I've probably been exhibiting alcoholism for 12 years. I've been able to keep it hidden from most people I know, but since I moved in with a romantic partner, it's been more obvious to both me and them. I need to change, and I've been unsuccessful for my entire adult life. It got worse starting in 2020, for obvious reasons.
I'm hesitant to bring this up to doctors. I've heard and read stories about organ transplant recipients being actively rejected (by doctors/social workers refusing to go forward, not in the medical sense of rejection of organ donation) because of expressing tendencies toward mental health issues (suicide, drug addiction). I don't want to tell a doctor or social worker that I'm an alcoholic because there is a built-in stigma against anyone like me. So, I tell them I drink socially.
I want to go to AA, but there's some christianity built into it. It's not something I could tolerate with a straight face, which would impact my recovery. I'm open to suggestions about how I can seek help.
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I think one of the most important things about AA is the support net you could built with similar people so you can hold one another accountable.
You can also bring a friend / your partner to meetings, and you can laugh about the Christian shit after you leave. I bet they have experience with non religious people these days.
I think doing something is more important at the moment, so if you don't get any other ideas on this thread, I think you shouldn't get hung up on what's optimal and just do what's available.
I want to go to AA, but there’s some christianity built into it.
Could try your local mosque?
Jokes aside another thing to consider, the last time I went more than a week without drinking was when I took a shitload of mushrooms one night with my cousins.
You know same actually. My alcohol use is healthy enough, sparingly at parties and a cocktail at home a couple days a week, but after taking shrooms I just really didn't want to take any substances for like a week.
I've been a heavy binge drinker for about 5 years now and am also trying to quit. I am currently on day 5 of trying to quit myself. I currently am doing it "cold turkey" by just trying to stop altogether, but only because I've read up on the symptoms.
I have experienced some of the symptoms my self, from waking up sweating, mood swings and restlessness as well as others.
However, there is a small possibility that alcohol withdrawal can be life threatening. It is very rare and there's a 98-99% chance you won't experience that level of withdrawal, depending on how you choose to quit. So you may need to consult a doctor or have someone with you while you try to quit. Someone who can help you (medically) get help if necessary. Although, you say that you're in America so I'm not sure how much medical treatment/advice might cost.
If you want to go to AA I would definitely recommend trying and not trying to find reasons before telling yourself why it would be a (possibly) bad option. You won't know for certain if it doesn't help you until you try, and I would also recommend expending all avenues for quitting you have at your disposal (until you find one that sticks).
All the best in your journey to bettering yourself. :meow-hug:
Naltrexone worked very well for me. The first week or so sucks depending on how regular you are, I recommend too busy and tired to drink. They say you're not supposed start while you're still drinking and haven't detoxed, but I did (therapeutically, I had to teach my body not to associate drinking with the high it was no longer getting)
It just kinda made me bored of getting up and drinking. Not very exciting.
Also recommend some sort of community.
I would talk very openly with your partner. Tell them you have a problem, that you've wanted to change for a while now, and that their importance in your life is the push you need to do it. Ask them to help hold you accountable throughout, that's your first step towards getting a community.
Depending on how much/frequently you drink I do want you to know that alcohol withdrawal can be fatal, especially if you're a daily, heavy drinker. Familiarize yourself and your partner (assuming they agree to help) with the symptoms of withdrawal and if you start seizing or hallucinating at all that they take you for medical intervention regardless of your reservations.
Don't write off any options before you try them, but absolutely research your options ahead of time. Medical clinics should have resources, but also if you're in a large centre there's likely an agnostic alternative to AA. Your partner can pick up pamphlets for you if you're not up to it.
Good luck, and please be safe. After 1 week you're generally in the clear. :soviet-heart:
Depending on if you live in a large enough city, there might be some secular recovery groups! Unfortunately, I dont know any names off the top of my head.
Psilocybe mushrooms can work for things like addictions where you need to build up the resolve in an 8 hour unescapable period of intense introspection. It can also work against the depression. You can grow it yourself and order the spores legally in most US states. You have to respect the meaning of "set and setting" though.
Kratom almost completely killed my urge to drink but mileage may vary.
Cold turkey is dangerous, step down the dosage first. How long that takes depends on how much you drink.
Yes. To be exact going cold turkey might kill you. So working together with medical professionals or people experienced in the process is quite good.
