Alcohol/Substance Abuse Megathread

[ConfusedClouds]

That sounds really positive. I'd defo keep 'going with it' while you have less interest in it. I know its those times when I have something happen and want to reward or comfort myself, the taste really badly kicks me off again.

Money is a big factor/motivator in slowing down for sure! Like everything, alcohol only getting expensive. Especially in my corner of the world with increased taxes and minimum unit pricing limits

 

[Kaycee]

Thanks for making the thread.

I quit nicotine about five days ago and it has been brutal. But also some other stuff has happened in those five days that has been very stressful, and also sent me into a downright depression spiral. Bad timing all around.

Last night I went to the local bar to cope. Was actually having a pleasant time, talking to the bartender, watching sports on the TVs. Then somehow I got roped into a conversation with two guys and a girl at one end of the bar, and the guys gave me some "tough love" about my life situation that honestly made me feel worse, was kind of embarrassing because they were so loud in front of other people. One guy started proclaiming that I was a liar and therefore would never find a job (because I didn't want to tell him exactly where I lived, so I just said I lived a road away from where I actually do, but he actually happened to live on that road...) and I don't want to go back.

Anyway, I'm just saying that I can understand how hard it can be to quit the things that help us cope, even when they put us in dumb, crappy situations like mine last night, with people who often aren't good for us. I am lucky to not be an alcoholic but I have many other addictions, and it's not a contest at the end of the day. Porn. Video games. Escapism. And some drugs.

I have heard that you need to replace a bad addictive habit with a healthy one, but I am so fed up. I have no idea how to replace a nicotine pouch once an hour with... What, going to the gym every hour? Hiking a trail every hour? Reading a book every hour? None of those things give me the same amount of dopamine. I might try chewing gum, I don't know.

Sorry, I'm hungover, irritable, and still replaying my conversation with those two assholes from last night. I hope we can all find a way to overcome our vices and get better, at least starting with one addiction for now.

I'm sorry those people at the bar were rough on you. Don't let them get you down! When I see stuff like that, I think they should be the embarrassed ones, so please don't feel like they made you look bad. It only makes them look like jerks to treat you that way.

I know this thread never really took off, but hopefully someone might be able to help me understand about mini detoxes.

When I drink its definitely binge drinking and straight spirits. But it comforts me so much. A warm reassuring hug. I can't fully give that up.

But I know doing that virtually daily will only end in even worse entrapment where I keep finding myself still existing and even functioning in society.

Once past the initial few days of mental withdrawal I then seem to have a big outburst after a week. Then things balance out until 'something' happens and I feel the urge to reward or comfort myself and I buy another bottle.

I know sober is the 'proper' answer to this, but that's not an option for me atm. If I am taking 'breaks' from drinking, is there a 'sweet spot' I should aim to achieve where benefits are greatest? All the material/advice I find online just says alcohol = bad; detox = good.

E.g. would fighting to 2 weeks be enough to give my liver a reasonable reset. Or does that need to be a month. Or longer? Is there a point where the majority of 'recovery' is done and afterwards the benefits continue but at a slower rate to the initial detox?

Be interested to hear anyones thoughts/experiences

Thanks in advance

My personal experience, I'm drinking a lot less than I use to by slowly reducing. Too hard for me to do a full detox, but cutting back a drink or two, then going a whole day without drinking has helped. I do notice I feel better physically taking small breaks from alcohol. I still drink here and there, but it doesn't feel as much as a daily need as before.

My advice: try small steps if full detox is not an option. The "sweet spot" is going to be different for everyone, but hang in there and keep trying. I think it shows a lot that you are asking about it. If you can go 2 weeks that's great, a month even better. It will get easier the more it becomes less of a daily habit

 

[Shiru]

Since the start of new year I drank so much alcohol almost every day and then when the second week of January arrived I started to drink every day not just beer but stronger alcohol and it made me feel at peace but afterwards I felt like shit also I had a crush on my teacher and she got married so when I knew it, it hurt and I drank more and more anyways I can't say I'm an alcoholic cause I'm not, I just like to drink a lot to feel numb sometimes but since I realized I was feeling really bad because of drinking I decided to stop it and I haven't drunk alcohol since 1st February

 

[missedmybus]

Alcohol was my first love. I have broken up relationships and friendships preferring sweet lady alcohol over people.

I am soberish now since November 23. I've had years of sobriety in-between.

I know if I have one sip of beer I'll be in love again though.

She has been the one that has always been there for me, and she never disappoints. The slight feeling of numbess on my tongue as we kiss. Oh how I miss her so.

Reading this thread I hear her calling me in her sing song voice, and I wish I could dance the nights and days away with her once more.

The times we've had, the adventures we've been through together. She was always by my side, and she will always be there in my.heart of hearts.

Oh how I wish I could slip away into the night with you again.