Alcohol addiction?
Discussion
Bit of a (pointless) but serious thread for the lounge but here goes anyway...
In 2008 I suffered from depression for the best part of 9 months, and during that time I became reliant on alcohol (mainly beer/cider etc) to get to sleep/wind down after a day at Uni or Work. With the help of my counsellor and my best friend, I gave up drinking, that was October 2008. I've not touched any since then, except for a small glass of Champagne at the turn of the year five months ago. I've never discussed stopping drinking with any of my other friends as I've nearly always managed to drive so giving a genuine "excuse", so to speak.
I went to a birthday party of a close family friend recently and the temptation was really there to start drinking again - something which I don't want to do because I'm fairly certain what will happen - I will become reliant on it again, as in the past I have simply drunk copious amounts of J2O or Coke. What I'm after really is, has anyone been in a similar situation and has any suggestions as to what I can do to keep off it?
Cheers in advance...
In 2008 I suffered from depression for the best part of 9 months, and during that time I became reliant on alcohol (mainly beer/cider etc) to get to sleep/wind down after a day at Uni or Work. With the help of my counsellor and my best friend, I gave up drinking, that was October 2008. I've not touched any since then, except for a small glass of Champagne at the turn of the year five months ago. I've never discussed stopping drinking with any of my other friends as I've nearly always managed to drive so giving a genuine "excuse", so to speak.
I went to a birthday party of a close family friend recently and the temptation was really there to start drinking again - something which I don't want to do because I'm fairly certain what will happen - I will become reliant on it again, as in the past I have simply drunk copious amounts of J2O or Coke. What I'm after really is, has anyone been in a similar situation and has any suggestions as to what I can do to keep off it?
Cheers in advance...
Had a similar situation when I went into my final year of uni, my GF had just broken up with me and I really wasn't happy about going back to uni so was pretty down a lot. I never went to see anyone and didn't get diagnosed with depression but I was always down and got upset very easily. I got drunk a couple of times and it wasnt good, I got very upset about everything so after that I decided I wasnt going to drink.
I gave up completely for 2 months, then had a couple at xmas but didn't get drunk or anything like that. I really found it helped. The other big help was exercise, I was doing a lot of exercise to give me something to focus on, was clocking up an hour most days. I found this was reason enough not to be drinking and pretty much used this as my reason if anyone asked why I don''t drink.
It didn't bother me what people think, I find it bizarre anyway when people judge or look down at me for not drinking, but saying it's because you're focusing on your training makes it a lot easier.
I gave up completely for 2 months, then had a couple at xmas but didn't get drunk or anything like that. I really found it helped. The other big help was exercise, I was doing a lot of exercise to give me something to focus on, was clocking up an hour most days. I found this was reason enough not to be drinking and pretty much used this as my reason if anyone asked why I don''t drink.
It didn't bother me what people think, I find it bizarre anyway when people judge or look down at me for not drinking, but saying it's because you're focusing on your training makes it a lot easier.
I had a serious fallout with my family when I was 15 regarding further education. I wanted to go to college as I preferred the "laid back" atmosphere of "here's your work, you have 6 months, go do it" as opposed to the sixth form they wanted me to go to, which was pretty much an extension of school - 8 til 4 every day, set lessons and breaks. Bleh.
I dropped out of sixth form very soon and quickly made friends with some pond life. I won't deny it, but the few months I spent getting high, drinking from midday til midnight every day, and usually getting in trouble with the Police were good fun. Eventually I decided enough was enough and got my life back on track. I like to think I've done well for myself, even if it meant moving out at 16 and earning my flat, my job, and my car all on my own. I'm very close to my family once more, and we see the whole escapede as life experience.
After I stopped getting paraletic every night with the pond life, I still found myself drinking up to 4 or 5 pints every night, even on weekdays. I moved out in May 2007 - this continued well until the middle of last year. When I noticed I had put on a few stone and my belly was getting alarmingly large for a 19 year old I decided to start being sensible. I didn't stop drinking - what I did was cut back. I'm happy to drink myself silly every now and then, but on worknights I don't drink - and I just drink what I feel is sensible on weekends. There's no reason why you should go teetotal after a dependance on alcohol - otherwise you'll forever find yourself tempted by the odd pint or two. My advice would be to limit yourself - start a drinking diary, if it helps. Go clean from Sunday until Friday, and let yourself drink a few on Friday and Saturday. You'll be able to have a good time (especially with barbecues and the summer approaching), while not falling into the trap of drinking continuously. If you do deviate from your diary you can "punish" yourself by not drinking on a weekend.
