Sober GAF |OT| One day at a time

[Tesseract]

I just blew 5 days with no drinking....

This sums up my life right now

Pissin' the night away, getting knocked down and such.

www.neogaf.com

5 is better than 0

reboot and go again

 

[TrainedRage]

5 is better than 0

reboot and go again

True. I got in a petty argument with one of my friends about politics and said fuck it. I cant stand that shit sometimes. I mean I swore off hard booze and have been doing pretty well with that. But im Irish so I dunno, I don't really get drunk I just get extroverted and lose my filter. Cant remember my last blackout or puke so that a plus I suppose.

 

[Thaedolus]

Man I felt like dogshit most of Monday and yesterday and I realized I wasn’t making time to exercise. Forced myself out of bed at 5 this morning and took the dog out for a few miles, already feeling much better today. Gotta find a replacement for that dopamine or some shit folks, don’t neglect the exercise.

 

[-Minsc-]

One Day At A Time.

One change at a time.

I have not played a computer game since Tuesday. A part of me wants to cancel out that success and look at the other failings. That success still exists.

Been going to bed earlier, another positive change. Do I feel more rested? I'll say no, but the change is till great anyway. Getting that routine in will allow me to focus on the next great thing.

To reflect on from a reading today.

"...realized that self-pity could mean I engaged in a delusional and dishonest perception of my life."

Feeling sorry for myself and tricking myself into believing my life is worse than it actually is.

 

[Kev Kev]

I’ve been sober for almost a month now. I’ve been taking AWFUL dumps. Used to take massive toilet blockers, fully satisfying release with a quick wipe. My dumps for the last few weeks have all been at irregular times, take forever to wipe, and don’t feel like a full release.

Anyone else experienced that getting sober?

the mind and body do very weird things when you deprive it of something it wants. i shit black for weeks affter a bad break up and subsequent depression/anxiety. and it was all in my head, you know? alcohol is in your head too, but it also has a physical component. to a certain degree, your body was used to it, and now it adapting to not having it anymore. just give it time, eat healthy, have the best meal/work/exercise/sleep routine you can will yourself to do. keep it goin dude

My goal last week was to have zero alcohol from Sunday up until Saturday night. I made it to Friday night when my friend bought me a beer at a restaurant. I know it's an excuse but I didn't want to be rude so I drank the beer. (it was incredibly delicious).
The good news is that I only had the one. While everyone was drinking in excess I managed to only have that one beer the entire night. Serious major breakthrough for me.
Saturday night I had a few beers as planned but nothing over the top (like 6) and no liquor.

So this week same thing. Have not had a drop of alcohol since Saturday. Hoping to make it to Saturday night and control my consumption to be casual about my drinking.

lol yes i do miss the taste of beer, and i definitely know the feeling of wanting to have a beer with a buddy. for me, the problem was i found my self eventually making any excuse i could to have a drink. and then would lead to a drinking night, then several drinking nights and im a train wreck again... i could never stop that snowball from happening. and thats what it is to be an addict. you always tell yourself this time will be different, but in time its the same old bullshit.

however, some people can! and there would be months at a time where i was that person and it was awesome. but my addiction would win in the end. it always does.

sounds like youre on the right track though bud! your mind is in the right place. just being aware that you may have a drinking issue and taking action to do something about it is more than most people can say, and i think hat is an encouraging thought. best of luck and keep updating!

Being at the point of exercising "no drinking period challenge" is a very good indicator that the problem you're facing may require more radical steps than this.

There is no shame in seeking professional medical consultancy. It does not immediately put you on treatment and it should be anonymous (not sure about the law in USA about this) but it's important to understand your own addiction and the specific role it plays in your life. Various regulatory functions it has for human emotion, all the triggers and habits, both social and non social.
The first explanation that usually comes to mind when you think about it - "I just like to get fucked up. It's fun". But usually it's way more than that and often getting to the bottom of it is the key to get out.

Its important to have some support. I was lucky enough to have had my now ex girlfriend who might have just saved my life. If you don't have any - seek a support group. Can be AA but organized, supervised group therapy for various addicts is IMO the best idea. And the first deep water dive - when was the last time you've managed to openly speak about how you feel while not being drunk or high? I'm guessing it's been a while.

You have a chance to get to know people for whom it's just as big of a challenge as for yourself. You get perspective. And usually notice shit you're in is relatively hollow to what others may be pulling through. That's a blessing for motivation and helped me a lot.

