Quitting Drinking.

[FriendlySpartan]

this is a becoming a very popular take and I agree with you on the smoking comment. we are seeing an uptick in the sober curious and NA type drinks in the younger generation.
smoking versus nicotine/vaping is a whole other debate.

California sober is becoming very popular

 

[clone4life82]

I love my beer and whiskey, as well as a good bloody mary.

However, I am pretty fortunate, I think, in that when I am in a negative emotional state, I literally do not want alcohol at all. I tend to just be a good mood kind of drinker. Its pretty normal for me to go several days in a row without drinking, so I feel bad for those who are stuck in a every day pattern.

One thing I might suggest is making the switch to THC drinks. My wife rarely drinks alcohol anymore, only THC. She's found that to be immensely beneficial due to the lack of hangover and other bad side effects of alcohol.

This is just shifting the chemical from one to the next where your brain gets the dopamine hit to escape (or run to) whatever emotion it’s not comfortable sitting in.

 

[Cyched]

That's an increasingly popular opinion, but I just don't see it. Smoking doesn't really have the social component to it's use that alcohol does. Most people who drink do it as part of a social setting with other people, and then go home and not drink in their daily lives.

Almost no one smokes like this. Nicotine is a lot more addictive than alcohol, and really doesn't have any kind of social connection benefit to it. Smoking also creates an immediate health risk/general annoyance to the people in your physical proximity in a way that alcohol just doesn't.

I think people will continue to drink less, and problem/daily drinking will decrease, but I don't see it being viewed the way smoking is.

I would tend to agree with this. One of the reasons smoking is so problematic is the “pack a day” habit is so prevalent. When you expose yourself to that every single day, it increases your risk. Similar to the hardcore alcoholic downing a bottle a night.

I do think people are being more mindful of drinking and you will see less binge drinking. But if you’re someone that can have 1-2 drinks and stop, only once or twice a week, you won’t have a significant increase in risk.

Thats not to downplay the risks of alcohol, and if you don’t currently drink I certainly wouldn’t recommend starting.

 

[Al_4_State]

California sober is becoming very popular

Wish I enjoyed THC enough for this, but I just don't.

 

[JM4CY]

One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster
The bars are temples but their pearls ain't free

 

[FriendlySpartan]

Wish I enjoyed THC enough for this, but I just don't.

Totally get it, many people have to figure out what’s right for them and some never do. I’m also biased because I am a major THC advocate though

 

[ImJustKCClone]

I've never been much of a drinker, but I smoked for 25 years. I quit nearly 20 years ago, and it was TOUGH. Even now, every once in a while I think about having just one cigarette. Just one. But I know myself, and I would not stop with one.

Addiction is no joke. I wish the best for you, and hope you stay the course. Your body and your family will thank you for it. <3

 

[mustangcy]

I love my beer and whiskey, as well as a good bloody mary.

However, I am pretty fortunate, I think, in that when I am in a negative emotional state, I literally do not want alcohol at all. I tend to just be a good mood kind of drinker. Its pretty normal for me to go several days in a row without drinking, so I feel bad for those who are stuck in a every day pattern.

One thing I might suggest is making the switch to THC drinks. My wife rarely drinks alcohol anymore, only THC. She's found that to be immensely beneficial due to the lack of hangover and other bad side effects of alcohol.

Hold on...how do get ahold of THC drinks?? You gotta go down to Missouri for them?

 

[State2015]

I've never been much of a drinker, but I smoked for 25 years. I quit nearly 20 years ago, and it was TOUGH. Even now, every once in a while I think about having just one cigarette. Just one. But I know myself, and I would not stop with one.

Addiction is no joke. I wish the best for you, and hope you stay the course. Your body and your family will thank you for it. <3

I’m so lucky I grew up in a time when smoking cigs as a young person was seen as a little “trashy” (2000s-2010s). If I grew up in the time it was normal and marketed everywhere I’d be straight up addicted easily. Society has definitely changed its tune on cigarettes, not so much with alcohol

 

[Al_4_State]

Hold on...how do get ahold of THC drinks?? You gotta go down to Missouri for them?

Do you... do you not go to Fareway?

 

[snowcraig2.0]

I'd like to give you all props.

This is a good thread. Many of us may have differences on here for a wide variety of reasons but topics like this, where we can support each other, are always a great read.

 

[snowcraig2.0]

This is just shifting the chemical from one to the next where your brain gets the dopamine hit to escape (or run to) whatever emotion it’s not comfortable sitting in.

Right, I was more referring to it a potential less toxic help with the ramp down for heavy drinkers or as an all out substitute for those who aren't heavy drinkers but don't enjoy alcohol very much in social settings such as my wife.

I personally don't use THC other than bed time too much because it puts me to sleep.

 

[snowcraig2.0]

You sound pretty similar to me.

I also use THC drinks to replace alcohol in some settings - Friday night happy hour in particular, as I usually like to get up early on Saturdays and do a big outdoor adventure/work out. But I don't know that THC is something I'd recommend to people with serious addiction issues. Yes, it's physically harmless, but I see no way in which it's better mentally and emotionally for people who are already struggling with serious mental health issues. It's just taking one vice and replacing it with a less physically harmful one.

I think once someone gets their head back on straight, it's a less dangerous method for inebriation but it's not a silver bullet.

You take that back.....

 

[Al_4_State]

You take that back.....

 

[JM4CY]

View attachment 138301

You ever think about how with the size of his nose, there's no way Goofy has ever seen his own wiener?

 

[JM4CY]

I’m so lucky I grew up in a time when smoking cigs as a young person was seen as a little “trashy” (2000s-2010s). If I grew up in the time it was normal and marketed everywhere I’d be straight up addicted easily. Society has definitely changed its tune on cigarettes, not so much with alcohol

Those little nicotine packets though... damn things.

 

[deadeyededric]

I think a lot of the struggle is just re-learning how to live. When you're a big drinker it becomes part of everything you do. Having a drink after work, having a drink while you're watching the game, out with friends, etc.. You just have to find new hobbies and consume your time in different ways than before. The person has to want to change or it won't work. Addiction can be like living a real life nightmare when it gets bad. I'll help anyone struggling the best I can cause people need a good support system.

 

[snowcraig2.0]

You ever think about how with the size of his nose, there's no way Goofy has ever seen his own wiener?

Unless, well, Goofy is packin......I bet he's got a big one

 

[Bestaluckcy]

You ever think about how with the size of his nose, there's no way Goofy has ever seen his own wiener?

Think Clarabelle helped him with the mirror.

 

[Goose]

I think a lot of the struggle is just re-learning how to live. When you're a big drinker it becomes part of everything you do. Having a drink after work, having a drink while you're watching the game, out with friends, etc.. You just have to find new hobbies and consume your time in different ways than before. The person has to want to change or it won't work. Addiction can be like living a real life nightmare when it gets bad. I'll help anyone struggling the best I can cause people need a good support system.

Experiencing Cyclone heartbreak fully sober is a hurdle to clear, but trust me it can be done. lol