on the road when you are tempted. One day at a time, sometimes one minute at a time. After a while, time is another support.

 

[Nick87]

I Have never a problem without alcohol, but I still drink the NA beers that athletic brew makes because they taste so good and don’t have alcohol in them. Maybe they can be helpful if you’re like me and genuinely like the taste of beer.

They dont mess up your gut? Play hell on me.

 

[Fire_9]

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.

This stuff really needs to be talked about more. Hopefully it can continue to gain traction

 

[Elktrack]

I’ve been thinking about you since yesterday. I’m not the poster boy for quitting drinking but I’m closing in on 4 years sober now. I wasn’t an alcoholic by definition but I was an alcohol abuser. The definition of what an alcoholic is and if it describes you doesn’t matter. If it’s creating a problem for you, then it has to go.
Now that you recognize that, it’s just a matter of figuring out how to get rid of it. None of us will stop something until we decide we’re done with it. You’re at that point now. Get pissed off at it! It’s trying to rob you of everything good. It’s your enemy disguised as a friend.

The problem with alcohol is that it’s a liar. It’ll convince you that you can handle it under certain circumstances, you can justify it by not driving, only drinking a few, only on weekends, bla bla bla. All of it is a lie. Alcohol is insidious.

I didn’t do AA. AA is a very good program but it’s not the only way to do it. Don’t get hung up on following a program. Just make up your mind that you’re not going to drink today and start planning on the best program for you.

The whole get a hobby or find something to do thing is very helpful but wasn’t the complete answer for me. I wasn’t willing to replace the things I loved to do. Elk camp, rafting, camping, dinner with friends, everything had alcohol incorporated into in. The problem was my mindset that these things required alcohol to be a part of it.

Your situation is probably different from mine but I know you can do it. Kudos to you for stepping up and addressing it. Takes balls. It’s not easy and doesn’t get easier for a bit. Nothing good is easy. You got this

PM inbound.

 

[CPAjeff]

@Brian in Montana - we all have our vices. It takes quite a bit of courage to admit one has a problem or address something they want to overcome. Congrats on taking that first step - you can conquer it!

 

[Irrelevant]

They dont mess up your gut? Play hell on me.

I'm in that boat. I can have one, and do a couple of nights a week. But anymore and I feel bloated with the shitz

 

[MNElkNut]

I am rare in that I hate the taste of beer. Hard alcohol is gross too. So I can offer no help in that regard, but one thing I will share is that your true friends will respect and defend you to others who try and push you to drink.

 

[IDiot]

You got this!

Having a beverage at social functions, end of the day or on weekends is what makes me want to drink, it's the ritual I guess. Seltzer, club soda and herbal teas aren't the same but they scratch that itch enough for me. This has helped me cut way back.

Stack the small victories. Climbing a mountain isn't done in a leap, it's one step after another.

 

[Benfromalbuquerque]

Brian, you’re contemplating and that’s a great step! There have been events when you felt real sorry about whatever occurred. Or real lucky that things didn’t occur. If we trace back the time preceding the latest catastrophe or “almost” whatever, I’d reckon it involved alcohol.
Now personally I have a strong libertarian stance on the use of any substance if it involves only oneself. That’s freedom to do whatever we want by ourselves and if it’s getting whacked out alone then vaya con Dios, mfers.

Yet it is not like that. It’s a mythical theory which does not occur in practice. There are people who depend on you and likewise yourself on them. And so recognizing the impediment to your own accountability to others and you is a terrific act of self awareness and makes a better man.
If there is a reason to drink then there is an alternative solution. It could be you make a friend of Bill. Could be medication like Wellbutrin. Could be a new friend group with different activities. Might try talking to a therapist/counselor where you’re free to speak without judgement. Might as well yolo and try all of these things and drop whatever doesn’t work.
You’re on your way and there’s a big group here pulling for you.

 

[Treeshark]

@Brian in Montana, how’d last night go? Good in the hood?

 

[LuketheDog]

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?

Praying for you man! Just try to go a day at a time, then two days, then a week, and hopefully you can stay on that progression. I watched my dad's side of the family implode because of alcohol, and then he got himself a DUI when I was younger before my mom made him quit, so I tend to be extra careful about when and how much I drink now based on that family history. It's a very slippery slope.