Sobriety, V2.

[Shorty_J]

Need to ask a question here...

Did any of you drink because you thought people like you better when you did?

I struggle to find enjoyment in things I see other people enjoy.

Once I've had a few drinks I can at least pretend I'm enjoying it.

Before that I'm just quiet and boring and don't make an impression.

I'm guessing this is a common feeling?

I don't think I'm manufacturing this feeling... I think it's real. But that doesn't mean its a good reason to drink.

Sent from my Pixel 8 using Tapatalk

[SkiCougar]

Need to ask a question here...

Did any of you drink because you thought people like you better when you did?

I struggle to find enjoyment in things I see other people enjoy.

Once I've had a few drinks I can at least pretend I'm enjoying it.

Before that I'm just quiet and boring and don't make an impression.

I'm guessing this is a common feeling?

I don't think I'm manufacturing this feeling... I think it's real. But that doesn't mean its a good reason to drink.

Sent from my Pixel 8 using Tapatalk

Went to the liquor store tonight to get cigars and everyone else is loading up and I could think was how stupid most of them are about to get. I'm more boring now, but I'm not stupid from alcohol anymore; I had been plenty of times.

I didn't quit drinking, I just rarely do anymore. I just pop in to give support from time to time as some people really struggle.

Over 40 now and besides red wine for the reservatrol; decided alcohol just isn't good for a person, really wish I thought like this at 21.

[irul&ublo]

Especially reveretrol appropriately centered and aged, then served with some excellent meat


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[TWINS]

Need to ask a question here...

Did any of you drink because you thought people like you better when you did?

I struggle to find enjoyment in things I see other people enjoy.

Once I've had a few drinks I can at least pretend I'm enjoying it.

Before that I'm just quiet and boring and don't make an impression.

I'm guessing this is a common feeling?

I don't think I'm manufacturing this feeling... I think it's real. But that doesn't mean its a good reason to drink.

Sent from my Pixel 8 using Tapatalk

Herd mentality definitely played a role in my addiction.
I could always find someone to talk too when drinking.
Sedating my brain so boring things were tolerable definitely.
Now being sober I see that as a fact and do things I like without the need to sedate myself.
Happy NewYear to my fellow warriors.
Rising above the Kaos.
Leading,not following.

[The Reverend Floater]

Need to ask a question here...

Did any of you drink because you thought people like you better when you did?

I struggle to find enjoyment in things I see other people enjoy.

Once I've had a few drinks I can at least pretend I'm enjoying it.

Before that I'm just quiet and boring and don't make an impression.

I'm guessing this is a common feeling?

I don't think I'm manufacturing this feeling... I think it's real. But that doesn't mean its a good reason to drink.

Sent from my Pixel 8 using Tapatalk

100%

Like skicougar, I didn’t quit but I rarely drink these days. In my teens, twenty’s and thirty’s I was a classic party drinker. I visit this thread to try and lend support and to be inspired by our peeps here.

At some point I realized that I was often drinking because I was bored and also because small talk, social functions, after work drinks and things of that nature make me uncomfortable and horribly bored. Not anywhere to the point of unbearable but more like mild anxiety and crippling boredom. Drinking made it all tolerable and I was pretty good at it.

Somewhere around 40 I came to terms with the fact that I’m an introvert and that is ok. I’m not a hermit by any means and I greatly enjoy people that I’m close to but I could go without another wedding ever again. I actually love to be around people, I just get bored by forced interaction.

It’s cool once you come to terms with it. I’m happier on Friday night knowing I’m going to spend Saturday in the sticks skiing, hunting, biking or whatever—instead of feeling like shit. Life is a lot more tolerable once you accept these things about yourself.

Like all of us, I’ve lost friends and family alike to addiction. It’s rampant in my family and some sometimes I wonder if it’s that antisocial dynamic that serves as the catalyst for a lot of people.

Good luck.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Foggy_Goggles]

x3 to Rev and Shorty

I'm an introvert that has struggled with anxiety. I used to drink to fit in and try to be invisible in social situations. I'd rather smash my dick with a hammer than small talk randoms at a cocktail party.

