Giving up alcohol

[Louisa]

I am feeling that maybe I should give up alcohol, because although I do not feel that I have much of a habit at this point, I don't know how quickly addiction can occur. Especially, I know alcoholism runs on one side of my family, and it seems I am discovering that I have a significant amount of Native American heritage. Native Americans, I've read, can have a gene which makes it more difficult for them to process alcohol and more prone to alcoholism.
I already suppose I have a bit of a habit, but I don't think it is very severe. I just fear that I may slip into real, serious addiction before I realize it, especially if I'm predisposed genetically.
Do you have any tips for stopping alcohol, or keeping it to a moderate level? Right now I have about 1 to 3 drinks most days, and I have a day or two per week without drinking. This doesn't seem like that much to me, but as I said, I am afraid I might be prone to alcoholism due to genetics, I don't know.

[Louisa]

I have a lot of stress in my life, which is why I use alcohol. It helps me keep from getting so irritable and angry, for one thing. It can seem to facilitate insights, too, sometimes, when I have some problem I need to think about. But I am wondering if there are other things to help me cope with these things. So that is specifically what I am looking for- other ways to cope with those problems.

[Seawolf]

I'm no expert, but if you're using alcohol to cope then that's generally considered having an addiction. It's like a disease in that it just gets worse over time, so best to stop while you can.

[Louisa]

Maybe it is a mild addiction. I have begun to think of drinking more often and at various times of the day sometimes, which I guess is a sign of physical dependency? That is why I want to stop. I don't want to chance becoming an alcoholic, as I know how destructive that can be.
Anyway, I think I can stop it without that much difficulty. But I want to try to stop before it does become too difficult to give it up.

Hi Louisa!

If you really want to get away from the alcohol, you will. If you are not already addicted to it, you will be able to walk away from it just by deciding to. If you cannot walk away from it... it's already a problem.

I think from some of the statements you have made here, you would benefit from some professional counseling. Alcoholism is a disease... it is not a failure on your part in any way. It is bigger than an individual person and there is no disgrace in asking for help ... in the right places.

I don't believe I can offer the proper advice to help you stop drinking... but if you will consult someone who is professionally experienced to do so... I promise that I can help provide you with some better ways to deal with the stress and find that place where you can problem solve without alcohol.

PM me if you would like.

[Seawolf]

Originally Posted by Louisa

Maybe it is a mild addiction. I have begun to think of drinking more often and at various times of the day sometimes, which I guess is a sign of physical dependency? That is why I want to stop. I don't want to chance becoming an alcoholic, as I know how destructive that can be.
Anyway, I think I can stop it without that much difficulty. But I want to try to stop before it does become too difficult to give it up.

That's a great idea. Chances are if you quit now you'll have a much better future. I've been there and people that drink are not very happy generally. It doesn't actually help, it just puts off dealing with issues and makes them worse.

[Louisa]

Originally Posted by MYFIGO
If you really want to get away from the alcohol, you will. If you are not already addicted to it, you will be able to walk away from it just by deciding to. If you cannot walk away from it... it's already a problem.

I really do think I can give it up without that much difficulty. Addiction can be a murky subject, because there is no clearly defined physiological way to test or define it, that I know of. Psychological addiction is another thing, but I have had my share of experience coping with psychological problems and know I can do so, even if it not easy. I know, though, that physiological addiction can be a slippery slope. I guess I should just try to stop now, or cut back. Different people have different views on how this is best handled, but to be on the safe side, I think I will try to quit it totally, just because I feel it is like playing with fire, considering the possibility for genetic disposition to alcoholism and the fact that I've got enough to cope with already and slipping into using it as a dysfunctional coping mechanism could be too easy.

[Lightspirit]

Louisa alcohol is very addictive as you know, and a great stress reliever at the end of the day.
Damiana tea does the same thing and has a good enough kick to it that you can stop alcohol for that reason to do the same job. It doesn't have the after effects of hangover and weight gain and is cheap and legal.

http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_k..._kw=%28pure%29

[Louisa]

Originally Posted by Seawolf
That's a great idea. Chances are if you quit now you'll have a much better future. I've been there and people that drink are not very happy generally. It doesn't actually help, it just puts off dealing with issues and makes them worse.

I agree, Seawolf. I think my drinking is not that helpful with dealing with issues. It may occasionally help, but not enough to make it worthwhile. It is a form of putting off dealing with issues. Though that can seem helpful, it is certainly not a longterm coping method.

[Louisa]

Originally Posted by LightworkerAu
Louisa alcohol is very addictive as you know, and a great stress reliever at the end of the day.
Damiana tea does the same thing and has a good enough kick to it that you can stop alcohol for that reason to do the same job. It doesn't have the after effects of hangover and weight gain.

Thanks for the suggestion, LightworkerAu. I will try that.
And yes, I don't need the after effects of hangover, which sometimes affects me worse than the relaxing benefits of alcohol to begin with.