6d ago

I've been trying to quit drinking recently

For the past year or so I have been incredibly stressed and I have/had no outlet other than drinking. I have/had been drinking most of the days of the week.

As those who have dabbled in such abuse of alcohol already know, getting wasted as a reprieve is temporary and you feel somewhat good only for a fraction of the time you are drunk. Then you feel like crap when you crash and most likely a good part of the next day. So not is alcohol not the solution to the problem, it exacerbates it. And there is the damage to health that comes with it.

I have tried quitting multiple times over the period but have given in every time so far. The only logical thing to do is try again. So I have been trying again. This past week I have only had two beers. I did this without flying off the handle which is a good thing. I have started working out again. This time I am taking it a bit easy so that I don't burn out. Over the course of heavy drinking I had not been exercising at all. It's probably me being hypochondriac but I felt like my heart was getting weaker. It wasn't because of anything serious but when I had to exert myself like when climbing stairs or having to jog or sprint for a bit, I could notice my body not being up to the task which disappointed me. So I have started doing cardio (treadmill running) and reduced the meathead weightlifting routine. I managed to outdo my expectations during cardio and was able to jog at 8 speed for 50 minutes (two episodes of Scavenger's Reign). 8 what? I don't know the units but it felt good nonetheless.

It's highly likely I will fail again. Things in the past fall apart when my old injuries flare up while working out so I will be trying to make sure that doesn't happen. If it happens I will pay attention that it doesn't make me spiral by maybe doing something different like walking. Hopefully after my body normalises I can go back to the occasional recreational drinking because I do enjoy doing that while watching a movie, football or just listening to music. I feel like it is taboo to say this as someone trying to quit drinking.

You're viewing a single thread.

23 comments

I don't have any relevant advice for you other than to make sure your general health is in tip-top shape to keep your mood up as you are quitting. Also keep yourself occupied in a public space. Due to the ongoing respiratory disease crisis this can be a tall order, but find somewhere to study. Just study anything you remember grabbing you.
Get some potassium powder and take it every morning. It can come in a salty form that's nice for eggs (oof just remembered nevermind about those right now) or oatmeal. Focus your whole diet on protein, fiber, and omega-3s. Vitamins actually really really work. Specifically B12, C, magnesium, zinc, and potassium are noticeable the first day. The FDA restricts potassium supplements to a pathetic, tiny amount for some reason. You need literally 10-40 times the amount in a "potassium supplement" - dietary sources are best but I love money too much.
I've never been a drinker, but I know this is what makes being sober feel like shit as a baseline for most people even in the absence of stressors. There is no amount of money I would take to go back to how I felt before I got this nailed down. It's a completely different way of being, it just takes a week to really kick in.
I hope you can succeed and remember that punishing yourself does nothing and is easy. A bold but methodical approach will change your life.
- Thanks. I'll look into micronutrient supplements at a later point.
  know this is what makes being sober feel like shit as a baseline for most people even in the absence of stressors
  I think coming to terms with reality as it is perceived while sober is an important part of being able to wean off substance abuse. There is a bit in Disco Elysium about it:
  Congrats – you're sober. It will take a while for your body to remember how to metabolize anything that isn't sugar from alcohol, so you're going to be pretty ravenous soon. Eat plenty. You can expect your coordination and balance to improve in a couple of weeks. In two months, you might start sleeping like a normal person. Full recovery will take years, though. It’ll be depressing. And it’ll be boring. Don’t expect any further rewards or handclaps. This is how normal people are all the time.
  My outlook isn't as bleak as this but there is a kernel of truth in there.
  
  Loath as I am to receive advice from Estonians with overwrought writing tendencies, that really seems spot on. It doesn't have any unnecessary flourishes, Twitter references, or imitation of political savviness. It sounds like something the writers actually have experience with.
  Iodine in most regular multivitamins seems to help a lot if I take it consistently. I don't have random mood swings like I used to, so I can tell when it's just work kicking my ass. Not saying buy anything crazy or expensive, apart from a kilogram of pure potassium LMAO. Can also just eat spinach, beans, potatoes.
  I wish you luck in terms of stressors in your life fucking off, to make this as easy as possible. Protect yourself from freaky things if you can. Know us strangers on the internet are invested in your wellbeing. I am just happy to see someone even trying to be less miserable. I have seen people walk away from car accidents without any desire to kick the liquor. This is you doing this, and that is badass. 👍

23 comments