Need advice, quitting alcohol
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Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 4
Need advice, quitting alcohol
So I've been drinking every day for about 5 or so years, ever since a major breakup with a girl I was in love with (I know, typical cliche). Anyways, I need some advice from others on how you spend your time now from when you normally would sit around the house getting drunk. Tomorrow (3/21) is my first "wean" day. I drink quite a bit, but I don't drink from the minute I wake up in the morning. With that said, it takes about half a bottle of whiskey for me to even feel anything whatsoever. Beer doesn't work, at all.
However, I figured I'd use that to my advantage. Since beer doesn't get me drunk, I plan on weaning off (starting tomorrow) by starting at about 4-6 beers, and if I don't feel any withdrawal, continue that for 2 days, and then after 2 days, cut it down by 1 beer (3-5), and continue that cycle until I'm down to zero. I know some people say weaning doesn't work, however I've had many friends who have successfully weaned off alcohol without having any major withdrawal symptoms. This also isn't the first time I've had withdrawal from something. I used to be addicted to OxyContin, but I kicked it cold turkey. If alcohol withdrawal wasn't deadly, I'd kick it cold turkey as well, but since that's a dangerous thing to do, I figured weaning would be my best bet. I can overcome the psychological aspect. I just need to wean my body (physically) from freaking out too bad during the quitting period.
I've been having liver pains, and I'm tired of living this lifestyle. I easily spend over $200 a month on alcohol alone, and I'm ready to give it up. I already have a set wean schedule, and I know for sure I can do it. However, to help make it easier, I figured I'd find a forum where people who have struggled with alcohol addiction can give me some advice.
What did you do during the times you wanted to drink? Did you do anything productive, or did you just sit around the house and fight the urges? I'm wanting to know because I work from home (for the most part) and I'm studying for the CCNA. I spend most of my time inside, doing the same thing, except on the weekends when me and my buddies go out and have fun, which usually results in drinking. I feel like doing the same thing I've been doing will increase the urge to drink, so I figured I'd ask if anyone has any advice on how to keep your mind off drinking day to day, and what lifestyle changes you made that helped you cope with quitting.
Any input would be appreciated.
Thank you.
However, I figured I'd use that to my advantage. Since beer doesn't get me drunk, I plan on weaning off (starting tomorrow) by starting at about 4-6 beers, and if I don't feel any withdrawal, continue that for 2 days, and then after 2 days, cut it down by 1 beer (3-5), and continue that cycle until I'm down to zero. I know some people say weaning doesn't work, however I've had many friends who have successfully weaned off alcohol without having any major withdrawal symptoms. This also isn't the first time I've had withdrawal from something. I used to be addicted to OxyContin, but I kicked it cold turkey. If alcohol withdrawal wasn't deadly, I'd kick it cold turkey as well, but since that's a dangerous thing to do, I figured weaning would be my best bet. I can overcome the psychological aspect. I just need to wean my body (physically) from freaking out too bad during the quitting period.
I've been having liver pains, and I'm tired of living this lifestyle. I easily spend over $200 a month on alcohol alone, and I'm ready to give it up. I already have a set wean schedule, and I know for sure I can do it. However, to help make it easier, I figured I'd find a forum where people who have struggled with alcohol addiction can give me some advice.
What did you do during the times you wanted to drink? Did you do anything productive, or did you just sit around the house and fight the urges? I'm wanting to know because I work from home (for the most part) and I'm studying for the CCNA. I spend most of my time inside, doing the same thing, except on the weekends when me and my buddies go out and have fun, which usually results in drinking. I feel like doing the same thing I've been doing will increase the urge to drink, so I figured I'd ask if anyone has any advice on how to keep your mind off drinking day to day, and what lifestyle changes you made that helped you cope with quitting.
Any input would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Now what?
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Oregon Coast
Posts: 100
Originally Posted by Dagz 
So I've been drinking every day for about 5 or so years,
it takes about half a bottle of whiskey for me to even feel anything whatsoever. Beer doesn't work, at all.
Since beer doesn't get me drunk, I plan on weaning off (starting tomorrow) by starting at about 4-6 beers,
I've been having liver pains, and I'm tired of living this lifestyle.
What did you do during the times you wanted to drink? I figured I'd ask if anyone has any advice on how to keep your mind off drinking day to day, and what lifestyle changes you made that helped you cope with quitting.
it takes about half a bottle of whiskey for me to even feel anything whatsoever. Beer doesn't work, at all.
Since beer doesn't get me drunk, I plan on weaning off (starting tomorrow) by starting at about 4-6 beers,
I've been having liver pains, and I'm tired of living this lifestyle.
What did you do during the times you wanted to drink? I figured I'd ask if anyone has any advice on how to keep your mind off drinking day to day, and what lifestyle changes you made that helped you cope with quitting.