I found myself new hobbies. As mentioned before, sport is great. Mainly because it gives you kicks. It's a new and healthy way of releasing dopamine and serotonin at a time you need it the most.
I've never been in a better physical shape than I am now and it's been getting better ever since.

The social coping of being sober is something I'm having the biggest problem figuring out 'till this day. Most people simply don't understand what you're going through and never will, not in bad faith. Friends will want to celebrate your new lifestyle with an occasional like-in-the-good-old-days. Unfortunately - most of them have to go. A lot of what you were about has to go.

What most of us do in life is chase the "ideal I", an imagined scenario XYZ that we think will finally make us happy. We usually imagine it as various colours of success.
But if we manage get there eventually (I know because I have) turns out there is nothing there to make us less miserable, because what makes us miserable is not the lack of something but a presence something. In the background. It can be drugs, it can be alcohol, it can be toxic relationships, it can be your toxic family, your job, so many things.

It takes an enormous effort just to identify what is that actually makes you unhappy in life. Most of us feel trapped in it. But when you do eventually manage to identify it, the biggest challenge is to get rid of it. That's your final boss. And when you do defeat him: successfully change something, sacrifice something, let go - as impossible as it may seem - turns out what is left, as boring and mundane as it might have seemed - is pretty great! It's fun. It makes you feel much better than you've ever felt before chasing the unicorn when loaded. You just never noticed before.

Sobriety teaches you that. It's the cliche "finding happiness in small things" in practice. It works and it's worth it.

well said! really wise and powerful words here. thank you for your insight and offering your ear. i know that was so, so helpful to me when i was trying to get clean (and still helpful now of course). and congrats to you on the sobriety. keep coming back, it helps to have multiple addicts in recovery to talk to in here

I get the headaches pretty bad also.

I had a relapse a couple of days ago, but I started outpatient treatment yesterday and feel good overall. Stay strong bros.

I just blew 5 days with no drinking....

This sums up my life right now

Pissin' the night away, getting knocked down and such.

www.neogaf.com

you guys can do it! just get back up and take baby steps, crawl if you have to, but you have to keep going, there are great rewards ahead. just look around for proof from other addicts in recovery. they are out there and they are living extraordinary lives without the piss. you can too. the rewards of long lasting happiness far outweigh the instant (but fleeting!) satisfaction that drugs and alcohol provide.

Man I felt like dogshit most of Monday and yesterday and I realized I wasn’t making time to exercise. Forced myself out of bed at 5 this morning and took the dog out for a few miles, already feeling much better today. Gotta find a replacement for that dopamine or some shit folks, don’t neglect the exercise.

its gonna get hard before it gets better. but it does get better. i know, ive been there before. youre doing great man! keep it up and just promise yourself youll get through the day, no matter what. and 100% on the exercise. that is insanely key for me.

thank you everyone so much for sharing and replying. you guys are amazing. and congratulations to anyone who is considering giving up something that they feel is lessening their quality of life. whether its for one day or a life time, just the fact that you have taken that first step of considering it is a huge victory in itself. one day sober is amazing! dont beat yourselves up if you didnt make it two. it's ok! because that one day you were sober is proof that you can fucking do it.

as well as being here to seek help, i think it's worth pointing out that those of you posting your sobriety updates (not matter how long or short) are actively inspiring other people to do the same. maybe they are lurkers who havent chimed in yet. perhaps they are just on the edge of considering giving up a bad or unhealthy habit, and your post about making it a month, or a weak or even just a day (or one little evening!) could be what inspires them to finally make a huge, positive change in their life. and to anyone reading who is considering posting, dont be afraid, no one here is going to judge you bc weve literally all been there or are currently there.

love you guys. keep it up and stop beating yourself up and giving yourself shit all the time. youre already in pain, get a reward from it. you got this

 

[Thaedolus]

Kev Kev thanks for starting the topic and the continual encouragement. For me at least, it’s just the nudge I needed to make healthier choices for myself and my family.

