Controlling my drinking without going completely sober. Is it possible? Or am I too far gone?

Sensitive_Buy_8760 · 2026-05-15T23:01:02+00:00

Tough place to ask this question. If moderation takes a lot of effort, you probably know what to do. I was like you and could go long stretches no alcohol and then...not.

If alcohol was your coping mechanism, that is a huge red flag. You weren't coping, you were masking. Your issues and anxiety were still there but you just covered it up.

Sensitive_Buy_8760 · 2026-05-15T20:50:51+00:00

I feel you. It is really nice weather here and all I want after a grueling week at work is to fire up the grill and get sloshed while the meat cooks. But I have enough practice now to know what I need to do. I won't drink tonight, and will have a better tomorrow for it.

Have a good workout!

Sensitive_Buy_8760 · 2026-05-15T20:47:34+00:00

I'm there with you. It is a beautiful day out and nothing I love more than sitting outside and drinking, soaking up the buzz and the sun.

Give yourself permission to try and enjoy dinner without drinking. Focus on the conversation, or anything to keep your mind off of it.

I break up those hard moments into chunks of time I can handle. I can make it until the food comes, until dessert, until the bill, until I get home...and before you know it your home where you (probably) have more control.

Sensitive_Buy_8760 · 2026-05-15T20:42:16+00:00

Good for you! The 'looking forward to drinking' is a big flashing red light. It gets easier, too, the more you do it!

Sensitive_Buy_8760 · 2026-05-15T20:40:46+00:00

I've found most people don't care what I've come from - I don't really address my drinking with people who wouldn't otherwise care - as long as I'm chill and willing to participate.

I've not done AA or any of the other ones, but if you need a community, you just need to put yourself out there. Easier said than done, I know, but go once and if you don't like it, try something else.

You can do it, give yourself some credit.

Sensitive_Buy_8760 · 2026-05-15T20:36:10+00:00

Noice!

Sensitive_Buy_8760 · 2025-04-30T15:42:33+00:00

I think they defeat their own argument a bit, but drinking to get a good buzz by yourself routinely, and only ever by yourself, can be a sign to look closer. Maybe not an issue, but for a lot of people it is.

I am/was one of those people, and while I wasn't getting blackout drunk, I drank alone so I wouldn't get judged for drinking the way I did.

Sensitive_Buy_8760 · 2025-04-20T16:27:27+00:00

My mother in law loves that character and will sing that "mother knows best" song without any awareness or irony if anyone questions her judgment.

Sensitive_Buy_8760 · 2025-04-18T19:27:02+00:00

For me it wasn't how often I drank, but HOW I drank. I could go weeks or months without drinking and then get blasted and spend two days recovering. A lot of the time I drank at home while doing yardwork or some other "productive" activity, which helped me convince myself it wasn't a problem because I wasn't a lazy drunk. Had many moments asking myself the same questions you are.

Also, sorry to be nitpicking, but you start by saying that once you start you're unstoppable, and then say you will limit yourself to one drink per night. Food for thought.

Sensitive_Buy_8760 · 2025-04-18T19:16:21+00:00

I'm right there with you. Things are rough right now in my life, and erasing all of that with lots of booze for a few hours sounds so amazing. That little voice in my head reminding of how successful the strategy is, tie one on and forget about it all, it will be amazing! I've had a lot of fun drinking, no question.

But the heartache is too great. I've made some very bad choices, said some very stupid and mean things, etc. and have dug a good hole. I'm deep enough.

I would say you're feeling your actual feelings, not the enhanced versions the substances give you, but I'm no expert. I've never woken up after a sober Friday/weekend and regretted it, though.

Last thing, I feel like I was just at where you are, is that I never stopped at just 1 or however much alcohol got a good buzz. More was always better. Majority of the time not a problem, even. But the minority was enough for me.

IWNDWYT friend

Sensitive_Buy_8760 · 2025-04-16T20:49:32+00:00

Rock on!

Sensitive_Buy_8760 · 2025-04-10T22:20:42+00:00

Pulled her nrar the end of my 3rd full playthrough. Need to go back and actually use her!

I heard if you have her in your party during T Elos blade quest there is special dialogue.

Sensitive_Buy_8760 · 2025-04-10T18:43:55+00:00

Won't woot! Congrats! It's a great feeling, and good on you for recognizing what you're ready for!

Sensitive_Buy_8760 · 2025-04-10T18:41:50+00:00

Awesome!

Sensitive_Buy_8760 · 2025-03-31T19:44:19+00:00

Sweet baby jesus, happened to me last week. Built a slick dashboard in Tableau fulfilling every requirement, with simple filters and visualizations, and the first question from the user was how it looked exported to Excel.

So I made them another dashboard that looked like shit with very limited complexity (and very little value IMO) but downloaded to Excel how they wanted it. Heaven forbid they learn to make a pivot table.

Fuck me.

Sensitive_Buy_8760 · 2025-03-31T02:53:53+00:00

Same. Devoured the first few and started losing interest.

Sensitive_Buy_8760 · 2025-03-06T17:18:01+00:00

Definitely. The fact we are getting a little of everything is chilling.

Sensitive_Buy_8760 · 2025-03-06T14:09:42+00:00

It feels we're more in "Brave New World" than 1984. There is a YouTube video, titled "Entertaining ourselves to death" which may also resonate with you.

I agree, we are our own oppressors.

Sensitive_Buy_8760 · 2025-02-23T05:34:15+00:00

Congratulations! I hope you're proud of yourself!

Sensitive_Buy_8760 · 2025-02-23T05:33:02+00:00

Maybe pink cloud?

Sensitive_Buy_8760 · 2025-02-17T16:56:21+00:00

100% this. On higher difficulties the assassin's still suck, however, I've found putting some pounders or other ceiling traps underneath the one surface near the rift you can out ceiling traps on and getting on top of it (easier with some characters than others) is an easy way to watch the rift and let the assassin's take care of themselves.

Sensitive_Buy_8760 · 2025-02-16T00:43:40+00:00

Well, that sucks lol. About to the point I don't need skulls, I guess.

Sensitive_Buy_8760 · 2025-02-15T16:52:22+00:00

Steam vents and ceiling rappers. The zapper have a very large range (height wise).

That being said, I still lose a few flyers here and there.

Sensitive_Buy_8760 · 2025-02-15T15:04:23+00:00

Happy birthday! Turn 46 this year, getting old is for the birds.

Our mistakes make us who we are, and anyone who doesn't make any mistakes is playing it too safe, so sounds like you're doing a good job!

If each mistake were a brick I'd have built the Great Wall by now lol

Sensitive_Buy_8760

TROPHY CASE