So, I quit drinking...kinda

[JohnJohnson]

I decided that I needed to quit drinking a couple of days ago. Mostly for health reasons. I'm trying not to die and I also need to lose weight for my PT Tests. It's also a financial burden. I spent more money on alcohol that I did on my car payment each month, so that wasn't good. My birthday was yesterday, and it was my first sober birthday, in the U.S., since I was 19. I'm 26 now.

The thing is, I need help trying to figure out what to do next. I get stressed out often from various factors in life. Some are very extreme stressors. Alcohol always helped me cope with those stressors. Also, I'm trying to figure out what to do for fun. I realized this the day that I quit, I had to kill an hour and a half while waiting for my phone to be repaired, and couldn't figure out where to go. Usually for something like that, I would wait the time out at a bar nearby. I watch wrestling on Mondays, but I always drink before I watch it, because quite frankly it was pretty boring, and getting drunk made it tolerable. I like to BBQ, but I always drink beer while doing that. I love laughing, so I'm really into any kind of good comedy show...but I drink when I watch those as well to further the humor of it all to me.

So if anyone could make any recommendations on things to do or how to cope with this. Any other former/recovering alcoholics have any advice as well? Thanks guys.

 

[ScreaminNormanSmiley]

Seems like you should start drinking again.

 

[ABMorales787]

Alcohol is ******ed, anyway.

 

[JohnJohnson]

Seems like you should start drinking again.

Yea, I'd like to. Because it is fun, and I do most things better with a few drinks in me. But, my liver is noticeably swollen, and has been giving me some pain/discomfort.

 

[Bagpipes]

What was your drink of choice if I may ask?

Not that everyone's internal systems are alike but it seems early onset health issues that are alcohol induced are usually a result of over consumption of hard liquor.

Maybe switch to a cheap beer and drink 1-2 a night during the week to take the edge off of your stress and then drink at your leisure on the weekends. That's the system I've stuck to for quite a few years and I've actually found it to be less physically draining (and less expensive) than getting shitfaced every night.

 

[JohnJohnson]

What was your drink of choice if I may ask?

Not that everyone's internal systems are alike but it seems early onset health issues that are alcohol induced are usually a result of over consumption of hard liquor.

Maybe switch to a cheap beer and drink 1-2 a night during the week to take the edge off of your stress and then drink at your leisure on the weekends. That's the system I've stuck to for quite a few years and I've actually found it to be less physically draining (and less expensive) than getting shitfaced every night.

I would drink everything and everything. Some days hard liquor, lot's of beer, wine, high gravity malt liquors, hell even MD 20/20. I will drink any combination of them as well. I remember once, a few weeks ago, I went on a 2 day drinking binge with another wrestler named Masada. I ended up starting with a few shots of whiskey and a bottle of MD 20/20. Then once at his house we pounded back Steel Reserve 211 all night(disgusting but pretty powerful at 8.1%) until the stores opened and we walked there to reload with more MD 20/20, more beer, then we ended up getting more 211 a couple hours after that, then went to a Sports bar at 5pm(which was the 24 hour mark for when the drinking began for me) where people bought us shots and beers along with the $100 bar tab I ended up with. I know I had to have had at least 8 shots/mixed drinks with tequila, and probably a 8-10 beers. I know in a lot of the pics that were sent to me, I was double fisting, and kept having this girl watch my beers(plural). This lasted until like midnightish, upon which we went to another bar and I honestly can't remember what I had there. I do know that I was "3 sheets to the wind" and speaking in German as this comedian later told me on facebook. And unfortunately, I have a lot of days like that lately. To make it worse, I don't get hangovers, so there isn't really that natural response from my body telling me to stop after a night like that, so I often start the next morning/afternoon off with a beer.

I will say my favorite drinks are dark beers, tequila, and lately Scotch. But I mostly drink those high gravity malt liquors, MD 20/20, cheap whiskey, or Ever Clear just for the price to alcohol ratio. I try to keep it under $10 for the evening when drinking at home on week nights, and I found the easiest way is getting a $4 bottle of whiskey(which I drink straight to save on calories and from having to buy mixers) and a $2 24oz high gravity malt liquor. I get my buzz for $6. And I know the cheap stuff is even worse for you. But it is a vicious addiction.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

Holy fuck that is a lot of drinking. I don't know what to tell you. You probably need professional/medical advice. Are going through any withdrawal?

