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Substitute for drinking alcohol

DainBramaged

DainBramaged

Lifer
My body has been having issues with producing the proper levels of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, among other neurotransmitters. There are times when I'm just cranky and irritable without good reason and want to feel better. I take Adderall and that suffices; but during my drug holiday's, I'm sometimes extremely irritable.

What substances are you folks familiar with that provide a similar "feel good" as alcohol without being as debilitating.

I am legally allowed to use marijuana but I don't want to because I am afraid that I won't be able to continue my day in a reasonable manner. Is this reasonable? I have only tried MJ a few times so I don't know what's out there.
 
MJ isn't going to significantly impair you to the point of not being able to function reasonably.

With that said, GHB is the "substitute" for alcohol, I believe. If you want a more euphoric high, MDMA is probably the way to go (illegal way, at least). Be very careful though, as the chemical substitutes on market give you the same feeling but are incredibly dangerous.
 
Is Adderall even for the issues you describe? "Wanting to feel happy" isn't really what Adderall is for.

Do the refer, it's good for you.
 
Are you avoiding alcohol because you can't take it or because you don't want to? A small amount, like a glass of wine might make you feel a bit better without actually making you tipsy.
 
DainBramaged said:
My body has been having issues with producing the proper levels of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, among other neurotransmitters. There are times when I'm just cranky and irritable without good reason and want to feel better. I take Adderall and that suffices; but during my drug holiday's, I'm sometimes extremely irritable.

What substances are you folks familiar with that provide a similar "feel good" as alcohol without being as debilitating.

I am legally allowed to use marijuana but I don't want to because I am afraid that I won't be able to continue my day in a reasonable manner. Is this reasonable? I have only tried MJ a few times so I don't know what's out there.
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It should be completely possible to use marijuana and still be fully functioning. The same way that having one glass of scotch doesn't oblige you to keep drinking until you're plastered. If you have legal access, a discussion with your provider should be enlightening in this regard (maybe consider a tincture or edibles that give you good dosage control).
 
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DainBramaged said:
I am legally allowed to use marijuana but I don't want to because I am afraid that I won't be able to continue my day in a reasonable manner. Is this reasonable? I have only tried MJ a few times so I don't know what's out there.
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It's very possible to dose yourself enough to feel high without being completely stoned. Not too different than how having a glass of alcohol doesn't completely impair you, but 6-7 sure will.

I'd never recommend using MJ during the day while working, even in small amounts. Mostly for legal/liability issues.
 
Phoenix86 said:
It's very possible to dose yourself enough to feel high without being completely stoned. Not too different than how having a glass of alcohol doesn't completely impair you, but 6-7 sure will.

I'd never recommend using MJ during the day while working, even in small amounts. Mostly for legal/liability issues.
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Depends what you do. OP could be a professional musicians. Can't see MJ hurting his career there. =)
 
DainBramaged said:
My body has been having issues with producing the proper levels of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, among other neurotransmitters. There are times when I'm just cranky and irritable without good reason and want to feel better. I take Adderall and that suffices; but during my drug holiday's, I'm sometimes extremely irritable.

What substances are you folks familiar with that provide a similar "feel good" as alcohol without being as debilitating.

I am legally allowed to use marijuana but I don't want to because I am afraid that I won't be able to continue my day in a reasonable manner. Is this reasonable? I have only tried MJ a few times so I don't know what's out there.
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You need a nice, low thc, high cbd sativa.

If you had a bad, paranoia inducing experience with MJ, that was indica.

Cannabis has so many varieties, it's basically a blanket term like 'fruit'. Just because you had a sour apple a few times, doesn't mean you won't like strawberries.
 
