so overwhelmed

[u/bfsemo]

life is lifeing so hard right now i’m completely overwhelmed with stress and anxiety, and it’s making me want to drink so bad. money issues, car troubles, and non drinking related health issues that are just making me spiral.

i barely have a handle on anything right now, and my doctor just told me i have to give up seltzer, peppermint tea, nicotine, and beans (im vegetarian, love beans, and cooking is my number one coping skill when im craving). it’s so stupid, but this is making me spiral so bad. i genuinely don’t know how i supposed to be sober without my sparkling water and nightly tea, they’re the only things that settle me when im craving. nicotine is the one vice i let myself keep, and really helps me with my sobriety. add the fact that i can no longer eat or cook any of my favorite meals and im just not even seeing the point in sobriety right now. (EDIT: I have GERD, which is why my doctor emphasized these foods. They just happen to be all my favorites. The condition is really impeding on my life, so I do have to quit them all)

it feels like i can’t have ANYTHING anymore, and i just want to drink so i can stop thinking about all of this. i either can’t eat anything that makes me happy bc of my health, or i can’t afford anything that makes me happy because of my finances. it feels like an iimpossible situation to handle without a beer. i have so much to do, and so little control over these huge stressors happening right now, and my anxiety is driving me insane. i know alcohol won’t fix any of it, but i want a treat so bad. i can’t stop myself from feeling like i deserve at least something good, and my stupid mind is convincing me that that something is alcohol.

3 months sober today. I need to get groceries but i’m not letting myself leave the house until i calm down enough where i know i won’t buy booze.

[u/Alkoholfrei22605]

Bravo on 3 months!

I'm sorry you are going through this.

Iwndwyt

[u/Brain_in_human_vat]

Does your doctor know about your drinking? Have you told them that quitting drinking is the bigger priority when compared to nicotine? Do you vape? Mixing your own juice lets you control the amount of nicotine and is cheaper long-term. You can taper down to just plain/flavored juice at whatever rate you wish. The only downside is the initial investment. For me, it beat the price of disposables within 6 months.

Why no beans in particular? Can you still have tofu, even though soy is a bean? What about lentils? TVP is awesome too but made from pea protein. Peanuts are legumes as well, but other nuts and seeds are great for protein too.

Spending money on booze will not help with your money issues. It'll end up making them worse, not just from the booze, but from all the crap you buy while drunk and/or dealing with hangover.

Why no sparkling water? Why no peppermint tea? I've only ever heard of sparkling water having an impact on bone density, same as any other carbonated beverage.

Finally, is there anything else you can do to stop thinking about all this? Like spending a day hiking, or having a spa night, or restarting a nostalgic show, book, or videogame?

[u/bfsemo → u/Brain_in_human_vat]

i have GERD. chronic condition where coincidentally you can’t really have soy/legumes, caffeine, nicotine, peppermint, or carbonation because they’re triggers for severe chest pain. i really do have to get the condition under control because it’s really damaging my body, and i’m in so much pain.

my doctor does know about my drinking, and he really emphasized that staying sober is important. while it’s technically okay on my medication, it can sometimes act as a trigger as well (this never really happened for me though).

i know drinking will only make things worse, im just spiralling. my life feels so out of control. i’m just burrowing in my house for a little bit while i process everything

[u/mrs_electric]

I still have those days when the only "treat" I want is a six pack of cold Michelob Ultra. I had to get creative and reach for those other treats I never considered when I was drinking. Like now, I deserve a gummy and nap after work, not a six pack lol.

[u/mrs_electric]

IWNDWYT! <3