I'm drinking more than I should

[walrus]

Hey Batman. The first step of Alcoholics Anonymous is “ admitted we were powerless over alcohol and our lives had become unmanageable” I’m not saying you are an alcoholic. Many view alcohol as a symptom of something other. Untreated or unmanaged anxiety, agoraphobia who the hell knows. I don’t know you from Adam but you seem like a good guy and if something is causing you problems it would be good to see it stopped.

[walrus]

@Batman battyman. I’m not preaching AA to you. But I always like the thing on “acceptance” in the big book of AA.
And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation—some fact of my life —unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing, happens in God’s world by mistake. Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober; unless I accept life completely on life’s terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and in my attitudes.

Shakespeare said, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” He forgot to mention that I was the chief critic. I was always able to see the flaw in every person, every situation. And I was always glad to point it out, because I knew you wanted perfection, just as I did. A.A. and acceptance have taught me that there is a bit of good in the worst of us and a bit of bad in the best of us; that we are all children of God and we each have a right to be here. When I complain about me or about you, I am complaining about God’s handiwork. I am saying that I know better than God.

[walrus]

Batman I don’t know if you are following along at all but that thing I quoted out the the big book does mention god a lot but AA has changed much over the years and it seems all they really talk about is a “power greater than yourself”. Especially now a days people get instantly turned off by any mention of god and AA’s primary purpose is to help people achieve sobriety not the god thing. It’s not the only way do it of course just bringing it up as I know a lot of people who get involved in it and say it helps a lot. I do bring some people on occasion although it’s difficult right now, a lot of the stuff is done on zoom or other such apps but they do have “face to face” meetings around. I’m just bringing up AA as some of the concepts are cool.

On a more serious note someone I work with was admitted to the hospital on 9/3. They tried to quit on their own and ended up having severe seizures. Just saying it can get pretty ugly for some. I know you are a big reader. There are a shitload of books on the subject. Maybe look at it from that side. Well whatever, best of luck, don’t know your thoughts now but things have a way of working out sometimes.

[Batman]

Well I had a monumental drinking session at my mates last night, fuck knows how much I packed away but it was a minimum of 12 pints of lager and 4 pints of cider with some rum thrown in on top.

Even though its excessive it was a good fucking night and despite the hangover I am feeling a lot better in general, I know that I'll get to grips with the solo drinking, I'm feeling like I'm in a much better headspace but its good to have this thread almost as a reminder to myself.

I'll be fine man, I'll get through this, I've beat the demon drink before and I'll do it again.

[NoSavingByTheBell]

Well I had a monumental drinking session at my mates last night, fuck knows how much I packed away but it was a minimum of 12 pints of lager and 4 pints of cider with some rum thrown in on top.

Even though its excessive it was a good fucking night and despite the hangover I am feeling a lot better in general, I know that I'll get to grips with the solo drinking, I'm feeling like I'm in a much better headspace but its good to have this thread almost as a reminder to myself.

I'll be fine man, I'll get through this, I've beat the demon drink before and I'll do it again.

Yes you will. And it will be even easier this time. I always wanted to ask you this though: with all that mixing you do between beer and cider and wine and rum, doesn't that upset your stomach? And then on top of that you go for the saag chicken and Madras.... I find those spices do not mix very well with alcohol. You must have an iron stomach mate.

[Batman]

Just thought I'd drop in and provide a quick update on this shit.

I managed to go 12 days without a drop of alcohol, my mate got in tough with me tonight and I didn't have much of a choice but to go to the pub, I ended up having 5 pints and then coming back home, I managed to get back without stopping off and buying any cans, I'm pretty fucking pleased with myself to be honest, I never intended to go teetotal but just to reign it in bit time and I've managed to do that.

I didn't have much of a choice but to go out tonight, I'm kind of in a weird position still but things are sorting themselves out slowly.

I'm no longer 12 days without a drop of alcohol but my streak of not being drunk continues which is the most important thing at the minute.


Also I'd say that it is probably the first time in at least 15 years (and possibly up to 20 years) that I've gone that long without a drop of alcohol.

[walrus]

Just thought I'd drop in and provide a quick update on this shit.

I managed to go 12 days without a drop of alcohol, my mate got in tough with me tonight and I didn't have much of a choice but to go to the pub, I ended up having 5 pints and then coming back home, I managed to get back without stopping off and buying any cans, I'm pretty fucking pleased with myself to be honest, I never intended to go teetotal but just to reign it in bit time and I've managed to do that.

I didn't have much of a choice but to go out tonight, I'm kind of in a weird position still but things are sorting themselves out slowly.

I'm no longer 12 days without a drop of alcohol but my streak of not being drunk continues which is the most important thing at the minute.


Also I'd say that it is probably the first time in at least 15 years (and possibly up to 20 years) that I've gone that long without a drop of alcohol.

That’s cool Batman. Did you notice any withdrawal symptoms after day a couple days. I mean really only you can make the call if you are an alcoholic. Perhaps you can just “cut down” a lot of people it’s all or nothing. I stopped drinking for a number of years. Now I will go out on occasion. I had a Guinness on St Patrick’s day this year. And I’m not purposely trying to not drink anymore I just find I don’t enjoy that much and I can not take those headaches. I think we would put you in the contemplation stage, that is if you were an alcoholic and I am not saying you are. Sometimes people just go through shit and make changes. I’ll be honest though most normal drinkers aren’t proud of themselves when they drink normally. It’s just something they do. But yes it would make sense that you would update the thread since you started it and give a sort of progress report. If you are feeling better about things I see that as a positive period. There are different schools of though like harm reduction and rational recovery so who the hell knows. We aren’t cookie cutters, different things work for different people. I will honestly say though in the past I have read your posts and they made me want to drink a Stella. I remember I had some in Montreal years ago and thought it was quite good. I’ll tell you how lame I am, Budweiser released a new no alcohol beer and allegedly it actually tastes like beer. I am so fucking lame I am looking forward to trying it.