re: For those that quit drinking how did you do it?

I got to the point where I had to drink a liter of liquor a day to not have seizures. That wasn’t to get drunk, that was literally so I didn’t randomly fall and dislocate my shoulder or tear my rotator cuff (happened twice) and I refused to drive vehicles because I was would sometimes still have them with no warning if I couldn’t get enough booze in me (towards the end my stomach wouldn’t hold anything well). Most days I would try to drink more so I could feel it of course. This caused me to do what I call “speed running cirrhosis”, because I was diagnosed with it at 27 which the doctor thought was pretty crazy. Anyway, after that I went to rehab and after thinking I was gonna die for the first month (couldn’t eat or get out of bed), I slowly got to the point where my liver recovered enough to where now it barely effects me. I randomly get some soreness on my side and I go see a gastroenterologist a few times a year, but he says from what he can tell after multiple ultrasounds and looking inside me with cameras, I shouldn’t have any major health concerns for at least 25-30 years, but unfortunately somewhere around 60ish even if I never drink again there’s a chance I will need a transplant. So for me, rehab and working the AA program/12 steps was what I had to do. Although honestly, knowing how damaged my liver is and how short my time would become if I started drinking again is a huge deterrent. If it wasn’t for that I doubt I’d have made it this far. I’m probably lucky I got serious liver disease when I did (still young and able to recover), which sounds crazy but is true.

If you drink a lot it would not be wise to quit without medical supervision. This would mean detox in a rehab. James Taylor quit heroin with daily intense exercise. This makes sense cuz it gives you something to focus on and gives you good natural chemicals in your brain.

Just not interested in it. I like hanging with friends, telling jokes, and hearing tunes. No need for booze.

Listened to crusty old bastards who never even suggested telling me what to do.

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I thought about AA but just nervous about having to speak and being judged.

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You won't be judged. Everybody in the room will have done some fricked up things too due to alcohol. They will relate to you and try to help you.

frick AA..... Take a good long sober look at your wife and kids..... It's more for them than is you! Get r done my friend! If a man burdened by any problem can't quit it because he loves his family more than himself... Then AA will not help you!.... It's gonna suck and it's gonna be hard but your family is all that truly matters.

Man it is true. We are getting older and the LSU weekends turn into Sunday threads like this. Or Monday.

OP I see you said it’s destroying your marriage. That’s where I will stop making light of anything. I am sorry. Is she part of your issue? Is she pounding drinks right there with you. I’ve known a few of those couples. One of the guys is now dead by his own hand. I say all of that to say you have to clean up for you. You sound fed up. Seek therapy and a program. If you wake up with shakes, you will need detox. White knuckling it through the DTs is a deadly dance. 50% mortality if untreated is a number I’ve heard.

Good luck.

If you have the funds, go see a functional medicine doctor. Simple blood & urine test to find out what you have drained yourself of by drinking, then get on the proper supplements & you can wean yourself off without feeling HORRIBLE. May have a few days of hangxiety, but it should help. Drinking severely depletes B & D vitamins. This will work only if you feel more physical cravings, may not help if you are mentally dependent.