Any ex-drinkers in the house?

[HAL9000]

Srsly I was slipping down this path too a number of years ago. Essentially I wanted to just forget the day, and to get home from my (seemingly) horrible job and get fuzzy so I felt better, then continue on to drunkenness where I could just hit the bed and pass the hell out. One day I just said - screw it. I don't need to drink. Its as easy as that. I didn't stop at the liquor or beer store, I just went home, watched TV and managed to fall asleep with no help whatsoever. I realized that day that I could stop drinking whenever I wanted. A few years later I started drinking again really for no reason - and I lashed out physically at my GF (didn't beat her ass or anything, I think I threw something at her). I went straight to an AA meeting that next morning and I met some "Real Alcoholics". That sobered me up (pun intended). I realized that these people really did have a much much bigger problems than my piddly little bullshit (Oh I like to drink too much and get angry). These folks lost jobs, killed people drunk driving, alienated family, got arrested, started prostituting to pay for it, sold stuff, stole stuff, etc. It was a real eye opener and I haven't had any "problem" since then. I can have a beer with american football, or a wine at dinner and not chug it like a frat boy. I can go to the bar and still manage to not get over the legal limit while my wife gets hammered (and later hammer her cuz I don't have whiskydick).

If they have something across the pond thats similar to or the same as AA - I suggest you go visit at least one meeting. It doesn't mean you have to start getting chips, but definitely don't go drunk, go right after work or in the morning if you have to, and just for an hour - listen to these people. You'll figure out before too long whether its for you or not, or maybe even just get a slap in the face taht you need to get the fucking bottle out of your mouthhole.

OK that is good advice I hadn't thought of seeing people in a worse situation than me to sober me up, I'm looking into groups now.

It needn't be. You can effectively go through the steps and replace the word "God" with "FSM" or "Joe Pesci" or "" or completely edit out any portion that involves any deity and still run through it and be successful if that is how you want to do it. Lots of members are the type to throw everything to their "maker". Saying that AA won't help you because its members are "mostly christian" is an excuse. You don't need to pray, nor to "give it to God", or anything like that. I'm not even saying go get a chip (the symbol used to indicate how long you have been sober). Just go and listen. You don't need to talk, you don't need to "believe in the lord" either. Just go and listen.

The important thing is that there is hope, that you can overcome something like this, that you don't "need" to drink every day. The easiest way to stop drinking is just that. Stop Drinking. Like right now. Don't drink anymore. You will live. You will survive, it won't even hurt. Don't worry about your underlying issues so much, nor blame them for the reason you drink - thats a fucking copout, and as much of an excuse as calling "AA" Christian for the reason you won't go to a meeting. All you have to do is not buy anymore, nor drink any where you are. You just do nothing at all and your doing it!

As for dealing with your problems - I used to drink to cover up OCD, let myself out, but I realized soon that people don't like drunk angry me, so quiet resentful me is probably better.

People don't like drunk me that much either, sure he's fun at times but after a while he's a dick. I've decided against AA as it's a christian thing, I know it doesn't have to be, but I can't get over it, there are many many other groups that I can go to, so I'm looking at them.

Hal: Ygpm

Cheers dude, I'll reply this eve.

I was never a heavy drinker but now when I drink I have partial seizures, so I just stopped.

You need to fix what is causing you to drink before you can stop drinking.

I can't fix bipolar disorder, it's incurable.

Drink coffee instead. And don't poison it with pollutants. Drink it black.

Or, since your English, have some tea.

Unlike most English people, I hate hot drinks..

OP, have you talked to a therapist? That's the first, best step you should take. They'll give you possible options. And, therapy + 12 step programs gives much better results than just AA on its own.

Addiction is a compulsive mental disorder. You should consult a mental health professional for ways to deal with it.

I have been seeing a therapist for the last three years or so, I realise the severity of the issue and I'm definitely doing something about it now.

Ok here is the way I quit drinking. If you don’t die it will work for you.

From my teens and for some 30 some years I had been a social drinker, never had a problem maybe a drink every night. And on some occasions more.

Starting about the month before I “quit” started getting nerve pain shooting pains down my legs and arms. (another long story there) So I started the Vodka treatment to ease the pain. It worked! I would gulp down a glass pass out and wake up 4 hour later rinse and repeat. Well after not showing up for work for sevreal days a friend came over and I tried to get up off the couch and fell over and broke my leg. Ambulance came. Trip to the hospital and several hours later I started to go into convulsions and that’s the last thing I remember.

