"Sobering" stat about my alcohol consumption...

Alcoholism runs in my family. I'm always trying to be sure I'm not running into that camp. It ain't easy.

That said, I find that when I work out HARD (really hard) my body doesn't want alcohol. At all. (Actually, it only wants water). AND I've found that the more days you can go in between drinks, 1) the less you feel the need to drink and 2) the less alcohol it takes to affect your brain, reducing your intake.

But my friend, it sounds like you're hiding from something. It would be worthwhile to figure out WHY you want to get drunk on what sounds like a fairly regular basis. Because drinking can be fun, but hangovers aren't, and cycles of binge-anything hurt. Best of luck, and if you would like to add me, feel free. If you'd like to tell me to F*** off, you obviously have that option as well.

move to CO or WA
and smoke pot...
just watch out for the munchies...

kinda kidding
kinda not

Absolutely! A few times my wife has said "Why don't you pick up a six pack and have one or two"...

Because one or two does nothing for me. I want to be buzzed. I plan my eating around it so ill feel it more.

^^^ My ex husband used to do that. Notice I said ex. ^^^

Well mine is 14% and I know how you feel. I do great all day with my food then I'll spend 600-1000 calories on alcohol. Even on an evening in, I'll have 3-4 glasses of wine. If I go out with friends, it's Jack and Diet and possibly shots (depending on the night). About 6 months ago I started meditation at home. I have to say it really cleared my mind. I would go 2-3 weeks without drinking and when I did, I felt like ish. But then I fall off the meditation wagon and back into drinking again. Sometimes I do it just out of boredom. Sometimes because it's a stressful day at work. Some people have to quit all together. Myself, I think it's all about moderation. If you're interested in meditation, I can provide you with a great link, just message me. Don't stress about this, be mindfull of what you do and how it affects others. Dont beat yourself up because that will just be an additional stressor. And if it's something more serious, look into getting some help. There's no shame in reaching out.

i also used to be a huge drinker. i still booze it up but maybe like once a month at most.

i now have made different habits. i also added more people to my social circle who arent heavy drinkers.

HAHA!

http://www.alcoholscreening.org/Home.aspx

I definitely self medicate. I have a lot of anxieties in my life, be it from two jobs, to things at home, and honestly it has just become a really comfortable routine. I can go a night without, but once I really say "OK, no more" I get anxious about it.

My life is a little complicated right now, and I don't have a whole lot in the way of solutions, so I really need something more constructive to give me the same satisfaction being ****-canned does. haha.

I think it might be time for an AA meeting. If you really can't let go of this you are probably battling an addiction that you can't beat alone.

Also, going to one meeting doesn't mean you're making a huge commitment, you're just observing.

me and friends would each drink a 12 pack 5 nights a week in college........now i drink maybe 1 every few weeks.....never felt physically better....and dont miss it at all

If you're having trouble quitting, I'd recommend something like AA or an outpatient alcohol treatment program. These programs offer a lot of methods for coping with the need to binge and will help you learn why you're doing what you're doing. They aren't just for stereotypical "addicts" anymore.

I hope you can find some relief soon and best of luck to you!

I'd love to see research showing these programs actually work better than alternatives. But that's just me.

I'm waiting to see actual statistics here... oh well...

There are other options other AA if you want to stop, it isn't for everyone as someone else said. Rational Recovery (google it online and get the book) is great and you don't have to deal with going to meetings for the rest of your life or doing steps etc.. . You have to be ready to give up drinking forever though and it'll also help with binge eating. There are many options to help you quit but you have to want it bad enough and just do it.

Ha! I guess I need help too..... only 9% of female population drinks more than I say I do.

Mine said 9% too.... I think it's rigged..

Only 9% of females drink more than I do.

I'm struggling with this same thing - as horrible as it sounds. I live in Wisconsin - we DRINK!!!! Everything we do revolves around drinking. I do the same thing.... drink... hungover... eat... auuugggg I'm getting no where. Even though I only do this once a week - on the weekend, it's ruining my progress.

I did decide after this past weekend that I have to be done. For both my weightloss, health and a relationship I'm trying to salvage.

How I'm going to deal with social situations - I'm not sure yet. But I'm curious to see who will be standing by my skinny self in the end!

*Cheers with a beer* From Wisconsin.

Honestly, quitting alcohol all together is not a negative thing. Needing to quit all together is not a negative thing. If you can't have a beer or two now and again, drinking, in general, is not a good idea for you. If you need to drink to be with your friends, get different friends. You won't regret it for a day, I promise. It's not like you're going to go "straight edge" and get all boring. That ain't the case. And I think it's sad that that's what people think. What you're going to do with your time and your money will be so much more worthwhile. Someone mentioned hobbies--yup--everyone should have these. Hobbies should and can be a real motivator in all sectors of our lives. A hobby is something you do because you LOVE it. You don't do it for the money. You don't do it because someday it MAY make you money. You do it because it makes you feel like life is awesome, and it continually challenges you to get better at whatever it is you live for. We spend so much time working at jobs that don't fulfill us. Screw that. We do that for the money and it shouldn't define who we are. It shouldn't stress us as much as it does. It should be the thing we do so that we have money to follow our real passions. You won't want to be hungover on the weekends if you find something you really love to do in those hours you're not working for the man. Hobbies are free refills on our motivation for being awesome.

I drink only on the weekends now, and I work my calories on a weekly basis to make sure I can fit it in.