How do I STOP drinking?

GoinDown · Aug 31, 2007, 02:21 PM

Over the past year or so I've found myself having at least one drink a day. I enjoyed having a glass of wine or a beer with dinner or later on in the evening. Well, slowly, the number of drinks have increased and I can't seem to stop. I have one drink, and it feels so good to have that warm feeling that I find myself reaching for another ... and another. I don't usually get super drunk, but I like to have that buzzed feeling.

I'm afraid now, though, because I've tried to cut down. If there's any alcohol in the house (there almost always is), I will drink it even though I promise myself to take a break. Then I will promise myself just to have one drink, only to have more. I've taken the 'do you think you're an alcoholic' tests on the internet and failed. I'm afraid of what this could be doing to my body. I'm afraid of it getting worse. I just want some tips or ideas on how to stop or control my drinking.

Choux · Jan 4, 2008, 05:46 PM

I participated in a 12 Step Program related to Alcoholics Anonymous, and I learned so much about how to live a happy and successful life from my connection to this group.

It sounds to me that you are not ready to change. We can be unhappy with ourselves, our behavior, and want what is best for ourselves, but *we have to change*. Most adults do not want to do the effort it takes to change. Changing means we can't have our old comfortable thinking patterns, a self-centered world view, our same stress relievers, our excuses, the whole shebang....we all know what that is!

When you are ready to change, there will be 12 Step Programs for Alcoholics available near you, in all likelihood.

Good Luck to you on your journey through life!

cerulean · Jan 5, 2008, 12:22 PM

It would also help if you had or will still use hypnosis in addition to the support. It explores and neutralizes the REAL reasons why you drink, which are different from the so called habit and then sets you free. Most people are aware of how powerful hypnosis is, but not everyone is. Being with a huge group that are focused on the same thing, a resolution to a drinking problem is also a form of a trance, you're suspending your focus onto one thing as you do when you are becoming hypnotised, and that is in the eradiction of a problem surrounded by others like yourself (commonality) focusing (trance) on the same goal. Hypnosis is about focusing and holding and then healing through suggestion. Everything is a form of a trance, watching tv.. driving..but the actual machinations of being hypnotised and exploring yourself through another is wonderful, powerful and fast. Id still suggest it if you can afford it, or know someone competent who can do it for free. There are some people who have broken free from alcohol in a session or two and have saved their liver quite a hardship and their emotions the further torment and guilt that would have gone months if not years longer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoinDown

It's been awhile since I last posted and thought I'd give an update.

Everyone who has posted here is right about the dangerous path I'm going down. I started drinking again and it didn't take long til I was drinking everyday but the quantity was generally up to at least 4 drinks/day.

Well, before Christmas I couldn't handle it anymore. One night I couldn't sleep thinking about what a loser I'm becoming so I got up and logged on to the AA website and began reading some of their literature. They have a section on Women and Alcoholics and some of these women's personal stories ... I guess they touched me and I could relate to some of them. In the morning I spoke to my husband and essentually 'admitted' that I have a drinking problem. I'm not sure why I'm so opposed to be labeled an alcoholic, but I'm comfortable to be labelled someone with a 'drinking problem'. Somehow, it just fits better for me and I'm able to accept this as truth. It took some convincing before my husband would even believe me! But, once again, the alcohol was removed from the house. We've been to many social gatherings where alcohol has been served (X-mas & New Years is a crappy time to quit drinking) but I just felt so determined to make a change right then and there that I didn't want to wait for the New Year's resolution excuse.

I'm now on day 14 alcohol free ... things are going well, haven't felt tempted too often to drink ... but I'm not entirely certain that I can keep strong. My husband has some business trips out of town coming up, and I have to admit that the first thing that pops into my mind is that I could get drunk without anyone knowing - crap - the temptation is creeping into my head. I'm trying to keep busy, exercise and stay healthy ... I AM considering going to AA. Until I work up the courage to go, isn't there any practical advice or knowledge anyone has learned in their own experience to keep up the momentum and determination to stay sober?

I'd be grateful for any practical advice. Thanks.

simoneaugie · Jan 5, 2008, 04:47 PM

Excellent advise here. I was reminded of what someone once said to me. "If you want things to get better, first they have to get different." That implies change. If you're ready, eliminate alcohol from your immediate life. If it is helpful, do not keep it in the house. If you live with others who feel it must be in the house, think of it as "not yours." Join with others who also want to quit, or have quit drinking. Alcoholism is a disease, dis-ease. It feels normal to be buzzed, uncomfortable to be sober. Sobriety causes dis-ease. That's why it is so helpful to find others to talk about it with. Hypnosis has helped many too.

lovelesspa · Jan 5, 2008, 05:29 PM

You already did the hard part, faced the fact, you have a problem, 1st step. Now try and surround yourself with people who can help you, (non-drinkers). Give your self some quiet time, when you get these urges to have one, meditate, Imagine yourself sober for the rest of your life, tell yourself daily it's a good thing you will never drink again. Keep your self busy, when you feel like having one, go for a walk or bike ride, walk or run with a dog, rearrange a closet, drawer, get a hobby keep your fingers and mind on other things, rake the yard, pick up trash in your neighborhood....

GoinDown · Jan 6, 2008, 08:41 PM

Thanks for all your suggestions ... I'll try to keep busy, stay positive and remember that having one drink means being out of control again. The alcohol has been out of the house but creeps in here and there. Gifts of wine from friends, beer when we had company. I asked my husband to get rid of the wine ... then I noticed yesterday that there's still beer in the fridge - I wish I didn't have to ask him to remove everyone specific type of alcohol

It'll be removed tonight. Anyhow, I feel really resolved to stop this time. It's been 16 days today. I don't know why one of the poster's said he doesn't think I'm ready to change. I really want to.

CaptainRich · Jan 7, 2008, 05:20 AM

Stay busy and stay positive! You're doing good!
And don't think you can't dispose of leftover bevs yourself. There is something empowering about just dropping unwanted stuff in the trash. I wouldn't pour it out... that's too demonstrative, and just opening the bottle could be too tempting. Once you've dropped any bottles in the trash, wrap it up and take it out! Brush your hands off and tell it, "Good-bye!" That just might feel good, you know what I mean?

ordinaryguy · Jan 7, 2008, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainRich

There is something empowering about just dropping unwanted stuff in the trash.

Great insight, Cap'n. Yeah, drop it in, tie it up, and take it to the dumpster.

twinkiedooter · Jan 7, 2008, 11:44 AM

If you smoke cigarettes it's going to be harder to stop drinking. Hopefully you don't smoke so it should make things a bit easier for you. The thing you need to keep in mind is keep busy with something to take your mind off drinking.

The fact that you even WANT to stop is great as alcohol is very hard to resist and beckons to us again and again.

Pray for strength to resist also. Prayer is very powerful and should not be dismissed. Don't think you are foolish by asking for the Higher Powers that Be to step in and help you as they will help you if only you will ask for the help. Live each day 5 minutes at a time. That helps also.