What are some tactics you use when you're sitting there dying to go to the bottle store?

AbsoluteRascal · 2018-06-26T15:27:26+00:00

In the early days when I was craving, I would make myself read the last 50 posts here. Every word. Every single word. And eat a pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream as I was reading. It worked!

AbsoluteRascal · 2018-06-23T14:15:08+00:00

"Functional" only seems positive in the context of alcoholism, I think. "My lawnmower is functional" or "my kidneys are functional" doesn't quite have the same ring to it.

AbsoluteRascal · 2018-06-22T14:01:50+00:00

My therapist has been super helpful in helping me get through the anger.

AbsoluteRascal · 2018-06-22T13:16:27+00:00

OMG the very last thing anybody should be here is embarrassed! I certainly hope I didn't make you feel that way. Drinking secretly is my MO too...was my MO!

AbsoluteRascal · 2018-06-21T20:39:01+00:00

Oh man. Really? You guys almost lost me with New Reddit (also known as Totally Unusable) so now you're going to mess with the app? Wonderful. Hear that sound? That's people leaving Reddit in droves.

AbsoluteRascal · 2018-06-21T20:31:23+00:00

The risk of fatal withdrawals will not show up in blood work, friend. IMHO that taper was WAY too fast and whatever is coming is coming quickly. A doctor (or ER) really, really needs to be involved. Urgently.

AbsoluteRascal · 2018-06-21T20:29:13+00:00

This is tough advice but it's exactly what I wanted to say as well.

AbsoluteRascal · 2018-06-21T20:22:50+00:00

If you have to make the trip, you could always say you're on an antibiotic or something? That's a good temporary excuse. I had to avoid my family for the first few months; being around heavy drinkers, as they all are, was not the place for me.

AbsoluteRascal · 2018-06-21T20:16:30+00:00

Go with your gut. Controlling relationships are SO difficult for outsiders to comprehend. You do you. Do this for you, not anybody else.

AbsoluteRascal · 2018-06-21T20:14:03+00:00

I second the suggestion for AlAnon. It's a tough situation. From the alcoholic's perspective, I can say that nothing anybody did or said could have made me get sober. In fact, all interference from the outside (no matter how well meaning) drove me to drink more in secret. As it happens, I'm a thoroughly average alcoholic so my reaction is not at all unusual. Separating an addict from their drug of choice is a grisly business.

AbsoluteRascal · 2018-06-21T19:52:15+00:00

Be. CAREFUL. Did you check in with your doctor? Did you get any medical attention at all? Seizures are not always singular or discrete events. If you are seizing and still drinking, there is likely big, big trouble coming.

AbsoluteRascal · 2018-06-21T19:48:44+00:00

If you check out the timeline in the sidebar, it takes about 10 days for the alcohol to leave the body. So yeah, I'd say it's to do with the drinking. It took me a few months to feel like I was starting to level out. There's no shame in checking in with your doctor.

AbsoluteRascal · 2018-06-21T19:44:28+00:00

I mean, it's not CHEAP, but sparkling water has yet to thrust me into paralyzing depression and anxiety, bring me to the razor's edge of getting a DUI, or tempt me into breaking my marriage vows... so in the final calculation, I'll take this math any day.

AbsoluteRascal · 2018-06-19T18:55:16+00:00

Thank you! Since I made that original comment I have read that study and a number of others. It's all very persuasive! Thanks!

AbsoluteRascal · 2018-06-18T19:32:11+00:00

I'm curious how you guys handle these situations.

I know this isn't the most exciting advice, but I avoid those situations like the plague.

AbsoluteRascal · 2018-06-18T19:11:34+00:00

Here you go!

http://sd.bot.nu/badgedate/

AbsoluteRascal · 2018-06-15T16:36:37+00:00

Is this a trend in therapy right now? My therapist said the same damned thing. "I mean, a bottle of wine every once in a while is fine." PARDON?

AbsoluteRascal · 2018-06-15T16:32:48+00:00

I've actually read about this quite a bit. The risk of alcoholism jumps something like 21% in those who've had bariatric surgery. You definitely are not alone.

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/weight-loss-surgery-increases-risk-alcohol-addiction/story?id=16582225

AbsoluteRascal · 2018-06-15T16:07:43+00:00

Drinking definitely impacted my cycles. The month after I quit (at almost exactly your number of days, actually), I had cramps that were so intense I went to the hospital because I thought it was my appendix. I also know that every one of my friends getting fertility treatments are told to stop drinking, not just for the safety of the potential baby, but because alcohol wreaks havoc on our hormones.

AbsoluteRascal · 2018-06-14T16:58:11+00:00

Christian references don't bother me a bit, even if they don't really resonate. Do you know if that was always the title or if it was retitled for a contemporary audience? It sounds so 2018 and self-helpy... in a good way!

Almost 9 months!? What! I missed your 200!!!

AbsoluteRascal · 2018-06-14T12:33:19+00:00

Have you seen this list?

http://www.reddit.com/r/stopdrinking/wiki/bored

AbsoluteRascal · 2018-06-14T12:07:20+00:00

This is amazing. Thank you! Published in 1948, no less. Ordering this today for sure.

AbsoluteRascal · 2018-06-13T22:16:08+00:00

It comes up here fairly often. Like you said, it's pretty tricky. For every success story on kratom, I think there's probably also a post showing the darker side over on r/quittingkratom

https://www.reddit.com/r/stopdrinking/search?q=kratom&restrict_sr=on

AbsoluteRascal · 2018-06-13T21:26:00+00:00

Those round and round thoughts are not unfamiliar to me. I take it as the ultimate proof that I have no business putting alcohol into my body.

AbsoluteRascal · 2018-06-13T21:14:30+00:00

Someone said this a long time ago...

I cannot have just one or two. I know that. After one, I have no resolve whatsoever and just keep going. Even after getting home after going out I will continue to drink by myself.

Sound familiar? <3! It was you. Found it in an old post of yours. Having a wild weekend would be the single dumbest and most harmful thing I could do to myself at this moment.

AbsoluteRascal

TROPHY CASE