Anyway, chin up! As some folks would say, a pint of beer is a staple British tradition.
I dropped out of sixth form very soon and quickly made friends with some pond life. I won't deny it, but the few months I spent getting high, drinking from midday til midnight every day, and usually getting in trouble with the Police were good fun. Eventually I decided enough was enough and got my life back on track. I like to think I've done well for myself, even if it meant moving out at 16 and earning my flat, my job, and my car all on my own. I'm very close to my family once more, and we see the whole escapede as life experience.
After I stopped getting paraletic every night with the pond life, I still found myself drinking up to 4 or 5 pints every night, even on weekdays. I moved out in May 2007 - this continued well until the middle of last year. When I noticed I had put on a few stone and my belly was getting alarmingly large for a 19 year old I decided to start being sensible. I didn't stop drinking - what I did was cut back. I'm happy to drink myself silly every now and then, but on worknights I don't drink - and I just drink what I feel is sensible on weekends. There's no reason why you should go teetotal after a dependance on alcohol - otherwise you'll forever find yourself tempted by the odd pint or two. My advice would be to limit yourself - start a drinking diary, if it helps. Go clean from Sunday until Friday, and let yourself drink a few on Friday and Saturday. You'll be able to have a good time (especially with barbecues and the summer approaching), while not falling into the trap of drinking continuously. If you do deviate from your diary you can "punish" yourself by not drinking on a weekend.
Anyway, chin up! As some folks would say, a pint of beer is a staple British tradition.
Can add nothing more than my e-support.
I've watched a family member sink to such incredible lows through alcohol abuse. However with love, help, support and plenty of grit and determination she has come out the other side happy and healthy - 9 years dry now. Don't for one second think it's not completely doable.
Don't ever feel afraid of asking for help or support. You are nowhere near alone, one day at a time...
Sincerely, best of luck
I've watched a family member sink to such incredible lows through alcohol abuse. However with love, help, support and plenty of grit and determination she has come out the other side happy and healthy - 9 years dry now. Don't for one second think it's not completely doable.
Don't ever feel afraid of asking for help or support. You are nowhere near alone, one day at a time...
Sincerely, best of luck
Behind the need to drink and the fear of 'what will happen' are often deep rooted fears, insecurities and unresolved issues. If your life is going to descend into some form of chaos if you do go down the drink route, weigh up choices you are now faced with ...
1. take the drink and live in constant fear of it taking over your life
2. not take the drink and live in constant 'temptation' and the discomfort of not really being confortable around drink
3. join something like AA and accept the dogma that dictates you are an 'alcoholic' and live with all the baggage and labels that that entails
4. resolve the issues that lie at the root of why a) you need to resort to a drink in the first place (other than in the pleasure of it!) b) that it is an inevitability that you have to become dependant on it
In this, you have a choice and actually, it's great that you ask for help now, two steps back from the edge of chaos rather than half way down the cliff...
Now the question is, do you want to spend the rest of your life developing techniques to help you avoid the booze, by delveoping coping strategies for it, or do you actually want to get to the root triggers, reasons and causes of why you need that drink in the first place?
resolve once and for all vs coping strategies.
Your call
1. take the drink and live in constant fear of it taking over your life
2. not take the drink and live in constant 'temptation' and the discomfort of not really being confortable around drink
3. join something like AA and accept the dogma that dictates you are an 'alcoholic' and live with all the baggage and labels that that entails
4. resolve the issues that lie at the root of why a) you need to resort to a drink in the first place (other than in the pleasure of it!) b) that it is an inevitability that you have to become dependant on it
In this, you have a choice and actually, it's great that you ask for help now, two steps back from the edge of chaos rather than half way down the cliff...
Now the question is, do you want to spend the rest of your life developing techniques to help you avoid the booze, by delveoping coping strategies for it, or do you actually want to get to the root triggers, reasons and causes of why you need that drink in the first place?
resolve once and for all vs coping strategies.
