General Discussion

bhikkhu

(10,789 posts)

9. Exercise is one way

Fri Aug 2, 2013, 10:16 PM

Aug 2013

I find that I enjoy exercise, working outdoors, and generally being healthy. To the point that I don't like to do things that interfere with my health. Of course, its totally different for different people, and the odds of this being useful are very slim...but back years ago when I did smoke and drink, when I was 30-something and felt 50-something, I started by beginning to bicycle to work. It saved money, which was a very good thing, and it quickly became the best part of my day. I quit smoking and that made it easier. A year later I quit drinking (which was harder than quitting smoking), because I felt better without the alcohol.

Generally just quitting something is harder, because it leaves an empty place. If you do something different that you enjoy, then let that something new crowd out the addiction, if you see what I mean?

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I'm drunk, any other alcoholics around? [View all] madville Aug 2013 OP

Learn to get high on oxygen. That's how I kicked smoking more than 20 years ago. randome Aug 2013 #1

Here's a DU forum that may be helpful to you: sufrommich Aug 2013 #2

AA Gman Aug 2013 #3

I second AA. newcriminal Aug 2013 #8

yes i have VA resources madville Aug 2013 #12

Did you see action? Gman Aug 2013 #36

Yes, the folks in the Lounge would probably be a better sounding board. Lasher Aug 2013 #4

This message was self-deleted by its author Tuesday Afternoon Aug 2013 #17

You've taken a great step here just by your post. You need a crutch and I hope someone here Purveyor Aug 2013 #5

I fucking love you... cherokeeprogressive Aug 2013 #6

You just made my night madville Aug 2013 #14

If you can go two or three days without drinking at all, you're not in the grip of alcohol. cherokeeprogressive Aug 2013 #25

I disagree. The underlying problem will still be there. Whatever it is... n/t dogknob Aug 2013 #62

Dear madville, elleng Aug 2013 #7

Exercise is one way bhikkhu Aug 2013 #9

Not one myself, but I am very familiar with the problem quinnox Aug 2013 #10

I found something more important than drinking. pintobean Aug 2013 #11

You are not alone. I am a wino and a cigarette addict. RebelOne Aug 2013 #13

I smoked for 25 years. For the last 5, I woke up every day and said, Squinch Aug 2013 #102

Get a bike. Gregorian Aug 2013 #15

I think AA is wonderful but not everyone likes it or does well with it... steve2470 Aug 2013 #16

I have much experience with alcoholism in my family and would like to vouch for Marie Marie Aug 2013 #27

29 years sober here also..a day at a time KinMd Aug 2013 #59

You sound similar to me mikeypooh Aug 2013 #18

"I see the world we live in as being a series of hard to see cages like that" woo me with science Aug 2013 #115

The first step is admitting you have a problem. AA doesn't work for everyone, but it does work for Electric Monk Aug 2013 #19

Think you said this very well. And AA did work for me though I'm a liberal atheist Rhiannon12866 Aug 2013 #64

Anecdottaly, I've noticed a fairly high success rate in those who do 90 meetings in 90 days. Electric Monk Aug 2013 #72

I think you meant to reply to the OP, but I totally agree with you on that, as well! Rhiannon12866 Aug 2013 #73

I used to drink far more than I should. Whisp Aug 2013 #20

Ever think of simply not doing it anymore? MrSlayer Aug 2013 #21

Spoken like someone who has no clue nobodyspecial Aug 2013 #22

Oh no? MrSlayer Aug 2013 #29

Absolute nonsense AgingAmerican Aug 2013 #32

Fair enough. MrSlayer Aug 2013 #37

But it is not. You are lucky. nt Mojorabbit Aug 2013 #55

You might want to try to fathom it, or not comment on your superiority to people who are clearly Squinch Aug 2013 #103

You're probably right. MrSlayer Aug 2013 #108

dammed right Chaco Dundee Aug 2013 #53

You couldn't be more wrong. Warren Stupidity Aug 2013 #77

"former alcoholic"? cordelia Aug 2013 #81

Sorry if you've accepted the permanently Warren Stupidity Aug 2013 #82

I agree. pintobean Aug 2013 #87

+1 Go Vols Aug 2013 #98

AA has no proven efficacy Major Nikon Aug 2013 #110

I wasn't going to bring that up. Warren Stupidity Aug 2013 #111

It's not even close to being the most used method Major Nikon Aug 2013 #113

Not so simple Dwayne Hicks Aug 2013 #23

Perhaps if you have an addictive personality. MrSlayer Aug 2013 #30

Read this then say that again. It can become a physical addiction, not just a 'bad habit'. Electric Monk Aug 2013 #38