 

[Kev Kev]

Kev Kev thanks for starting the topic and the continual encouragement. For me at least, it’s just the nudge I needed to make healthier choices for myself and my family.

absolutely! i hate the link an era thread, but there is literally proof in this thread that it can help. i think im on the first page there as awesome kev. and i kept using that thread for support and help. and it really helped! here ill just take a pic of my first post from two years ago. people can go look up sober era to see the rest if they want to.

its crazy readin that, lol. cant believe that is me. im like this whole other person thats being controlled by some substance, and future me is yelling at the screen like , "come on man! i literally KNOW that you can do it, just fucking do it!!!" lmao

 

[rebel-scum8298]

Hey there ho their high there!! I've been going to the methadone clinic for over a year. Only been clean for a little less than a year lol . Notice I say clean never sober.(mainly because I feel 100% sobriety is a completely insane thing to do as long as u don't have any problems with denial and are fully in control . because I still drink beers I really don't drink beer if I'm being honest lol still never to excess try and keep it at 3 a night. O and I just quit smoking nicotine !!!!!! I thought for fucken certain Thai was never gonna happen and it actually happened on complete accident lol but I really owe a lot of it to the communities like gaffe and twitch and any other streaming app or forum cause I've used and or been streaming on 'em all lol !!!. So to anyone else recovering hit me up we can talk about it . Or we can game or stream to get your mind oc it like i did.

 

[SLoWMoTIoN]

I keep reading this thread as Saber OT. I don't even drink.

 

[Escoe P. Coldchain]

10 years today

 

[Kev Kev]

Just wanted to say, that I am sober 1 year and 3 months. It's after liver transplant and you can read it on this site, as you probably already know. Bois and girls, don't do what I did.

Spoiler: Context

PSA: Don't drink alcohol too much. Liver transplant experience. NeoGAF special edition.

Prequel: So.... I've been planning to write this in here for some time, but let's say it's not that easy to talk about that. I've been preparing this in my head, how to write something for this wonderfull community, which imrpoved my mental state a lot. I was abstinent, till my 22 years old. I...

www.neogaf.com

Great thread. About nine weeks since my last porn binge. Still on the fence as to whether I can play video games or watch anime and YouTube. The binge mindset is really draining.

I was thinking earlier about asking in the Mental Health OT if anyone wanted to join a "GAF Anonymous" Discord. Before getting there I find this thread. The idea I have is a private Discord where NeoGAF members can have scheduled meetings based on the twelve steps and traditions of AA and other 12-step fellowships where members can learn to deal with their addictive and compulsive behaviors. While a forum such as this has anonymity from our every day lives I do believe it's too public for a person to open up about certain issues before being ready to do so. Anyone who is interested is welcome to send me a PM.

Alright sober GAF I’m jumping on the wagon. My vice is the alkyhawl. You could probably peg me as a high functioning alcoholic: don’t miss work, get my shit done, don’t have days I can’t get outta bed but...it’s definitely something that has more control over me than I have over it many days. And with COVID out there and my ass getting fatter, I need to take care of my liver and drop some weight. Don’t know if I’m done for life but let’s start with to the end of August.

Start the clock.

Yep, definitely for me the "down time" was an accelerator in my drinking, especially with COVID quarantine and working for home. Finding new activities does help a lot, now I garden and mod game systems. It helped me a lot to learn something new plus the physical act of doing it (especially the gardening) is less time a drink would be in my hand.

Here's to starting a new day with a tall glass of water versus vodka and pills. Best of luck to you guys today!

I’ve been sober for almost a month now. I’ve been taking AWFUL dumps. Used to take massive toilet blockers, fully satisfying release with a quick wipe. My dumps for the last few weeks have all been at irregular times, take forever to wipe, and don’t feel like a full release.

Anyone else experienced that getting sober?

My goal last week was to have zero alcohol from Sunday up until Saturday night. I made it to Friday night when my friend bought me a beer at a restaurant. I know it's an excuse but I didn't want to be rude so I drank the beer. (it was incredibly delicious).
The good news is that I only had the one. While everyone was drinking in excess I managed to only have that one beer the entire night. Serious major breakthrough for me.
Saturday night I had a few beers as planned but nothing over the top (like 6) and no liquor.

So this week same thing. Have not had a drop of alcohol since Saturday. Hoping to make it to Saturday night and control my consumption to be casual about my drinking.

I just blew 5 days with no drinking....

This sums up my life right now

Pissin' the night away, getting knocked down and such.

www.neogaf.com

Hey I just wanted to check in and see how you guys we're doing on your sober journeys?

No pressure to respond if you don't want to, but whenever you're ready, we'd love to hear from you. I know from first hand experience that no matter how rough, or up and down the journey has been, or whether you've fallen off the wagon or not... posting here can help you, and it will inspire others to start or continue their own journeys at the same time. It's a win-win. At any rate, I hope you all are in good health and good spirits (but not those kind of spirits hardy-har-har...)

