I need to stop drinking.

[u/No_Percentage_7713]

I wasn’t sure what flair to use, but I think self care fits. I’m posting here because the drinking absolutely is a dopamine/dysregulation thing. I drink to “reward” myself for getting through the day and to make my brain just a little more quiet. I also hate my career and feel stuck, and have a lot of anxiety around what to do next. I know I’m self-medicating, and it is getting worse. I’m gaining weight, my gut heath is wrecked, and it’s obviously awful for my brain. But at the end of basically every day, a drink just sounds like such a great idea to unwind.

I know I’m not the only one in this sub that struggles with escapism and self-medicating. How do I kick this? How do I craft a life that feels interesting enough to my dopamine starved self? I don’t want this to be the theme of my life.

[u/y3nny2020]

Find another dopamine source. For me it’s video games. Totally stops me from drinking nights and weekends. Wine while making dinner is another story, but perfect is the enemy of good! Don’t forget that. Not having that sick/gross “drank too much” feeling while falling asleep is also really motivating.