Could you jerk off more? Do you like to read? Do you have any other hobbies? The kids seem really in to this Bejeweled game? Is there anyone that will spend time with you to help you get through this? Am I too late and you already fell off the wagon before reading my post?

Anyway, I hope you do well. You seem like a good guy with dreams, initiative, a personality, but also a bad problem with alcohol. All the best to you.

 

[Shadowmancer]

pick up model building as a hobby, you won't be able to afford to go drinking then.

 

[GI Cake]

Have you tried pulling the burgers out of your ass?

You know get it? Because you have aspergers.

 

[Richard Blonoff]

You talk a lot mang.

 

[Mighty NorCal]

I used to drink a lot. Then I didn't anymore. Because one day I decided I didn't like it.


There are no magic spells involved.

 

[Nate DaMac]

My uncle says smoking crack is pretty cool.

 

[Reflection]

Man! do you even drink water, or only alcohol? The first thing you will need is strong determination to keep the bottle away. Everything else comes after that. While waiting for your mobile or car to get repaired, order something in a restaurant and read funny reviews of movies while you eat, which will help kill more time. While watching RAW, browse pics of babes on the internet during the ads. While roasting meat, turn on the music and have a 200ml Pepsi or soda. During other free time, read the newspaper, detective stories, play video games or lift weights. My point is that you just have to keep replacing alcohol with other things (not necessarily food items). If you get cloves in America, you can buy a little of that- it acts as a mouth freshner, stays in the mouth for a long time unless chewed, and eliminates the desire to eat or drink as long as it is there. Finally, after the end of a successful week, it's very important not to reward yourself with the same thing that you are working on quitting. You still have 50 years left in your life, don't ruin it. Good luck!

 

[JGlass]

Get professional help or join a support group.

 

[JohnJohnson]

Holy fuck that is a lot of drinking. I don't know what to tell you. You probably need professional/medical advice. Are going through any withdrawal?

Could you jerk off more? Do you like to read? Do you have any other hobbies? The kids seem really in to this Bejeweled game? Is there anyone that will spend time with you to help you get through this? Am I too late and you already fell off the wagon before reading my post?

Haven't fallen off yet. Anyway, I hope you do well. You seem like a good guy with dreams, initiative, a personality, but also a bad problem with alcohol. All the best to you.

No withdrawal. I just get stressed out a lot more. To top it off there has been a bunch of bullshit things and people adding stress lately. Been mostly in a bad mood. But I deploy to the desert every other year and when I get there, I'm forced to quit cold turkey, and it never seems to bother me there. It seems like when it is unavailable, I don't think about it until the end of the trip when making plans for going home.

As far as hobbies, I was really big into weight lifting and my partner is finally finished with school, so we will be back in the gym starting Monday. I used to read comic books often, I might get back into that. I have about 1500 in my collection. I really like Pokemon, but can't seem to find my most recent game. That is actually one game I could sit down and play and not think about drinking.

Thanks a lot GSB. I appreciate your support.

Man! do you even drink water, or only alcohol? The first thing you will need is strong determination to keep the bottle away. Everything else comes after that. While waiting for your mobile or car to get repaired, order something in a restaurant and read funny reviews of movies while you eat, which will help kill more time. While watching RAW, browse pics of babes on the internet during the ads. While roasting meat, turn on the music and have a 200ml Pepsi or soda. During other free time, read the newspaper, detective stories, play video games or lift weights. My point is that you just have to keep replacing alcohol with other things (not necessarily food items). If you get cloves in America, you can buy a little of that- it acts as a mouth freshner, stays in the mouth for a long time unless chewed, and eliminates the desire to eat or drink as long as it is there. Finally, after the end of a successful week, it's very important not to reward yourself with the same thing that you are working on quitting. You still have 50 years left in your life, don't ruin it. Good luck!

Lol, yea I drink water. I actually drink a lot of water. Sometimes while training, I'll go through a gallon within a 4 hour session. And I drink it constantly at work. As far as the Pepsi goes, I don't drink soda...that stuff is bad for you I might get back into the video games. Oddly enough I can't shoot straight in shooting games until I've had a few drinks. Thanks for the advice and support bro.

Get professional help or join a support group.

I've considered this, I just never really saw how it helps, but this might be an avenue I will pursue. My coworkers are really supportive on the military side. In the wrestling community, everyone is always partying and drinking. But once, I told Masada, as a joke, that I quit drinking, and he was very supportive as well.

