Crippling Alcoholism

[Chibi]

How many of you guys have struggled with it? I just visited the CA subreddit, and it made me very sad but also relatable. I'm trying to get better with my drinking, but it's a given our personality type might struggle with it. I'd love to hear about y'all's experience with alcoholism.

 

[Old Things]

I'd suggest a 12-step program, but I don't think you would like that. OTOH, good luck trying to quit without a 12-step program, cuz it's going to be rough.

I've never been addicted to alcohol, but I am addicted to nicotine. Longest I have gone without any nicotine is like a month or three weeks or something like that. Addictions are very tough to break.

Thank God I never did hard drugs, or I'd be dead because I have an addictive personality. Been offered some of that stuff before, but said no because I didn't want to get addicted. Started smoking when I was like 12 or something, before my brain was actually functioning properly.

 

[EndogenousRebel]

I never have struggled with addiction, but did drink habitually due to the company I was keeping.

It has always been a social things. The people I would drink with on the other hand would pretty much do so every night.

I don't understand how people live like that to be honest. A tall michelada beer leaves me with a good buzz, but anything more typical has side effects the day after that I would rather avoid.

Cannabis in the other hand was very hard to quit. As well as tabacco products.

These days I just straight up tell people I don't want to mess up my streak and I stay clean

It's subtle and I do get cravings occasionally, but my moment to moment experience is definitely better. I don't look down on users of these substances, but I always suggest reduction of them.

With alcohol in particular I have always been weary and very particular for the reason I'm drinking. I try not to drink unless there is a special occasion.

 

[kuoka]

It will sound funny, but I haven't touched alcohol after my first beer. And I've never done anything mind-altering despite my friend frequently offering me lsd.

Said friend is now fighting opioid, smoking and alcohol addiction. I feel really bad about it, but there's probably nothing I could've done to get them out.

Simple reason. I have the most fun when I think so I just don't see the appeal of handicapping my brain and making it so I can't think.

I feel really sad for people with addiction issues and feel genuine anxiety imagining that I may try something and be unable to stop.

 

[Chibi]

It will sound funny, but I haven't touched alcohol after my first beer. And I've never done anything mind-altering despite my friend frequently offering me lsd.

This is funny, because the times I have been on psychedelics made me feel free from "legal" addictions like alcohol. There have been numerous studies about the mental health benefits of Psilocybin and LSD in moderate doses, yet these are the drugs that are criminalized. Shit man, even weed is criminalized. I don't smoke pot because it's bad for me personally, but I understand those who do.

 

[Chibi]

I've never been addicted to alcohol, but I am addicted to nicotine. Longest I have gone without any nicotine is like a month or three weeks or something like that. Addictions are very tough to break.

I'm also addicted to nicotine so I can relate with you here. I stopped vaping after joining the army because it fucked with lungs, so now I'm on the nic pouches. Addiction is tough. I tell myself I have the mental fortitude to quit these things, but I genuinely think I need it right now because my mental health is so poor. If I stopped it would probably improve, but alas

 

[Bluehalite]

I empathize with you, I drink a few times a year, but I do have many family members that are in this boat to different degrees.
Its an awful predicament.

 

[kuoka]

It will sound funny, but I haven't touched alcohol after my first beer. And I've never done anything mind-altering despite my friend frequently offering me lsd.

This is funny, because the times I have been on psychedelics made me feel free from "legal" addictions like alcohol. There have been numerous studies about the mental health benefits of Psilocybin and LSD in moderate doses, yet these are the drugs that are criminalized. Shit man, even weed is criminalized. I don't smoke pot because it's bad for me personally, but I understand those who do.

I get your point. Psychedelics may be safe. I'm not sure if they are totally safe though.

Aren't there people who get bad trips at random points in their life or people who smoke weed all seem to be a little bit slow on the uptake? It seems to be impacting their cognition to some degree.

I also heard that an lsd overdose can mess you up big time. There were those unethical experiments and people had their whole memories erased or personalities reverted by it.