17 days later I woke up in the hospital from an induced coma I was cured!

In two years I have had probably 2 beers.

Ouch, that is a route i don't plan on going down.

Hal have you *really* tried quitting? Like put some thought in to it- had a plan for what you were going to do the first few nights when you normally would be drinking...ask for support from a friend/family etc? Seems like that should be your first step...don't just assume you can't do it on your own...

And if you have tried- really made a serious attempt- then I agree groups would probably help or at least give you another route to try.

I have tried before,but not hard enough, I don't know what to plan for that's the main reason I started this thread, I want to try and do it on my own, but I don't know what to expect / think ahead about...

You have to want to stop drinking. Otherwise chance for success is slim. I was the same way with cigarettes fags. Quit cold turkey with no nicotine patches or crap like that. 10+ years later and I still crave cigarettes fags quite often. But realizing I am still addicted after 10 years without a single drag proves to me how fucked up cigarettes fags are, which in turn helps me to stay away.

I really do want to.

Quit being a pussy. It's a fucking drink. Next time you're thirsty grab a soda. Problem solved.

I don't drink alcohol because I'm thirsty...

 

[HAL9000]

You have ADHD. I drink almost everyday. Hard stuff too like 8year old bacardi and glenlivet. I get a really nice buzz and chill out. Sometime I get really blitzed and pass out. Only problem is I usually wake up after only 4 hours of sleep and am wide awake. I never had a hangover, even if I drank til sickness I have never felt hungover. My liver must look like a prune by now.

What makes you think I have ADHD...? I don't. Bipolar disorder symptoms do overlap somewhat with ADHD though.

 

[alkemyst]

hot mess.

If you are an unlikeable drinker, you are a problem.

I do agree many of the responses above are by those that never get out and can't afford extras.

At the end of the day I still think you are just trolling here.

 

[bfdd]

Did you drink to deal with a problem or to escape some kind of issue?

why is that an issue? i mean it's the sign of a weak person, but it is no different than someone taking pain medication for a thrown back.

 

[Icepick]

Hal, good for you. I wish you the best of luck in breaking this habit.

Personally, I rarely drink - maybe a few beers every few months if I'm out with friends so I can't pretend to know what it's like.

 

[HAL9000]

why is that an issue? i mean it's the sign of a weak person, but it is no different than someone taking pain medication for a thrown back.

Just because I think it would be easier to give up drinking if you aren't drinking to deal with some issue, that's the only reason.

Hal, good for you. I wish you the best of luck in breaking this habit.

Personally, I rarely drink - maybe a few beers every few months if I'm out with friends so I can't pretend to know what it's like.

Thanks matey, I really hope I can do this, I've got a friends birthday tomorrow night so that's when the first test of my commitment will happen.

 

[kranky]

When will you be attending a meeting of a group? This week?

 

[HAL9000]

When will you be attending a meeting of a group? This week?

Nope, all the groups I've looked at aren't running over christmas, I found one for bipolar people with alcohol or drug dependancies that's back on the 14th of Jan, that sounds perfect for me.

 

[kranky]

How did the meeting on the 14th go?

 

[PimpJuice]

Hey People,

I need to stop drinking, I drink too much, I drink almost every day, it's not good for me, I use it to self medicate. So I'm stopping, or at least I'm trying to stop. I was teetotal until I was 19 so I know I have the capacity to do it again.

Looking for advice or just personal experiences on giving up.

For all the disdain you show towards the USA, you sure do ask for our opinion a lot. Quit drinking, its that simple.....and quit making excuses for everything and take control of your own life.

 

[surfsatwerk]

I'd rather have a bottle in front of me, than a frontal lobotomy.

 

[clamum]

I stopped cold turkey (after being admitted to the hospital, etc, long story), but ended up fucking up throughout last summer and drinking occasionally anyway. I've been straight now for at least a couple months.

You just need to have to want to change bad enough, and follow through on it. Good luck.

 

[alkemyst]

This thread makes me enjoy that I can handle my drinks.

 

[edro]

Do you think you are overemphasizing your drinking problem to get attention?
Serious question...

 

[terry107]

Curious to hear an update on this. Hope you get things under control.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I stopped drinking last night. I'll probably start up again tonight though... I've heard good things.