Anyone an Addict Here?

Don_Draper27 · 2021-03-22T12:32:33+00:00

You'll stop when you're ready, and maybe you'll never be ready.

I was smoking nic for about 7 years. I tried patches, gum, vaping, and I always reverted back.

I finally "quit for good" when I found out that I was gonna be a father. I'm not saying you need a big change in your life to fix you, but that's what did it for me.

The biggest thing that helped was moving away and getting rid of triggers. Like, months later I visited my moms house and I clearly felt previous feelings creep up that were associated with nic. Not powerful enough to make me go buy a pack, but enough to realize how impactful triggers can be.

Well anyways, quitting nic officially after 7 years, while dealing with the expectation of becoming a new parent was certainly overwhelming.

But, after dealing with the adversity head-on and keeping my chin up when it was at the most difficult point definitely made me learn things about myself, but also, now I can actually enjoy a cigarette every few weeks when I decide to drink and not feel bad about it. The next day I wake up fine and almost always forget that I smoked a stoge or 2 the night before.

themostgianthorse · 2021-03-22T14:15:37+00:00

Yes.

I could write a book and there is no magic formula but here’s what I did

Root cause analysis. I was drinking due to anxiety and depression. And gee! What do you fuckin know?! Alcohol was making both of those things worse. It’s a vicious cycle.I had been in therapy for the majority of my life. I learned a shit ton about how they brain works, trauma, etc but I didn’t DO much. I had to start DOING something about it. What did I do?
Got a divorce.

The applicable lesson here is to remove yourself from whatever situation in your life you aren’t happy with.

Committed to the 90 in 90 in AA. This was a two fold benefit. I didn’t drink for 90 days which gave me a clearer head. I also knew that I had to address the anxiety which was my root cause so for 90 days, I stood up in a room full of people and introduced myself, told my story and spoke about what was on my mind. At least 5 minutes a day I was public speaking. I was terrified at first but it got easier. Real confidence builder. I think AA has some fundamental problems so I didn’t continue here.
Lift, sprints, meditation and journaling. These are pretty self explanatory.
Read no more mr. nice guy. I took it seriously and did the exercises in the book. I found the NMMNG Facebook group and introduced myself. One of the moderators had a lot of experience dealing with addiction and of course “nice guyness”. He became my mentor and for another 90 days, I committed to not drinking and working with him. I joined a small group that he hosts weekly and connected with other guys going through shit and looking to improve their lives. I still do this.
The Sinclair method. You take a med called naltrexone and you have a drink. There’s much to say about this and you can do your own research. The pill made me sick when I drank. It didn’t stick but it did help me change my view point on alcohol. I came to view excessive drinking as truly poisonous.
Rollo Tomassi. You mean a guy who teaches you how to get da gurls helped you with your drinking!?! Yes. Rollo defines power as the degree to which we have control over our own lives. This really resonated with me. I journaled about this and applied it to my life.

Plenty I left out and as you can see, it was a long road.

What it’s going to boil down to is you recognizing why you do what you do, making a decision, TAKING ACTION and changing your beliefs.

Hope this helps.

Feel free to DM.

Fantastic-Yam-5181 · 2021-03-22T09:03:35+00:00

It pretty much comes down to finding something more important than drinking. Been there man. Relapsed a week ago - before that 4 months sober. Try new hobbies that you enjoy and realize that nobody really gives a shit other than you so why drown yourself to bottle? Why not live amazing life on your terms?

Hydroponically · 2021-03-22T09:14:00+00:00

Find an intensive outpatient program (IOP).

Find AA near you or online AA dot org.

Get a sponsor.

prollysober · 2021-03-22T16:24:35+00:00

Sure, I’ve been sober in AA for 6 years. Used a lot of drugs and alcohol as a teen. I sponsor a handful of guys and I am active in the sober community.

I found AA, got sober, realized I was a nice guy. Got into redpill practice with some friends that are also sober. We all went UP in our lives since we found it 3-4 years ago.

I suggest you try AA, it’s very effective if you actually do what is asked of you. I founds sober hobbies, learned to lift and eat correctly, treat people with respect, and of course the women started lining up.

Being an “addict” is not easy. Alchemy is the ancient practice of turning base metal into gold, which is possible through being sober. I turned my crap teenage druggie years into a way to help others and find purpose in life. I’ve been able to take part in the complete turn around of many men’s lives, which is a beautiful thing.

I can’t imagine living in that rat race of alcohol and drugs. It’s horrible. I was once called a poorly trained puppy, since I couldn’t control my usage. Maybe I was, but I no longer am, and I did that through complete abstinence and spiritual principles. My mom used to get me high as a kid, so I grew up real fucked Up. So glad i was able to find a way out, and I hope you do as well.

redresc · 2021-03-22T11:50:57+00:00

You've stated what you don't like doing, so just stop drinking and put down the controller, it's easier than you are making it out to be. Just you've got into the habbit of doing these things.

TeddyMGTOW · 2021-03-22T11:53:20+00:00

Have you tried NA or AA?

Google for your local chapter and schedule of meetings.

Challenge, 90 meetings in 90 days.