 

[Chibi]

I also heard that an lsd overdose can mess you up big time. There were those unethical experiments and people had their whole memories erased or personalities reverted by it.

This is an extremely common misunderstanding about the drug. LSD in a low/moderate dose does no greater harm than you than alcohol

Ive seen the effects of weed on people who smoke it a lot. They do become slower. But that's only in potheads.

As of any drug, it can fuck you up if it's overused. But taking LSD or shrooms in moderation won't have any long-lasting negative effects.

 

[kuoka]

I would say that even the brain damage caused by alcohol or deregulation of sleep caused by coffee could be classified as too harmful.

But then again going back to the topic. Out of experience and knowing several XXTP types I would say that EXTP's are more prone to it than introverts, but there is an increased potential to fall into this hole for all TP's

 

[dr froyd]

i cripple myself with some heavy social drinking now and then, but aside from that i hate being intoxicated and how it impairs clarity of thought. I'm definitely addicted to stimulants like caffeine and nicotine though

 

[Chibi]

That's crazy how you all say how you hate to impair your thoughts. I love impairing my thoughts.

 

[Bluehalite]

I keep a six pack of Angry Orchard in the fridge, and drink one on the rare occasion if I'm feeling extra stressed, usually due to hurricanes or other world events, and it helps free my mind of anxiety.
I like to keep frozen Bacardi Strawberry Daiquiri Mix in the freezer door. The buffet is filled with hard liquor like Hennessys Cognac, (for herbal Hot Toddies). Stolichnaya Vodka, Bacardi Rum, Cuervo Agave Tequila, Apple brandy so I can make apple brandy pork chops, Grand Marnier for crepes, Cabernet Sauvignon for beef stews, etc. I just use alcohol on holidays or in cooking.

Hurricane cocktails are delicious too and perfect for actual hurricanes.

 

[ZenRaiden]

That's crazy how you all say how you hate to impair your thoughts. I love impairing my thoughts.

I usually feel as though alcohol slowed down my thinking. It helps to sort out what I am thinking.
The real problem with alcohol came when I realized it achieved nothing for me.
It made me slightly more open and extraverted, but it did not lead to better relationships.
It cost me money, and made me feel bad, and honestly look back it gave nothing back to me, of value.
Ending my alcoholic journey I realized I was trying to socialize through alcohol, but I can do that without alcohol.
Also made me realize I don't particularly enjoy company of drunk people even when drunk.

 

[Chibi]

The real problem with alcohol came when I realized it achieved nothing for me.

I know this thread isn't that old, but I'm starting to feel the same way and I have been for a bit. I've been way more sober recently and it sucks at first but I get used to it. I'm feeling better and being more productive.

The problem I have is that I LOVE being inebriated. I honestly believe I'm slightly autistic so dealing with sober thoughts is really hard for me sometimes, and sometimes it feels like too much. When I get drunk, I find it's so much easier to write, to communicate with people, and my thoughts become more clear to me. The problem is when I drink, I tend to go on benders and I end up drinking way more than I originally planned, sometimes for days and days at a time. I need to either quit entirely or figure out a way to force-limit the amount I drink.

I really wish other drugs were more accessable. Shrooms would benefit me greatly if I could reliably get my hands on them. I just hate being sober (chief keef song btw, that song goes insanely hard)

 

[ZenRaiden]

The problem I have is that I LOVE being inebriated. I honestly believe I'm slightly autistic so dealing with sober thoughts is really hard for me sometimes, and sometimes it feels like too much. When I get drunk, I find it's so much easier to write, to communicate with people, and my thoughts become more clear to me. The problem is when I drink, I tend to go on benders and I end up drinking way more than I originally planned, sometimes for days and days at a time. I need to either quit entirely or figure out a way to force-limit the amount I drink.

