in your opinion what is the best way to stop drinking?

by stuckinamovement 25 Replies latest jw friends

  • Razziel
    Razziel

    I second Terry's suggestion. Drink an equivalent amount of water for every beer you drink and you'll find yourself cutting way down. Also, for me anyway, I find that if I drink the really dark beers, like Guiness or some Bocks, I can only drink 1 or 2 because they are so filling. It's the light beers that will get me in trouble because they drink as easy as soda, and before you realize it you've finished a six pack.

    Also, keep in mind the difference between being an alcoholic and being an alcohol abuser. If you find yourself craving a drink every day or thinking about it all the time, you could be at risk for alcoholism. If you are the type who doesn't crave it, but if you've got it in the house you'll drink it till it's gone, you're at risk for being an alcohol abuser. I think there are more abusers now in the US than alcoholics. A lot of people don't have a drop during the week, but then get completely sloshed on the weekend or their days off. They aren't alcoholics, they're abusers.

    I have worked with a lot of guys who make sure not to buy alcohol in large quantities so they won't drink too much on accident. I say accident, just because it's so easy for a couple of drinks to turn into 4,6, or 10 without really thinking about it. If those guys want a beer that day, they'll buy a couple of tall boys on the way home from work, not the 24 pack that will get them in trouble.

    Anything can become an addiction, including going to the gym or being a health nut. Moderation and variety seems to be the key to about everything in life. Before I completely swore off alcohol, I'd give some of the moderation advice here a try first. Don't keep enough in the house to over-drink, take up some other activities, and drink a lot of water. If you do that, and then you find yourself constantly running down to the gas station to pick up a six pack after you drank the only 2 beers you had in the fridge, then you might take it to the next level and abstain completely.

    Unless alcoholism or addiction run in your family, or there's a little more you aren't telling us, I wouldn't beat yourself up over it too badly. That said, not affecting your work or relationships doesn't really mean anything as there are more functional alcoholics than there are those who get so bad they can't keep a job or family, so you can't really use that as a measure of if you're an alcoholic.

    And for full disclosure, I typically have between 1 or 2 drinks a day, except the 2-3 days a week I work out, where I abstain. If I'm too lazy to go to the store, I might go a couple of weeks without a drink, which happens quite often because I can be pretty damn lazy. Once every couple of months, usually on a Saturday night, I'll have 5 or 6 socially (typically because I'm trying to get lucky with the wife). When the full force of the JW deception hit me, I overdrank for awhile, but that was abuse, not alcoholism. It didn't take too long for me to back off, (perhaps like you are trying to do) and find a happy medium.

    Take all advice, including mine, with a grain of salt because everybody is different, and what works for some won't for others.

  • WTWizard
    WTWizard

    Unfortunately, the best way to stop drinking (or smoking) is to not start. That way, you don't have to worry about it.

    And that goes especially for smoking. It is quite easy to avoid smoking in the first place. But all it takes is one moment of stupidity, one moment when you think it would be cool to smoke, one moment when you think "I will just try it this once. I can quit any time I feel like", and it becomes much more difficult. I strongly suggest, for that reason, if you don't smoke or you have already quit (whether for the Washtowel or not), don't start. If you don't smoke because of the Washtowel and you wish to slap them in the face, there are better ways (a Ouija board, putting up Christmas lights, openly questioning the Filthful and Disgraceful Slavebugger) that do not carry the risk of being enslaved to a money hole that is going to take 10 healthy years off your life.

  • rebel8
    rebel8

    Do you drink every day? Alcohol withdrawal is deadly--if you are physically dependent on it then see a doctor to get off it safely without stroking out.

    If you are not physically dependent, then here is some how-to advice from a credible source (National Institutes of Health).

    How to Cut Down on Your Drinking

    If you are drinking too much, you can improve your life and health by cutting down. How do you know if you drink too much? Read these questions and answer "yes" or "no":

    • Do you drink alone when you feel angry or sad?
    • Does your drinking ever make you late for work?
    • Does your drinking worry your family?
    • Do you ever drink after telling yourself you won't?
    • Do you ever forget what you did while you were drinking?
    • Do you get headaches or have a hang-over after you have been drinking?