I can relate to your drinking habits. I used to drink 4 bottles of wine a day for years. And I can relate to the painful liver - I used to walk around pushing on mine to alleviate the burn. And I can relate to tapering - I've done it numerous times. Sometimes, I was successful - other times I had to go to the ER or back into treatment.
I've been to treatment seven times and I've tried numerous recovery programs. The only thing that's working for me is throwing myself into my education and the promise of an exciting new career. That's how big the lifestyle change has to be for me. And I still think about drinking sometimes, but I don't crave alcohol and that alone feels like a miracle.
I really fought against getting sober, though. So, maybe you won't need to make such extreme gestures in your own life. Fill your time with things you love to do. Set small and attainable goals.
What do you love to do?
What are you going to do with that $200.00 each month when you aren't spending it on alcohol?
Best
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 4
Originally Posted by MicroMacro
Hi,
I can relate to your drinking habits. I used to drink 4 bottles of wine a day for years. And I can relate to the painful liver - I used to walk around pushing on mine to alleviate the burn. And I can relate to tapering - I've done it numerous times. Sometimes, I was successful - other times I had to go to the ER or back into treatment.
I've been to treatment seven times and I've tried numerous recovery programs. The only thing that's working for me is throwing myself into my education and the promise of an exciting new career. That's how big the lifestyle change has to be for me. And I still think about drinking sometimes, but I don't crave alcohol and that alone feels like a miracle.
I really fought against getting sober, though. So, maybe you won't need to make such extreme gestures in your own life. Fill your time with things you love to do. Set small and attainable goals.
What do you love to do?
What are you going to do with that $200.00 each month when you aren't spending it on alcohol?
Best
I can relate to your drinking habits. I used to drink 4 bottles of wine a day for years. And I can relate to the painful liver - I used to walk around pushing on mine to alleviate the burn. And I can relate to tapering - I've done it numerous times. Sometimes, I was successful - other times I had to go to the ER or back into treatment.
I've been to treatment seven times and I've tried numerous recovery programs. The only thing that's working for me is throwing myself into my education and the promise of an exciting new career. That's how big the lifestyle change has to be for me. And I still think about drinking sometimes, but I don't crave alcohol and that alone feels like a miracle.
I really fought against getting sober, though. So, maybe you won't need to make such extreme gestures in your own life. Fill your time with things you love to do. Set small and attainable goals.
What do you love to do?
What are you going to do with that $200.00 each month when you aren't spending it on alcohol?
Best
I feel like tapering will work well for me, because I know what withdrawal is like and I'm not psychologically weak in any way since I've overcome a couple different addictions (opiates, spice (which was worse than opiate withdrawal)), but it's the fear of death that scares me about quitting alcohol. However, I've had friends taper off of alcohol, so I think I can do the same. From what I've read, as long as you set a schedule and you stick to it, and drink enough to keep the shakes away and slowly cut down on your intake, it's safe to do and wouldn't require medical attention. I don't think I'll have any kindling issues that would put me in the ER since I've never attempted to quit drinking before. I've always felt too hooked, until now. I'm finally ready to make the change.
I'm not a huge fan of spending my time sober either, which is why I need to find a new outlet. I used to smoke marijuana daily, but after spice addiction, my cannabanoid receptors are damaged to the point that if I smoke real marijuana, I go into an anxiety/panic attack unless I'm out with friends (usually drinking), which in that case, it defeats the purpose of me trying to quit. So I'm thinking I'm going to avoid that and this time try to stay completely sober.
I've also been focusing on my career, which is why I'm studying for the CCNA, and while I'm studying my urge to drink drops dramatically, so I think that will really help if I focus on that even more than what I am now.
Other than that, I don't know what I love to do. My life is full of nothingness, just drinking and staying home. All my friends have moved away, some of them have died from drug overdoses, so for the most part I'm all alone. I don't really have many hobbies or anything worth-while, so I figured I'd stop by here and see what other people do to cope, and maybe try to find something that fits me and encorporate something like that within my life. I'm thinking maybe trying to find someplace social and meet new friends and stuff might help. I enjoy going fishing, going to the gun range, hanging out with what friends I have left, but that's about all I do.
That $200 a month I don't spend on alcohol I could do so, so many things. Buy things I need, put it towards a new IT certification, save up money for a new house, etc. I could do a lot with that $200, and that's a major part of the motivation for me, aside from my health. My health comes first, and that's what I'm most worried about.
Thank you for your response, I appreciate it.
P.S. If it makes a difference, I'm only 22. I feel like liver pains at 22 years old is a major warning sign to quit drinking. Started drinking regularly at 17/18 years old.
