I Have A Drinking Problem

[Flatlander Fox]

Not much new advice to add as I agree to almost all that has been said so far...

I try repeatedly to quit smoking, but I don't WANT it bad enough I guess...

If you want it bad enough, you can do anything. Prove THAT to yourself, and your problem is solved.

Self motivation sounds so easy, doesn't it??

Stay away from the pubs, play multiplayer Civ all night on Fridays and Saturdays, and call the phone-sex lines to satisfy your OTHER needs

. Don't forget to eat

.

Good luck. You seem like the kind of person that will have no problem achieving whatever they want...



------------------
I'm so tired of being tired... Sure as night will follow day... Most things I worry about, never happen anyway...

 

[drake]

Positive reinforcement is always great. Sit down for a few minutes and calculate how much money you spend every month on booze (approx. of course). Going cold turkey for awhile should save you a significant amount of change over a few weeks. Use this money to get yourself something nice. Instead of pissing your money down the drain (literally), you'll have something solid and real, like a stack of new cd's or a new computer game (or something you'd find cool).

Seeing how much money you actually piss away should help the struggles of quitting.

Addicted smokers should try something similar if they want to quit. Money isn't everything, but people would have a lot more for themselves without their vices......

Speaking of, I gotta work on my caffeine addiction

 

[Cunobelin Of Hippo]

Hey, good luck with whatever you do Simon

When I have something I really want but shouldn't have (like some ridiculously sugary candies that always hurt my teeth) I buy a whole bunch of it, be it candy, cereal, (I eat way to much sugar) whatever, and throw them one by one into the woods, or a lake!. Try smashing some of your personal stash against a rock.

And every dollar that you would noramlly spend on booze? Put it in a piggy bank, then, when you're tempted, buy somthing nice and wholesome for yourself.

PS: Sorry if either of these has already been suggested- I browsed through pretty quickly.

 

[goodbye_mr_bond]

Originally posted by Cunobelin Of Hippo:
I buy a whole bunch of it, be it candy, cereal, (I eat way to much sugar) whatever, and throw them one by one into the woods, or a lake.

Oh good one, Hippo: Take it out on Mother Nature.

 

[FearlessLeader2]

In the hopes that numbers mean anything...definitely don't forego getting any help. AA is a really good place to get help with this, and a doctor will probably direct you there first. Neither I nor any of my family(Witnesses) are or have been alcoholics, so I can't offer you any advice on it(unless the fact that out of all them Bible-thumpers, not one is an alkie is worth anything). But definitely don't insist on going it alone.

Try prayer if you're a religious man, it certainly won't hurt. But definitely AA too. And a hobby wouldn't kill you.

For a guy with nothing to say, I do blather on and on, don't I?

 

[SunTzu]

I use alcohol as a 'social lubricant'. I'm a pretty shy person around my friends. When i drink i loosen up more and become the life of the party

Do i think i'm an alcoholic. eh....maybe i'm not sure i'll find out after my camping trip this weekend

Hope you get your problems worked out simon!

 

[Lefty Scaevola]

Originally posted by SunTzu:
I use alcohol as a 'social lubricant'. I'm a pretty shy person around my friends. When i drink i loosen up more and become the life of the party

Have someone videotape you at a party where you drink, you will be amazed at how quickly, Maybe 3 drinks, alcohol goes from being a mild relaxer of inhibitions and shyness to making you look stupid.

 

[drake]

So'd you make it through the weekend darkshade?

 

[Siggy]

Has anyone here had a similar experience? If so, please share it, because I need advice. I have made up my mind. I want to change, and with the help of God and man, I will do so. Responses and PM's very much appreciated.

[/B]

Yes, I have. After my first relationship ended, I drank heavy for a while (every day, more than ten beers, or jenever, vodka, beerenburg and so on...). On one depressing monday morning I saw the train coming in the station, and for a moment I thought: "what a nice solution for my problems, one step over the edge and all is over". I didn't do it. Not because I didn't dare. I figured out she really wasn't worth that. After that she also wasn't worth to get drunk about.

I still drink occasionally. I don't mind too much. I don't need alcohol to function in my daily life, I do not go to pubs that much and when I am there, I do not get drunk. There are weeks I don't drink at all, so I made progress, all by myself.

