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I am a successful software dev but I have a serious drinking problem

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: I am a successful software dev but I have a serious drinking problem

#31

Post by Tossrock »

zealon wrote: post #14

Test for ADD/ADHD. Seriously. Many people with ADD/ADHD end up in the IT business. Drinking and drug problems, nicotine and caffeine addiction, high-risk behaviours and family issues are very common among ADD/ADHD people. The reason behind this: low dopamine and norepinefrine levels in the ADD/ADHD brain. Those low levels create a very high reward threshold, so people with ADD/ADHD tend to unconsciously seek for stro…

I feel like it's not really possible to be tested for ADD as an adult without just coming across as a person seeking amphetamines. Which is funny, considering how eager child psychiatrists are to hand out diagnoses.

Re: I am a successful software dev but I have a serious drinking problem

#34

Post by seanhandley »

Or.... you could practice moderation?

Alcohol does not make you into a problem. You make yourself into a problem, and lump alcohol in with all the other things that you could blame it on.

Grow up. Be accountable to yourself. Don't externalise blame.

Re: I am a successful software dev but I have a serious drinking problem

#36

Post by nikatwork »

ludoo wrote: post #21
ciokan wrote: post #18

My father died of alcoholism and whatever we said to him or do wouldn't change a thing in his mind. That's a very strong addiction and he didn't stop even when doctors told him he's in terminal phase. I believe the change has to come from inside of you and you must identify where it all started and what was it's trigger and treat that first. I have nicotine issues but I stopped smoking in favor of e-cigs. Nicotine is…

I'm in your same boat, nicotine is part of what makes me what I am, I feel totally depressed and unable to function without it (tried, for months). I followed your same trajectory (cigarettes -> ecigs), then found Swedish snus, much much simpler than ecigs (no batteries, liquids, etc.), 100+ yrs of history so no unknown long term side-effects, and all the nicotine you need plus some. You might want to give it a try,…

Snuus is linked to mouth and throat cancer IIRC. I'd try prepacked ecigs such as green smoke, they're more expensive than liquids but very convenient and same form factor as a cig.

Re: I am a successful software dev but I have a serious drinking problem

#37

Post by weavie »

mattm wrote: post #6

I have struggled with porn at times and have done a lot of research on addictions. I also have a couple friends who are alcoholics. IMO, Gabor Mate has been the best resource I have found on understanding addictions. His theory is that addictions start in childhood due to some kind of constant, ongoing stress. It could be something like abusive parents or severe bullying. When we find something that temporarily relie…

That looks great. No need for free, it looks well worth the $5!

Re: I am a successful software dev but I have a serious drinking problem

#38

Post by bittercynic »

DominoTree wrote: post #15
duncan_bayne wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, please don't. http://skepfeeds.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/alcoholics-anonymo... There are more effective, non religious, evidence based treatments for addiction. Edited to add: Penn and Teller covered AA here: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yUG9dr6SZSY Also: http://www.psmag.com/navigation/books-and-culture/75-years-a...

I'd recommend these guys - https://rational.org/index.php?id=1

I second that.

After having trouble with alcohol for over 10 years, I quit about a year ago. On my first day of not drinking I spent a long time reading rational.org, and parts of it were very useful to me.

I have to say, I've been feeling better and better over the entire year. Thinking more clearly. Better perspective on life. Hanging out with people I enjoy, and not spending too much time around people I used to drink with who drag me down.

In a way I could see that drinking was a problem at the time, but a year of not drinking (though also not complete sobriety ;) ) has put into perspective that it was a HUGE problem.

One side note that I think others here will relate to: Even when I was inebriated, I had very strong cognitive abilities in some areas, and I used that to convince myself that I could "handle it." I couldn't tell that my medium and long-term perspective was being thrown way out of whack.

Re: I am a successful software dev but I have a serious drinking problem

#39

Post by seanhandley »

seanhandley wrote: post #34

Or.... you could practice moderation? Alcohol does not make you into a problem. You make yourself into a problem, and lump alcohol in with all the other things that you could blame it on. Grow up. Be accountable to yourself. Don't externalise blame.

More thoughts here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7486096

Re: I am a successful software dev but I have a serious drinking problem

#40

Post by mkhattab »

I'm an escapist. Whether it's movies, youtube, video games, literally anything that is unproductive, I'll spend an inordinate time doing. Luckily, I don't drink or do any drugs, but I might as well since I'm pissing my life away. It is as if I'm stuck in neutral. However, I do make just enough money to get by.

The odd thing is that I can't pinpoint why I'm this way. It wasn't always like this. I guess reason doesn't matter at this point.

Anyway, I don't think my post adds anything useful to this discussion, but good luck.

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