3 ms·

I haven't had a drink in almost 5 years. I still consume cannabis and psychedelics. I talk to a LOT of people about this. But I am not a professional. Tip #1:

I haven't had a drink in almost 5 years. I still consume cannabis and psychedelics. I talk to a LOT of people about this. But I am not a professional. Tip #1: You have to stop beating yourself up over it. It's brutal. I get it. At my lowest I woke up for months wanting to eat a bullet. If I had better tools and coping skills I wouldn't have as close as I did. Tip #2: Know you want to quit. Know that you CAN quit. It doesn't have to be today. But there will be a day. Tip #3: Acknowledge that it's difficult and that you're doing the best you can. Tip #4: I hate AA. I still think it's incredibly helpful for a non-insignificant number of people out there. I'm an atheist. I never bought into the steps. But the stories... hearing people say things that I'd never been able to put into words... was life changing. I wasn't the only one that couldn't put it down. It helped to hear that in words that I can relate to. Tip #5: Get a mindfulness practice. I think a blend of meditation and stoicism (per William B. Irvine's book) is a great start. Skip the meditation if you have any trauma unless you're guided by a professional. Tip #6: Make new friends, cut back on the old ones Tip #7: Hobbies. Find some. Tip #8: Keep doing what you're doing: asking for help. Good luck. I hope you find your groove. My life is so much better today because I don't drink.

Ironlikebike 4y ago
> Tip #6: Make new friends, cut back on the old ones I've been told this is one of the hardest parts, because those old friends are often the ones encouraging and reinforcing the addiction. Finding new friends can be hard, especially if one has associated all social activities with alcohol. I have someone close to me in my life that had the perception, prior to giving up alcohol, that non-drinkers are boring and wouldn't spend time with them. Therefore this person ended up avoiding sober individuals and non-drinkers, but has since discovered that this is not the case, it was just the drinker's mind rationalizing and enabling.

Ironlikebike 4y ago

> Tip #6: Make new friends, cut back on the old ones I've been told this is one of the hardest parts, because those old friends are often the ones encouraging and reinforcing the addiction. Finding new friends can be hard, especially if one has associated all social activities with alcohol. I have someone close to me in my life that had the perception, prior to giving up alcohol, that non-drinkers are boring and wouldn't spend time with them. Therefore this person ended up avoiding sober individuals and non-drinkers, but has since discovered that this is not the case, it was just the drinker's mind rationalizing and enabling.