Thanks everyone for the support and advice. This is one of the hardest things I've ever done. I'm 4 days in and my longest record since 2010(while not deployed) is 6 days. I'm going to break that on Tuesday!!

 

[Scotty]

I switched to vaping to help with the stress. Not only did it help reduce my alcohol costs it also helped me quit smoking. Whatever you do man good luck.

 

[Starkist]

Quit now before it consumes you later. Just look at Scott Hall. So much talent just too much drinking.

I wish you well and I know what you are going through. Ignore the haters and ignore any peer pressure. True friends will help you quit by providing support while supporting your decisions. I hope they all back your determination to stop drinking.

 

[nightmare]

211 is worse than 311. Fact.

Seriously JJ, you need to drink better liquids and if you have time to kill, just work out more. Im sure that would both make you feel better and help with your in ring game. You cant keep up drinking that rough shit for too long unless you want to start throwing up blood or having other stomach issues, besides what havoc its putting your liver through.

 

[Dirk]

First things first...

Spoiler

Happy belated birthday!!!

Alcoholism is a real thing. My uncle (who was 54) died earlier this year and booze is what did it.

If you're on the road, it probably much harder to join a support group, but it'll help. I spoke to a recovering alcoholic recently and he told me it really IS a day-to-day thing, so you fill the time with positives, like walking the dog, making food, working out and... church.

 

[Slash-LN]

I spent my 25th birthday in rehab because of this shit. Amongst other things but here's the thing. What works for someone else may not work for you. I had gone to a different place for three days first and had to leave because my insurance didn't cover it. If I had stayed there I'd have left in such a shitty condition.

The place I ended up was awesome and took a different approach than the typical 12 step program. Plus my counselor was awesome and that helped.

I went in December 1st of 2009 and got out January 26th of 2010.

Even now though it can be a struggle not to want to walk down the street to the liquor store and buy some shit. My motivation is my family and friends and my personal health are my motivations for for not doing that though.

It sounds like you want to stop for real and that's the biggest key. You have to be ready.

Explore what's out there that can occupy your mind.

When you're stressed get those feelings out by writing in a journal or doing something else time consuming or creative. The more you occupy your mind the less time you have to think about drinking.

Be able to identify your triggers and avoid them if possible. If you can't avoid your trigger there are tools you can use to deal with them. It's amazing how things like breathing exercises and writing in a journal like I mentioned earlier can help free your mind.

I also write music and help get my shit out that way.

Go to the gym or some shit. Go for a walk.

I wish you the best of luck bud.

 

[JohnJohnson]

Thanks everyone. Today I hit a new milestone. 7 days sober is my longest non-deployed streak so far since 2010. I have been avoiding places that serve alcohol and have been spending more time working out. According to lab results, my liver function is fine, but I have still been drinking liver detox teas and blending combinations of fruits and vegetables that support liver health for breakfast. It is starting to get easier, now that I don't feel that panic and have coworkers, friends and you guys supporting me. I plan to stay clean until I feel I have regained full health, and gained control over this affliction. After a few months, I think I will try "normal people" drinking, where I would have a beer or two on occasion. But I will not go back to the binge drinking or drink the cheap garbage stuff.

But for now, my focus is on working out. I want to break my records for sit-ups per minute, push-ups per minute, mile and a half run time, bench, squat and deadlift and get down to 225lbs. I'm also focusing on learning how to live and do normal things without alcohol. I look back at old days when I was super straight edge and used to preach against drugs and alcohol to my peers. Somehow, I managed to have many good times then, so I plan to rediscover that sensation. I used to listen to the song "Dig" by Incubus a lot, especially when I was drunk, because it would make me think of the old me and all the great potential I had and alcohol being the "weakness/sickness" mentioned in the song. It's a great song, I recommend giving it a listen if you haven't.

And lastly, I plan to get on DDP's yoga program. I gave it a shot once and it was really good, but I never followed through. I always felt guilty, because I got it from him personally, and we had a pretty decent talk about being in the wrestling business, and I made him a promise to follow through with it. So I plan to create my profile and do the whole transformation picture thing for his site.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Bagpipes]

Congrats man, hope you have continued success and healthiness and find that happy medium of being able to drink socially without needing to get obliterated to have a good time. Addiction is a motherfucker, stay strong.

 

[Starkist]

Keep it going man! One day at a time.