I've given up Cocaine so what next, - booze or fags?
Discussion
For reasons I won't go in to I became quite dependent on Cocaine over 18 months from mid 2007 until the end of 2008.
I managed to change that at the beginning of this year and that is now not a problem. However, every single night of the week I neck in the region of two bottles of wine or 6-8 cans of beer, at home, alone.
I also smoke around 10 cigarettes between getting home at around 7 - 8 pm and falling asleep on the sofa, before waking at 3-4am and going to bed for a couple of hours or so before getting up at 6 and going to work.
I don't smoke at all during the day, only at home or in the pub, and I don't drink during the day unless I'm not working and a mate also has the day off.
These are major problems, healthwise as well as motivation/workwise, and I'd like to be less dependent on both of them.
I think I am capable of dealing with - and resolving - one or other of the problems at a time - and ultimately both - so which should I address first, and why?
Your opinions please.
I managed to change that at the beginning of this year and that is now not a problem. However, every single night of the week I neck in the region of two bottles of wine or 6-8 cans of beer, at home, alone.
I also smoke around 10 cigarettes between getting home at around 7 - 8 pm and falling asleep on the sofa, before waking at 3-4am and going to bed for a couple of hours or so before getting up at 6 and going to work.
I don't smoke at all during the day, only at home or in the pub, and I don't drink during the day unless I'm not working and a mate also has the day off.
These are major problems, healthwise as well as motivation/workwise, and I'd like to be less dependent on both of them.
I think I am capable of dealing with - and resolving - one or other of the problems at a time - and ultimately both - so which should I address first, and why?
Your opinions please.
Drink slightly less each time, mix in some exercise to keep you busy.
Bike ride after work, few beers to make you sleepy.
You'll fall asleep when you head hits the pillow.
ETA: The exercise will also make you want to quit smoking as it'll become a boost on your rides/work out etc.
Bike ride after work, few beers to make you sleepy.
You'll fall asleep when you head hits the pillow.
ETA: The exercise will also make you want to quit smoking as it'll become a boost on your rides/work out etc.
Edited by illmonkey on Wednesday 9th September 22:23
Leave smoking alone for the minute.
Get the drinking down to about 1/2 that for starters. Drop the % to around the 4 mark and get it down. A good mate and I have always been drinking a bit too much for years and recently, I've decided to get a grip. It's not easy to cut it out, but you can cut down a lot. Baby steps. Get the volume down and then reduce certain nights of the week.
You are clearly worried about it and so now you need to act. Give yourself a bit of a blow out night, let's say thurs and weds, where you can have 5 cans (of 4%). The rest of the week, keep it late and then give yourself a maximum of 3. Bear in mind that 4 cans of 5% is the same as 5 of 4%.
Good luck and remember that you can do it. It's not easy breaking a habit, pattern, but you need to look for alternative things to fill your time and to make some cuts.
My mate (the one I get pissed with a few nights a week) used to live with an alcoholic and it's pretty f
ked up to watch. Regardless of whether you are or are not, the important difference is that you've said "I need to get a grip". Sadly, Chris didn't and it was heartbreaking for everyone to watch him lose THE LOT. GF, Job, house, the lot.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Set yourself targets (even tiny ones) and work towards them. You will realise that you control this stuff, not the other way around.
Gedon!
Get the drinking down to about 1/2 that for starters. Drop the % to around the 4 mark and get it down. A good mate and I have always been drinking a bit too much for years and recently, I've decided to get a grip. It's not easy to cut it out, but you can cut down a lot. Baby steps. Get the volume down and then reduce certain nights of the week.
You are clearly worried about it and so now you need to act. Give yourself a bit of a blow out night, let's say thurs and weds, where you can have 5 cans (of 4%). The rest of the week, keep it late and then give yourself a maximum of 3. Bear in mind that 4 cans of 5% is the same as 5 of 4%.
Good luck and remember that you can do it. It's not easy breaking a habit, pattern, but you need to look for alternative things to fill your time and to make some cuts.
My mate (the one I get pissed with a few nights a week) used to live with an alcoholic and it's pretty f
ked up to watch. Regardless of whether you are or are not, the important difference is that you've said "I need to get a grip". Sadly, Chris didn't and it was heartbreaking for everyone to watch him lose THE LOT. GF, Job, house, the lot. Good luck and keep us posted.
Set yourself targets (even tiny ones) and work towards them. You will realise that you control this stuff, not the other way around.
Gedon!
Waiter said:
Your opinions please.
That sounds exactly how I used to be! I made a drastic change, moving to a new town, stopping contact with old mates and going to uni(I start next week).I haven't given up booze or fags, but have cut down considerably.
I just changed my lifestyle completely, I still have the odd bad week but going to the gym and doing other things has certainly helped me a lot.
I feel so much better for it, but sadly the old idiot inside does escape from time to time.
Good luck!
Feel free to PM me as I have been through a very similar situation and have only just managed to come through the other side alive/not in prison/not completely brain-dead.
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