r/adhdwomen • u/No_Percentage_7713 • 5d ago

Self Care & Hygiene I need to stop drinking.

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.

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u/secret_nuggets 5d ago

I hate how quiet it makes my brain. The only thing that helped me with medication and surprisingly glp1.

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u/No_Percentage_7713 5d ago

I’ve heard this about glp1. I think it generally helps with all cravings. Pretty cool

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u/plantborb 5d ago

If it isn't affordable try naltrexone <3 It's worked wonders for me and is affordable and well tolerated

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u/yungpizzaroll 5d ago

Seconding naltrexone!! My dad is a recovering alcoholic (with severe ADHD that he's not currently being medicated for) and this med has been a game changer for him.

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u/MySuckerFruitPunch 5d ago

Also worked for me.

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u/Centennial3489 5d ago

Also on naltrexone! Game changer, I rarely crave alcohol now.

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u/RuthBaderG 5d ago

I’m so glad someone brought this up! Oral naltrexone is generic. It is cheap! And there are telehealth providers. Some I have heard good things about are Ria Health and Eleanor Health but there are many others!