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: CA
Posts: 1,060
welcome Dagz,
Alcoholism doesn't have a type. It goes after everyone, young/old, rich/poor, atheist/religious, every ethnic group or belief system. Your body is giving you the warning it needs you to stop. No two alcoholics got to their bottom alike but we all reached our breaking point. You're at yours and your body is telling you. Good thing is you're so young and your body will fix itself with your decision to stop drinking. I would suggest going to a doctor make sure that the "liver" pains aren't a sign/symptom of anything else.
You need to stop drinking, get a plan/program of sobriety.
Good luck and many prayers.
Alcoholism doesn't have a type. It goes after everyone, young/old, rich/poor, atheist/religious, every ethnic group or belief system. Your body is giving you the warning it needs you to stop. No two alcoholics got to their bottom alike but we all reached our breaking point. You're at yours and your body is telling you. Good thing is you're so young and your body will fix itself with your decision to stop drinking. I would suggest going to a doctor make sure that the "liver" pains aren't a sign/symptom of anything else.
You need to stop drinking, get a plan/program of sobriety.
Good luck and many prayers.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 4
Originally Posted by Done4today
welcome Dagz,
Alcoholism doesn't have a type. It goes after everyone, young/old, rich/poor, atheist/religious, every ethnic group or belief system. Your body is giving you the warning it needs you to stop. No two alcoholics got to their bottom alike but we all reached our breaking point. You're at yours and your body is telling you. Good thing is you're so young and your body will fix itself with your decision to stop drinking. I would suggest going to a doctor make sure that the "liver" pains aren't a sign/symptom of anything else.
You need to stop drinking, get a plan/program of sobriety.
Good luck and many prayers.
Alcoholism doesn't have a type. It goes after everyone, young/old, rich/poor, atheist/religious, every ethnic group or belief system. Your body is giving you the warning it needs you to stop. No two alcoholics got to their bottom alike but we all reached our breaking point. You're at yours and your body is telling you. Good thing is you're so young and your body will fix itself with your decision to stop drinking. I would suggest going to a doctor make sure that the "liver" pains aren't a sign/symptom of anything else.
You need to stop drinking, get a plan/program of sobriety.
Good luck and many prayers.
And with the liver pains, I know I need to see a doctor, but I'm terrified to find out if something is wrong or not. I know I need to, but I'm hoping that it's just from drinking too much, and not from liver disease. I hate going to the doctor, even though I need to get checked out. I planned on going a few weeks without drinking and see if the pains go away (since it's not every day), but I know I should do the smart thing and get checked out to make sure everything is fine. But I also don't want "alcoholism" on my medical record if I can help it, so when it comes to that I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Thank you for your input.
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Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 1,981
Originally Posted by Dagz
P.S. If it makes a difference, I'm only 22. I feel like liver pains at 22 years old is a major warning sign to quit drinking. Started drinking regularly at 17/18 years old.
Yes Be done with this insanity, before it's too late,....
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Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 4
Originally Posted by Forward12
Yes Be done with this insanity, before it's too late,....Thank you for your input
You guys are great, very inspiring. During my course of quitting I'm going to continue to refer to this thread and this forum in general, and use it as motivation as to why I don't need to continue drinking.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: CA
Posts: 1,060
I totally understand the dilemma of committing to never drink again when I knew I had to make it. What I did was committed to not drinking for 6 months. In that six months I committed to going to 3 AA meetings a week. Around 4 months I decided to get a sponsor and started working the steps. That changed my life completely once I worked the steps. The urge, craving, desire to drink disappeared. Now skipping ahead a year, I can't say for sure that I will never drink again but I can say that I won't drink today.
Good luck and many prayers
Good luck and many prayers
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 205,751
Hi Dagz
I put in a lot of time here. When I got sick of talking about myself I posted to others.
I realise thats not to everyone's taste, but the bald fact is you can do anything you want - got any hobbies or interests - anything you've always wanted to do?
Mix up you daily/nightly routine. It usually helps makes the transition a little easier
D
I put in a lot of time here. When I got sick of talking about myself I posted to others.
I realise thats not to everyone's taste, but the bald fact is you can do anything you want - got any hobbies or interests - anything you've always wanted to do?
Mix up you daily/nightly routine. It usually helps makes the transition a little easier
D
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Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 67
Originally Posted by Dagz
Thank you for your input. I truly appreciate it. And you're absolutely right, my alcoholism has destroyed friendships, relationships, and potential friendships, all because I say stupid things and act like an idiot when I'm drunk.
Your health will return in due time but not all at once. What will happen all at once is you will not say such stupid non-thought out things to people you care about anymore. If there is one thing in common us drunks have is we say the most terrible things drunk for some reason. And just to not have to worry about what we said and wake up to apologize to a close family member or friend is a heavy weight lifted off our shoulders immediately once we go sober.
Look forward to that and cherish it and in time your body will catch up and heal.
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