What's the best way to stop drinking?

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo · 09-12-2019 10:15pm #1

I've been on a 10 day...

endacl · 09-12-2019 10:17pm

GP would be a first step.

Timberrrrrrrr · 09-12-2019 10:18pm

https://www.alcoholicsanonymous.ie

Dr. Bre · 09-12-2019 10:19pm

Just don’t open your mouth

Sharp MZ700 · 09-12-2019 10:20pm

Lock yourself into a room with enough water for 2 days.

BDI · 09-12-2019 10:21pm

Just get into bed. Turn off all electrics and put out the fire and cigarettes. Have a sleep. Have a shower and shave first thing in the morning. Try and keep that clean feeling going.

pebbles21 · 09-12-2019 10:21pm

Sure no point in stopping now .. Sure its Xmas wait till New Years day and sure you'll be grand !!
ðŸ˜

anewme · 09-12-2019 10:22pm

Are you off work.?

When do you go back to reality?

09-12-2019 10:22pm

Shur you might as well keep going until early January at this stage..

Professor Moriarty · 09-12-2019 10:22pm

Sharp MZ700 wrote: »

Lock yourself into a room with enough water for 2 days.

Do not do this. Do not go cold turkey after a 10 day binge.

Doctors room ghost · 09-12-2019 10:29pm

Remarkably well typed for someone on a ten day session who should be rattling and shaking like a dog taking a sh1te.

1/10 for effort but on the off chance that any of that could be real,go to your gp and ask to be medically detoxed on Librium to reduce the chance of suffering a seizure.

09-12-2019 10:34pm

Sounds like you don't think you can stop by yourself, so your first port of call is to get help doing it. Go to your GP for help, and then garner support. Tell people you're going to stop, especially the people you think will be receptive rather than try persuade you you're fine.

Consider something like AA too. Hang onto the resolve you feel now, and good luck. It's a brave move to take control when you feel you're losing control, and I'm sure you'll be very glad you did it. Next year could be your best.

Still waters · 09-12-2019 10:38pm

AA is for quitters

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo · 09-12-2019 10:56pm

Doctors room ghost wrote: »

Remarkably well typed for someone on a ten day session who should be rattling and shaking like a dog taking a sh1te.

1/10 for effort but on the off chance that any of that could be real,go to your gp and ask to be medically detoxed on Librium to reduce the chance of suffering a seizure.

In fairness...

beertons · 09-12-2019 10:59pm

Go to mass. If they offer you the chalice, just say you want the bread.

antodeco · 09-12-2019 11:00pm

OP, why do you feel the need to keep drinking? Are you trying to escape from something or have you formed a habit now already?

Try get some non-alcoholic beers. They will rehydrate you fairly well and keep the taste of beer in your mouth.

anewme · 09-12-2019 11:01pm

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

In fairness I'm still drunk now so no shakes until the drink has left my system. That was my point about finding it hard to stop. I've a bottle of vodka here and 16 cans, so no trembling for a couple of days.

And my Boards account is 6 years old with nearly 3,000 posts. I've never trolled on here and plenty of my posts are well enough written. Just because I can spell doesn't mean I'm not drunk as a skunk.

Have you no work to go to?

How do you feel? What do you want to do?

What is in your life day to day?

09-12-2019 11:02pm

Stopping drinking is usually a sure fire way to stop drinking.

LaFuton · 09-12-2019 11:02pm

if u cant pour the drink down the loo right now ur an alcoholic, switch to coffee and grab a meeting, they're on twice a day

Doctors room ghost · 09-12-2019 11:02pm

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

In fairness I'm still drunk now so no shakes until the drink has left my system. That was my point about finding it hard to stop. I've a bottle of vodka here and 16 cans, so no trembling for a couple of days.

And my Boards account is 6 years old with nearly 3,000 posts. I've never trolled on here and plenty of my posts are well enough written. Just because I can spell doesn't mean I'm not drunk as a skunk.