As always, to anyone els thinking of jumping on the wagon, please feel free to share about it ITT. Again, the idea is for this to be a welcoming, uplifting atmosphere. No one is going to judge you. No one is going to think you are stupid. No one is going to think you are weak. Everyone in here has been there before, knows someone who has been there before, or are just really great and empathetic listeners who, in all likelihood, have struggled with their own demons and know how helpful it can be to talk shit out.

Today marks 803 days sober for me. Believe me when I tell you that that first day seemed impossible. But I and many others ITT are proof that you can do it. And maybe you only make it one day. That's fine! In fact, one whole day sober is fucking great! Maybe try again next week, and this time go for two days, then three, then a whole week, and so on. But you must believe you can do it, and if you're struggling with that, look around you! There are so many of us in this topic who are proof that it can be done.

The important part is to keep trying no matter how many times you fall. We only fail when we quit. If we get back up and try again every time, then there is always a chance. And that is an encouraging thought.

Love all you mother fuckers. Take care and don't take any shit, especially from yourselves.

 

[M1chl]

Hey I just wanted to check in and see how you guys we're doing on your sober journeys?

No pressure to respond if you don't want to, but whenever you're ready, we'd love to hear from you. I know from first hand experience that no matter how rough, or up and down the journey has been, or whether you've fallen off the wagon or not... posting here can help you, and it will inspire others to start or continue their own journeys at the same time. It's a win-win. At any rate, I hope you all are in good health and good spirits (but not those kind of spirits hardy-har-har...)

As always, to anyone els thinking of jumping on the wagon, please feel free to share about it ITT. Again, the idea is for this to be a welcoming, uplifting atmosphere. No one is going to judge you. No one is going to think you are stupid. No one is going to think you are weak. Everyone in here has been there before, knows someone who has been there before, or are just really great and empathetic listeners who, in all likelihood, have struggled with their own demons and know how helpful it can be to talk shit out.

Today marks 803 days sober for me. Believe me when I tell you that that first day seemed impossible. But I and many others ITT are proof that you can do it. And maybe you only make it one day. That's fine! In fact, one whole day sober is fucking great! Maybe try again next week, and this time go for two days, then three, then a whole week, and so on. But you must believe you can do it, and if you're struggling with that, look around you! There are so many of us in this topic who are proof that it can be done.

The important part is to keep trying no matter how many times you fall. We only fail when we quit. If we get back up and try again every time, then there is always a chance. And that is an encouraging thought.

Love all you mother fuckers. Take care and don't take any shit, especially from yourselves.

As much as it's probably not going to be positive message through 'n through, I don't alcohol. Which seemed...no fuck that...it was impossible. Now I can chill just with water and not having any retarded racing thoughts. More and more I am coming to conclusion, that something was very wrong with me physically, which than create this shitty habit. Now I just live you know, if that explains it. It's obviously pretty cruel from the standpoint, that I legitimely believe, that some people are doomed from the first time they got drunk. And I think that's the case. People who can stop and live normal life, can recover from being drunken idiot without an issue in the long term. My problems did not start with alcohol, it proceeded to be worsen by alcohol, but it was not why I seek that in a first place.

My mind was redeemed, by someone else life. And no I definitely did not have it in my mind after the surgery. I was like more of "yeah I am going to drink anyway if I am going to need", but that need never come even if I had to come through hell, with medicine and relatioship. Second one it's my biggest weakness, I was alway totally fucked when something stopped working. I cared way too much about stupid shit.

Congrats in your progress, stay sober and if that helps reach out. Because to me talking never helped. Or I might tak about it, while drinking at the same time.

 

[Thaedolus]

I’ll bite: I had two “special occasions” (camping) during my stint where I drank two nights in a row each. Didn’t get overly fucked up, didn’t keep going afterward but definitely felt physically like shit afterward. So I didn’t make it all the way, but I’m going on almost 3 weeks now and feeling less and less inclined to even drink on those occasions considering how bad my body felt on the drives home.

I haven’t reverted to drinking during the week, and I’ve declined lunch beers with coworkers multiple times, so overall I feel like I’ve turned a big corner. Those are the times I’d always be like fuck yeah and pound a couple 9% IPAs at lunch. I’ve found a little indica before bed helps me get to sleep and leaves me much more rested in the morning, and that’s it for my intake other than a multivitamin and supplements. I’ve stuck to my exercise routine and feel much more energetic there too. Looking forward to skiing season.

