I know threads like this have been posted countless times but need advice.

I’m trying to give up drinking and am getting sick of the the impact it’s having on me.

Anyone got useful advice or recommendations?

You just stop.

As someone says, "Discipline over motivation."

Or as someone else says, you got a problem? Good. Fix it.

Not really, shyt isn't easy.

The hardest part is the boredom, so obviously...find things to occupy your time. Additionally, its extremely difficult getting the initial time in, but it does start to get somewhat easier after you get past the first few weeks or so.

try to dig deeper

Been battling this myself. I think the key is figuring out the deep meaning behind the alcohol use. My use was to cover up deeper issues so i did not have to think about them. When you are off you have nothing but yourself and your thoughts. Figure out the demons and you have to face them or tbh you'll always go back.

i don't think you should go to extremes. it's not sustainable. i think you should just set these rules for yourself -

1. never keep booze in your house.
2. never drink at your house.
3. drink only 1X a week max - only when out socially with others.
4. limit drinks to 1-2 per hour max with a nightly max of 6 (sip).

Battle with this as well. Not drinking all the time, but just getting hammered once or so once a week or two. Figure out what your triggers are, and begin by separating yourself from those. For me, that was groups of friends and certain social situations.

[QUOTE=SPP1 post_id=1629332293]You just stop.

As someone says, "Discipline over motivation."

Or as someone else says, you got a problem? Good. Fix it.

[youtube]IdTMDpizis8[/y[/QUOTE]Holy chit bro! You just cured addiction for everyone. I’m going to nominate you for a NPP.

Thanks brahs I think it’s just psychological for me.

Like I’ll drink out of boredom and believe that it’s going to enhance my night.

I need a more productive alternative I think I’m going to just do cardio every time I want a drink from now on and try to do some software courses.

Oh well Day 1 lol

I was the same way.

I had to keep reminding myself that i didnt want to waste the next day recovering from a hangover.

That once a week drinking felt like a big release and thinking otherwise was hard at first.

Thats a good start.

Id recommend trying to find your triggers. Be a little self analytical. It isn't always easy. You mentioned boredom. In 95% of the cases, that plays a huge role in substance abuse issues. You also mentioned thinking it will "enhance your night", the fact that you also realize that its an issue means you have already put some thought into it.

Think about the times you picked up the bottle to enhance your night and it just ended up making it worse. That "enhancement" is an allusion. Keep yourself busy. Id recommend staying away from other substances in place of it, but a lot of people coming off substances are heavy smokers. Not that I would recommend it, but nicotine can give a similar "elated/feel good" feeling. If thats what you are seeking.

Also, keep in mind, the longer you abuse any substance, the more it will **** up your receptors, so when you are sober, you don't feel as good as you did prior to ever using. It takes a while for your body to get back to that baseline.

Id recommend keeping a journal and schedule of what you want to do each day and write down your thoughts when you have cravings. It sounds cheesy, but getting the thoughts out help and its a good insight into what may trigger you, which situations make you vulnerable.

Source: I used to binge drink. Now I work with individuals who deal with all types of substance issues.


It isn't easy. One day at a time is true. You may have to cut out friends/avoid situations where alcohol is if you are easily tempted. Thats individually based though.

Go to AA

That’s great advice, thank you

I do agree this can definitely be a resource.

Certain AA meetings can lean heavily into religion, which is a turn off to some people(it also depends on the people who attend)

But I would definitely suggest this too, OP. Atleast gets your foot in the door with other people who suffer from addiction. That said, be careful, find the RIGHT AA meeting for you. The ones ive been around have been very welcoming and there are multiple meetings around bigger cities/towns.

Once I quit I laughed at how easy it was and how hard I didn't even try to quit despite the years of telling myself it was difficult. Drinking alcohol is one of the most beta things a man can do ESPECIALLY if he is getting anything more than a little tipsy.

I’ve suffered depression on and off for the past 15 years and had a pretty traumatic year last year so I think these factors play a large part.

I’m going to speak to my councillor about it next week

That very well plays a part. Thats why journaling is a great tool.

Seeing a counselor is great as well, if you can afford one. I wish when I started my journey that I knew most of it was emotional/mental for me.

I am happy you are recognizing that, I believe you have thought about this enough to have long term success man and I wish you all the luck!

I'll tell you what worked for me, and has been working for years. I got so far into it that i could not continue living....

So... I made the choice. I wanted to live, obviously in order to stay alive I had to sever my one true love. Alcohol. Haven't looked back in years.

What helped me the most in the beginning was working my ass off. I made some of the best gains in life the first three years sober. Channeled all of the madness into outlets that produced the effects I was looking for/missing. Self worth, confidence, wealth, relationships, and an overall longing to feel and think of myself as a good man. I won't say it's been easy but I will say it sure the hell is easier.

Try Shilajit resin

I used bitter and sour teas to help me stop. Every time I felt like drinking I would drink a glass of hot tea instead.

Alternatively you could buy alcohol free beer. I know Heineken's version tastes exactly the same as their alcoholic version. It's amazing

This is another good point, you're likely still going to have that compulsion to drink something - so it helps to find a variety of NA options you like to help with that too. Coffee, Tea, maybe some diet soda in moderation, Kombucha, etc.

For some people this is not possible. There's a documentary called 'Pleasure Unwoven' that explains the biology of it in great detail if you're ever interested. I'm alcoholic, I don't drink anymore at all. My brain is wired differently from years of alcoholic drinking. I can never safely drink alcohol again. I've tried over and over. Abstinence is the only way for some people.

sinclair method

Naltrexone didn't do chit for me when I first tried to stop. I would drink with or without it. But I was also a raging alcoholic.

he could try my method before going to extreme zero. extremism can lead to binging and failure.

I'm going to advise the opposite -- AA is an association which has its own interests and pressuring tactics. They can lead you to believe that your substance abuse issue is bigger than it really is.

Instead, take time out for yourself. Reassess what your triggers are driving you to drink, and focus your efforts on addressing those triggers. Avoid them altogether for the first few weeks, and then gradually reintroduce them in to your life if you are comfortable with that. It's less about avoiding a certain lifestyle, and more about mastering the Self.

It makes alcohol not as pleasurable for me. I'll drink 2-3 and then be like "i have no desire to drink". I just need to stick with taking it initially, I only take it on or off.

That's true. He may not be alcoholic. My best friend is a heavy drinker and was able to turn it down so that it doesn't negatively impact his life (similar to your post). He still drinks and he's not alcoholic. We drank together for years and it took us both a long time to finally understand that we're different. After years of him trying to get me to moderate and drink like him.

But...if OP is really alcoholic, there is only one real solution. Unfortunately, it takes decades for some of us to figure it out.

Glad to hear it's working for you srs. I actually tried it back in my 20s after the FDA cleared it for alcohol abuse. And to be fair, it was my primary care doc/friend of the family that prescribed it to me and didn't tell me chit except take these when you feel the need to drink lol. I'm sure I wasn't using it properly.

I wouldn’t consider myself an alcoholic but I do admit that I find it to easy to go to the drink as a source of entertainment.

I’ve taken breaks from it in the past and had no withdrawals but after I while I convince myself there’s nothing wrong so have a drink and it spirals from there.

I think it’s easier for me to just go cold turkey, discipline myself better and accept this is going to be a difficult journey and take one day at a time.

I do enjoy my herbal teas and I find that a good alternative to drinking. I also realise that I don’t drink in the day and wouldn’t start drinking after 10pm which basically means between 6-10 I need to resist