Alcohol - quitting drinking

[Kazeko]

So, we already have an interesting topic, discussing pros and cons of drinking alcohol. I think, almost all the major opinions are already covered there.

That's why I started this thread. There are some people (including me), who want to quit drinking and need support. This topic is for them.

Even Steve, as I can guess, avoids discussing alcohol. Maybe, he'll want to discuss how to give it up and to help us quitting it, for the sake of personal growth...

Some words about myself "in the process of quitting". I used to be a hard drinker some years ago. Then, I started to pay my attention to questions of health and personal growth and decided to give it up at once. For me, the harm of alcohol to health is obvious. Then I've experienced several "waves" of quitting and starting again. I used alcohol to escape my negative periods of life and to overcome depression (to lower my awareness, as Steve would probably say). Now I completely understand, that I should always face my fears, not to run from them.

My achievements so far:
- I've completely given up strong alcohol.
- I've removed (completely, I hope) "celebration part" of comsuming alcohol. Had my birthday and New Year's day celebrated "alcohol-free".
- Sometimes I still drink beer and wine-like drinks, physically suffering and regretting later.

The day before yesterday I had much beer. Yesterday I said (again) - that's enough. Here's why:
I went to cinema and watched Spider Man 3 movie. Many interesting insights about lightworker/darkworker paths by the way.
The movie's characters consumed alcohol 4 times!!! And that's supposed to be a movie for kids! Spiderman's friend/enemy drinks cognac after a stress, later drinks martini when happy. Spider's girl stands staring at the bottles in the bar after a heavy stress. Another enemy drinks champagne celebrating. And, finally, Spiderman himself has champagne served - but luckily doesn't drink it. So, good guys don't drink, bad guys do? I doubt it. For me, it seems like a conspiracy. Like our governments want us to drink and to be dumb. (Has anybody seen the movie "Please, smoke!"?)

(Oh, I forgot about the phrases - "- More coffee? - Sure!")

I want to be as smart as possible and I give up drinking, again. No alcohol from today. Please, support me! Any helping advice would be appreciated.

Please, post your quitting stories, too.

[JohnK]

If you're thinking about it that much, it's true, you definitely do need help. Of course, there are tried and true methods of giving up alcohol (and drugs - alcohol is a drug). Is there a reason you do not want to take advantage of these free methods?

JK

[Kazeko]

No thanks, that's too much - I'm not so addicted. Supportive discussion in this forum would be enough.

I'm not thinking much about alcohol - I'm thinking about quitting. And, as you can see, I have a significant progress.

Why I'm thinking so much about quitting? Because quitting alcohol would be the best quantum leap I can make now for my personal growth.

Although, I'll consider your advice as "overwhelming force" if nothing else works.

[technobeast]

I'm with you, Kazeko. I've found myself overeating, oversleeping, etc doing so many useless things after drinking even one beer. I've thought of quitting alchohol at all, but getting together with friends, lots of hard moments make it somewhat.... not that wanted, maybe.
I don't know exactly. What I know is - I'm not that effective and strict when I have a beer or more!

[Susie]

I did this and didn't drink for one year (which was my goal). Now I have the occasional glass of wine with dinner but that's about it.

What I did was set a series of goals:
1 month
3 months
6 months
9 months
1 year

And each time I hit the marker I rewarded myself. Keeping the dates marked on the calendar really helped and made me less likely to drink again because I didn't want to have to start over from Day 1 (the idea was if I drank I'd have to start the count again).

Also what was key was getting it into my head that I was now a "non-drinker." Start thinking of yourself as a person who doesn't drink. I also found that was the most helpful way to refuse a drink in what might be pressure-filled situations, when I said "Thanks but I don't drink" there's not much people can do to argue with that.

Good luck!

[Ree]

I quit smoking using a program by the American Cancer Society called 21 Days to a Fresh Start. That was 14 years ago and I haven't smoked since. A couple of tips that helped me were:

Find something to substitute for the habit you want to stop. For me, I substituted making and drinking lemon water for the cigarette. The process of slicing the lemon, squeezing it into the water took the place of shaking a cigarette out of the pack and placing the lighter to the tip of it.

But for me the biggest motivator and aid was to write down the top three reasons I wanted to quit smoking and carry these reasons in writing with me everywhere. Be completely honest about these reasons. They are for your eyes only. Each time I felt I was about to cave in and smoke, I would take these reasons out and read them over. THAT DID IT!

I also kept count of how many days I went without smoking, and each time I felt really tempted, I asked myself did I want to throw away that number of days and all the hard work and effort that went into those days. NO WAY!

I think these aids might easily translate over to help your effort to stop drinking. Best of luck to you!

[Wit and Itch]

Kazeko
I wish you all the luck in quitting.
I think it is a very good idea to be free of all substances that play with your mind. Once you are free, you see things much clearer.

[Jimmy123]

The name Sam Shoemaker should be enough to inspire you

[Patpre]

Just do this always tell to your self that I have to quit alcohol it is bad for my heath. do it over and over during bedtime until you fall of sleep.

