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Ask HN: How did you stop drinking?

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Re: Ask HN: How did you stop drinking?

#181

Post by youngNed »

rob74 wrote: post #163

It might sound terribly old-fashioned, but I think there is something to be said about "moderation". Why does it have to be either binge-drinking and having a hangover the next day or abstaining from alcohol completely? I drink on average about 3-4 bottles of beer and the occasional glass of wine over a week, and I was never "really" drunk (to the point of losing control or forgetting what happened) my whole life. Ye…

Rob, i mean this with the greatest respect, but when someone approaches you with a worry about drinking too much, saying 'have you tried just drinking less, i don't drink as much as you and its fine' is really truly awful advice to give.

Re: Ask HN: How did you stop drinking?

#182

Post by beefield »

I'm not sure what you want to quit. You kind of seem to imply that drinking as a social thing is what you enjoy, but not being intoxicated by alcohol. If that is what you meant, I'd recommend giving a shot to non-alcoholic drinks. There is nowadays a wide range of alcohol-free wines, beers, mocktails and even a ginger shot is nice.

If you mean that the first kick of alcohol intoxication is what you enjoy, but not further, then it is more difficult. In that case it sounds like you are (slowly) on your way towards alcoholism, and I would seek some professional help there.

Re: Ask HN: How did you stop drinking?

#184

Post by jiggywiggy »

geff82 wrote: post #161
hardware2win wrote: post #153

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>Alcohol promises a great time. Alcohol delivers a hangover and regrets. One beer? Also Alco often delivers crazy social interactions that may be very desired >Reading a book promises struggling and boredom. It delivers wisdom and inspiration. I've never once regretted it. I wish, a lot of books that ive read were mostly waste of time e.g dragon book

Can't speak for everyone, but after one beer I am done. It's funny the first 20 minutes, then a certain numbness covers my brain.

Thats the point!

Re: Ask HN: How did you stop drinking?

#185

Post by xxs »

ativzzz wrote: post #9

I just flat out quit - no drinking, period. I think 6-8 months for me was enough to normalize and remove it as a habit and now I'm able to drink without making it unhealthy. Luckily I wasn't anywhere near alcoholic - just casual habitual drinker, but a nasty hangover really pushed me over the edge to stop.

>nasty hangover

Drink water, and more water along with the alcohol.

Re: Ask HN: How did you stop drinking?

#186

Post by hknmtt »

firstly, stop drinking sweetened drinks. drink only pure alcohol.

secondly, drink good alcohol. like extra old rum(generic term for well aged rums) or 12y+ scotch.

thirdly, drink high ABV, non-chill filtered or as natural alcohol as you can get. you will not be able to drink more than one, maybe two, glasses of a juice like that. it will fill up your desires. you'll have enough with one glass.

fourth, don't drink socially. drink at home, alone. watching some entertainment or doing some work.

Re: Ask HN: How did you stop drinking?

#187

Post by khazhoux »

randomsearch wrote: post #147
chatterhead wrote: post #113

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's odd. I'm reaching a point where meat is not appealing. Fish and eggs are my staples; but, ground beef can be hard to look at sometimes and handle. It's strange how one transition leads to others you didn't intend.

I’ve been veggie for 25 years. I accidentally ate some meat a few years and ago and, after vomiting through the night, it took me three days to recover. I actually lost my voice! My body rejected the meat, it felt unnatural to eat it.

> My body rejected the meat

Or, your meat-friendly gut bacteria had all died off.

Re: Ask HN: How did you stop drinking?

#188

Post by brokenbutton »

I started consuming a lot of non-alcoholic drinks. When I went out for dinner, at home, whenever.

I've also been a cyclist for some time, but since I started doing regular bunch rides, I decided it wasn't worth having a drink if I had to be up and cycling at 5:30 the next morning.

Re: Ask HN: How did you stop drinking?

#189

Post by superdicq »

I suffer from epilepsy and I've often gotten epileptic attacks after drinking alcohol.

Due to local laws each time you have an epileptic attack you're not allowed to drive for six months.

So for me quitting alcohol came very easy. It was a choice between being able to drink or not being able drive, so I obviously choose driving.

Re: Ask HN: How did you stop drinking?

#190

Post by mattnewport »

What worked for me was Allen Carr's book Easy Way to Control Alcohol https://amzn.eu/d/89NkrKR

I tried several times to stop drinking previously, the longest I managed was for about 3 months. I think the hardest part is really deciding that you want to stop drinking. Once I did that, I read the book and it was easy. I haven't had a drink in about 6 years since.

What I like about this book is it doesn't make it into such a big thing like AA does. I don't think I was an alcoholic, though I did have some problem drinking types of patterns, and maybe the AA approach is necessary for full on alcoholics but I don't have to avoid going to bars or social situations where others drink for fear of relapsing, I just don't drink anymore.

I know this book has worked for a lot of people but no doubt it doesn't work for everybody. It made something that at times seemed impossible for me seem easy though.

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