Go to your gp and ask them to detox you for your own safety.try aa meetings then and if that fails try a treatment program.
Loads available.
Best of luck.

CFlat · 09-12-2019 11:02pm

Jazsus lads he said he was on the beer for 10 days not 10 years. Librium? AA? GP?

Look, assuming you're just pissed off with something and you went on a bender to forget about it which is what this sounds like to me, tomorrow morning just stay in bed all day. You need to eat but just go back to bed after you've done that. Eat well though. Stay warm in bed, electric blanket, hot water bottle whatever makes you comfortable. The following day you'll feel better and so on. I think you just need to snap out of whatever this thing is you're going through

Fr_Dougal · 09-12-2019 11:04pm

Pour your booze down the sink and go order yourself some food.

SmartinMartin · 09-12-2019 11:07pm

If you can still pronounce your username, you're alright.

Mena Mitty · 09-12-2019 11:09pm

Are you skint yet ? Having no money is a good reason to stop the 'binge' All good things come to an end.

FFVII · 09-12-2019 11:14pm

Bit of fecking will power is all anyone needs.

murphyebass · 09-12-2019 11:29pm

eh this after hours so shut up and have another drink ya pansy!!

Plenty of time to sober up next year.... maybe.

LaFuton · 09-12-2019 11:33pm

actually, u should just relax and enjoy yourself, feck it dude, just be safe, u wont b at this ****e forever so enjoy it, you'll look back fondly one day

Blondie919 · 10-12-2019 3:36am

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

No. I've enough to continue the binge for 6 months at least. I won't, but money isn't the issue.

Have you any friends or people close to you that you can talk to? Talking face to face with someone will help, as opposed to us online folk. We can offer advice but you can still hide from us. Talk to someone man. it will help.

10-12-2019 10:56am

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

I just can't snap out of the rut. I'm not generally a person who gets down in the dumps. But I really can't seem to stop the binge. Any advice appreciated.

A straight 10 days of heavy drinking would be a good reason to take the advice many have already given of going straight to your GP. Maybe it is an over reaction but better safe than sorry right? Tell him exactly how much you have had - no lying or underestimating it - and just get his advice on a detox plan if he offers any.

After that the idea of pouring all you have away is a good one. If you can not bring yourself to do it - that should be informative to you.

As for stopping drinking I would fling out advice to novel length on that and bore you stupid but the two things I always say to people to start with are:

1) People will often recommend AA. I think 2 people already have on this thread. Although AA works for some people but it has a very very bad record over all. So please be aware there are _many_ organisations like AA and some very unlike AA. So if AA does not work for you or seem useful to you - do not throw your hands up entirely at the idea of going to such groups. Try others. Several others. If you got a bad tailored suit you would not - I guess - simply give up on wearing all clothes ever. Think of it like that. Try different suit makers and even try different outfits.

2) Nature abhors a vacuum according to the old saying. Many people make the mistake of trying to delete alcohol from their lives and nothing else. This leaves a hole in their life. Something has to fill that hole. And more often than not in my experience - it is filled by alcohol coming back. If you want to take alcohol out of your life partially or completely then you need to replace it with something. Something you enjoy and that engages you. Preferably more than one thing with at least one of them being in the home and one of them being out of it. And at least one of them being with a group of people who will support you too if possible.

tdf7187 · 10-12-2019 11:05am

LaFuton wrote: »

if u cant pour the drink down the loo right now ur an alcoholic, switch to coffee and grab a meeting, they're on twice a day

Molesworth Hall has five a day. The Crypt in Monkstown has four.

sabat · 10-12-2019 11:09am

Get a bag of weed.

tdf7187 · 10-12-2019 11:12am

FFVII wrote: »

Bit of fecking will power is all anyone needs.

Rubbish and dangerous rubbish at that. Withdrawal from alcohol can literally cause death in very heavy drinkers. Withdrawal from heroin, for example, can't do that.

These are the medical facts. Sorry if they don't fit your incorrect ideas.