So yeah, didn’t hit the goal of going all the way to end of August, but I’ve kicked the daily drinking cycle pretty well so far, and the longer I go the less I think about it. I’ve got another trip coming up next weekend, and I’m thinking I’ll just take a pass on the booze even if I’m the only one (besides my pregnant wife). Feels good man.

 

[Kev Kev]

I’ll bite: I had two “special occasions” (camping) during my stint where I drank two nights in a row each. Didn’t get overly fucked up, didn’t keep going afterward but definitely felt physically like shit afterward. So I didn’t make it all the way, but I’m going on almost 3 weeks now and feeling less and less inclined to even drink on those occasions considering how bad my body felt on the drives home.

I haven’t reverted to drinking during the week, and I’ve declined lunch beers with coworkers multiple times, so overall I feel like I’ve turned a big corner. Those are the times I’d always be like fuck yeah and pound a couple 9% IPAs at lunch. I’ve found a little indica before bed helps me get to sleep and leaves me much more rested in the morning, and that’s it for my intake other than a multivitamin and supplements. I’ve stuck to my exercise routine and feel much more energetic there too. Looking forward to skiing season.

So yeah, didn’t hit the goal of going all the way to end of August, but I’ve kicked the daily drinking cycle pretty well so far, and the longer I go the less I think about it. I’ve got another trip coming up next weekend, and I’m thinking I’ll just take a pass on the booze even if I’m the only one (besides my pregnant wife). Feels good man.

dude that is amazing. keep it goin! sounds like you just need to keep doing what youre doing. thanks for sharing

 

[haxan7]

Thanks for checking in Kev Kev

I am still sober/going strong. Started focusing on working out. Will post a more detailed update later when work isn't diddling my bung so hard.

 

[MaestroMike]

You guys ever try non-alcoholic beers ?? They taste pretty good with some rice or potatoes.

 

[Kev Kev]

You guys ever try non-alcoholic beers ?? They taste pretty good with some rice or potatoes.

yeah i could see myself now: trying to have a couple sensible NA beers, next thing you know i'm on my fourth six pack just hoping to chug them fast enough so that the .3% alcohol in them will give me a buzz

no, i don't think that's for me. drinkin was always about getting drunk for me. from my first drink when i was 12 or 13 years old, to my very last drink just a couple years ago, the goal was never to socialize or just get laid, it was to get fucked up first then do everything else after. of course when you get black out drunk, none of that matters, even if the plan goes accordingly, you won't fuckin remember shit lol

getting hammered was the main attraction for me. an NA beer just makes me scratch my head. like, if it doesn't get you fucked up, what's the point?

all of that said, i know a lot of people who benefit from NA beer. i've even considered trying them out one time for myself, just for shits.

any suggestions of good NA beers for anyone who wants onto try?

 

[MaestroMike]

yeah i could see myself now: trying to have a couple sensible NA beers, next thing you know i'm on my fourth six pack just hoping to chug them fast enough so that the .3% alcohol in them will give me a buzz

no, i don't think that's for me. drinkin was always about getting drunk for me. from my first drink when i was 12 or 13 years old, to my very last drink just a couple years ago, the goal was never to socialize or just get laid, it was to get fucked up first then do everything else after. of course when you get black out drunk, none of that matters, even if the plan goes accordingly, you won't fuckin remember shit lol

getting hammered was the main attraction for me. an NA beer just makes me scratch my head. like, if it doesn't get you fucked up, what's the point?

all of that said, i know a lot of people who benefit from NA beer. i've even considered trying them out one time for myself, just for shits.

any suggestions of good NA beers for anyone who wants onto try?

Only one that I like that is available in my area is st pauli's girl and then there was this other one that I first had that tasted pretty good called clausthaler dry hopped but it's never in stock anymore whenever I check. I think heineken came out with one awhile ago 0.0 too but never tried that one. Only tried it to help me carbo load and because it wasn't sweet and doesn't have to be processed in the liver like fructose has to be since it's made up of maltose and glucose. I think the Russians have a grain based drink called kvass would like to try that. Feel like there should be more grain/glucosed based drinks on shelf's instead of just fruit/fructose based drinks.

