Quitting Drinking.

Flynn4Heisman

Well-Known Member
Mar 24, 2006
594
591
93
So I have struggled a bit with drinking a lot the last four years or so.

My father, grandfather, and sister were alcoholics, and my sister FINALLY beat it a couple years ago (she is 42 now). I was HARDCORE Straight Edge due to my family history until I was 21 (2007) when I bought a six pack to celebrate.

I only drank socially after that until early 2020 when I hated my job at the time so much, I ldrank on my breaks, and every night before bed.

It literally became a habit, to the point that even when I didn't crave booze, I still needed a drink to pair with a cigar. RC Cola, Sunkist, and Squirt made great substitutes for awhile, but I would still always find my way back to a bottle of whiskey to pair with my nightcap cigar every other day or so.

So a couple weeks ago, I FINALLY made the decision to quit drinking almost every night. I had made strides in the past couple years, but would always seems to "relapse" roughly once a week and down nearly a whole bottle.

These are the Texts I sent to one of my best friends who is a former, major alcoholic this past Sunday:

"So I have a plan to quit drinking everyday, and it's already paying off.

Very slowly detoxing myself, with one less drink a night. Tonight will be 7 drinks, tomorrow 6, then 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

I restarted this this past week after I relapsed HARD the night of the election and downed an entire bottle in despair.

Anyway, since Thursday alone (which was 12 drinks), my body is responding well, and I'm sleeping better, and waking up feeling fine as my body is adjusting nicely the the gradual decrease in alcohol.

If you're curious, I supposedly downed an entire bottle last Tuesday (I swore I went to bed with 1/3 left, but I couldn't find the bottle the next day, so I'm just assuming I downed the whole thing. That's 16 drinks).

Wednesday was 14 drinks. Thursday was 12, Friday was 9 or 10, and last night was 8. I wish I could go cold turkey (I have craved a drink maybe once in the past week), and I really want to, but I don't want to die. Hahahaha.

But this slow process is working, and I already am feeling much better."

When I say "I don't want to die" it's because I had a couple brief seizures my first night in my new house.


This is another text I sent the same friend on October 1:

"So I had my first seizure last night.

I was laying on my side half asleep, and then my body just started flopping around like I was coughing really heavily, but not coughing. You know what I mean?

It lasted for about 5 - 10 seconds, then happened again about 30 seconds later.

I was like "What just happened? I think I just had a seizure?!"

I'm not surprised though, I essentially went straight cold turkey last night."

Anyway, it feels good to let this out there to you all whom I feel I can trust, and I am curious about other stories (if you are comfortable sharing) that helped beat the habit.

Again, the slow process of one less drink a night has been working great for me as I slowly detox myself.

What worked for you?

I love you all.
 
Last edited:

ClonesTwenty1

Well-Known Member
May 23, 2018
17,722
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Never have drank much to become an alcoholic. But have seen plenty go through it. Even at my younger age. Only advice I can really give based on friends and family that have been through it, is don’t be afraid to seek help from counseling or therapy to go along with it. It seems to go a long way when having that professional help as well. It’s hard to quit things alone and all by oneself.
 
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Cyclonepride

Thought Police
Staff member
Apr 11, 2006
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A pineapple under the sea
www.oldschoolradical.com
I'm a creature of habit, so while I don't drink a lot anymore, I do go through long stretches where I drink consistently (also long stretches where I don't drink at all). It's tricky, as I have some stomach issues, and having a couple beers settles it, but ensures that my stomach is upset the next day too.

For me, I have to change my routine and replace that habit with a new one. I've read that it takes 20 days to install a new habit, and I've found that to be true. So getting to that 20 days is my main focus (it is different with addictive things, but I have found that it gets easier after 20 days with things like quitting smoking).

I know someone who has cirrhosis of the liver from drinking and it's no joke. When the liver gets that point, everything else starts to go downhill too. Luckily they got to the brink with it and completely quit a few years ago, and have got back to pretty normal health again (as I understand it, once you get cirrhosis, your liver doesn't get better, but stopping drinking helps it to not get worse).

