mick Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraphicsGuy Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 Ouch man...I do not envy your situation...my sympathies. As you've recognized, you are self-medicating. Using something to temporarily remove your mind from your problems. I wish I had some advice for you, but the only advice I have is probably what you don't want to hear... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godlessgrrl Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 Is alcohol the only way you can remove yourself from the situation you're in? What do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiderwire Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 Problem is, now I feel so much pain in my life that I race home after work, so I can stop at the liquor store, buy the 6 Pack, and go to my drinking spot. I do it to medicate myself from the crazy fundamentalism that is all around me all the time. How's that working out for you? Is the pain any less? Is the crazy fundamentalism decreasing? When you add a DUI to the mix, let us know if that makes anything better. You're 37 years old and you have a family to look after and provide for. Find another way to deal with the issues you're facing. You know better, so fix it. Sorry to be so harsh. I feel for you in your situation, but you're making it worse. Good luck to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llwellyn Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 Maybe there are some things you can substitute for alcohol? What if you exhausted yourself with exercise every day after work, would that take your mind off the family problems? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ro-bear Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 Maybe there are some things you can substitute for alcohol? What if you exhausted yourself with exercise every day after work, would that take your mind off the family problems? Good advice. I find that slavish devotion to an exercise regimen improves every facet of my life. I look better, I have more energy, I sleep better, blood pressure's down, attitude is much more positive. It doesn't have to be that intense. I do just fine with three miles of speed-walking around a track three or four times a week and three 20-minute Nordictrack sessions. Working toward a goal, any goal, is great therapy. If you must escape via an alternate experience of consciousness, you'd do a lot better with weed than alcohol. Only takes a little, and it isn't so hard on the brain or liver. I'm sorry things are so bad for you now. Unfortunately, all the sympathy in the world won't ameliorate your situation; you must take charge of that yourself. You have to step up and be your own best friend. Good luck to you, Mick. I know you can do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thurisaz Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 Problem is, now I feel so much pain in my life that I race home after work, so I can stop at the liquor store, buy the 6 Pack, and go to my drinking spot. I used to hide it from the kids but now I just drink in front of them. I do it to medicate myself from the crazy fundamentalism that is all around me all the time. The thing is I think it gives my wife a false sense of "proof" that I am in the Devil's hands. I'm afraid it's indeed either finding something else that either gives you solace or at least occupies your mind, like rigid exercise... or get out of the morontheist poison cloud. The latter, of course, is pretty much equal to a divorce. And maybe quite a bit more change too, depending on how the rest of your life looks like. As the proverb goes here in Germany, "Lieber ein Ende mit Schrecken als ein Schrecken ohne Ende" (Better a horrible end than endless horror). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest christianlongago Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 I had my first beer in almost 4 1/2 years on Sunday night. I stopped drinking because of health reasons both mental and physical. I did not feel the list bit guilty, but if I go back out again then I might. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etchison Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 Mick, You've deleted all the text in your post, but from what I can tell, you're having a rough time of your de-conversion. I did too. Depending on how immersed you were in your religion, leaving it cold-turkey can be a horribly depressing and anxiety-ridden experience. My opinion might seem a little "unconventional," but here goes: as long as you are doing your internal work, your anxiety is temporary so your drinking might be too. Take the 6-pack home and drink it there. The internal work is more important: you need to completely reconstruct your world view based on your new perspective. That is much harder work than it sounds, since the deepest parts of your mental view of the universe's infrastructure was based on the cross-beams and pillars of God and Jesus and the rest. Now you need to rebuild it. I don't know you, but it's possible that a lot of the anxiety you're feeling is due to the fact that your subconscious mind is FRANTICALLY working to rebuild your new perception of the world. That takes time, and it's exhausting. Add to that the fact that you may have left some loved ones behind, and you have a seriously tough time on your hands. Beer is the least of your worries--unless you are an addictive person and you feel you may become an alcoholic. If that's the case, you should stop drinking. I agree that weed is MUCH less destructive to you physically. And even better if you can sublimate your anxiety through exercise. Be well my friend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babysealclubber Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 I love etchison's advise. FWIW, I would like to add that you could use your drinking as an excuse to go to therapy. Tell your family that you know you have a problem, and want to get things sorted out. Most people are pretty sympathetic when it comes to addictions, even if it's not a real 'addiction,' as long as you want to go clean. I had read your post a while ago (before your edit) and have been thinking about your situation quite a bit. Best of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amethyst Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 *Hugs* Mick There are support groups out there for non-theists. I would definitely encourage you to find one. Also agree with the exercise advice. Or at least find a hobby to focus on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiderwire Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 I don't know if you're still reading this thread or not, Mick. There is a part of me that feels guilty for slamming you. There is another part of me that feels like the truth is the very best thing in this situation. But my remarks were wrong for the occasion. I think the main reason why I'm feeling bad is that the forums should be a place where we can go for support. I didn't give you that and I apologize for that. I'm sincerely sorry. I should have restrained my urge to use what was an effective motivator for me for your situation. The fact that you removed your OP shows that you regretted posting it. You should feel free to speak your mind here and I threw it back in your face. I'm sorry, Mick. I hope you'll at least let us know if you're doing alright. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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