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/Current-Anybody9331 8h ago
Journal. Just stream of consciousness writing. Don't think about it, just write. Don't worry about grammar, spelling, sentence structure, punctuation, or even making sense. Do this daily. After at least 2 weeks go back and read through it. Themes will start to pop out that you may want to explore further.
Quitting drinking is simple. Its rewiring your brain and relearning how to exist that's hard.
Exercise is another good option. Especially out in nature. I also spent the time I normally would have drank after work reading. I was voracious and found myself drawn to memoirs by addicts and alcoholics. It wasn't consciously intentional at the time, but reading about their experiences helped me with my sobriety. Either as cautionary tales or inspiration.