I wish you well in making this lifestyle change, and hope you can use the support here to see it through!
 

cyclone4L

Well-Known Member
Jun 30, 2013
4,477
6,217
113
This is not meant to bash or make fun. I’m saying this seeing a canary in the coal mine.

If it was serious enough to post this on CF: go to AA.
You can’t solve a problem without taking it seriously. When I finally took my weight seriously, I lost 80+ lbs.
 

RagingCloner

Well-Known Member
Dec 2, 2022
4,581
6,798
113
So I have struggled a bit with drinking a lot the last four years or so.

My father, grandfather, and sister were alcoholics, and my sister FINALLY beat it a couple years ago (she is 42 now). I was HARDCORE Straight Edge due to my family history until I was 21 (2017) when I bought a six pack to celebrate.

I only drank socially after that until early 2020 when I hated my job at the time so much, I ldrank on my breaks, and every night before bed.

It literally became a habit, to the point that even when I didn't crave booze, I still needed a drink to pair with a cigar. RC Cola, Sunkist, and Squirt made great substitutes for awhile, but I would still always find my way back to a bottle of whiskey to pair with my nightcap cigar every other day or so.

So a couple weeks ago, I FINALLY made the decision to quit drinking almost every night. I had made strides in the past couple years, but would always seems to "relapse" roughly once a week and down nearly a whole bottle.

These are the Texts I sent to one of my best friends who is a former, major alcoholic this past Sunday:

"So I have a plan to quit drinking everyday, and it's already paying off.

Very slowly detoxing myself, with one less drink a night. Tonight will be 7 drinks, tomorrow 6, then 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

I restarted this this past week after I relapsed HARD the night of the election and downed an entire bottle in despair.

Anyway, since Thursday alone (which was 12 drinks), my body is responding well, and I'm sleeping better, and waking up feeling fine as my body is adjusting nicely the the gradual decrease in alcohol.

If you're curious, I supposedly downed an entire bottle last Tuesday (I swore I went to bed with 1/3 left, but I couldn't find the bottle the next day, so I'm just assuming I downed the whole thing. That's 16 drinks).

Wednesday was 14 drinks. Thursday was 12, Friday was 9 or 10, and last night was 8. I wish I could go cold turkey (I have craved a drink maybe once in the past week), and I really want to, but I don't want to die. Hahahaha.

But this slow process is working, and I already am feeling much better."

When I say "I don't want to die" it's because I had a couple brief seizures my first night in my new house.


This is another text I sent the same friend on October 1:

"So I had my first seizure last night.

I was laying on my side half asleep, and then my body just started flopping around like I was coughing really heavily, but not coughing. You know what I mean?

It lasted for about 5 - 10 seconds, then happened again about 30 seconds later.

I was like "What just happened? I think I just had a seizure?!"

I'm not surprised though, I essentially went straight cold turkey last night."

Anyway, it feels good to let this out there to you all whom I feel I can trust, and I am curious about other stories (if you are comfortable sharing) that helped beat the habit.

Again, the slow process of one less drink a night has been working great for me as I slowly detox myself.

What worked for you?

I love you all.
Proud of you. I’m on day 18 of my own sobriety journey. Wouldn’t consider myself an alcoholic but definitely felt like I was drinking too often. Made the decision to stop cold turkey, and the changes I’ve already seen are incredible. I knew if I tried to wean myself of it, I’d never end up stopping, so cold turkey was best for me.

Gatorade has been my replacement crutch, but I have recently switched to water with lemon juice as there’s much less sugar.