Your call
My friends Mum is a recovering alcoholic (has been sober for at least 10 years now) At private party functions she takes bottles of drinks such as Ame with her, basically a fruit drink but looks like a bottle of wine. It helps her feel part of the party (as she can use a wine glass) and stops people asking awkward questions.
I have always liked a drink and there was a time where I realised I was going out and drinking too much at least once a week sometimes upto three times a week not any more. I love being the sober one when others around you are getting pissed (as long as they are fun drunks and not aggressive ones!)
When you are being tempted just try and remind yourself how much better you'll feel the next day waking up with a clear head and pride intact (I know this was always a boost to me when I resisted the temptation to drink on a night out) There are many tasty non alcoholic drinks you should look into discovering.
The problem is we love the initial kick of alcohol, the first mouthful etc and thats what we find so tempting, but that is such a tiny part of a good night out try not to focus on it, how you manage that I have no easy answer.
I have always liked a drink and there was a time where I realised I was going out and drinking too much at least once a week sometimes upto three times a week not any more. I love being the sober one when others around you are getting pissed (as long as they are fun drunks and not aggressive ones!)
When you are being tempted just try and remind yourself how much better you'll feel the next day waking up with a clear head and pride intact (I know this was always a boost to me when I resisted the temptation to drink on a night out) There are many tasty non alcoholic drinks you should look into discovering.
The problem is we love the initial kick of alcohol, the first mouthful etc and thats what we find so tempting, but that is such a tiny part of a good night out try not to focus on it, how you manage that I have no easy answer.
You feel down/low/going through emotions = drink time.
I like my beers/cider/spirits - tend to drink far too much lately. But i'm only young.
Given up alkohol in then past completely but it didn't last more than few months... Maybe it's in my genes - dad drank himself to an early death.
I like my beers/cider/spirits - tend to drink far too much lately. But i'm only young.
Given up alkohol in then past completely but it didn't last more than few months... Maybe it's in my genes - dad drank himself to an early death.
Edited by soad on Friday 7th May 09:15
bazking69 said:
Jasandjules said:
It's amusing enough watching people who are p***ed whilst you sober.
I find it cringeworthy to be around drunk people when I am sober. Another beer please. OP as mentioned above, there is nothing wrong with a drink, even getting pissed, just do it in moderation, not every night. If you feel yourself going to the shop for booze then don't go.
Just get some discipline - sorry if that sounds harsh, but it's all you need.
WorAl said:
bazking69 said:
Jasandjules said:
It's amusing enough watching people who are p***ed whilst you sober.
I find it cringeworthy to be around drunk people when I am sober. Another beer please. OP as mentioned above, there is nothing wrong with a drink, even getting pissed, just do it in moderation, not every night. If you feel yourself going to the shop for booze then don't go.
Just get some discipline - sorry if that sounds harsh, but it's all you need.
I'd also say if you suffer from depression the last thing you should be doing to help deal with it is prescribing alcohol to yourself as its a depressant.
Behind nearly all people with a problem with drink or drugs is a problem with their mental health that they have not addressed or even aware they have.
Mr_annie_vxr said:
WorAl said:
bazking69 said:
Jasandjules said:
It's amusing enough watching people who are p***ed whilst you sober.
I find it cringeworthy to be around drunk people when I am sober. Another beer please. OP as mentioned above, there is nothing wrong with a drink, even getting pissed, just do it in moderation, not every night. If you feel yourself going to the shop for booze then don't go.
Just get some discipline - sorry if that sounds harsh, but it's all you need.
I'd also say if you suffer from depression the last thing you should be doing to help deal with it is prescribing alcohol to yourself as its a depressant.
Behind nearly all people with a problem with drink or drugs is a problem with their mental health that they have not addressed or even aware they have.
Mr_annie_vxr said:
WorAl said:
bazking69 said:
Jasandjules said:
It's amusing enough watching people who are p***ed whilst you sober.
I find it cringeworthy to be around drunk people when I am sober. Another beer please. OP as mentioned above, there is nothing wrong with a drink, even getting pissed, just do it in moderation, not every night. If you feel yourself going to the shop for booze then don't go.
Just get some discipline - sorry if that sounds harsh, but it's all you need.