And some point the price became too high and even a moderate amount of drinks could cripple me the next day. I'd have a hangover without grabbing a buzz. That's stupid.

I try and say this cautiously because my challenges are small compared to others whom I really want to support. But going from being a crack a beer ASAP when you get home, drink at social occasions, worry about driving, manage with feeling like shit, should I shouldn't I have one more to...just have a seltzer, really no beers during the week, saying no to parties a lot, going to bed a 10, a few beers and whisky here and there with friends and then dipping out early is just better for me.

Having lived in a ski town most of my life, and having skiing, biking, snowmobiling, paragliding and my friends be what living is about, my perspective may be a bit different. I see too many people that become physically and mentally unhealthy and doing to things that they love. Drinking used to be what you did after skiing. But now, if you go skiing its from noon to 3 with a bit of drinking. And then happy hour.

So I see people that I look up to older than me into their 70s, smiling, having a zest for life, skiing hiking, going to the gym and exactly zero of them are heavy drinkers. I think it is something for many people to watch. Is drinking becoming a bit of an anchor on what you want your life to look like?

I hope that comes of OK. Nothing but support for all ya'll. And no judgement for others that have room for drinking in their lives.

[liv2ski]

Today’s a good day to remind anyone on the fence that avoiding alcohol for a sustained period of time really will change your outlook on the function and role it plays within your life.

If you’re even mildly considering sobriety I would say the writings on the wall.

The issue for me is I've been getting stoned since about 13. I smoked weed and did drugs until about 21, then I stop that stuff and started drinking. I've been cutting back over the last six months and would like to stop, not entirely but maybe a glass of wine here and there. The issue is, I still need to get a buzz on. Thinking of asking my doctor for valium. Not sure how that request will be received.

[Foggy_Goggles]

The issue is, I still need to get a buzz on. Thinking of asking my doctor for valium. Not sure how that request will be received.

Or maybe you don't? If the buzz looks like an unhealthy dependency or coping mechanism, then consider whether that is more of a solution or the problem.

Why would you like to stop? Is the juice no longer worth the squeeze? No judgement. We are all different. Personally, I like the frame work of making incrementally better choices. Maybe when you want that buzz, replace that with something else. And perhaps that then that feels like a small victory you can use to keep the ball rolling.

[liv2ski]

O, I love to drink wine, but it isn't healthy for me and I am certain I would lose a few pounds if I did so, so a win win by cutting way back.
The buzz isn't a coping mechanism as I have 0 to cope with. I just like to get high.

[Foggy_Goggles]

The buzz isn't a coping mechanism as I have 0 to cope with. I just like to get high.

Sounds amazing. We all have a different amounts of chips in the pot. Sounds like you are just looking to moderate drinking for health/weight loss reasons. Seems smart.

[riser4]

I don't recommend Valium to anyone.

[skaredshtles]

I don't recommend Valium to anyone.

Why not? That shit is awesome.

Personally glad it's a controlled substance. I could see myself getting in trouble with that stuff.

[Thaleia]

liv2ski - when I was discussing reducing my alcohol intake my doctor was very quick to suggest a prescription for Diazepam (not sure how it compares to Vallium) so certainly worth asking if you think it would help.

[riser4]

Why not? That shit is awesome.

Personally glad it's a controlled substance. I could see myself getting in trouble with that stuff.

You answered your own question. And ask me how I know. I love that shit. Plus I knew too many people that died due to Valium being part of the equation. If a doctor wants to use it in a controlled and highly supervised setting to get through a detox period, then that's their medical opinion, but I'd still be leary of trading one addictive high for another, especially in someone who recognizes that they like to get high.

[Buzzworthy]

The issue for me is I've been getting stoned since about 13. I smoked weed and did drugs until about 21, then I stop that stuff and started drinking. I've been cutting back over the last six months and would like to stop, not entirely but maybe a glass of wine here and there. The issue is, I still need to get a buzz on. Thinking of asking my doctor for valium. Not sure how that request will be received.

