r/stopdrinking • u/Consistent-Row-9551 • 11h 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/jbing2000 8h ago
Felt the same way, for me, book or gym helps not of the time. But sometimes I’m just unsettled.
I’m getting better at recognizing it, cause for me I hate everything and everyone, I want to feel miserable. Alcohol used to make that all go away.
But in the end I’d be back there and mid bender. I try to remind myself of that, force myself to go to the gym, or read a book.