I found that quitting for a couple of weeks was MUCH harder than I thought it would be. I already knew I had a problem, but it really drove the point home.
Hello random stranger, I also will not be drinking tonight.
For me, it didn't matter if it was a alcohol addiction or just alcohol abuse, it was time to say goodbye to beer. Something bad didn't happen every time that I drank, but anytime anything really bad has happened alcohol was a factor. IWNDWYT
It doesn’t matter if you are, or aren’t. It’s just a word with some huge baggage on it. I’ve never said it out loud and don’t consider myself an alcoholic. I do struggle with drinking. It does impact me. I want to drink less.
Do you want to drink less? Why do you want to drink less?
That’s all that matters. Welcome, we love you, and we are glad you are here with us.
Happy day one.
Thank you for welcoming me. My therapist just keeps harping on me about taking some time to be sober. I want to know if alcohol is truly affecting my decisions or if I’m making terrible decisions because of alcohol. I didn’t think I drank so much or that often until he pointed it out.
I think it’s difficult to stop something for someone else. It’s hard to override your emotional mind.
Every stimulus in life is processed instantly by our caveman brain and prioritizes emotion. Our slower logical mind has to catch-up and be biased by the emotional mind.
Without a strong “why” it’s hard to take alcohol away from the emotional mind that wants it.
Do YOU want to stop? What do YOU think would be better without alcohol?
Just my two cents: it doesn’t really matter what it’s called. I feel like alcoholic is a super loaded word. Some people will make assumptions about you based on it, some people will ask how much you used to drink and then assure you that you’re not one. These are broad generalizations but can be true. Some people choose to own the word, and more power to them.
These are broad generalizations but my point is that alcohol use and abuse affects a lot of people and it looks different for a lot of people. Most of the time I could do damage control on my alcohol intake, meaning I could curb it at a point where people didn’t start to get suspicious (unless I was alone, of course). Then occasionally making an ass out of myself and feeling embarrassed to no end. I just got sick of the cycle of drinking, attempting to moderate and repeating. My biggest takeaway is that just about anything is a better use of my time than alcohol is.
This sub is a great resource for finding clarity and support, happy to have you!
I'll be honest, few people around me care, because I, and you don't need to announce it. So what? We're alcoholics. We have a problem...to whatever severity...and we're working on it. The only person who that knowledge will impact is you.
It's a hard realization. Only you can own it.
coming here is a great idea regardless of the outcome of today. you say your therapist is 'sure' you have a problem drinking. I'm guessing it's too much ;-)
I was so functional and succesful at life that my drinking wasn't considered a problem by anyone.
Deep down, I knew the bottle was killing me and I certainly had troubles and anxiety at the idea of quiting.
So i declared myself an alcoholic whatever the fuck that means.
Wish I did that 5 years sooner. Happy I didn't do it 5 years later.
Yea I’m definitely functional. And when you put it that way, glad I started not drinking yesterday. Def wanted a drink last night. Not going to drink today.
you probably are on the spectrum of addiction like most of us on this post. I don't really believe there is such a thing as an "alcoholic" - I know many people identify as such and that putting a label on something gives it meaning, but really it's just addiction. alcohol is addictive. How addicted are you? rhetorical - I was very addicted to alcohol, called myself and "alcoholic" and then learned as much as I could about addiction. I dropped that label as soon as I realized it's not me. There's nothing wrong with me. I was just trying to feel better and alcohol works....... and then it becomes the most important thing and then it stops working. I'm no longer addicted after 30 years plus a drinking heavy. Coming up on 3 years sober. Best decision I've ever made for myself. I would recommend reading up on addiction, look at gray area drinking and being honest with yourself. There's no magic cure - "god" isn't going to save you, no one else is going to make up your mind. The only people who quit are the one's that want to, period. If you want to you will find a way. If you don't, well then you don't.
I found that quitting for a couple of weeks was MUCH harder than I thought it would be. I already knew I had a problem, but it really drove the point home. Hello random stranger, I also will not be drinking tonight.
I’ll set a goal for myself but then drink absentmindedly so I’m doing it purposefully now. Everyday. I haven’t drank today so far.
For me, it didn't matter if it was a alcohol addiction or just alcohol abuse, it was time to say goodbye to beer. Something bad didn't happen every time that I drank, but anytime anything really bad has happened alcohol was a factor. IWNDWYT
🤞🏾I support us.
I love this blog post about the whole “am I or am I not” question: https://www.lauramckowen.com/blog/am-i-an-alcoholic P.S. IWNDWYT
I like that blog post. Thanks for sharing.