[Illumination]

I'm also considering quitting drinking - which really isn't a tough issue for me.

The only thing is, I'll probably not be hanging out with some of my closer buddies who still enjoy drinking. So while it's easy for me to quit drinking, I'll probably miss those times, though of drunken stupor, with those close buddies of mine.

I guess I used to drink to numb myself from the memories of past setbacks as well as the ongoing unresolved issues in my life. But I've come to consciously realize that things aren't working out for me and they will continue to be that way unless I do something about it. Unfinished goals, good intentions that never materialized, broken promises - these are some of the stuff that happens when you don't consciously make the right choices.

When I choose to stop drinking, it is about exercising my choice to take responsibility of the lacklustre performance I've been demonstrating in my life. I guess I've had enough of mediocrity.

[bobo]

I quit cold turkey some years ago, when I was depressed and the alcohol was just getting everything worse. I was totally free from it for a year, then I deided to allow myself to drink 1 drink at every occation it was offered; Parties etc.
I´m now drinking every now and then, but thinking of quitting again. it´s seems unnecessary and I recognize that I have an addictional beaviour, I tend to drink too much when I start. Anyways, good luck in your efforts, maybe I´ll join you.

[jokerman]

here's how I quit both drinking and smoking in one fell swoop: I was on vacation with my family, and so couldn't smoke or drink openly, which limited my opportunities; then one night I snuck out and drank multiple gigantic beers and chain smoked and got so nauseated that I vomited seemingly the entire night. I've never had the desire to smoke again, and if I drink it's never more than a couple glasses of wine or beer to go with food.

in short, I "lucked" into some really effective aversive conditioning.

another thing: although this probably doesn't hold for alcoholics, I would caution against trying to abstain totally from any alcohol at all. alcohol in moderation is no problem whatsoever. by demonizing it, you run the risk of propping up a formidable psychological foe, which may be more debilitating than the actual drinking. it might be more empowering and healthy to embrace drinking with some regularity, say a glass of wine or beer at dinner to enhance food, or a cocktail at some upscale party. you might try inverting the struggle, and instead of trying to quit drinking, actually cultivate it into a sophisticated hobby, such as fine wine tasting, or learning mixology. granted, that might be bad advice for an alcoholic.

[Illumination]

Originally Posted by jokerman

here's how I quit both drinking and smoking in one fell swoop: I was on vacation with my family, and so couldn't smoke or drink openly, which limited my opportunities; then one night I snuck out and drank multiple gigantic beers and chain smoked and got so nauseated that I vomited seemingly the entire night. I've never had the desire to smoke again, and if I drink it's never more than a couple glasses of wine or beer to go with food.

in short, I "lucked" into some really effective aversive conditioning.

another thing: although this probably doesn't hold for alcoholics, I would caution against trying to abstain totally from any alcohol at all. alcohol in moderation is no problem whatsoever. by demonizing it, you run the risk of propping up a formidable psychological foe, which may be more debilitating than the actual drinking. it might be more empowering and healthy to embrace drinking with some regularity, say a glass of wine or beer at dinner to enhance food, or a cocktail at some upscale party. you might try inverting the struggle, and instead of trying to quit drinking, actually cultivate it into a sophisticated hobby, such as fine wine tasting, or learning mixology. granted, that might be bad advice for an alcoholic.

The problem is, after the first or second glass, you'll feel less inhibited and go on and on. And on...

As with all things, the "why" precedes the "how". To really quit drinking, you must know/decide why and feel strongly about the reason. Look at the past, learn what you need to decide in the present, then look into the future to see the result is what you really want.

If the "why" is not there or not strong enough, all the strategies discussed will just come to naught.

[michaelj]

I can't tell the best solution to give up drinking. I just have told myself that from 1st January 2008 I would not drink. And I don't drink. There is no force which can make me to drinking. My friends tried to persuade me to alcohol but my awareness is strong enough to reject. After some time they realized they have no chance and they gave up. And I get one more lesson with saying no. Now it is useful to avoiding junk food like chips, icecreams etc. Sometimes people (who don't know me) look at me like at alien but I don't care, finally what is more important than my life? I belive that socializing is independent of alcohol.
I see results of my decision. Just now I realize that even one beer has negative influence on my physical and mental health. I do not see any adventages in drinking. It is better to find out some basis of a good humour, positive attitude and make it constant than drinking and feeling fine for a few hours.

Micheal

[Illumination]

To get more leverage on kicking the habit, I'd suggest reading up more on the ill effects of alcohol.

Read, do some in-depth research. Write about it, put it on your blog. Tell it to people whom you care about.

Here's something to start with :
ALCOHOL’S DAMAGING EFFECTS ON THE BRAIN

[Calculusaurus]

Originally Posted by Illumination

To get more leverage on kicking the habit, I'd suggest reading up more on the ill effects of alcohol.

Read, do some in-depth research. Write about it, put it on your blog. Tell it to people whom you care about.

