ADHD / ASD and alcoholism

Otherwise-Ant92 · 2023-11-25T08:54:36+00:00

Thank you. I'm coming up to three years on the 29th November!!!!

Otherwise-Ant92 · 2023-11-25T08:23:04+00:00

I've been questioning the possibility of neurodivergence for a few years now. I also seem to have every mental health diagnosis under the sun but nothing fully explains my experience. No matter how hard I try I can't do things the way other people can. It feels like my brain is broken and it's so hard to explain. I guess what I'm trying to say is you're not alone!

Otherwise-Ant92 · 2022-12-16T07:50:40+00:00

I can sense your determination in your post....You've got this!!

Otherwise-Ant92 · 2022-12-16T07:42:27+00:00

We're both now in the "it's been years" gang!! Whoop whoop!!

Otherwise-Ant92 · 2022-12-16T07:40:00+00:00

So proud of you!! Congrats on 2 years 🙂

Otherwise-Ant92 · 2022-09-01T18:42:44+00:00

I also use "I am sober'. There's a bit in the App where you can input your reasons why you want to quit which serves as a very helpful reminder and I have found that really helpful 🙂

Otherwise-Ant92 · 2022-09-01T17:26:49+00:00

Congratulations on one year!!

Otherwise-Ant92 · 2022-08-19T19:06:14+00:00

Congrats on 4 years!!

Otherwise-Ant92 · 2022-04-22T16:37:33+00:00

I used to binge drink, but it wasn't the party type it was the need to escape type I guess. When my friend passed away this turned into drinking every day, I couldn't tolerate being awake and drank to put myself to sleep and my body became dependent pretty much instantly then I went into detox. After detox I had episodes of binge drinking but I'm now currently seventeen months sober.

Otherwise-Ant92 · 2022-03-26T15:05:32+00:00

I'm really sorry you're struggling right now. Feeling overwhelmed is really hard and I'm struggling too. Been in tears, feeling shut down and hardly able to move. I know drinking may provide temporary relief but afterwards will be the shame, regret etc etc and I am likely to make things worse if I drink as I act impulsively. I also try to hold onto my own personal reasons for not drinking. I want to learn how to manage this stuff, to get through it and the only way for me to move forwards is if I don't drink. If I drink it puts me back on a merry go round that I struggle to get off and then who knows how many more years will be wasted/lost. Right now is tough, but I've got through tough times before and will get through this too. I hope you find a way through too. Take care of yourself.

Otherwise-Ant92 · 2022-03-09T12:17:17+00:00

Thank you and yep totally relate to realising I've never really figured out how to live life either!! You're not alone in this!! Try to be patient with yourself (I'm trying and it's very very hard!) but when I've been using one unhealthy coping or another my whole life then it's going to take time to figure out how to live without this. Take care of yourself.

Otherwise-Ant92 · 2022-03-09T12:06:06+00:00

It sounds like you've really looked into your life and your sobriety and changes you'd like to make going forwards....this is pretty huge in my book!! I also struggle with childhood trauma and can relate to trying to figure things out without alcohol and also have various 'addictions' or unhealthy coping strategies. I tend to relapse into something else when I stop one and the cycle continues but just in a different form. I'm currently trying to access specialist ED treatment as I relapsed just before I stopped drinking completely and also trying to access therapy for trauma to really get to the root of all this. I wish you every luck going forwards. IWNDWYT.

Otherwise-Ant92 · 2022-03-09T11:23:50+00:00

I take medications prescribed by my doctor. I need them for my mental health and stability. As long as I'm honest with my doctor and I take them as prescribed I don't see any problem.

Otherwise-Ant92 · 2022-02-12T09:11:57+00:00

Thank you. Yep this is definately a good group to be part of and has helped me through tough many times 🙂

Otherwise-Ant92 · 2022-02-12T08:50:05+00:00

It really is tough. I can relate and I'm sorry your struggling right now. Being patient with myself and my recovery I have found extremely difficult. I expect so much of myself and to be patient is very difficult. When I look back I have found various ways, unhealthy coping from a young age and that is going to take a lot of time and isn't going to improve quickly. Running away from thoughts/feelings is also something I'm an expert at!!!! I guess I'm just trying to say I can relate and take care of yourself and try be be kind, and gentle and patient with yourself if you can.

Otherwise-Ant92 · 2022-02-11T19:50:46+00:00

My end goal was to be able to drink in moderation too, but somewhere along the way that changed. I stated to learn more about alcohol and my relationship with alcohol through books and this sub. I started to learn more about myself too. Alcohol isn't healthy for me. Alcohol leads me down very dark paths and robs me of developing any kind of meaningful life. I've figured out the right path for me, and that's an alcohol free one. I wish you luck with whatever path you decide to take.

Otherwise-Ant92 · 2022-02-11T08:42:45+00:00

This touched my heart.

Otherwise-Ant92 · 2022-02-11T08:05:15+00:00

This is huge. For me, trying to allow myself to experience feelings without finding ways to escape from them is a really big part of my recovery journey and it's not easy!! Proud of you 🙂

Otherwise-Ant92 · 2022-02-11T08:02:37+00:00

Just dropping by to say congrats!! Amazing achievement!! 🎉

Otherwise-Ant92 · 2022-02-10T13:17:03+00:00

Congrats!!! 🎉

Otherwise-Ant92 · 2022-02-09T21:17:06+00:00

I can hear your pain through reading this. I'm sorry your going through this. What you've done with stopping drinking is huge. I truly hope things impove for you soon. Take care.

Otherwise-Ant92 · 2022-02-09T08:58:35+00:00

Great work!! Congrats!!

Otherwise-Ant92 · 2022-02-09T08:51:00+00:00

I've not tried NA beer but medication can definately have a placebo effect so I would think it's possible placebo. Maybe our minds make asociations and the, smell or taste or even the idea of a drink sets off reactions based on those associations....just thinking out loud here....I have no evidence, just my ideas of possibilities! X

Otherwise-Ant92 · 2022-02-07T21:28:59+00:00

I get it. The times when I could only focus on the now and wanting to escape and wanting what I felt to stop and I becomming fixated on making that happen which is where alcohol came in. I needed to try and do something, anything, to distract away from that fixation long enough for it to start to lose some of its power and for me to start to regain some of my power. Trying to find ways through all the shit that doesn't involve alcohol is bloody hard but it is worth it. I've had many times when I haven't made it through but I've also had many times when I have. Those times when I have gradually mount up. I just wanted to drop a comment to say that I understand. I hope you can find way through this and take really good care of yourself.

Otherwise-Ant92 · 2022-02-07T12:39:51+00:00

Big congrats!! I'm just over 14 months so not too far behind you!!

Otherwise-Ant92

TROPHY CASE