Edit:. Manna organics also makes this sprouted bread (rye and carrot raisin are my favorites) that tastes naturally sweet from the maltose/glucose sugars from sprouting the seeds this is a good combo to go with the NA beer as well. You can even blend it as well or put it in soup ! Comes from delicious sprouted grains like beer ! It's full of fiber though so you don't want to eat too much at one time like I would with beans I was hitting the toilet hard !

 

[Vyse1800]

.

 

[chixdiggit]

Hey I just wanted to check in and see how you guys we're doing on your sober journeys?

Not as well as I would like. Bad news is I have been consistently drinking. I drank 6 out of 7 days last week. Good news is that I have not been getting smashed and most of those nights were only 2 beers.

Thanks for checking, it really helps.

 

[Kev Kev]

Not as well as I would like. Bad news is I have been consistently drinking. I drank 6 out of 7 days last week. Good news is that I have not been getting smashed and most of those nights were only 2 beers.

Thanks for checking, it really helps.

hey man you're always welcome here if you need some support or just need somewhere to unload. that shit is a heavy burden and you don't have to go it alone.

and 6 out of 7 isn't bad, that means you went a whole day without drinking and that's pretty great man. and if you can go one day, then you can do another and another and another. as many as you want! maybe try two days next week. and three the next.

you don't have to quit cold turkey. you can step down each week, or even each month. maybe you'll level off at 2-3 days a week. i'm sure you'd see a ton of benefits just by cutting your current drinking in half, and it's not as daunting as the idea of stopping forever.

but dude any day you go without using is always a victory and you should be proud of that. thanks for sharing and good luck to you. don't be a stranger.

 

[Tesseract]

good shit, keep it up

 

[Thaedolus]

Weekend trip got cancelled, temptation to load up removed. Buying a brisket to smoke for friends Saturday instead.

 

[notseqi]

Off since sunday, longest in probably 5 years. Trying to get a few days off the sauce to stay focused.
Made a lighthearted quip about 'ray tracing', 'reflections' and not wanting to reflect = drinking, hoooo boy did I flip a switch with that.

Chuckling to myself about getting that hankering for a small libation. Not today, senor tequila.

 

[Kev Kev]

Off since sunday, longest in probably 5 years. Trying to get a few days off the sauce to stay focused.
Made a lighthearted quip about 'ray tracing', 'reflections' and not wanting to reflect = drinking, hoooo boy did I flip a switch with that.

Chuckling to myself about getting that hankering for a small libation. Not today, senor tequila.

yes! dude thats awesome, keep it goin. that shit is hard to resist, takes a lot of strength and discipline to be able to resist. I honestly feel its things that like this that can test and build character. most people dont realize how difficult it is to quit drinking for a month until they try. they are usually like, "one month shiieeet no probelm dog", then 2 and half weeks in they dont think they are going to make it lol. but all the jokes aside, any amount of time you spend away from something that is lessening your quality of life is a victory.

good luck to you! check back in and let us know how youre doing once in a while

 

[notseqi]

good luck to you! check back in and let us know how youre doing once in a while

Thanks! I went to the local store out of habit, went straight past the beer and got me some fish fingers and chicken. Eating the fish fingers right now, gonna bake the chicken later.
Had forgotten about buying drinks by the time I arrived at the store, bit of a win.

 

[Thaedolus]

Swung by Costco because I needed gas and picked up my brisket. Ran into my dad randomly. He gave me shit for not inviting him, I gave him shit for looking for the bathroom. He said I looked like I've dropped weight or something...reality is I think I don't have a puffy boozer face anymore and my complexion has gotten better.

I'll post pics of my smoked meat for you all Saturday.

 

[M1chl]

You guys ever try non-alcoholic beers ?? They taste pretty good with some rice or potatoes.

Be wary of that, it's a bait for addicted people. It contains small portion of the alcohol, so it makes cravings that much more. It could for someone who just love beer, but for those who loves alcohol, stay the fuck away.

 

[notseqi]

Be wary of that, it's a bait for addicted people. It contains small portion of the alcohol, so it makes cravings that much more. It could for someone who just love beer, but for those who loves alcohol, stay the fuck away.

It really really is. Thought about getting one of those instead but it's a real borderline drug. You know that something is missing but you love the taste, you'll return to the real stuff.

 

[M1chl]

It really really is. Thought about getting one of those instead but it's a real borderline drug. You know that something is missing but you love the taste, you'll return to the real stuff.

