What to do about my drinking…

[CombatRollParticipant 2594]

Awakened wrote:

CombatRoll wrote:

I agree – I don’t want to be a T Total sober and miserable f~~~. But I do need to tap the brakes a bit.

WHY do you equate being sober with being a miserable f~~~ ?

It’s all a matter of perspective.

There are many people that don’t drink that think getting drunk is a miserable experience.

If you are like Many, slowing down on drinking is like trying to slow down on smoking, or any other addictive drug.

Addiction doesn’t work this way, but try what you must, and look back every six months to see just how well “tapping the brakes” is working out for you. Maybe you can CONTROL it ?? Time will Tell.

I didn’t used to drink this much – so I really think it is a stress related activity or simply a behavior that I’ve fallen into. For many many years I never drank during the week and only one night a weekend. It wasn’t like i planned this lifestyle, it was just the rhythm of my life for and so this has become a new rhythm that I need to change up.

[It’sallbsParticipant]

Yeah sounds similar to myself a few years ago.

To tell it like it is bredrin, you are at the danger/turning point so start reducing your consumption by small amounts.

Try cutting it down to 2 on a week night and no more than 4 on a weekend evening.

Stick to it and write down how many you have each day.

When was the last time you went 2 days without drinking?

(I’m not judging by the way alcohol creeps up on you)

Yo really need to count units rather than bottle or cans if you understand what I mean.

I don’t know if they have the units system in the USA.
but this is useful

http://www.somersetdap.org.uk/userfiles/downloads/297/Unit%20calculator.pdf

http://www.leavemeansleave.eu

[RomulusParticipant 4667]

Here is the rub: I drink way too much. It disrupts my sleep, but I love a beer buzz!

Moderate drinking (3-4 drinks) use to mess up my sleep too. Now I smoke a blunt and sleep like a baby.

How can a woman be expected to be happy with a man who insists on treating her as if she were a perfectly normal human being.

[It’sallbsParticipant]

Romulus wrote:

Moderate drinking (3-4 drinks) use to mess up my sleep too.

It does.

http://www.leavemeansleave.eu

[CombatRollParticipant 2594]

Romulus wrote:

Here is the rub: I drink way too much. It disrupts my sleep, but I love a beer buzz!

Moderate drinking (3-4 drinks) use to mess up my sleep too. Now I smoke a blunt and sleep like a baby.

Ganja turns me into a potted plant. I sit there glazed over…

But whatever works for ya. I have tons of friends that smoke.

For me, a beer buzz is a happy feeling and a stress reliever after a day dealing with lawyers and clients.

The takeaway is I need to replace that activity after work with something more positive.

[AwakenedParticipant 35200]

CombatRoll wrote:

I didn’t used to drink this much – so I really think it is a stress related activity or simply a behavior that I’ve fallen into. For many many years I never drank during the week and only one night a weekend. It wasn’t like i planned this lifestyle, it was just the rhythm of my life for and so this has become a new rhythm that I need to change up.

I’m NOT saying anything against YOU on any level, but the fact is that addiction is progressive.

In a World of Justin Beibers Be a Johnny Cash

[It’sallbsParticipant]

CombatRoll wrote:

I didn’t used to drink this much – so I really think it is a stress related activity or simply a behaviour that I’ve fallen into. For many many years I never drank during the week and only one night a weekend. It wasn’t like i planned this lifestyle, it was just the rhythm of my life for and so this has become a new rhythm that I need to change up.

I was the same -work stress- self medicating etc,etc

The good thing is you have identified it before it become s a serious problem-it is a slippery slope alcohol.

Like I say just start by reducing by one can/bottle a day do that for 3 or 4 weeks then try reducing it by 2.

http://www.leavemeansleave.eu

[CombatRollParticipant 2594]

Awakened wrote:

CombatRoll wrote:

I didn’t used to drink this much – so I really think it is a stress related activity or simply a behavior that I’ve fallen into. For many many years I never drank during the week and only one night a weekend. It wasn’t like i planned this lifestyle, it was just the rhythm of my life for and so this has become a new rhythm that I need to change up.