I'd also say if you suffer from depression the last thing you should be doing to help deal with it is prescribing alcohol to yourself as its a depressant.
Behind nearly all people with a problem with drink or drugs is a problem with their mental health that they have not addressed or even aware they have.
monthefish said:
WorAl said:
Just get some discipline - sorry if that sounds harsh, but it's all you need.
If 'discipline' works, then it's not addiction.One day he decided enough was enough and stopped, he still went out and got plastered every now and then (well twice a week) but he had the discipline to stay away from it when he knew he didn't actually need it, but wanted it.
I don't know, was it a generation thing? was it because he was in the army and knew how to control himself? It's still do-able.
rfn said:
In 2008 I suffered from depression for the best part of 9 months, and during that time I became reliant on alcohol (mainly beer/cider etc) to get to sleep/wind
Yes I know its a serious discussion, but my initial thoughts were I get wind when I drink beer, or so the OH tells me. (If I believe what she says, women never break wind).Sorry.
Just fight it, and good luck, I know its difficult, some evenings I think "I will just have a glass of wine", and at the end of the evening, for some reason unbeknown to man, there are 2 empty wine bottles on the table.
Mind you, I rarely drink beer, and only take the odd spirit now and again.
soad said:
You feel down/low/going through emotions = drink time.
I like my beers/cider/spirits - tend to drink far too much lately. But i'm only young.
Given up alcohol in then past completely but it didn't last more than few months... Maybe it's in my genes - dad drank himself to an early death.
Snap, I seem ti have a drink most nights lately (money permitting) but I always keep an eye on myself for fear of ending up like dad.I like my beers/cider/spirits - tend to drink far too much lately. But i'm only young.
Given up alcohol in then past completely but it didn't last more than few months... Maybe it's in my genes - dad drank himself to an early death.
Thanks for all the replies so far .
I'll try and explain a bit more - I used to go out every Friday/Saturday night and have a couple of pints, nothing too extensive. In 2008 I suffered with depression, and although this seemed to resolve itself towards the end of the year, I suffered another serious down-period in 2009 (lasted about 5 months). I am worried I am headed towards that again recently, as some events have occured which see to have affected me quite a bit.
Perhaps doing exercise (running/cycling) or similar to take my mind off things is a good idea? Also I like the idea of exploring more non-alcohol drinks such as Ame/Schloer etc.
Thanks again
.I'll try and explain a bit more - I used to go out every Friday/Saturday night and have a couple of pints, nothing too extensive. In 2008 I suffered with depression, and although this seemed to resolve itself towards the end of the year, I suffered another serious down-period in 2009 (lasted about 5 months). I am worried I am headed towards that again recently, as some events have occured which see to have affected me quite a bit.
Jasandjules said:
It's amusing enough watching people who are p***ed whilst you sober.
I suspect that is part of the problem now. None of my friends really "drink" to excess on a regular basis, however I've been out with work colleagues a few times recently and was frankly disgusted with how drunk they got, and how embarrasing it was for me being sober at the time - I guess if I had had a couple to drink I wouldn't find it so bad?shirt said:
sounds like the depression was a major factor and the drinking was a reaction to that, not a symptom.
Shirt, you are quite right there, I used the alcohol to stop me worrying/thinking about stuff that made me down. Obviously as stated, this is a bit pointless because alcohol is a depressant.Perhaps doing exercise (running/cycling) or similar to take my mind off things is a good idea? Also I like the idea of exploring more non-alcohol drinks such as Ame/Schloer etc.
Thanks again
So from that, all your problem is, is depression? get your mind active, don't sit about thinking too much about what gets you down, get a hobby, like going to the gym a few times a week, just to get you out the habit of feeling sorry for yourself and you will start to feel better about yourself naturally as you get fitter (and see lots of hot chicks all the time) anyway.
Going out drinking every Friday night and Saturday night isn't a problem at all, especially if you hardly got pissed anyway, if it is a problem I'ma raging alcoholic.
ETA or have I missed something?
Going out drinking every Friday night and Saturday night isn't a problem at all, especially if you hardly got pissed anyway, if it is a problem I'ma raging alcoholic.
ETA or have I missed something?
Edited by WorAl on Friday 7th May 14:20
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