Quit Alcohol - Support Thread

[meadowman]

I've been trying to quit. Cannabis extracts help somewhat but I'm too weak to completely stop. The stress, anxiety and depression are the true killers because they instigate the drinking. I've refused to take the poisons from pharmacos but maybe I should try those as a last resort. Also, since I live in a somewhat crime-ridden area, I want to remain armed to defend myself should the need arise... and the "nanny-state" could take away my self defense. I don't know... at this point, maybe it doesn't matter anymore anyway.

have you looked into micro-dosing mushrooms…i'm getting better results then any big pharma meds.

 

[mayorofthdesert]

ever think about going to AA

i've been sober in aa before, having a hard time getting into it this time. need to jump in with both feet, get a sponsor, etc...

 

[brown_thumb]

have you looked into micro-dosing mushrooms…i'm getting better results then any big pharma meds.

The only drugs I've ever tried are alcohol and weed. I know myself well enough to avoid anything that can get me 'hooked'. I've read a tiny bit about mushrooms but am trepidatious about trying them due to my addictive traits. Do you have any links I can view?

 

[mayorofthdesert]

psych wrote me a script for antibuse, pick it up today. i'm hopeful. i'll need to not drink tonight (Friday night) so I can take it in the morning. wish me luck.

 

[brown_thumb]

Good luck, mayor. I've been trying too. I've cut way back already.

 

[Junk]

If I've already said this, I apologize. But Naltrexone is amazing for quitting alcohol. I only drank socially, it wasn't a problem. I was prescribed Naltrexone for off label use, but after starting it, you couldn't pay me to drink alcohol. You just don't want it. The idea of alcohol becomes off putting. The desire to drink it goes away. I don't know how else to describe it.

I stopped taking it bc it was aggravating my existing stomach problems. But I actually haven't had a drink since the first day I took it. Not intentionally, I wasn't taking it for alcoholism. But it has that effect.

It may just be my body chemistry, but I stopped taking it almost a year ago, and haven't had a desire to use any "drug" to escape. It's like it reroutes that brain wiring.

Anyone with addiction problems, I would highly reccomend you talk to a medical professional about Naltrexone. It didn't even take effort to cut out alcohol while on it...my brain/body just didn't want it anymore.

 

[Mr.Miner]

Bump- I hope everyone is doing great with their goals. I recently hit the 18 year mark without a drink. I am grateful, every day, for that. Booze just doesn't jive with me and I hope to never have one, again. For me life is way better without it.
I hope that anyone suffering with this is getting help and feeling better and healthier.

 

[brown_thumb]

I quit a couple days after my last post (nearly three months ago). But the anxiety, stress and depression got the best of me. I started again last night... too many memories swimming through my head... bad dreams... constantly being taken advantage of... blah, blah, blah. I'm trying to avoid excess but I know from previous experience that I can't control it. I'll have to quit again, starting from zero. But (stupid me) I'll finish this gallon first.

 

[mayorofthdesert]

I quit a couple days after my last post (nearly three months ago). But the anxiety, stress and depression got the best of me. I started again last night... too many memories swimming through my head... bad dreams... constantly being taken advantage of... blah, blah, blah. I'm trying to avoid excess but I know from previous experience that I can't control it. I'll have to quit again, starting from zero. But (stupid me) I'll finish this gallon first.

sorry brown thumb. i know anxiety, its why I drink so much. i still haven't been able to stop. had a horrible anxiety day today. threw out a half pint and a tall boy, then went and fished them out. that's all im going to drink tonight. sister gave me a xanax & i don't want to drink much on it. normally it's a pint and a six of 7%beer i called the aa hotline several times today, no answer. left a message, no call back.

 

[Mr.Miner]

I quit a couple days after my last post (nearly three months ago). But the anxiety, stress and depression got the best of me. I started again last night... too many memories swimming through my head... bad dreams... constantly being taken advantage of... blah, blah, blah. I'm trying to avoid excess but I know from previous experience that I can't control it. I'll have to quit again, starting from zero. But (stupid me) I'll finish this gallon first.

Don't beat yourself up. If you want to talk, reach out to me here. Anytime.