Stacksofwacks · 10-12-2019 12:09pm

CFlat wrote: »

Jazsus lads he said he was on the beer for 10 days not 10 years. Librium? AA? GP?

Look, assuming you're just pissed off with something and you went on a bender to forget about it which is what this sounds like to me, tomorrow morning just stay in bed all day. You need to eat but just go back to bed after you've done that. Eat well though. Stay warm in bed, electric blanket, hot water bottle whatever makes you comfortable. The following day you'll feel better and so on. I think you just need to snap out of whatever this thing is you're going through

Someone who dosent have a problem with drink dosent go on a 10 day bender and then start asking strangers how to stop. I went on a 7 day binge one time, but that was on holidays so I had some sort of excuse but I wouldn't do that to myself again, I don't think I could anyway.

To the OP, the best way to stop drinking is to quite simply, stop drinking. You you could do yourself some serious damage if you don't. If you cant do that then try weaning yourself off, if your drinking 10 pints a day, then go down to 9 the next day, 8,7,6, 5 etc. Have you done these kind of benders before?

Plopsu · 10-12-2019 12:39pm

If drinking has become more important to you than seeing your kids or keeping your job, then you have a drink problem. Until you accept that, the situation won't improve.

Edit: if this is indeed real, it might be better in Personal Issues.

ArchXStanton · 10-12-2019 12:55pm

Doctors room ghost wrote: »

Remarkably well typed for someone on a ten day session who should be rattling and shaking like a dog taking a sh1te.

1/10 for effort but on the off chance that any of that could be real,go to your gp and ask to be medically detoxed on Librium to reduce the chance of suffering a seizure.

This.

My GP has pulled me back from the brink many times, god bless her, in the end you'll just have to except you'll never win in the battle with the bottle

10-12-2019 1:02pm

ArchXStanton wrote: »

My GP has pulled me back from the brink many times, god bless her, in the end you'll just have to except you'll never win in the battle with the bottle

I suppose that entirely depends on your end game and how you picture "winning" in your head. Whether or not you will win against the bottle depends entirely on what "winning" even means to you in the first place. One has to decide what winning looks like.

For example - I have known some deep alcoholics who have now been off the bottle for 20 even 30 years. That would be victory in my book. But that is just my book not theirs.

They - wisely enough - still identify as alcoholics. They look at it as a long series of victories in a war that will never really end until they die. And only then can victory or defeat be declared.

But they will not declare victory now because they fear one of alcohols most insidious and dangerous weapons in that war. Complacency.

Feisar · 10-12-2019 1:04pm

tdf7187 wrote: »

Rubbish and dangerous rubbish at that. Withdrawal from alcohol can literally cause death in very heavy drinkers. Withdrawal from heroin, for example, can't do that.

These are the medical facts. Sorry if they don't fit your incorrect ideas.

It's a ten day bender, loads of people go on hols for ten days getting hammered everyday, come back and go cold turkey.

ArchXStanton · 10-12-2019 1:10pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I suppose that entirely depends on your end game and how you picture "winning" in your head. Whether or not you will win against the bottle depends entirely on what "winning" even means to you in the first place. One has to decide what winning looks like.

For example - I have known some deep alcoholics who have now been off the bottle for 20 even 30 years. That would be victory in my book. But that is just my book not theirs.

They - wisely enough - still identify as alcoholics. They look at it as a long series of victories in a war that will never really end until they die. And only then can victory or defeat be declared.

But they will not declare victory now because they fear one of alcohols most insidious and dangerous weapons in that war. Complacency.

No doubt you have to be vigilant and step away from hitting the fcuk it button but I found over time the craving for a drink diminishes, victory for me was excepting defeat, I was never going going to be able to drink like a normal person again,some alcoholics can't accept that, they get a few weeks/months/ off it then convince themselves that they'll be able to drink again moderately,romanticising back on their drinking days, I think thats why a lot attend AA because they see some newcomer fresh off the bender, life in chaos come through the door and they're reminded of the horrors of it all

Stacksofwacks · 10-12-2019 1:16pm

Feisar wrote: »

It's a ten day bender, loads of people go on hols for ten days getting hammered everyday, come back and go cold turkey.