Lorddevonshire · 2021-03-22T15:30:28+00:00

There's awesome advice here. In regards to the comments regarding AA...90 meetings in 90 days is great advice. If you live in a decent sized city this should be easy. Different groups and even different meeting times at the same location have a variety of people attend. I found that I preferred attending a group where most of the people were not on probation. That way you have peers who actually are there because they want to be. Listening to people bitch about their probation officer, judge, case worker, etc is a drag.

kclanton80 · 2021-03-22T12:34:38+00:00

The only reason overcoming addiction is difficult is because people believe it's difficult. It's actually not difficult at all... And if you believe that....you can stop doing both things at once.

There was a podcast for Joe Rogan where he was interviewing some lady and she was talking about this book and overcoming smoking and drinking.

If you search you can find it I'm sure. The author's premise was that people only have difficulty giving up addictions because of their beliefs. That the whole reason people can't quit smoking is because it's marketed to the public that smoking is actually difficult to quit when an actuality it's extremely easy to quit.

You juts have to have that belief and decide that your no longer a person who does the things you are addicted to.

crew6dawg0 · 2021-03-22T16:43:37+00:00

I've got a video game addiction myself. There's a lot of good advice already in the comments, I'll just add my piece.

You need to address the core issues instead of attacking it from the perspective of, "I have an addiction to so and so." The real question should be, "Why am I addicted to so and so." Personally I'm addicting to gaming because I've moved around a shit ton since I turned 18, and it's hard to maintain friendships when you've moved all around the states and internationally. I rely on video games to meet that social gap in my life. It's also my go to when I'm bored, even though I could spend my boredom doing other things that have more meaning.

I'm not an alcoholic myself so I can't say much on that, but I bet you're more outgoing drunk than sober. I bet it also suppresses ideas and feelings in your head. A therapist could help you out with all this, I'm personally going to start seeing one soon.

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adriannmng · 2021-03-22T11:35:45+00:00

Functional alcoholic in the past. Then joined AA and sobered up 10 years. Got back into dating 2 years ago, now back to functional alcoholic. It takes a more spiritual view to get rid of it. Give AA a try. Redpilled as well, has nothing to do with it. Feeling unsatisfied with your self, maybe you’re lacking a better goal for yourself....

bigsur450 · 2021-03-22T14:12:13+00:00

Can't advice you on alcoholism, however I was a video game addict, simply uninstalled all my game files, related programs, etc. in one fell swoop. Haven't gone back, feels good man. Here's a video that might give you the spark to kick your addictions: https://youtu.be/BsvYEkTzmGQ

nateydanger · 2021-03-22T14:31:20+00:00

5 Years of Sobriety right here brother. I used a 12 step program and it honestly saved my life. Please feel free to message me with any questions you may have.

OneTrueQ · 2021-03-22T15:33:56+00:00

Yeah man. Addiction isn’t easy. Especially when you’re high-functioning. No one understands the internal battle but you. But you know it’s chipping away at your full potential. I’m still fighting myself, so I don’t necessarily have an answer.

SuperSpicySpice · 2021-03-22T16:40:00+00:00

Replace a bad habit with a healthier alternative. Best way to beat addiction though is to never start.

TheEndTrend · 2021-03-22T16:45:17+00:00

I’m not drinking right now either, bro! I’m only 7 days in and I’m going a month (at least - I’ll asses at 1 month). This shit can be really tough. Best of luck!

TheEndTrend · 2021-03-22T16:46:07+00:00

Best advice I think: separate yourself from people and things that enable your drinking.

stoned-as-a-rock · 2021-03-22T17:27:28+00:00

Hey man shoot me a DM.

fleshcoveredskeleton · 2021-03-22T17:55:26+00:00

Maybe you have ADHD and need vyvanse or something like that

Rimefang · 2021-03-22T18:24:39+00:00

Addiction never really goes away, the urge is always there. Like anything, it all depends on how you react and deal with it. You could have mood swings like a madman, or just work through the pain.

bachbozo · 2021-03-22T19:17:32+00:00

95% of alcoholics are hyperglycemic; you are reliant on the booze like a diabetic and sugar. Commit to keto/carnivore and you're desire to drink will collapse amidst your eyes; the brain will become increasingly more aware of the poison it is. I've had a few shots of the highest quality liquor here n there over the past year and am physically repulsed every time.

That being said, the only way I was able to stop my amphetamine/stock options/kleptomaniac addiction was magic mushrooms. During a heavy trip (14g) out in nature, it was near instantaneous comprehension that I had to quit.

Best

AlexanderClosing · 2021-03-22T20:34:49+00:00

PM me I have been clean for 6.5 years. Living the best life I've ever had.

Carapilt95 · 2021-03-22T13:32:05+00:00

Switch to java

Title	Anyone an Addict Here?
Author	[deleted]
Upvotes	62
Comments	44
Date	March 22, 2021 8:57 AM UTC (5 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/askTRP
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/asktrp/comments/maiw2x/anyone-an-addict-here/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/askTRP/anyone-an-addict-here.1598042 https://theredarchive.com/post/1598042

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