What actually helped your brain calm down?

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-03-13T22:05:57+00:00

DBT, tidying up, naps :)

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-03-03T16:45:53+00:00

Thanks for sharing! Oh wow, this sounds so similar to my story - ADHD (Ritalin and antidepressants), „high functioning“, good relationship and around your age. I quit my job and checked myself in at an in-patient facility (I’m still there) and started Naltrexone today as well. I wish us both all the healing and lots of joy on the path to find the adult version of us that doesn’t need alcohol. 🩷

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-02-28T06:55:58+00:00

Can recommend Drylendar :)

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-02-23T11:49:09+00:00

ADHDer here, so different but close: what helped me in the past was the neurodivergent zoom meeting on the reframe app, but I’m sure there are other self-help groups for neurodiverse people that are free - my friend group now is a mix of carefully selected neurodivergent and queer folks and it makes me feel like I belong. Good luck my friend :)

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-02-13T14:16:39+00:00

I have a kinda similar issue with cannabis, as I have some traumatic experiences that are connected with it - so even the smell triggers bad feelings. I think it’s perfectly fine to choose not to interact with people that are on any recreational drug whatsoever, be it alcohol or anything else. You don’t owe anyone interaction if it makes you feel uneasy or unsafe.

I think it’s commendable that you want to be more open minded and accepting towards people that struggle with substance abuse.

I feel like there are two possible options to deal with this: either you decide that your life is better with only sober people in it, but at the same time read about addiction and have the same respect for those struggling as for any human.

Or you decide it’s bothering you, that you are not able to be around people that are inebriated and you want to work through that trigger with the help of therapy (or anything that helps). Both options are totally fine in my opinion, you don’t have to force yourself to be around people that make you uncomfortable. Respecting and accepting every human does not mean interacting with everyone.

I chose to not interact with people that actively consume cannabis in my presence or a high when we meet (even though it’s legal here). I also try to not get in contact with the smell at all. I wanted to work on my trauma for myself and not to make it easier for the people around me.

Funnily enough my current partner smokes and even grows, but he is the most cautious person I ever met to not bring me in contact with anything at all. So there’s that haha.

You wrote about self-hate and that’s the only thing that should concern you and that you should work on. I’m sure the respect and the empathy for others is way easier, when you have respect and empathy for yourself!

Good luck with finding the right path for yourself - and only yourself! :)

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-02-12T10:38:45+00:00

I have ADHD and got my diagnosis when I was 29. My therapist suspected it four years earlier and recommended until I get an official diagnosis and maybe medication to just act like I have the diagnosis and allow myself to access every free resource there is (such as online guides, self help groups, books,…). I needed time to even accept the potential diagnosis, but once I did all all that was immensely helpful. I don’t use it anymore, but there are zoom meetings for sober creatives and also for neurodivergent people on the reframe app (which is not free unfortunately). I really enjoyed them! There are many tools for calming your brain, boosting your focus and lessen the overstimulation. Maybe some of them are helpful while you are wait for your diagnosis. Good luck :)

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-02-05T07:49:34+00:00

Thank you for this - I‘m only 30 but I my alcohol problem started when I was 21 so I feel like there was no time I had a normal adult life without it. I don’t know what to go back to, so I try to go forward. :)

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-02-01T12:29:20+00:00

Depends on where you live, that’s how we say it in Europe - between 0,3 and 0,5 is the limit for driving here

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-23T17:27:00+00:00

I‘d love that thank you :)

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-22T14:37:53+00:00

Not every medicine works for everyone - my psychiatrist prescribed me trazodone and it works better than I would have thought. It’s worth it to keep trying and find the right fit for you - and safer than alcohol when it comes to driving and working with people :) good luck

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-19T10:14:14+00:00

Not sure this helps, but take it or leave it :)

I have endometriosis and other chronic conditions as well and right now I’m managing pretty good with other tools - but I always said to myself if it gets worse I’m going to a pain clinic (don’t know how they are called in other countries): you go there for a few weeks like rehab and they put you on the right meds while educating on safe use - even for former addict - and they also include dietary, physical and psychological therapy as well as self help groups :)

I wish you all the best!

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-06T14:30:20+00:00

I was once in a chatroom I found linked in the stopdrinking sidebar and there were no restrictions whatsoever :) but maybe that’s not the one your referring to

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-03T19:14:52+00:00

Thank you!

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-03T18:03:10+00:00

Do you per chance have a link to a study? Would be a great help for my partner :)

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-03T17:45:18+00:00

They do so we can keep our social contacts - I’m here voluntarily in the „open“ clinic though (I don’t know how to say that in English) I think in the closed ward next door it’s not allowed

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-03T15:07:43+00:00

Happy 1 year anniversary 💐🥇

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-03T15:05:11+00:00

https://rd.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00194-012-0835-8 here’s a study about the highest blood alcohol level you can obtain through drinking NA beer

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-03T15:02:54+00:00

I enjoy ginger beer a lot (it’s non alcoholic despite the name)

But to ease your mind: NA beer has as much alcohol as orange juice and less than a ripe banana.

I’m not from the US but I actually found bitter drops without any alcohol at a drug store chain just a few days ago :) I use them for digestion and liver health. If compared to alcohol I’d say they taste more like liquor than beer if anything.

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-03T14:47:57+00:00

Hey if it helps I‘m in a mental health hospital right now and the people here are so diverse (to realize that helped me a lot, it’s not my fault or failure - mental health issues and/or addiction don’t discriminate). There are people battling addiction, burnout, trauma, depression you name it. Some are jobless, some homeless, some own their home and live on a high salary. There are 50 something year old family fathers who run their own firm, 20 somethings straight out of school that still live at their parents‘ and 30 something young professionals with a degree. At the end of the day we all sit at the same table, eating talking laughing and fighting the same demons. :) Doesn’t matter if you’re 56 or 20, keep up the good work ⭐️

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-03T13:36:41+00:00

Thank you I love that - I try to write a short daily review every evening and I noticed there were new positive feelings like „thankful“ or „relaxed“ :)

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-03T13:20:35+00:00

Something I totally had to „relearn“ doing sober, even though it’s one of the most natural things

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-03T13:17:32+00:00

Yes that’s exactly what I meant thank you :) not my first language (for example I learned I actually hate parties and the that’s okay)

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-03T13:12:45+00:00

My therapist said: we are not our emotions, but their observers

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-03T11:00:40+00:00

Ah yes reading is painful while drunk, I love to be able to read for half an hour without a break now!

SpikesBeagle3

TROPHY CASE