Loads of people who are either very young or else stone cold alcos..

10-12-2019 1:18pm

ArchXStanton wrote: »

victory for me was excepting defeat, I was never going going to be able to drink like a normal person again

I think that is what I meant by "what victory looks like to you". You are framing that concession as defeat. And I can understand why. It is not "wrong". But other people would not frame it that way and it is not "wrong" either. For them.

Rather they frame it as "I am going to change my life - alcohol is not going to be a part of it any more - and achieving that is victory". So they are essentially doing exactly what you did. But what you call defeat - they call victory. And it works for both of you. So that is good.

Either way the first step seems the same for all of you. Identify for yourself what "victory" is for you - what it looks like and what it means to you - and strive to realise that vision.

As for alcoholics who strive for controlled drinking - moderate drinking - some do achieve it. Others - as you rightly point out - fail dramatically. It is not something unattainable by any means. But it is far from a given either and I reckon many are deluded when they think it is the right option for them. But we can not know either way for any given individual until they try.

There is something eye opening however about hearing someone in a place like AA stand up and say "Hi I am Mike - I am an alcoholic - I have not had a drink for 40 years". First reaction is "Whhhhhhaaaaa???". But then you realise what they are saying at it is quite moving.

Feisar · 10-12-2019 1:21pm

Stacksofwacks wrote: »

Loads of people who are either very young or else stone cold alcos..

Either or, cold turkey of a ten day bender isn't going to kill you.

Feisar · 10-12-2019 1:21pm

tdf7187 · 10-12-2019 1:26pm

Deleted User wrote: »

I think that is what I meant by "what victory looks like to you". You are framing that concession as defeat. And I can understand why. It is not "wrong". But other people would not frame it that way and it is not "wrong" either. For them.

Rather they frame it as "I am going to change my life - alcohol is not going to be a part of it any more - and achieving that is victory". So they are essentially doing exactly what you did. But what you call defeat - they call victory. And it works for both of you. So that is good.

Either way the first step seems the same for all of you. Identify for yourself what "victory" is for you - what it looks like and what it means to you - and strive to realise that vision.

As for alcoholics who strive for controlled drinking - moderate drinking - some do achieve it. Others - as you rightly point out - fail dramatically. It is not something unattainable by any means. But it is far from a given either and I reckon many are deluded when they think it is the right option for them. But we can not know either way for any given individual until they try.

There is something eye opening however about hearing someone in a place like AA stand up and say "Hi I am Mike - I am an alcoholic - I have not had a drink for 40 years". First reaction is "Whhhhhhaaaaa???". But then you realise what they are saying at it is quite moving.

One of their own slogans is 'we seek progress not perfection'. They assume everyone who stops going to meetings has relapsed but this is not the case. Some stop going due to off-putting experiences in AA. Some don't need it any more. Some of those 40 year sober types are angry dry drunks who have long since lost sight of what I consider a good recovery, if indeed they ever had it. Or perhaps telling porkies and are in fact drinking. It is virtually impossible to test the success rate off AA simply because its nature is anonymous. It wouldn't work if it wasn't anonymous.

ArchXStanton · 10-12-2019 1:29pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I think that is what I meant by "what victory looks like to you". You are framing that concession as defeat. And I can understand why. It is not "wrong". But other people would not frame it that way and it is not "wrong" either. For them.

Rather they frame it as "I am going to change my life - alcohol is not going to be a part of it any more - and achieving that is victory". So they are essentially doing exactly what you did. But what you call defeat - they call victory. And it works for both of you. So that is good.

Either way the first step seems the same for all of you. Identify for yourself what "victory" is for you - what it looks like and what it means to you - and strive to realise that vision.

As for alcoholics who strive for controlled drinking - moderate drinking - some do achieve it. Others - as you rightly point out - fail dramatically. It is not something unattainable by any means. But it is far from a given either and I reckon many are deluded when they think it is the right option for them. But we can not know either way for any given individual until they try.

