Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: How did you stop drinking?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

121–130 of 600 posts

Re: Ask HN: How did you stop drinking?

#121

Post by beachy »

I am extremely lacking in willpower, but I was able to greatly reduce my drinking thanks to health issues and having a young child.

I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. Turns out that for me (and, my cardiologist said, for most people) alcohol is a big aggravator for AF.

I have a young son, and not having my AF under control would mean seeing less of how his life turns out.

For my brain, that is enough to flip the switch, and I was able to use it to greatly dial back my drinking.

I think of AF as a gift. Getting on top of it means getting good cardio exercise, eating sensible and avoiding alcohol. All things we should want to do anyway - but AF forces one to actually do it.

Re: Ask HN: How did you stop drinking?

#124

Post by langfo »

SkyPuncher wrote: post #59

I've cut back by switching to non-alcohol beer. I've found that I enjoy the taste of beer, but I don't enjoy how shitty alcohol makes me feel. NA beer tends to solve that for me. Lots of good options coming out. * Just the Hazy by Sam Adams is top tier. * Athletic brewing is solely NA beer - lots of different varieties. * Heineken 0.0 is great * O'Douls amber is surprisingly passable as well I suspect the options wil…

Another couple of good ones in Australia are:- * Heaps Normal - Pale Ale (Jordy Smith pro surfer is a co-founder). They also have a lager but I found the pale ale much better. * Hawkesbury - Prohibition Pale Ale

Re: Ask HN: How did you stop drinking?

#125

Post by cosmodisk »

I love alcohol. It gives me nice feelings, I relax and gradually become a brainless idiot thinking I'm all smart. Social drinking is also nice, because you get drunk with others on a very similar pace. What's not nice is all the lost days spending in bed with hangover.

I simply woke up one day and said it's enough. I get superb sleep, don't feel like shit,etc. Life does get more boring though.

Re: Ask HN: How did you stop drinking?

#127

Post by vulture916 »

From your description, it doesn't sound like you're all that bad. It isn't wrong to enjoy having an occasional drink. It's important to recognize and embrace the feelings you described after drinking. Moreover, the fact you've made this post and describe yourself as wanting to stop, I think that's a huge part of the battle.

It sounds like the most crucial thing for you would be to identify what it is that makes you crack after weeks of not buying it (not sure if that's the same as not drinking). Address and work through that, see how it goes. Your mind and body are clearly recognizing the negative affects and trying to steer you in one direction... but there's still something that brings you back and you need to figure out what that is.

Godspeed, my friend.

Re: Ask HN: How did you stop drinking?

#128

Post by jhugo »

7speter wrote: post #116
SkyPuncher wrote: post #59

I've cut back by switching to non-alcohol beer. I've found that I enjoy the taste of beer, but I don't enjoy how shitty alcohol makes me feel. NA beer tends to solve that for me. Lots of good options coming out. * Just the Hazy by Sam Adams is top tier. * Athletic brewing is solely NA beer - lots of different varieties. * Heineken 0.0 is great * O'Douls amber is surprisingly passable as well I suspect the options wil…

Its a bit absurd that heineken sells their 0.0 beer for just as much as their regular beer. Also, you seem to have quite the selection of na beers near you :)

It isn't absurd at all, unless you think all products should be sold on a cost-plus model.

Re: Ask HN: How did you stop drinking?

#130

Post by pfortuny »

Sometimes you just need to impose your point of view. It will feel wrong the first time but thence, people will let you do as you please. Just try. If they do not accept you, they are not worth the company.

"No, I am not drinking any more tonight. Really, no. I am leaving, because I want to feel OK tomorrow."

Sad, angry faces, whatever. If they do not respect you, they are not worth it.

Post reply on HN