Thanks for your vulnerability, here for you if you need someone else to reach out too
 

swiacy

Well-Known Member
Apr 9, 2009
2,200
1,999
113
When I was in my late 20’s, I was smoking 2 packs of cigarettes a day. Realized I needed to quit and stopped cold turkey. Worst part was when I drank coffee in the morning and after a meal. Addiction is all in your head and you just have to make the commitment to quit. There is a thing called oral fixation and I did chew gun and hard candy to help. Might help you get your mind off booze too. Good luck.
 

mj4cy

Asst. Regional Manager
Staff member
Mar 28, 2006
31,799
14,752
113
Iowa
As someone that has seen a very close loved one fight alcoholism and has gone to some AA Anom (basically AA for loved ones with alcoholism) meetings, the biggest takeaway I learned is you have to be absolutely obsessed with not drinking. It has to be your lifestyle. Best of luck, one day at a time. Hopefully you can find little things/hobbies to look forward to that don't involve drinking. It's hard...there are times where I feel like a drink will solve some temporary issue and I have to tell me myself that's a slippery slope.
 

HOTDON

Well-Known Member
Mar 24, 2006
3,654
1,805
113
Fort Dodge, IA
Do you have anyone around you that is quitting as well? Having someone to be accountable to makes a big difference. Not someone who has been telling you to quit that will harp on you if you struggle, but someone who can be supportive and encouraging. The counselor suggestion is great for the same reason if you don't have that partner.

It's also very important to understand sobriety is not a passing train where you get on and stay on. People slip up and relapse and it's deflating. You get your focus back and start at Day 1 again. It might take a dozen Day 1s, but if you looked back in a year and only drank 12 times, wouldn't that be a tremendous success? It's hard for the mind to see not doing something as a success. That's why people count days. It frames it into something measurable.

Find your 'why', start with a goal of 30 days and tell us when you've done it so we can celebrate with you.
 

ISU_Guy

Well-Known Member
Jul 21, 2021
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Des Moines
Everyone above is already given great advice. I love seeing this.

the first step is always having the ability to admit that you have an issue with it and its making your life unmanageable :)

AA is a great option, but DO NOT get scared off by one bad meeting. There are all sorts of meetings and some bad and some good.

lots of great books, youtube, soberToks out there that are helpful also to get up to speed.

Someone mentioned counseling. Not sure of your history and any types of trauma you may have experienced, but something to look at.

You are not alone and there are many of us out there that you probably pass in the streets that are dealing with this issue daily. Doctors, Lawyers, Custodians, IT Specialists, Accountants, Stay at home moms, etc.

Quitting drinking (although I am not perfect) has been the best decision of my life.
My liver is better, lost weight, less brain fog, Don't lose things, can safely drive anywhere, more confidence having control of situations, nicer skin, i feel better and sleep better, but most of all, my family situation is 100x better and that is what mattered to me the most.

So we are rooting for you and you are not alone :)
 
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bozclone

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Nov 18, 2011
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Indiana
If you can’t eliminate alcohol on your own in the very near future, please get help. My sister died two months ago at 55 from cirrhosis of the liver due to alcoholism. I didn’t know she was an alcoholic until it was too late. Now I have a co worker who is a known alcoholic. He should have been fired long ago, but our boss is unbelievably compassionate. Our owner has offered to pay to get him help, but he says he is quitting on his own. I feel like he is dying right before our eyes. Please take this seriously.
 

State2015

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Aug 26, 2016
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I’m sure you already know this, but there’s 100% chance your loved ones know and it’s not easy on them either. Definitely kick this thing for yourself and for them
 
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azhuth09

Well-Known Member
Jun 6, 2012
1,175
434
83
Des Moines, IA
I have a very similar story to you. Tried quitting a few times and would always end up convincing myself after a month or two sober that I was over it and could handle starting up again responsibly. AA was a great way to hold myself accountable. Think I’m at 6 years sober now and was definitely the best decision I ever made.

The NA beer scene has improved by light years since then and has definitely been a god send.