I’m NOT saying anything against YOU on any level, but the fact is that addiction is progressive.

I get it and I appreciate your perspective. You are right about addiction being progressive.

[CombatRollParticipant 2594]

It’sallbs wrote:

CombatRoll wrote:

I didn’t used to drink this much – so I really think it is a stress related activity or simply a behaviour that I’ve fallen into. For many many years I never drank during the week and only one night a weekend. It wasn’t like i planned this lifestyle, it was just the rhythm of my life for and so this has become a new rhythm that I need to change up.

I was the same -work stress- self medicating etc,etc

The good thing is you have identified it before it become s a serious problem-it is a slippery slope alcohol.

Like I say just start by reducing by one can/bottle a day do that for 3 or 4 weeks then try reducing it by 2.

Agreed, it is a slippery slope and this is a good strategy.

[It’sallbsParticipant]

Awakened wrote:

he fact is that addiction is progressive.

yes and alcohol is viscious as fcuk you start to need more and more very very quickly and withdrawal and proper delirium tremens is very frightening and can kill you which is why I’m advising to cut down gradually.

http://www.leavemeansleave.eu

[CombatRollParticipant 2594]

It’sallbs wrote:

Awakened wrote:

he fact is that addiction is progressive.

yes and alcohol is viscious as fcuk you start to need more and more very very quickly and withdrawal and proper delirium tremens is very frightening and can kill you which is why I’m advising to cut down gradually.

I’ve recently gone a 3-4 days without a drink and had no negative effects – in fact I felt friggin great! All the more reason to cut it back.

I think the amount of running I do purges my body of the booze. I run 30 and 50ks regularly and at elevation. So, it isn’t like I’m boozing and being sedentary.

[HermitParticipant]

CombatRoll wrote:

iMickey503 wrote:

But as always, Our resident Grown up has the best advice. I don’t think he has been wrong once as far as I can tell. And he gives the tough love you need. (He says he does not care, but we all know better

Dually noted!

You will start drinking and doing drugs after that.
Drugs? NOPE will never happen

If nothing else, the money you save, may buy you that Motorcycle you wanted. Or Boat. or fishing rod.

Boozing is expensive

That’s why I buy gin by the case when it’s on sale. Saves me quite a bit of money. LOL

Like others have said on here, you just have to make the decision and do it.

I like to drink, but only started drinking too much when I was married. It was my only escape. Problem is that it became a habit to drink too much. Before I was married, I only drank once or twice a week, maybe three times at the most.

I agree with It’sallbs suggestion of cutting down gradually. I’ve actually been doing just that and it’s been working. I was getting really trashed right after my divorce, but I drink less now and don’t get drunk. I don’t like getting drunk. I still need to keep cutting back, but the more I do, the easier it gets.

I’m just glad I’m not drinking like I used to. Lots of memory loss back then. Stumbling around like an idiot. Falling down. Glad those days are behind me.

The evil in women’s hearts leaves them no moral bounds as to inhibit them from descending to the lowest levels of darkness to acquire their self entitled desires.

[It’sallbsParticipant]

CombatRoll wrote:

It’sallbs wrote:

Awakened wrote:

he fact is that addiction is progressive.

yes and alcohol is viscious as fcuk you start to need more and more very very quickly and withdrawal and proper delirium tremens is very frightening and can kill you which is why I’m advising to cut down gradually.

I’ve recently gone a 3-4 days without a drink and had no negative effects – in fact I felt friggin great! All the more reason to cut it back.

How much do you drink the day after your 4 days dry?

http://www.leavemeansleave.eu

[CombatRollParticipant 2594]

Hermit wrote:

CombatRoll wrote:

iMickey503 wrote:

But as always, Our resident Grown up has the best advice. I don’t think he has been wrong once as far as I can tell. And he gives the tough love you need. (He says he does not care, but we all know better

Dually noted!

