KvLT

(I had an account on here, but I couldn't remember the name. At least I'll remember this one. Super sorry about that)

Hi guys. This is my third time attempting to quit drinking. I had always suspected I had alcoholic tendencies (I'm a binge drinker), but only after getting some recent bloodwork done have I realized that I'm on a path for self-destruction, even after just 3+ years of drinking. Glad I caught it earlier than too late, people like me shouldn't be drinking.

In 7 days I've lost 10 pounds, and I've switched to near beers / NA beers on the weekends purely for taste. Am I doing it right? Also, if anybody has any motivational advice, please feel free to share. I tend to lose hope fast and I'm slowly realizing that I cover my ass a lot with lies when it comes to the fact that I'm just an alcoholic.

Thanks so much, I look forward to actually posting here this time to share the moral support.

Raider

Oh Honey. There is no right way, there is only the way that works for you. 7 days is wonderful. Keep up the good work! The near beer would drive me crazy, but that's just me.

Hawk07

Welcome KvLT,

I started off as a binge drinker too, just on the weekends or whenever I had the next day off from work. For years I could never admit to myself I had a problem. Alcoholism will sneak up on you. There's this 'invisible' line some people speak of that you one day will suddenly cross then poof your drinking everyday anything you can get your hands on. I crossed that line about 7 months ago..

I recommend stop drinking completely..it will only get worse and more difficult to do so the longer you keep drinking, even just beer.

Hawk07

Ah NA beers, missed that. Yea those would drive me crazy too...

KvLT

Thanks! I never know if there's some fail-proof way to quit, so I had to ask. I'd go to AA meetings, but my social anxiety would hold me back too much.

That's exactly what I've been afraid of. I had always stuck to weekends, but the Monday & Thursday slips were definitely becoming more frequent. I actually mean binge beer drinking though, if I touch any amount of hard liquor, it goes straight to my brain, almost like an allergy. I almost died from it last time that happened, so that lesson was pretty easy to learn. 12 or so beers doesn't ever do that to me, so any drinking night for me has been anywhere between 6 and 12 craft beers.

It's so easy to lie to yourself about it until you actually do the math, isn't it?

Hawk07

Oh yes. Many people struggle in the denial phase for a looonng time, just like I did and look where that took me, straight to my worst fear as well!

You have to find a 'recipe' that works for you to quit. I have panic disorder and social anxiety as well.... both huge contributors to my drinking getting out of control. I promise any amount of alcohol will only progressively make those so much worse in the long run.

I've gone to a few AA meetings. It helped me to bring a friend who was also in recovery. While you're there you don't have to say anything if you don't want to, just listen...I have this site which has helped much.. and now I've finally settled on an addiction specialist who diagnosed me with the anxiety disorders and depression... So now I'm beginning to understand the triggers of my drinking more..

least

I hope we can help you quit drinking for good this time. Welcome back!