My DMs are open if you need someone to talk to.
 

deadeyededric

Well-Known Member
Dec 12, 2009
15,836
13,611
113
Parts Unknown
Quitting drinking can be a *****. I'd been to rehab a few times, had the DUI's, and it took me getting pamcreatitis and ending up in the hospital for a week before I quit. I had become alcohol dependent and almost drank myself to death. Unfortunately sometimes you have to bottom out bad before you wake up. Haven't drank since Oct. 2009.
 

Rural

Well-Known Member
Feb 3, 2010
42,855
36,086
113
So I have struggled a bit with drinking a lot the last four years or so.

My father, grandfather, and sister were alcoholics, and my sister FINALLY beat it a couple years ago (she is 42 now). I was HARDCORE Straight Edge due to my family history until I was 21 (2017) when I bought a six pack to celebrate.

I only drank socially after that until early 2020 when I hated my job at the time so much, I ldrank on my breaks, and every night before bed.

It literally became a habit, to the point that even when I didn't crave booze, I still needed a drink to pair with a cigar. RC Cola, Sunkist, and Squirt made great substitutes for awhile, but I would still always find my way back to a bottle of whiskey to pair with my nightcap cigar every other day or so.

So a couple weeks ago, I FINALLY made the decision to quit drinking almost every night. I had made strides in the past couple years, but would always seems to "relapse" roughly once a week and down nearly a whole bottle.

These are the Texts I sent to one of my best friends who is a former, major alcoholic this past Sunday:

"So I have a plan to quit drinking everyday, and it's already paying off.

Very slowly detoxing myself, with one less drink a night. Tonight will be 7 drinks, tomorrow 6, then 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

I restarted this this past week after I relapsed HARD the night of the election and downed an entire bottle in despair.

Anyway, since Thursday alone (which was 12 drinks), my body is responding well, and I'm sleeping better, and waking up feeling fine as my body is adjusting nicely the the gradual decrease in alcohol.

If you're curious, I supposedly downed an entire bottle last Tuesday (I swore I went to bed with 1/3 left, but I couldn't find the bottle the next day, so I'm just assuming I downed the whole thing. That's 16 drinks).

Wednesday was 14 drinks. Thursday was 12, Friday was 9 or 10, and last night was 8. I wish I could go cold turkey (I have craved a drink maybe once in the past week), and I really want to, but I don't want to die. Hahahaha.

But this slow process is working, and I already am feeling much better."

When I say "I don't want to die" it's because I had a couple brief seizures my first night in my new house.


This is another text I sent the same friend on October 1:

"So I had my first seizure last night.

I was laying on my side half asleep, and then my body just started flopping around like I was coughing really heavily, but not coughing. You know what I mean?

It lasted for about 5 - 10 seconds, then happened again about 30 seconds later.

I was like "What just happened? I think I just had a seizure?!"

I'm not surprised though, I essentially went straight cold turkey last night."

Anyway, it feels good to let this out there to you all whom I feel I can trust, and I am curious about other stories (if you are comfortable sharing) that helped beat the habit.

Again, the slow process of one less drink a night has been working great for me as I slowly detox myself.

What worked for you?

I love you all.
You just gotta stop.

And don't look back.
 

CYdTracked

Well-Known Member
Mar 23, 2006
18,544
9,386
113
Grimes, IA
Best of luck to you, I hope find something that works for you and is successful.

You said you have had a seizure, even if it is just 1 I would recommend talking with a doctor and possibly get some testing done as that is not something you should take lightly. You could not only put yourself but also others in harms way if it becomes more than just a 1 time thing.
 

KnappShack

Well-Known Member
May 26, 2008
23,803
32,105
113
Parts Unknown
Not an expert on this. I was drinking quite a lot when I was going through some ****. A couple bottles of wine a night. I couldn't keep enough beer in the house type of stuff.

I knew it was time to put the bottle down when I craved it. I noticed it changed from a "nice to have" into needing it like water on a hot day.

That's when I toned it down considerably. Booze can be a lot of fun....until it isn't. Once you stop you'll see just how tough it is on the body. I felt like a trash can most of the time
 

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