One medical option mentioned upthread is the Sinclair Method. It involves taking medicine like Narcan before drinking. The medicine blocks the endorphins released by drinking, so you don't get the pleasurable "reward." You basically retrain your brain, reducing your desire to drink.
When I was struggling with alcohol, I found that I needed a secondary reason to manage my drinking. Once I decided that I wanted to start dating more, and realized that my drinking and the related weight gain was an impediment, it was an incentive to reduce my alcohol intake to a more responsible amount.
I didn't quit– I still love California wine and I'm building a nice collection. And when seasonal beer that I like comes out, I definitely pick some of it up. But it doesn't control me like it used to.
One way is to just stop drinking. Some alcoholics can do that. It's certainly possible to do it without buying in to the quasi-religious aspects of AA.
Comments
And, despite popular belief, there are other ways to manage alcoholism than the 12 steps & total abstinence.
Are the other methods better? What are those methods?
One medical option mentioned upthread is the Sinclair Method. It involves taking medicine like Narcan before drinking. The medicine blocks the endorphins released by drinking, so you don't get the pleasurable "reward." You basically retrain your brain, reducing your desire to drink.
When I was struggling with alcohol, I found that I needed a secondary reason to manage my drinking. Once I decided that I wanted to start dating more, and realized that my drinking and the related weight gain was an impediment, it was an incentive to reduce my alcohol intake to a more responsible amount.
I didn't quit– I still love California wine and I'm building a nice collection. And when seasonal beer that I like comes out, I definitely pick some of it up. But it doesn't control me like it used to.
One way is to just stop drinking. Some alcoholics can do that. It's certainly possible to do it without buying in to the quasi-religious aspects of AA.