This screams cannabis to me, not pills.

[skaredshtles]

You answered your own question. And ask me how I know. I love that shit. Plus I knew too many people that died due to Valium being part of the equation. If a doctor wants to use it in a controlled and highly supervised setting to get through a detox period, then that's their medical opinion, but I'd still be leary of trading one addictive high for another, especially in someone who recognizes that they like to get high.

Gotcha. We are in agreeance. Lovely shit - VERY dangerous.

[liv2ski]

This screams cannabis to me, not pills.

Not a big fan of da weed buzz. I like an alcohol buzz. God damnit, where did I leave qualudes

[riser4]

Gotcha. We are in agreeance. Lovely shit - VERY dangerous.

Not a big fan of da weed buzz. I like an alcohol buzz. God damnit, where did I leave qualudes

Ya, i mean this sincerely, don't get into benzos.

[Gepeto]

Barbiturates... hmm?

[Gepeto]

shit like a squirrel
Metabolism stalled
pasty skin
Chronic cotton mouth

I'm In

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

A good friend of mine would get GALLON ZIPLOCKS filled with thousands of Valium in the mail at our last Colorado ski bum house in 2009/2010. I miraculously didn't partake in those very often, but when I did it was gross. Especially if you mix with booze. A benzo and 3 or 4 drinks is like drinking 12 drinks without the benzo. I had my last ever drink during this period. April 2010. It was getting pretty dark.

Our friend who got the shipments of valium? That was one of the funniest, kindest, smartest people I ever knew? Yeah he's dead now.

DO NOT FUCK AROUND WITH BENZOS. They are massively overprescribed classic "USA we love big pharma instead of actually working on ourselves" bullshit.

[liv2ski]

Ok ok, you talked me out of it.

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

Ok ok, you talked me out of it.

They have a time and place when prescribed correctly, but people with any type of addictive tendencies seem to REALLY like benzos and they are physically addictive. Easy to get dependent on them.

[Dantheman]

Benzos and alcohol both act on the GABA system, which is why they are prescribed to manage alcohol withdrawal. Like alcohol, withdrawal from benzos can literally kill you. Unlike alcohol, it is *far* easier to develop a potentially fatal level of physical dependency. It's pretty insane that they are only in Schedule IV while most opioids are Schedule II. Opioid withdrawal makes you wish you were dead but won't actually kill you.

[Dhelihiker]

Today is 1 month no alcohol. That shit is poison.

I was drinking and partying waaaay too much. I was blaming it on stress and life issues. Obviously the drinking just made it worse. I tried being a responsible drinker, only on weekends, only a couple.


I was at a business dinner, on a Wednesday night being that "responsible drinker." Wine turned into sake bombs and that turned into DJ 1942 shots and that was last memory of that evening.


I woke up on the couch, my wife was very upset. I only have a slight idea of what happened because I either pocket dialed my wife or purposely called her to get help and she experienced the following.

She heard the Uber driver telling me to get out of the car, I was saying "this is not my house, take me home." He pepper sprayed me. My wife hears me moaning in pain and asking the driver "why did you do that?" " you're gunna go to jail" He leaves me for dead. Now my wife hears me outside wailing and I'm close to our house but she cant find me. She thinks I've been stabbed and she's freaking out running around our neighborhood looking for me in bushes etc. I'm actually behind our house in the neighbors yard (???) I somehow hear her and climb our 10' wood fence, while blinded avoiding several impalement opportunities and march in to the house like a wrecking ball. I broke a family heirloom, said mean shit to my loving wife, all of the above and then some.

0.0 memory of anything


I completely broke down. sobbing, ashamed, embarrassed full of regret. I could have easily been killed, tried driving home, ???? who fucking knows. A life changing event.


I'm really enjoying not drinking. I'm becoming a person I'm proud of again. Life is a trip. wish me luck. I wish you all the best.