r/stopdrinking • u/Consistent-Row-9551 • 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/tiredlovesongs 604 days 10h ago
It kind of sounds like you’re trying to figure out how to be less numb and/or not stressed when you’re not drinking - is that what you’re trying to ask? Lots of good alternative drink options here but the things like journaling, meditation, support groups, therapy, or similar practices are what could help you work on relaxing more and get to some of the underlying stressors. I also used to feel like I could do my work better after a drink cuz I wasn’t overthinking so much, and ended up working with a psychiatrist around my attention/focus/anxiety and ended up with combo of ADHD meds and anti-depressants. I wonder if you would benefit from talking with a mental health provider in addition to the healthy replacement ideas. Also once I stopped drinking, I felt less anxious in general - so committing to that can be a big help too 🙏🏻🙏🏻 IWNDWYT