Here's something to start with :
ALCOHOL’S DAMAGING EFFECTS ON THE BRAIN

This is precisely why I try to limit alcohol intake. I know studies show that alcohol decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease and strokes, but if you're really concerned about intelligence and creativity, it seems best to just stay away from alcohol. For good cardiovascular health you can just exercise anyway...

[abcZen]

I've been doing something similar recently, to be honest I don't want to completely quit because sometimes I enjoy the odd-drunken night.

However, I have gone out the last 4 nights and not had any alcohol and been proud of myself for it, it is easier if you are out with someone who is the same.

[Illumination]

Originally Posted by Calculusaurus

This is precisely why I try to limit alcohol intake. I know studies show that alcohol decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease and strokes, but if you're really concerned about intelligence and creativity, it seems best to just stay away from alcohol. For good cardiovascular health you can just exercise anyway...

Yea, exercising brings you the same benefits. You don't need alcohol for that. Also, u'll get nicely toned abs as compared to a beer belly. Unfortunately, a six-pack beer doesn't give you a six-pack on your abs.

[Illumination]

I turned down a drinking session with some friends later today. Was a little tempted though.

How's everyone else?

[Calculusaurus]

Originally Posted by Illumination

I turned down a drinking session with some friends later today. Was a little tempted though.

How's everyone else?

just graduated college so I got the whole crazy-drunkenness experiences out of my system.

I'm looking at the next 10 years of my life and I don't see a point in keeping up the casual drinking habit. It's always easy to justify alcohol in the moment "oh, just this once, I'm not a habitual drinker..."

Alcohol can be a helluva lot of fun. But now that I've gotten those experiences out of my system I'm ready to treat my neurons with better care

[ilovetoday]

hi illumination,

I am in your shoes also, I am not an alcoholic but at university i did binge drink to a fair extent. Since leaving university i slowed down a bit and now I do not think I have had a drink for a number of months -since I last went to the races(and I didnt drink much there either).

In fact, I have not been able to handle more than one night out in a fortnight or even a month. This is while many of my friends and family go out drinking, I dont even see the point anymore. I enjoy getting up early and going to the markets or the beach, or go walking.

After one or two i decide 3 or 4 wont hurt anymore etc, etc. Then you wake up in the afternoon with a hangover and wasted a whole day sleepy and feeling nasueas. Good luck with quitting you will be fine.

[Travelr]

Hello All,

Thanks for your posts, I recommend you guys Allen Carr book on EasyWay to quit drinking, has been encourgaing for me so far!

The problem is that I still can not imagine my life without booze, most social and business ocassions happen with galons of the perverse liquid, no doubt we live in an alcoholic society!

How you could manage to reinvent your life without it? Any suggestions?

Thanks!

tVLR

[infinitethoughts]

Noooooooooo........Please don't get rid of alcohol ?!?

Whenever that happens I find people to be wayyyy to serious and stuffy.

How bout this?
Why not just moderate yourself with it?

I do....

[infinitethoughts]

If someone responds they can't moderate.........then I hope they realize it's not alcohol but something inside of themselves that needs to be addressed.

[hkalchemy]

I quit drinking completely about 8 months ago. I used to drink quite alot and I decided that I would give up completely. I tried for years to quit but this time I haven't found it hard.

I honestly believe that subconscious conditioning is the key. Check out the Silva Method - it's tried and tested over many, many years.

[Calculusaurus]

Originally Posted by Calculusaurus

...But now that I've gotten those experiences out of my system I'm ready to treat my neurons with better care

I posted this a while ago, but I just recently saw this video:

Dean Ornish says your genes are not your fate | Video on TED.com

It's 3min long, so check it out.

He says that alcohol in moderation can cause brain growth (new neurons).

I've read/been told that no matter what, alcohol does kill brain cells, it's just that the effect is measurable when it's taken in excess... never thought I'd hear that small amounts are good for neuron growth.

I found that really interesting, but the video does not cite sources. I'd love to see if anyone can find research/info/links regarding the positive effects of alcohol on the brain when taken in small doses. I'll start looking

[gipanelli]

Many of mine doctor friends said that best thing to prevent people from alcoholism is a drug called Antabus. Disulfiram, which is the main ingredient in it causes horrible effects if combined with intake of alcohol. Some 5-10 minutes after alcohol intake, the patient may experience the effects of a severe hangover for a period of 30 minutes up to several hours. Symptoms include flushing of the skin, accelerated heart rate, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, throbbing headache, visual disturbance, mental confusion, postural fainting and circulatory collapse.

It sounds scary, but this fear factor mostly really helps.

[lifeforce]

I set a similar goal back in march. Scarry and a bit uncomfortable the first month, but now I'm never going back. You gain alot of social skills and you have alot more fun when your solber.

It's not for everyone to quit drinking. I have alot of friends I would stop hanging out with if they didn't drink. Solber, they are just too damn boring (and take no responibility for personality improvment) to hang out with. Drinking makes them social and gives them a sence of humor