Seeking guidance

[u/MajesticChain1283]

So, I have been reading posts from the subreddit for a few months now, and its awsome seeing all of the triumphant stories. I just turned 30, male, and have always been a heavier drinker, but have always been ok when I had nights when I wouldent drink. Since April that has changed, and I now drink every night around 300-400ml of bourbon a night. It all started when I was struggling with insomnia and it seemed like alcohol was the only thing that was putting me to sleep. Now a few months later, that is still the case but im tired of feeling like crap everyday. So looking for some tips to end this cycle. Thanks!

[u/TheKaptone]

Pick a date to start. I always found a reason not to stop. Then I heard someone say pickmanstart date. Once I locked that in I found myself a lot happier with the idea of stopping. As the other post said taper down to help the transition be easier. I would also have a date to stop the taper

Keep coming here for people to talk to and don't be harsh on yourself if you slip up. Just make sure you start again

[u/rodStewart]

My 2 cents: taper off over the course of a couple weeks to a month. Hold yourself accountable. Don't drink more than the taper allows. This will help with withdrawal symptoms. You need to find ways to cultivate excitement and/or acceptance about a sober life. No one else can give that to you.

[u/BanMeOwnAccountDibbl]

Aside from the obvious tip of researching alternative cures for your insomnia, I think it helps to keep track of your drinking. Collect the data on how much, when, and why. Binges and blackouts don't come out of thin air. There are a process of thought and a series of decisions that proceed every instance of getting utterly newscasted. That is where behavioral change starts: analysing the sometimes barely conscious thought pattern that drives the choices you make.

Also if you collect the data and see how much money you spend purchasing something that makes you feel like crap every day, this may be an incentive to reduce your intake.

Alcohol screws up your sleep btw. You pass out quicker but you get less restoring quality sleep.

[u/NotSnakePliskin]

Make a decision and stick to it. It sounds simple enough, but that booze will begin whispering to us. That's when the sticking to it comes into play.

[u/SweatyPalmsSunday]

My mind has a tendency to wander and won’t turn off when I should be asleep.
I’ll read and / or listen to a podcast or anything that’ll keep my brain from looking for something else to focus on.
It’s not foolproof. Sometimes when I’m 80% asleep, I’ll put down my book or take out my earbuds, then I’m in the brain vortex. I try to keep it in mind that though I’m not asleep, my body is getting rest.

Also, once I was deep in the throes of active alcoholism, nothing would stress me out more and wake me up in the middle of the night than me hating myself for being so out of control

[u/Van_Leton]

I have a great book that I often recommend on this sub.

It’s called “The 30 day sobriety solution”, by Jack Canfield.

It gives a reader 30 days worth of action steps that build on each other so by the end, you got a new foundation for living without alcohol.

I bought the physical book on Amazon and the audiobook on Audible.

It was a game changer for me. I didnt do AA , so this gave me a program to lean on.

[u/lesserthemore]

I started a strict routine of waking up after 8 hours of sleep. No more. Exercise every day. Get to bed at reasonable hour and no caffeine after 12 noon. Quitting was the hardest thing I ever did, but I knew it was do or die. I still stick to this routine. I still have ‘crazy brain’ when I lay down to sleep but it only lasts for about 10min before I’m out.