 

[Mr.Miner]

sorry brown thumb. i know anxiety, its why I drink so much. i still haven't been able to stop. had a horrible anxiety day today. threw out a half pint and a tall boy, then went and fished them out. that's all im going to drink tonight. sister gave me a xanax & i don't want to drink much on it. normally it's a pint and a six of 7%beer i called the aa hotline several times today, no answer. left a message, no call back.

Same thing, man. You can reach out to me anytime at all. I'd be happy to help however I can.

 

[Green Squall]

I quit a couple days after my last post (nearly three months ago). But the anxiety, stress and depression got the best of me. I started again last night... too many memories swimming through my head... bad dreams... constantly being taken advantage of... blah, blah, blah. I'm trying to avoid excess but I know from previous experience that I can't control it. I'll have to quit again, starting from zero. But (stupid me) I'll finish this gallon first.

3 Months is something to be proud of. I don't think I've ever gone that long.

Question: After quitting, how long does the fatigue last? I was like a walking zombie last time I took a break and could barely keep my eyes open. Headaches too, excruciating!

 

[LubdaNugs]

I’ve had 5 drinks since the beginning of the year and haven’t had a drink since mid February. I’ve wanted to quit for quite a while, but had so much of my life based around beer. I was an award winning Home brewer and mentor to many of the local home brewers. We had a dog die of liver failure and that was the final straw, I walked away from it and have no intention of returning.

 

[aridbud]

It takes numerous attempts before it's said and done. Celebrate the sober days/weeks/months in a constructive way.

 

[GET MO]

Im at about 2 months sober, again! want to make it last this time. One thing i dont like is how i become more introverted when sober, makes networing harder, but its also kind of empowering. Dressing nice and stayn up on hygiene really helps, exercise too. When your body feels clean and strong it cuts out some anxiety. Stay strong, remember it gets easier as you go, and if you fuck up its not the end of the world, but with alcohol it could be so be safe!

 

[brown_thumb]

3 Months is something to be proud of. I don't think I've ever gone that long.

Question: After quitting, how long does the fatigue last? I was like a walking zombie last time I took a break and could barely keep my eyes open. Headaches too, excruciating!

I'm sorry but I can't comment on the fatigue issue because I have a neurological condition and am always fatigued and often fuzzy-minded. I've quit before and never have recognizable physical withdrawal symptoms. Mine are purely, or mostly, psychological/emotional.

 

[brown_thumb]

sorry brown thumb. i know anxiety, its why I drink so much. i still haven't been able to stop. had a horrible anxiety day today. threw out a half pint and a tall boy, then went and fished them out. that's all im going to drink tonight. sister gave me a xanax & i don't want to drink much on it. normally it's a pint and a six of 7%beer i called the aa hotline several times today, no answer. left a message, no call back.

At least you took the step of tossing the alcohol in the trash. It's an honorable and positive first step. It's something to feel good about.

I don't think AA would help me much. If I decide to quit then I'll quit and I don't think belonging to a group would help in my situation because I'm too stubborn.

I might ask my doctor for anti-anxiety meds. Do they help you?

 

[brown_thumb]

Don't beat yourself up. If you want to talk, reach out to me here. Anytime.

Too late, my ego is already bruised.

 

[brown_thumb]

One thing I'd like to mention is neighbors and friends who attempt to break our sobriety. One of my neighbors (sort of a friend) occasionally drops by and insists I drink with him. This is despite the fact I've told him several times, and remind him when he asks, I've gone into kidney failure three or four times and my liver is swollen and hurting. I've been very candid that I'm sure I'll die soon if I don't quit. He still wants me to drink with him. Who needs friends like that?? I never give in to his insistence but it pisses me off that he tries. Frankly, I'd rather drink alone than allow an asshole like that to persuade me to drink myself to death just so he'll have someone to party with.

 

[Water-]

At least you took the step of tossing the alcohol in the trash. It's an honorable and positive first step. It's something to feel good about.

I don't think AA would help me much. If I decide to quit then I'll quit and I don't think belonging to a group would help in my situation because I'm too stubborn.

I might ask my doctor for anti-anxiety meds. Do they help you?

my advice is to stay away from Benzo anti anxiety drugs if you can.

They are a nightmare to come off after long term use.

They can cause dangerous physiological dependence.


never use them for more than two weeks .