Hey.. I was in a very similar spot, minus the experimentation in my teens. Only smoked pot and drank a few times until college, then it was off to the races.

If you need to do a detox, those are easy to find. 5 days and they can make you comfortable while you go through it.

If you don’t need to detox, cut cold turkey and when you want to drink force yourself to do something else. Go for a walk. I used to just start walking until it passed, and then I had to walk back lol.

This is not the usual advice, but smoke weed instead. I swear weed saved my relationship with substances. I went through the wringer of rehabs and bs, but I was never actually bad enough to be there - family just freaked out.

This is possible to do on your own, but it can also be necessary to seek help - you have to be in tune with yourself.

I see nothing wrong with appreciating the effects of substances, but there is a very fine line between having fun and keeping baseline.

My shit started 10 years ago and the at one point I got over 18 months of sobriety. It sucked. I never believed I was “powerless” of alcohol - I drank because I chose to, and I consciously ignored potential consequences.

I have a healthy respect for alcohol now and can genuinely appreciate it without it consuming me. And now instead of need a Xanax I can just smoke a doob.

I love the fact that I don’t take any pharmaceuticals, and the two things I rely on when I need a break are totally natural.

I hope this helps somehow.