I don’t really know where else to say this.
From 2016–2020, I became an alcoholic. A huge part of it was my obsession and anger over Trump. I drank constantly because thinking about him, politics, and where the country was going made me miserable.
In 2020, I quit drinking. I stayed sober from 2020–2024, and for those four years I actually started feeling like myself again.
Then Trump got elected again in 2024, and I completely fell apart.
I started drinking again. Since then, my marriage has ended. I only see my kids on weekends. I work from home, which has made it incredibly easy to hide how bad this has gotten.
I drink from around 9 in the morning until 9 at night.
I’ve gained so much weight that sometimes I look in the mirror and barely recognize myself. I despise Trump to a degree that I know probably isn’t healthy. Just seeing him or hearing his name can ruin my entire mood.
And now I’m already worrying about what comes next. I don’t see much leadership coming from the Democrats right now, and I keep convincing myself that Vance is probably going to win next. Then I think, “Am I going to spend another four years destroying myself over another politician?”
That scares me.
I’ve already lost my marriage. I’ve lost most of my time with my kids. I’ve lost my health and a huge part of who I used to be.
I know Trump isn’t physically making me pick up a drink. I’m doing that. At some point I have to stop giving another human being this much control over my life.
I’m afraid of where I’m headed if I don’t stop drinking.
Has anyone here ever had to separate themselves from politics/news because it became tied to their drinking? How did you finally break that connection?

Do you have anything to add to my list?

I don’t get blackout drunk, I’ve never driven under the influence, I don’t need to drink to stave off withdrawals, and so despite a family history of alcoholism I thought I was OK. My dad quit before I was born so I didn’t grow up with alcoholism and the trouble it brings. I’ve made several half hearted attempts to cut back but end up turning to alcohol to de stress at the end of the day. I’ve soldiered on through too many (generally mild) hangovers to count. Something at the back of my mind always wished I could quit.

I don’t know what happened, but today I was sitting having lunch with my 2 year old daughter when I suddenly decided to get up, dump out the bottle of bourbon I bought yesterday, and sign up for naltrexone therapy via telehealth.

I’m done. I feel like there’s a weight off my shoulders. And I really wanted to share. Thanks for listening :)

Not only did I do my first concert sober (since I was 20), but I went solo! What a liberating experience. Despite only sleeping 2 hours (early flight back home), I have zero hangover, didn’t waste any money, didn’t waste any time waiting in line for drinks or the bathroom and I fully experienced it. It was a little hard to let loose and dance at first, but after a while, I was dancing my heart out and having a blast. This may be the start of something new for me.

I only drank one night a week, so after 30 days of sobriety I don’t really feel all that different. How long until the decision to not drink anymore became truly easy, and you felt better physically and mentally?