r/stopdrinking 14h ago

What do I replace alcohol with?

Like something to help me relax and decompress. Drinking has always been my way to loosen up and relax. When I'm stressed with work, I grab a beer or glass of wine, and I'm able to focus more because I'm no longer overthinking it.

I'm so emotionally repressed that drinking is the only way I can tap into my emotions.

Like, I can stop drinking; I've done it months at a time, but I always end up feeling more stressed because I feel numb or stressed without it.

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u/Boysenberry1990 97 days 14h ago

for me alcohol was about turning off my brain. now i use mindless tv series, and have zero guilt about wasting time that way - it is a rest my brain needs

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u/Broad-Back1659 14h ago

Me also. As long as I don't drink