Red Squirrel said:
Are you avoiding alcohol because you can't take it or because you don't want to? A small amount, like a glass of wine might make you feel a bit better without actually making you tipsy.
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Anybody avoiding alcohol for any reason should be praised. It's a terrible, terrible drug.
 
smackababy said:
GHB is the "substitute" for alcohol. Be very careful though, as the chemical substitutes on market give you the same feeling but are incredibly dangerous.
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My curiosity is piqued. And I'm always careful. 🙂

TwiceOver said:
Is Adderall even for the issues you describe? "Wanting to feel happy" isn't really what Adderall is for.
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You're absolutely right. I take Adderall for its excitatory and stimulatory effects. But it includes a noticeable balancing effect, also. Honestly, venlafaxine is perfectly sufficient; however, I then have the inability to climax.

SlitheryDee said:
You just want to be in a better mood sometimes? Have you tried sit-ups? Maybe a fruit cup? /Bill Hicks.
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I'm a big runner. It provides a good high for a while. But...then what? And what if I can't run that day?

Red Squirrel said:
Are you avoiding alcohol because you can't take it or because you don't want to? A small amount, like a glass of wine might make you feel a bit better without actually making you tipsy.
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I had personal reasons that I don't drink. I wish that I could. Thus my search.

nakedfrog said:
It should be completely possible to use marijuana and still be fully functioning. The same way that having one glass of scotch doesn't oblige you to keep drinking until you're plastered. If you have legal access, a discussion with your provider should be enlightening in this regard (maybe consider a tincture or edibles that give you good dosage control).
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This sounds intriguing. I think I need to look into it more. So much of my instant rejection is family- and society-based rather than factually-based.
 
Benzodiapines can be a substitute for alcohol. It depends a lot on why you drink in the first place. Some benzos are very addictive though - Xanax for example. Others like Klonopin have less abuse potential but have have very long half-lifes - more than 24 hours - so there is a cumulative effect if you take them daily. You need to dose for 3 or 4 days before you reach what's called a 'steady state.'

Whichever route you go, benzos will initially have a sedating effect similar to alcohol but over extended periods of time, you develop a tolerance. However if you only take them during your drug vacations, you should be fine. I wouldn't mix them though.

If you have issues with anxiety, gabapentin is worth a try. For some people it does nothing others have issues with it.
 
It sounds like you need to go see a professional about this. Could you possibly be dealing with depression issues?
 
MetalMat said:
It sounds like you need to go see a professional about this. Could you possibly be dealing with depression issues?
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There are quite a few professionals involved in this matter. We've been looking for a while for solutions and a lot of them come close but then add another issue or are only temporary fixes. I've experimented with a few anti-depressants. Some do nothing, some do wonders while adding unacceptable sexual side effects.

I'm just willing to consider other alternatives at this point.
 
Charmonium said:
Benzodiapines can be a substitute for alcohol. It depends a lot on why you drink in the first place. Some benzos are very addictive though - Xanax for example. Others like Klonopin have less abuse potential but have have very long half-lifes - more than 24 hours - so there is a cumulative effect if you take them daily. You need to dose for 3 or 4 days before you reach what's called a 'steady state.'

Whichever route you go, benzos will initially have a sedating effect similar to alcohol but over extended periods of time, you develop a tolerance. However if you only take them during your drug vacations, you should be fine. I wouldn't mix them though.

If you have issues with anxiety, gabapentin is worth a try. For some people it does nothing others have issues with it.
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This sounds like exactly what I am looking for. I'm going to do research into this and bring it up at my next appointment. Much appreciated.
 
DainBramaged said:
There are quite a few professionals involved in this matter. We've been looking for a while for solutions and a lot of them come close but then add another issue or are only temporary fixes. I've experimented with a few anti-depressants. Some do nothing, some do wonders while adding unacceptable sexual side effects.

I'm just willing to consider other alternatives at this point.
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Ah I see. Well from my personal experience there really is no direct substitution for alcohol, its kind of its own thing.

I'm not a huge weed guy but you mentioned that you have tried it before, maybe try it again on the down days and it will take the edge off.

Someone mentioned benzos which you may want to try out as well. The best I can describe them is that its like a synthetic weed high. I have friends that take them for anxiety issues and it might actually be what you are looking for.

I have no idea how much Adderall you are taking but it might be a bit too much. My ex would get irritable as well when she would take days off from Adderall because she flat out took too much during work days.
 
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