    If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may have a drinking problem. Check with your doctor to be sure. Your doctor will be able to tell you whether you should cut down or abstain. If you are alcoholic or have other medical problems, you should not just cut down on your drinking--you should stop drinking completely. Your doctor will advise you about what is right for you.

    If your doctor tells you to cut down on your drinking, these steps can help you:

    1. Write your reasons for cutting down or stopping.

    Why do you want to drink less? There are many reasons why you may want to cut down or stop drinking. You may want to improve your health, sleep better, or get along better with your family or friends. Make a list of the reasons you want to drink less.

    2. Set a drinking goal.

    Choose a limit for how much you will drink. You may choose to cut down or not to drink at all. If you are cutting down, keep below these limits:

    Women: No more than one drink a day

    Men: No more than two drinks a day

    A drink is:

    • a 12-ounce bottle of beer;
    • a 5-ounce glass of wine; or
    • a 1 1/2-ounce shot of liquor.

    These limits may be too high for some people who have certain medical problems or who are older. Talk with your doctor about the limit that is right for you.

    Now--write your drinking goal on a piece of paper. Put it where you can see it, such as on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror.

    3. Keep a "diary" of your drinking.

    To help you reach your goal, keep a "diary" of your drinking. For example, write down every time you have a drink for 1 week. Try to keep your diary for 3 or 4 weeks. This will show you how much you drink and when. You may be surprised. How different is your goal from the amount you drink now? Use the "drinking diary" below to write down when you drink.

    Now you know why you want to drink less and you have a goal. There are many ways you can help yourself to cut down. Try these tips:

    Watch it at home.

    Keep a small amount or no alcohol at home. Don't keep temptations around.

    Drink slowly.

    When you drink, sip your drink slowly. Take a break of 1 hour between drinks. Drink soda, water, or juice after a drink with alcohol. Do not drink on an empty stomach! Eat food when you are drinking.

    Take a break from alcohol.

    Pick a day or two each week when you will not drink at all. Then, try to stop drinking for 1 week. Think about how you feel physically and emotionally on these days. When you succeed and feel better, you may find it easier to cut down for good.

    Learn how to say NO.

    You do not have to drink when other people drink. You do not have to take a drink that is given to you. Practice ways to say no politely. For example, you can tell people you feel better when you drink less. Stay away from people who give you a hard time about not drinking.

    Stay active.

    What would you like to do instead of drinking? Use the time and money spent on drinking to do something fun with your family or friends. Go out to eat, see a movie, or play sports or a game.

    Get support.

    Cutting down on your drinking may be difficult at times. Ask your family and friends for support to help you reach your goal. Talk to your doctor if you are having trouble cutting down. Get the help you need to reach your goal.

    Watch out for temptations.

    Watch out for people, places, or times that make you drink, even if you do not want to. Stay away from people who drink a lot or bars where you used to go. Plan ahead of time what you will do to avoid drinking when you are tempted.

    Do not drink when you are angry or upset or have a bad day. These are habits you need to break if you want to drink less.

    DO NOT GIVE UP!

    Most people do not cut down or give up drinking all at once. Just like a diet, it is not easy to change. That is okay. If you do not reach your goal the first time, try again. Remember, get support from people who care about you and want to help. Do not give up!

  • wha happened?
    wha happened?

    I struggled after leaving that organization. I finally said enough and just stopped. That was over a year ago.

  • OUTLAW
    OUTLAW

    People in the USA go to AA if they drink too much..

    In Canada..We take a nap..

    ..................;-)...OUTLAW

  • jaguarbass
    jaguarbass

    It depends how addicted you are, and how you got there.

    People, places and things cause alcohol addictions.

    If your not very addicted, just stop, change your behavior.

    In my case when I was in my 30's , I came to realize I drank because of stinking thinking.

    99% of my stinking thinking came from the Watchtower society.

    So I went to meetings for 7 years and I didnt drink for 7 years and that was a very good time in my life.

    I would say I grew mentally and spiritually.

    Today in my late 50's I might drink 1 or 2 beers a week.

    My life and life stessors are different.

    Today, I see young people drinking like I did in my 20's and 30's and I figure lifes

    doing its number on them.

    Most people never admit they need to go to a meeting, a lot are sent to AA by a judge

    and others go as a suicide prevention program.

    Good luck

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