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Ask HN: What are your tips to reduce drinking alcohol?

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Re: Ask HN: What are your tips to reduce drinking alcohol?

#51

Post by brodouevencode »

lisper wrote: post #18
brodouevencode wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My fear is that OP is an alcoholic (yes, you can be an alcoholic without drinking - it's that you're genetically predisposed to having a drinking problem). In this case abstinence is the only answer. If you have problems to which you cannot give up even a weekend then that's a red flag.

Yes, I share your concern. That's why I framed the answer the way I did. But not everyone who occasionally drinks to excess is an alcoholic.

Fair enough. When it comes to things like this it's better to err on the side of caution.

Re: Ask HN: What are your tips to reduce drinking alcohol?

#52

Post by brodouevencode »

ko-ko-ko wrote: post #27
brodouevencode wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is terrible advice.

It would be if OP were an alcoholic which he clearly isn't. OP does not mention dependence issues, his drinking is not even habitual and the effects on his social life or personal health are minor. All the advice about 12 step programs, lifestyle changes with exercising and teetotaling is going overboard b/c that is clearly not what OP asked about. Op wanted tips on how to drink "sustainably", I find that drinking li…

> It would be if OP were an alcoholic which he clearly isn't.

You don't know that, and can't be determined by a very abbreviated post.

Re: Ask HN: What are your tips to reduce drinking alcohol?

#53

Post by brodouevencode »

favorited wrote: post #40
lisper wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, I share your concern. That's why I framed the answer the way I did. But not everyone who occasionally drinks to excess is an alcoholic.

And, despite popular belief, there are other ways to manage alcoholism than the 12 steps & total abstinence.

Are the other methods better? What are those methods?

Re: Ask HN: What are your tips to reduce drinking alcohol?

#54

Post by sunstone »

One technique that's worked for me is drinking a good non-alcoholic drink. In my case Beck's non-alcoholic beer is the best I've found. It's not cheap and costs more than the the usual beer I drink.

It's good enough though that I hardly notice when I drink it rather than my usual, traditional 5pm beer.

Re: Ask HN: What are your tips to reduce drinking alcohol?

#55

Post by lisper »

brodouevencode wrote: post #53
favorited wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And, despite popular belief, there are other ways to manage alcoholism than the 12 steps & total abstinence.

Are the other methods better? What are those methods?

One way is to just stop drinking. Some alcoholics can do that. It's certainly possible to do it without buying in to the quasi-religious aspects of AA.

Re: Ask HN: What are your tips to reduce drinking alcohol?

#56

Post by favorited »

brodouevencode wrote: post #53
favorited wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And, despite popular belief, there are other ways to manage alcoholism than the 12 steps & total abstinence.

Are the other methods better? What are those methods?

One medical option mentioned upthread is the Sinclair Method. It involves taking medicine like Narcan before drinking. The medicine blocks the endorphins released by drinking, so you don't get the pleasurable "reward." You basically retrain your brain, reducing your desire to drink.

When I was struggling with alcohol, I found that I needed a secondary reason to manage my drinking. Once I decided that I wanted to start dating more, and realized that my drinking and the related weight gain was an impediment, it was an incentive to reduce my alcohol intake to a more responsible amount.

I didn't quit– I still love California wine and I'm building a nice collection. And when seasonal beer that I like comes out, I definitely pick some of it up. But it doesn't control me like it used to.

Re: Ask HN: What are your tips to reduce drinking alcohol?

#57

Post by bluewater »

I started to really question my drinking over the last year or so. During the week I would drink a few beers or glasses of wine a night with a martini or other cocktail sprinkled in. The weekends would often involve more with a heavy hangover coming after neighborhood parties. I’ve gone the route of moderation and counting drinks and it was difficult to do, depressing and left me feeling deprived much of the time. One day I was in a forum reading a question much like this and someone mentioned a book called This Naked Mind by Annie Grace. It’s been a game changer for me and I’d highly recommend it. She actually suggests continuing to drink normally while you read it. She dives into a lot of the science and really opens your eyes to the world of alcohol around you. I haven’t stopped completely and I’m not sure if I ever will but the pull that booze had on me before is gone and I can confidently feel I’ll have a drink whenever I want; the idea of allowing yourself that freedom is empowering. Over the last 6 months I’m down maybe 75%. The social pressures are really the hardest for me now. The line of questioning you get is intense and something I was guilty of doing myself to others who weren’t throwing them back with me at the time. Best of luck in your own journey wherever it takes you.

Re: Ask HN: What are your tips to reduce drinking alcohol?

#58

Post by thorin »

I used to drink quite a bit as a student and for a few years after uni. It's very common in the UK.

Now I have children I'd be up in the night quite a lot and if you were drunk it would feel horrendous. Also there is the possibility that you might need to be there for them if they were sick or need to go to hospital in the middle of the night. Additionally I like to do a lot of sport in my free time and I struggle to do anything even a gentle bike ride or walk if I've had a drink.

A couple of years ago I set myself a 2 drink limit. I've only broken it once or twice and I don't see that as an issue. Most of the time it means I'm ok to drive in an emergency, can be up early without a hangover and can stay active. I have a beer at home 2 or 3 times a week and really enjoy it so I don't think drinking alone is an issue for me.

Wish I'd done it years ago!

Re: Ask HN: What are your tips to reduce drinking alcohol?

#59

Post by nf05papsjfVbc »

Ensure you've eaten well.

Pick a drink which has a taste to your liking. Relish it while you drink it.

Drink a glass of water between drinks.

Stop after a couple of drinks. This is much easier if you've done the above.

(This may turn out to be rubbish advice but there may be a good idea or two in there.)

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