And not only to the beer, that's the issue.

 

[notseqi]

And not only to the beer, that's the issue.

'Tried' it several times, weak willed. Turned back to 10+ beers a day and some sweet vodka on the weekends. Usually within two weeks.

 

[M1chl]

'Tried' it several times, weak willed. Turned back to 10+ beers a day and some sweet vodka on the weekends. Usually within two weeks.

Yeah, it's shit that you are waiting for that buzz and not one is coming, so instead of stopping you are driving to the store, etc...

 

[notseqi]

I'll instead combat the reasons why I feel the need to get atomically sloshed every day.
Good time to quit, my best friends are getting married on saturday :3

 

[Kev Kev]

Be wary of that, it's a bait for addicted people. It contains small portion of the alcohol, so it makes cravings that much more. It could for someone who just love beer, but for those who loves alcohol, stay the fuck away.

i tend to agree, but if it works for them, then it works. not everyone has the same style.

so, in the interest of being constructive (and not just critical, bc thats not what this topic is about), what do you think is a good alternative for someone who is considering NA beer?

 

[M1chl]

i tend to agree, but if it works for them, then it works. not everyone has the same style.

so, in the interest of being constructive (and not just critical, bc thats not what this topic is about), what do you think is a good alternative for someone who is considering NA beer?

Well tea or something like a soda, juice (that at least gives you the sugar rush), no nothing where your brain expect buzz... And I was not being just critical, I am saying that if you are beer addict, it could work, if you are buzz alcohol addict, then you are going to store for booze, guaranteed. My experience, when I tried to stop.

 

[Kev Kev]

Well tea or something like a soda, juice (that at least gives you the sugar rush), no nothing where your brain expect buzz... And I was not being just critical, I am saying that if you are beer addict, it could work, if you are buzz alcohol addict, then you are going to store for booze, guaranteed. My experience, when I tried to stop.

or perhaps coffee? especially if you take it black. no sugar, you can even go half caffeinated or decaf, its hot, can help you feel comfortable and relatively it is safe. i like the tea idea too, soda could definitely work for some as well, but better off with diet or something with less sugar, calories and caffeine. good stuff man, thanks for the feedback M1chl !

 

[M1chl]

or perhaps coffee? especially if you take it black. no sugar, you can even go half caffeinated or decaf, its hot, can help you feel comfortable and relatively it is safe. i like the tea idea too, soda could definitely work for some as well, but better off with diet or something with less sugar, calories and caffeine. god stuff man, thanks for the feedback M1chl !

Coffe with coffeine, could be good solution, yes and also it does not have to be. Let me explain. Some people like coffee as a "good drink" basically same as they though about alcohol, this people crave good things and for them, it's completely fine. However for people with sensitivity for caffeine, when they get elevate blood pressure and basically get some sort of mild feeling in head like they have hangover. So it warries and person has to be honest with him/herself...

 

[notseqi]

I bought a malt beer (like root beer without the ginger, not sure if you have it) on my doggy walk but I had to contemplate what I am substituting the alcohol for. While I am going to the gym I wanted to cut down heavy on carbs but I felt a craving for a sugary drink.
It's the only one I had today but I hope I can take the intake low in the near future. Need to get over the carb hump too

 

[M1chl]

So how you guys doing it on the weekend? I brew a lot of chamomile tea, it works nice. Having some chill with my GF and really do not need any Alcohol, however I was schooled, as you know. So I wanted to ask how are you doing?

 

[SaturnSaturn]

So how you guys doing it on the weekend? I brew a lot of chamomile tea, it works nice. Having some chill with my GF and really do not need any Alcohol, however I was schooled, as you know. So I wanted to ask how are you doing?

Sounds really comfy, have you tried ginger tea, thats my thing!
Had a small relapse for the first time in months, not with something i usually do but a two day binge, first day with weed and second with alcohol, but back in the gym first thing tomorrow morning, so i guess im doing good and back on track all things considered!

 

[M1chl]

Sounds really comfy, have you tried ginger tea, thats my thing!
Had a small relapse for the first time in months, not with something i usually do but a two day binge, first day with weed and second with alcohol, but back in the gym first thing tomorrow morning, so i guess im doing good and back on track all things considered!

Well don't worry about that, if you bounced back this quckly is non issue : )

 

[Tuff McNutt]

So how you guys doing it on the weekend? I brew a lot of chamomile tea, it works nice. Having some chill with my GF and really do not need any Alcohol, however I was schooled, as you know. So I wanted to ask how are you doing?