There is something eye opening however about hearing someone in a place like AA stand up and say "Hi I am Mike - I am an alcoholic - I have not had a drink for 40 years". First reaction is "Whhhhhhaaaaa???". But then you realise what they are saying at it is quite moving.

Some can return to moderate drinking and I've often wondered how they do it, for me if I started back into it even after a few years sobriety, I know from past experience I'd get away with it 2-3 times.. Then the brakes would come off completely, there's only one way that I've been able to drink moderately and that's taking Naltrexone an hour before I drink, but it's missing that "ah" euphoric factor the alcoholic mind is looking for and zero compulsion or craving to drink again the next day, I've tinkered with it a few years ago, but after a few go's at it I'd decided that I really hated alcohol and the way it made me feel during and the morning after.

10-12-2019 1:41pm

tdf7187 wrote: »

It wouldn't work if it wasn't anonymous.

That is not at all an assumption I would feel safe making without a lot of testing and data. And comparisons to other methods that are not based on it.

Quite the opposite actually as the inability to get testing and data means we can not test the efficacy of their methods. And even if we magically just assume their methods to be useful - we can not test whether they are being applied consistently or at all in any given chapter presuming to bear the brand.

ArchXStanton wrote: »

Some can return to moderate drinking and I've often wondered how they do it

I can understand that. Discipline is often a wonder in those who have more of it than we do. I am massively disciplined in my life - to the wonder of some others - but there are people in turn who are a wonder to me and I do not know how they do it either.

It sounds like you have found what is right for you though. And that's half the victory in my mind - even if you view it as defeat in your own. But words for it don't matter - once it works!

parttime · 10-12-2019 1:42pm

LSD or Psylocibin can help break addictions.....

Stacksofwacks · 10-12-2019 1:42pm

Feisar wrote: »

Either or, cold turkey of a ten day bender isn't going to kill you.

It probably wouldn't, but there is going on holidays and having a few drinks every night and theres going on a bender where you do nothing but drink. The latter aint very good and do it often enough and you will do yourself some serious damage.

10-12-2019 1:46pm

CFlat wrote: »

Jazsus lads he said he was on the beer for 10 days not 10 years. Librium? AA? GP?

Look, assuming you're just pissed off with something and you went on a bender to forget about it which is what this sounds like to me, tomorrow morning just stay in bed all day. You need to eat but just go back to bed after you've done that. Eat well though. Stay warm in bed, electric blanket, hot water bottle whatever makes you comfortable. The following day you'll feel better and so on. I think you just need to snap out of whatever this thing is you're going through

Drinking 10 days in a row should not be minimised and is definitely something to be worried about

farmchoice · 10-12-2019 1:50pm

I've been on a 10 day bender. Keep drinking more and more each day to stop the hangover from setting in. Haven't seen my child in that long too. Not sure I'll have a place of work to go back to.

you have to stop for your kid,you have to stop today, its going to be bad for a day or two but you will be alright by the weekend, then go and see them.
dont be that father, stand up now and be a man, not tomorrow not after Christmas now, no more.

if you cant do it on your own and there is no shame in it go to your GP.

that kid will only ever have one father, dont be a drunk, get yourself together.

tdf7187 · 10-12-2019 2:01pm

Deleted User wrote: »

That is not at all an assumption I would feel safe making without a lot of testing and data. And comparisons to other methods that are not based on it.

Quite the opposite actually as the inability to get testing and data means we can not test the efficacy of their methods. And even if we magically just assume their methods to be useful - we can not test whether they are being applied consistently or at all in any given chapter presuming to bear the brand.

We don't disagree. I was just saying that anonymity is foundation of our traditions is the reason AA works - for those for whom it works. I make no claims regarding its success rate.

tdf7187 · 10-12-2019 2:02pm

Feisar wrote: »

I've listened to him 'do a chair'. I'm not breaching anonymity, he has spoken about his alcoholism in numerous public interviews.

What's the best way to stop drinking?

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