You can access this mind set with mindfulness.
Alcohol tends to push down some thoughts.
Easier way is to let those thoughts out like journal them out, and then have clear head and just do one thing at a time.
Slowing down on purpose is just as effective as doing it with alcohol.

Though I get what you mean.

 

[Myself]

Yes. I'm good at alcoholism.
I only drink after 23:00 hours. I tell my wife goodnight (we don't sleep together in the same bed anyway for several years) and I drink some alcohol.
I think if our relationship was better I wouldn't be drinking alcohol when I could be going to sleep. But I know our relationshop would be better if I wasn't drinking alcohol, either. But I also know it wouldn't be good, then, either... and therefor I choose my never-disappointing drink over my ever-disappointing non-drink.

 

[BurnedOut]

Thank goodness drinking is not my vice but I have talked about mine in a different thread. If you are very serious about this then try AA and secondly go to a doctor to properly wean off it. Quitting cold turkey can literally kill you

 

[BurnedOut]

As of any drug, it can fuck you up if it's overused. But taking LSD or shrooms in moderation won't have any long-lasting negative effects.

That's a myth. Anything that wantonly overloads your receptors can cause unexpected long term problems. I have seen a friend of mine go catatonic after an acid trip. It was scary and I was gonna call the ambulance.

i cripple myself with some heavy social drinking now and then, but aside from that i hate being intoxicated and how it impairs clarity of thought. I'm definitely addicted to stimulants like caffeine and nicotine though

Clarity of thought? From a freudian perspective, I think it literally eliminates the Superego. You walk the talk and talk the walk

 

[Chibi]

I have seen a friend of mine go catatonic after an acid trip. It was scary and I was gonna call the ambulance.

Please go further into detail. Was he taking acid regularly? Did he have a normal dose or an extreme dose? Did he calm down once sobered up / how is he now?

Because I really don't think a moderate dose of acid can leave you "catatonic." If it did, it was probably laced.

 

[dr froyd]

I have seen a friend of mine go catatonic after an acid trip. It was scary and I was gonna call the ambulance.

Please go further into detail. Was he taking acid regularly? Did he have a normal dose or an extreme dose? Did he calm down once sobered up / how is he now?

Because I really don't think a moderate dose of acid can leave you "catatonic." If it did, it was probably laced.

there is also this thing called HPPD where people get sensory and neurological problems even after single, moderate uses of psychedelics

im no expert but i believe it's a real documented thing

 

[dr froyd]

i cripple myself with some heavy social drinking now and then, but aside from that i hate being intoxicated and how it impairs clarity of thought. I'm definitely addicted to stimulants like caffeine and nicotine though

Clarity of thought? From a freudian perspective, I think it literally eliminates the Superego. You walk the talk and talk the walk

maybe, but then you wake up the next day and you're back to square one

 

[Chibi]

I have seen a friend of mine go catatonic after an acid trip. It was scary and I was gonna call the ambulance.

Please go further into detail. Was he taking acid regularly? Did he have a normal dose or an extreme dose? Did he calm down once sobered up / how is he now?

Because I really don't think a moderate dose of acid can leave you "catatonic." If it did, it was probably laced.

there is also this thing called HPPD where people get sensory and neurological problems even after single, moderate uses of psychedelics

im no expert but i believe it's a real documented thing

I know about HPPD and it usually occurs after repeated doses. I'm sure there are some circumstances where it can happen after a single trip, but I think that would be a very small minority. HPPD is also usually not life-altering, at least from what I know about it. It's like mites in your eyes, you notice it but it's not too bothersome in any way. It also usually goes away eventually. BurnedOut seems to be describing some sort of horrible change to a person which almost never happens after a single dose, unless they were already horribly mentally ill or something.

 

[dr froyd]

im sure it's fine for the most part

but i don't think that taking mind-altering drugs should be taken lightly. And at the end of the day, what is it besides various forms of escapism, self-medication, and the promise of quick access to higher consciousness

the real mind-altering drug is to soberly sense and ponder reality. Substances are the McDonalds of consciousness