Alcohol addiction advice!

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I know most of you guys on wrong planet don’t drink alcohol but I would appreciate some advice on this problem.


My weekly routine is that I avoid drinking at home during the week but Friday and Saturday I go to the pub and see my social group. I usually have one pint of bud light every 15 minutes and what usually happens is that I drink more than I planned. Basically the high of being tipsy/buzzed is so lovely and europhic that I want more beer to keep that good feeling up and for a period of time can’t seem to stop drinking. When that good feeling starts to wear of though for the rest of night I don’t drink anymore beer.


I will admit I am on medication (it even says on the label you should not be mixed with alcohol) one medication I take is lorazepam which lowers my anxiety levels . Ironically before I started taking medication I didn’t like drinking to much beer because it made me feel worse.


Any advice on how I could overcome this drinking problem of mine? I do go out to the pub at 3 or 4 in the afternoon sometimes even earlier than that. Yes I know the obvious solution would be to stop drinking but I found going to the pub really boring without alcohol.

Maybe something different like model railways or cycling is an idea? (Model railways can seem to be expensive but there are ways to do it cheaply, and the same goes for cycling and things like that).
What the idea is to find ways to enjoy and have fun with like minded people without the alcohol.
The good think about both bicycles and model railways is that has something tangable after spending ones money, and with the current climate I would start with a secondhand bicycle because even if you decided that it was not for you, with the potential future fuel shortages you are almost sure to get your money back if things don't work out. (The key is to buy a secondhand bicycle that fits you and is right for you. Avoid bicycles that one can't fit a rear carrier onto so avoid full suspension bikes or all out racing bikes if you just want the one bicycle as it needs to be a jack of all trades, so you may need to carry things on it in the future as who knows where it will lead as you could be off trecking around Europe on your next adventure!)

Model railways is a hobby that can bring together many other areas and skills. If going down this route finding a model railway club is a good plan. I would advise to stick to secondhand after an initial basic trainset purchase if you want to take up the hobby as the manufactures have massively increased prices of new just because they can... But there are ways to enjoy this hobby without spending too much. I model in 0-16.5 which is 0 scale running on 00 gauge track. Doing this means I can buy the cheapest locos which are the little 4 wheel Hornby shunters and convert them up a scale to make them narrow gauge. Then all I need are wheels and I can make waggons from coffee sturers and lollypop sticks which is quite a saving on costs, as I can build a waggon for around £4 or less where to buy a new 00 gauge waggon is around three or four times that price.
Or one can just stay with 00 and buy secondhand to keep the costs down.
Usually model railways do hold their value (Or most of their value compared to other hobbies) if one decides to sell as long as one is sensible. One can spend silly money but leave that for those who want to, but overall it is a good hobby to enjoy as one can meet lots of interesting people as well.

My advice is to take up a hobby or something which distracts you from going down the pub.
You need fun in life. We all do! Whatever hobby it is, enjoy it! Cycling came to mind because one can go and see places. Start off on short journeys first though to get into it as ones body needs a few weeks or months to adapt. With some experience then behind you, one can start to plan and enjoy longer trips. An adventure!

A cycling club may help but choose a club that is suitable for you as some clubs are just racing oriented (If you want to race go for it, but most of us just enjoy a ride). Some clubs are small andare just a few like minded people who want to enjoy a leasurely ride. Those clubs I would reccommend or start ones own little gathering. All it needs is to meet others at a location at a certain time to start cycling to somewhere else and back just to enjoy the ride.

Walking is another hobby for some. Following new paths to explore the scenery! Lots of possibilities out there to grab and explore!

It is the evenings that one needs to find ways to occupy which is where model railways or a hobby like that is better.

And another thought came to mind. Men in sheds. Is a group of people (And I am told this has taken off around the country) that get together to make things out of wood or metal etc. They do it for fun and to de-stress and have a chat. There maybe one in your area. Maybe it is what you will like?

I was the same as you in my early 20s when I wanted to make buddies at work so we'd often get together even during lunch breaks at a nearby bar. Weekends we'd go to places such as the Fountains Valley picnic resort and get smashed there. After a year or so of drinking I realised I was making unhealthy choices and could end up an alcoholic like my biological dad. I started running and hiking instead, and joined a running club as well as the local Mountain Club.

I was much happier than when I was just socialising with my office buddies and talking sh*t all the time. It had led to a number of embarrassing outcomes, such as the late afternoon after an office party when I threw up on the bus home, and never wanted to face that driver again as I'd always been chatting to him and felt I'd let him down big time.

I've developed alcohol problems myself recently. I've been under a lot of pressure from work and other side jobs for a few years now. To many hours and to much badgering from other people.

You drink fast but it doesn't seem like you have bad alcohol problems yet.

I have a bad habit of getting something 5%+ early in the day. Havana club 7 years straight out the bottle and gone in seconds is another problem i need to keep an eye on. Weed was a brief problem a few years back along with the occasional stoned driving but I long ago addressed that and haven't touched weed in four years. At most it'll be a social treat when visiting friends in the Netherlands from now on. I do however have control of alcohol at the moment and on a holiday last week to France I drank very little despite being pressured by a few close people.

It's just knowing I have nothing better to do with the little time I have that tempts me to drink and perhaps having nothing better to do is a problem with a lot of people and might be for you too? Settle down into a hobby? Find better friends at the pub? (The company at your favourite pub seems to be a bad influence for you).

^I agree with your assessment of the "friends" at his local.

Hobbies of any kind (gaming etc also count) can be more rewarding in the end and supply a sense of achievement that's lacking from simply visiting an alehouse or bar.

Try having a soft drink in between alcoholic drinks.

It works for me anyway.

Also if you go out so early in the day try having some food with your drink. This might help you to slow down because you will be so full up with food.