My advice is that I donnot have an advice. You have to come through yourself. When you are strong enough you can even go to a pub without drinking alcohol. If your friends start making fun of you because you're not drinking anything, they are probably no real friends. You can go to the AA offcourse, but I think that is a kind of drastic, you still have to do the work yourself, the only thing you do there is talking about your problems. You allready made a big step by recognizing the problem, now you have to work on it. Good luck

 

[Johan511]

If you want help read this thread, I love you all! And I want to Help! If you need more PM ME! Don't even Hesitate.
http://forums.civfanatics.com/Forum8/HTML/000987.html#9


------------------
<IMG SRC="http://www.overgrow.com/edge/images/smilies/alien.gif" border=0>

 

[Simon Darkshade]

Yeah, I made it through the weekend. Time allows reflection and pondering on many things, and with them come self control and the realization that there are other things to do. Having to work, and seeing friends helped, as did books, films and the truth.

------------------
Whether you like it or not, history is on our side. We will bury you.
- N.S.Khrushchev

 

[Leowind]

You can be fortunate you're not in the States, Simon, as tomorrow is our Independence Day celebration, a big holiday for picnic, bbqs, and lots of beer-drinking that usually goes on at those events. Glad you made it through the weekend. Keep taking it one day at a time, and keep us posted on how it's going. We all care.

peace, Leowind

 

[Exile]

There is a mechanical solution to excessive drinking. Not sure if it's legal in Britain, but there is a substance that, once administered to a habitual drinker, will not simply make them physically sick if they drink again, but will actually drop them in their tracks if they drink anytime after the administration of this particular substance. I've never experienced it, but know that such a remedy exists. It is rather draconian, but it does effectively prevent drinking. One adverse experience usually suffices to break the habit.

For what its worth,
Exile

 

[Simon Darkshade]

Made it through another big test tonight; my first night out with friends since going off the bottle. Got through it well, without major tempatations, and am on the way to re-establishing control of my life. My real friends were very understanding, and we didn't really go out, just hung around, played basketball, watched footy and cricket, talked of Civ, and patronizingly listened to my mates cute little brother's description of his dodgy dance musci collection.

Afterwards, i went to a bar by myself, and ordered Coke, and watched a band for a little while. At no stage can i say I really wanted a drink.
Things are going well.

------------------
Whether you like it or not, history is on our side. We will bury you.
- N.S.Khrushchev

 

[drake]

Congrats man! thats great!

So, how much money did you save? Did you like waking up with a clear head? Wasn't it nice to be able to check out the girls without beer goggles?

You're on your way my man, keep up the good work!

 

[Johan511]

I just wanted to commend you for you efforts man, Keep up the good work!

------------------
<IMG SRC="http://www.overgrow.com/edge/images/smilies/alien.gif" border=0>

 

[Leowind]

Good to hear its still going well, Simon. Keep up the good work, and I do mean keep it up. After a few days of success, it may be tempting to think you've licked it, and that will be your most dangerous moment. Remember, you may tame the beast, but it never goes away completely, and it can bite you quick if you're not always on your guard. Hats off to your success, and prayers for its continuation

 

[Simon Darkshade]

Another day,anther night. Tonight was Thursday, what used to be my big drinikng night. I went out ot the pub, had dinner, and socialized wothout drinking alcohol till close, which was at 0200. Even then, I went into town with Brooksy, a mate of mine, and did not drink at the pub in there. Even though I rocked home at 0325, I did not drink, and I was happy. I did not feel I missed out on anything, apart from sleep. ( Gosh, bars can be so bloody hot: I was in a singlet and leather jacket, and it is midwinter down here. I won $20 on the pokies though, and did smoke a fair bit.)

I feel I am on the road to some semblnce of a good life now. No more does drink rule me when I venture out with me mates. I'm getting there. Sorry if this seems a bit repetitive, but I'd like to give updates, as others have asked for news. I haven't gone to AA or anything, but have followed a program of mine own: Don't drink, and pray for guidance. It has helped me, and when I went to the gym tonight, I never felt better. Thanks for al the kind support.

------------------
Whether you like it or not, history is on our side. We will bury you.
- N.S.Khrushchev

 

[Leowind]

Simon, yes its repetitive, and so are/will be our replies, but that's the nature of it. You just do the same thing day after day, one day at a time, and each day is a victory. I am SO glad to hear you are getting a handle on it

Not many could quit it cold turkey like you are. Keep up the great work, and enjoy all that new energy and clear thinking you'll be blessed with

And don't apologize for keeping us updated. These updates we like to hear.

 

[Leowind]

Simon, our unfortunate misunderstanding re: the Zulu wars reminded me I hadn't heard an update on this topic in awhile. I sincerely hope all is still going well.

peace, Leowind