How do I quit drinking without AA?

[Anonymous]

I recommend Annie Grace and This Naked Mirna (book)

As well as her online “alcohol experiment”. Free, anonymous, and you don’t need to commit to giving up drinking to join the program.

https://thisnakedmind.com/blog-the-alcohol-experiment/

[Anonymous]

I've heard that going on a GLP1 can help with this.

It doesn't just reduce your appetite, but it changes what you crave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I started a GLP-1 a week ago and I don’t have any interest in alcohol anymore. It just…went away.

This. Talk to your doctor about assistance. There are several drugs out there now they help kill the desire for alcohol. Glp-1 is surprisingly helpful. Vivitrol and Campral are two more common ones. Give your body a helping hand with the quitting while working on the emotional or mental reasons for drinking. And perhaps it's not something bad. I "need" a non alcoholic drink of some sort while driving. Diet Coke for decades and now sparkling water. I don't know how to describe the need. Not an addiction but highly uncomfortable if I don't have it. A habit developed over decades. I obviously have no physical addiction to water while driving . But there is something powerful there. You could have something similar without a full blown physical addiction. But it helps figuring out what that is so you can stop. Our minds and bodies are complex things. Don't be afraid of a little assistance as you sort things out. Wishing you the best. This is a fabulous step on your overall health journey.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just remember it doesn't have to all or nothing.

You must learn to drink moderately.

Abstaining entirely is only for those with severe medical problems that would dictate it, or for the really addictive personality types who cannot control their urges. You will know which you are after a few months of abstinence and then having a drink.

This is horrible advice from a person who is ignorant, at best, and probably a troll. OP, if you want to quit, quit. You can never drink again. It's okay. You don't have to test it, you don't have to learn moderation, you can just decide that you and booze aren't compatible anymore and not drink.

Abstaining entirely is for people who choose to abstain entirely, whatever their reasons, and you don't need anyone's approval or understanding. You'll get a lot of pushback, mostly from people who don't want to confront their own drinking habits. People like PP are most likely alcoholics who are in the "bargaining" phase of their addiction. "I'm not an alcoholic because I can go for a few months without it and then just have one" - most alcoholics, before they accepted the true nature of their relationship to alcohol

Troll. That's the cult mentality. Same as being an addict. Just replacing one form with another.

[Anonymous]

Rehab

Your primary care physician can prescribe some prescription drugs that will help you quit alcohol.

Alcoholism is a life-threatening disease. It killed my brother at age 50. Don’t discount AA it helps a lot of people. It is free. There are meetings everywhere.

[Anonymous]

I used Reframe - it's an app. There are online meetings where you can just listen, or turn on your camera and talk. Lots of different tips and techniques, and a forum that's there 24/7.

Other things that helped me stay sober - sober podcasts, the book Quit Like a Woman, understanding the physiological response to alcohol, possibly Wellbutrin.

I also didn't want to do AA. Just was not for me.

You can do this. I have 2 years, 9 months sober, something I was not able to imagine when I was still drinking.

[Anonymous]

AA meetings have plenty of professionals attending meetings and will usually have doctors, lawyers, surgeons, teachers, pilots etc..

Meetings are confidential.

[Anonymous]

There are women only meetings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rehab

Your primary care physician can prescribe some prescription drugs that will help you quit alcohol.

Alcoholism is a life-threatening disease. It killed my brother at age 50. Don’t discount AA it helps a lot of people. It is free. There are meetings everywhere.

Alcoholism is not a disease. It's an addiction.

Is being obese a disease?

Is being a daily coffee drinker a disease?

Same things.

[Anonymous]

Naltrexone was great! The only problem was that I need a prescription.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rehab

Your primary care physician can prescribe some prescription drugs that will help you quit alcohol.

Alcoholism is a life-threatening disease. It killed my brother at age 50. Don’t discount AA it helps a lot of people. It is free. There are meetings everywhere.

Alcoholism is not a disease. It's an addiction.

Is being obese a disease?

Is being a daily coffee drinker a disease?

Same things.

Addiction is a disease. It comes in many forms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I started a GLP-1 a week ago and I don’t have any interest in alcohol anymore. It just…went away.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Subject says it all. Any advice?

Just stop. It's that simple.

[Anonymous]

If you can just stop and stay stopped great.
I did. But although I have an addictive personality I do not have the genetic physical sensitivity that causes craving.
If I did, I would use AA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Subject says it all. Any advice?

Learn to say no. NO. Its a complete sentence, no need to explain it. Don't keep any at home or order any when dinning/socializing outside. Avoid friends or events where there is peer pressure. Start coffee or tea. Join gym and also run or hike. See your doctor, get your labs and strive for improvement. Listen to David Huberman's podcast.

Keep track of how much you are saving by not spending money on booze.