You're right. MrSlayer Aug 2013 #52

It definitely has physiological Dorian Gray Aug 2013 #84

I was just laid off for 20 months. MrSlayer Aug 2013 #95

You are lucky. Dorian Gray Aug 2013 #99

It is very irresponsible to suggest to an addict that they go it alone or continue to drink/use. Skeeter Barnes Aug 2013 #47

big mistake for people to think what works for them can work for everyone Skittles Aug 2013 #69

You're right. MrSlayer Aug 2013 #71

I empathize with you aristocles Aug 2013 #24

You can click around here. rug Aug 2013 #26

Sober 29 years and counting... WCGreen Aug 2013 #28

Thank you all for replying madville Aug 2013 #31

Good luck Madville Dorian Gray Aug 2013 #85

no AA meeting should be religious NMDemDist2 Aug 2013 #88

I can't say I'm qualified to advise Shankapotomus Aug 2013 #33

Good luck. BlueCheese Aug 2013 #34

I did the first steps on AA. Really works. Especially the part where you admit you have no applegrove Aug 2013 #35

I'm 59...been drinking since I was 17. Next Wednesday I'm having an MRI (roughly $3000) on my liver Rowdyboy Aug 2013 #39

I hope it is minor Rowdyboy. Good luck! n/t veness Aug 2013 #67

good luck, Rowdyboy renate Aug 2013 #80

good luck Rowdyboy ! nt steve2470 Aug 2013 #83

Gosh Rowdyboy Dorian Gray Aug 2013 #86

I hope for the best for you, RowdyBoy. LiberalLoner Aug 2013 #94

My thoughts are with you. Keep us posted. Squinch Aug 2013 #104

"the last few women I've spent time with were heavy drinkers as well." Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2013 #40

i've been where you are tonight cally Aug 2013 #41

I do what you do and have been doing it for 32 years. Life is good. virgogal Aug 2013 #43

AA works for a good many people, but it's not for everyone. cordelia Aug 2013 #42

get the ball rolling on medical treatment Blues Heron Aug 2013 #44

I would look into meetings immediately and getting an assessment at a treatment center very soon. Skeeter Barnes Aug 2013 #45

Your story is typical!! busterbrown Aug 2013 #46

Do you love the taste of beer or do you love being drunk or do you hate both? JaneyVee Aug 2013 #48

One question Phillyindy Aug 2013 #49

".....that's what drinking does for me, momentarily" ".....I can't shake the need" Skittles Aug 2013 #68

I agree, although... Phillyindy Aug 2013 #74

you're "mild" - right now Skittles Aug 2013 #89

PM me if you like...I had to quit for a year back in 2007 because I had to have anti-tb meds.... Rowdyboy Aug 2013 #50

This message was self-deleted by its author backscatter712 Aug 2013 #51

My brother cleaned up in AA Kennah Aug 2013 #54

madville Skittles Aug 2013 #56

What an incredible piece. I can't remember enjoying reading anything more. Rowdyboy Aug 2013 #58

I read it a couple weeks ago and it has stuck with me Skittles Aug 2013 #61

Its a gut punch-he doesn't brag or apologise-it is what it is.... Rowdyboy Aug 2013 #63

I'm an alchoholic been sober for 29 years now upaloopa Aug 2013 #57

Hey madville MinneapolisMatt Aug 2013 #60

Brave. SammyWinstonJack Aug 2013 #65

Well other than traditional outlets, counseling, AA you might try self-hypnosis, Uncle Joe Aug 2013 #66

Quit just a week ago rufus dog Aug 2013 #70

Become active in something you really care about... jimlup Aug 2013 #75

Life-changing thread, perfectly timed cilla4progress Aug 2013 #76

That took guts...good luck to you BeyondGeography Aug 2013 #78

Please get help. Arugula Latte Aug 2013 #79

Message auto-removed Name removed Aug 2013 #90

Welcome to DU. I hope you don't mind if I copy-paste your post, in case it gets deleted. Electric Monk Aug 2013 #100

You've made a pretty major step. Maybe AA will work for, but maybe not. Atman Aug 2013 #91

Please check out soberrecovery.com LiberalLoner Aug 2013 #92

PS this is a really good documentary LiberalLoner Aug 2013 #93

I have seen some good advice here Andy823 Aug 2013 #96

An alternative to AA: the Sinclair method. backscatter712 Aug 2013 #97

I think a really important point from the response to you is, don't do this alone steve2470 Aug 2013 #101

+1 I only suggested an online forum because there is no driving, he can go LiberalLoner Aug 2013 #105

yes, online, in person, just WITH others somehow, I applaud your idea ! nt steve2470 Aug 2013 #107

Madville, I have no advice except to say that, whatever method you choose, you are young Squinch Aug 2013 #106

Most useful thing I ever read jollyreaper2112 Aug 2013 #109

I grew up with alcoholics davidpdx Aug 2013 #112

Some suggestions for the non-religious (a few for the religious too) progree Aug 2013 #114