You will start drinking and doing drugs after that.
Drugs? NOPE will never happen

If nothing else, the money you save, may buy you that Motorcycle you wanted. Or Boat. or fishing rod.

Boozing is expensive

That’s why I buy gin by the case when it’s on sale. Saves me quite a bit of money. LOL

Like others have said on here, you just have to make the decision and do it.

I like to drink, but only started drinking too much when I was married. It was my only escape. Problem is that it became a habit to drink too much. Before I was married, I only drank once or twice a week, maybe three times at the most.

I agree with It’sallbs suggestion of cutting down gradually. I’ve actually been doing just that and it’s been working. I was getting really trashed right after my divorce, but I drink less now and don’t get drunk. I don’t like getting drunk. I still need to keep cutting back, but the more I do, the easier it gets.

I’m just glad I’m not drinking like I used to. Lots of memory loss back then. Stumbling around like an idiot. Falling down. Glad those days are behind me.

Glad you’re cutting back. And I wonder how much of this is a temporary thing due to the divorce stress. This is coming to an end, and so should the amount of medicinal alcohol use.

[CombatRollParticipant 2594]

It’sallbs wrote:

CombatRoll wrote:

It’sallbs wrote:

Awakened wrote:

he fact is that addiction is progressive.

yes and alcohol is viscious as fcuk you start to need more and more very very quickly and withdrawal and proper delirium tremens is very frightening and can kill you which is why I’m advising to cut down gradually.

I’ve recently gone a 3-4 days without a drink and had no negative effects – in fact I felt friggin great! All the more reason to cut it back.

How much do you drink the day after your 4 days dry?

If its an average week day then I drink 3-4 beers like normal. If its a weekend or a buddy is having a get together more.

[It’sallbsParticipant]

If you can go 3 days dry without any withdrawal then try for 5 days and then no more than 3 440ml cans of 5% lager saturday and 2 sunday.

http://www.leavemeansleave.eu

[MarketWatcherParticipant]

From what I have read I do not think you are an alcoholic as you do not suffer withdrawal. I do not think your drinking is out of hand, but it can become so very quickly. You realize that there might be a potential problem and that is literally the first step. If you don’t buy the beer than you cannot drink it. Just an idea.

[It’sallbsParticipant]

The real test if having 4 in the fridge and only drinking 1.

http://www.leavemeansleave.eu

[It’sallbsParticipant]

MarketWatcher wrote:

From what I have read I do not think you are an alcoholic as you do not suffer withdrawal. I do not think your drinking is out of hand, but it can become so very quickly. You realize that there might be a potential problem and that is literally the first step. If you don’t buy the beer than you cannot drink it. Just an idea.

True but it depends how much is in one’s system and then how long one goes dry for-withdrawal tends to start 12 hours after the last drink/ or from when your system is clear of alcohol.

The harsh reality is he is at the point where it will start becoming an issue so it’s good he has identified it now.

http://www.leavemeansleave.eu

[CombatRollParticipant 2594]

It’sallbs wrote:

If you can go 3 days dry without any withdrawal then try for 5 days and then no more than 3 440ml cans of 5% lager saturday and 2 sunday.

This would be tough for me from a social standpoint. I meet friends for a drink at least one night during the week.

MarketWatcher wrote:

From what I have read I do not think you are an alcoholic as you do not suffer withdrawal. I do not think your drinking is out of hand, but it can become so very quickly. You realize that there might be a potential problem and that is literally the first step. If you don’t buy the beer than you cannot drink it. Just an idea.

Yes – I’m trying to head any potential issues off and realizing that I’ve been drinking a bit too much is worrisome and needs attention! Good point. If I don’t keep beer in the fridge during the week I wont drink.

[Author]

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