I try to keep myself occupied. Like now I am making hot sauce and salsa via stuff I grew in my garden, and also modding various mini systems for people.

It is hard not drinking during football Sundays, especially with how terrible the Vikings are. A little bit of cannabis along with anxiety meds helps a lot though.

I have slipped up a few days but more often than not I'm waking up without a hangover, which is a great feeling, especially since I can take care of my kid without feeling like a piece of shit.

 

[-Minsc-]

Hey there. Still porn and masturbation sober. The hard part these days is chatting with a woman and learning to deal with the same reaction I'd have with porn.

 

[notseqi]

So how you guys doing it on the weekend?

The weekend of your post I indulged a bit, was at a wedding and had a ton of white wine throughout the day, was fun. Returned to sobriety the following monday, didn't drink until last saturday when I went to visit friends in Cologne, again, had a bunch of beers through saturday and sunday.
Back to nothing for the week. At least it was all in good company and never in a binge-type of way.

Despite that I am looking better every day, less doughy and I feel a lot more motivated to do stuff. Keeping occupied is everything.

 

[M1chl]

So another weeked, so I want to come here and ask how your sobriety is going my dudes?

 

[Thaedolus]

Welp my current situation precludes me from stress drinking or eating today - there's no booze in the house and we're quarantined, and food tastes like nothing - so it looks like we'll make it through election week without any sort of cheating or relapse. I'll take that as a blessing in disguise.

 

[Kev Kev]

Welp my current situation precludes me from stress drinking or eating today - there's no booze in the house and we're quarantined, and food tastes like nothing - so it looks like we'll make it through election week without any sort of cheating or relapse. I'll take that as a blessing in disguise.

thats awesome, glad to hear your doin well!

 

[-Minsc-]

Hey all, checking in.

I put myself on a minimal internet challenge for around the past month. Basically no forums, Facebook, Discord, YouTube, or streaming shows. I allowed Email, banking, some online church services, Facebook Messenger, some recovery broadcasts and a challenge thread on another forum. Also played no games. A couple days ago I did break and install a cheapy Star Trek game on my phone. Before installing it I knew it was a waste of my time. Ten minutes later I uninstalled it.

Don't miss checking all the notifications and comments on the various forums and videos that much. It's a lifestyle which has less and less place in my life as I get ever closer to forty. Having a girlfriend in my life now changes things as well. Can't hold on to living like a twenty year old single guy. Now I have to evaluate what I let back into my internet life. One thing is for sure, I can't go back to the old way of internet.

 

[Kev Kev]

Hey all, checking in.

I put myself on a minimal internet challenge for around the past month. Basically no forums, Facebook, Discord, YouTube, or streaming shows. I allowed Email, banking, some online church services, Facebook Messenger, some recovery broadcasts and a challenge thread on another forum. Also played no games. A couple days ago I did break and install a cheapy Star Trek game on my phone. Before installing it I knew it was a waste of my time. Ten minutes later I uninstalled it.

Don't miss checking all the notifications and comments on the various forums and videos that much. It's a lifestyle which has less and less place in my life as I get ever closer to forty. Having a girlfriend in my life now changes things as well. Can't hold on to living like a twenty year old single guy. Now I have to evaluate what I let back into my internet life. One thing is for sure, I can't go back to the old way of internet.

im happy for you dude! ive thought about doing this a little bit myself. thanks for sharing that really inspiring for me

yeah this whole notification life is very addicitng. i find myself jsut going back and forth between apps that ive already checked a dozen times. ill sit their for hours sometimes. like, i could at least be doing something else more fun lol. getting that little red box with number in it, basically reassuring me that im not a lonely POS (<-- not true in the lisghtest, a notification shouldnt be the thing that gives us validation... but yet, here i am...), has become this weirldy important thing to me. i think a lot of us could beneift from little breaks here and there.

thanks again!

so, with the holidays upon us, how is everyone doing? anyone plan on using less/quitting? anyone have plans to get clean around the first of the year (resolutions really arent that stupid, they can be effective even for some people, it was for me...)? any thing youd like to share is certainly welcome. hope you all are staying safe and healthy out there.

 

[-Minsc-]

In my time back on the internet I have observed myself falling back into the old patterns. With this I've decided to do another minimal internet challenge. This time I'll pop into this thread to outline my progress.