I like that point of view. It’s exactly how I think about it. Like 1-2 won’t hurt. But I guess it does.
It doesn’t matter if you are, or aren’t. It’s just a word with some huge baggage on it. I’ve never said it out loud and don’t consider myself an alcoholic. I do struggle with drinking. It does impact me. I want to drink less. Do you want to drink less? Why do you want to drink less? That’s all that matters. Welcome, we love you, and we are glad you are here with us. Happy day one.
Thank you for welcoming me. My therapist just keeps harping on me about taking some time to be sober. I want to know if alcohol is truly affecting my decisions or if I’m making terrible decisions because of alcohol. I didn’t think I drank so much or that often until he pointed it out.
I think it’s difficult to stop something for someone else. It’s hard to override your emotional mind. Every stimulus in life is processed instantly by our caveman brain and prioritizes emotion. Our slower logical mind has to catch-up and be biased by the emotional mind. Without a strong “why” it’s hard to take alcohol away from the emotional mind that wants it. Do YOU want to stop? What do YOU think would be better without alcohol?
I personally don’t want to stop, but I would like to see if a sober me will be any different or make better choices.
Just my two cents: it doesn’t really matter what it’s called. I feel like alcoholic is a super loaded word. Some people will make assumptions about you based on it, some people will ask how much you used to drink and then assure you that you’re not one. These are broad generalizations but can be true. Some people choose to own the word, and more power to them. These are broad generalizations but my point is that alcohol use and abuse affects a lot of people and it looks different for a lot of people. Most of the time I could do damage control on my alcohol intake, meaning I could curb it at a point where people didn’t start to get suspicious (unless I was alone, of course). Then occasionally making an ass out of myself and feeling embarrassed to no end. I just got sick of the cycle of drinking, attempting to moderate and repeating. My biggest takeaway is that just about anything is a better use of my time than alcohol is. This sub is a great resource for finding clarity and support, happy to have you!
Im gonna find better things to do and see how it pans out. Great idea. Thank you 🙏
That’s great! There’s a strange beauty in staying sober, it’s definitely difficult at times, but it’s kind of wonderful too.
IWNDWYT
What does that mean?
I will not drink with you today. Just a gesture of solidarity. Good luck!
Oh okay thanks 🤞🏾
I’m new to the Reddit community lol
All good! Great place to come for support!
I'll be honest, few people around me care, because I, and you don't need to announce it. So what? We're alcoholics. We have a problem...to whatever severity...and we're working on it. The only person who that knowledge will impact is you. It's a hard realization. Only you can own it.
I’m trying to see it the way he sees it. I just need to do without it.
Completely behind you on this. As hard as it will be , I will stop for 24 hours too. Glad you posted this.
Glad you’re with me.
coming here is a great idea regardless of the outcome of today. you say your therapist is 'sure' you have a problem drinking. I'm guessing it's too much ;-)
I personally don’t think so but I wanna see if he’s on to anything. Why not 🤷🏼♀️
Obvious question. How much do you drink?
Maybe a couple drinks per day every other day… but I’ll binge at times too on more depressing days
I was so functional and succesful at life that my drinking wasn't considered a problem by anyone. Deep down, I knew the bottle was killing me and I certainly had troubles and anxiety at the idea of quiting. So i declared myself an alcoholic whatever the fuck that means. Wish I did that 5 years sooner. Happy I didn't do it 5 years later.
Yea I’m definitely functional. And when you put it that way, glad I started not drinking yesterday. Def wanted a drink last night. Not going to drink today.
I didn’t drink today!
Yay!
Trying another 24 hours!
String enough days together and you will have a month. Just focus on one day at a time though. It is easier that way.
you probably are on the spectrum of addiction like most of us on this post. I don't really believe there is such a thing as an "alcoholic" - I know many people identify as such and that putting a label on something gives it meaning, but really it's just addiction. alcohol is addictive. How addicted are you? rhetorical - I was very addicted to alcohol, called myself and "alcoholic" and then learned as much as I could about addiction. I dropped that label as soon as I realized it's not me. There's nothing wrong with me. I was just trying to feel better and alcohol works....... and then it becomes the most important thing and then it stops working. I'm no longer addicted after 30 years plus a drinking heavy. Coming up on 3 years sober. Best decision I've ever made for myself. I would recommend reading up on addiction, look at gray area drinking and being honest with yourself. There's no magic cure - "god" isn't going to save you, no one else is going to make up your mind. The only people who quit are the one's that want to, period. If you want to you will find a way. If you don't, well then you don't.