Is alcohol ruining my self improvement?

[Growf]

I took some good steps towards a better life. I started weight lifting again, I eat a healthier diet (although not the couple last days) lost some. I masturbate way less and watch less pornography and there have been days where I have truly been happier than ever before.

Though this week, I had 2 parties. I just love going out and getting drunk with my best friends. It's amazing. The only thing is I feel like absolute crap the next TWO days. I tried going out without alcohol, and it's way less fun. 

The only thing to seem to get me through these shitty post party days are junk food and porn and gaming. Which I really don't want to do anymore.

Anyone has any advice? I feel like alcohol might be a big key in this puzzle, but I really value those nights and they contribute to my happiness.

[Rilles]

Try doing it in moderation, I know its tricky but it works if you have good ”self-control”. If you really have to get smashed then pop some magnesium pills before you go sleep and drink a jug of water.

[eskwire]

You believe you are making improvements in your life but alcohol is stifling how far those improvements could go.

What would be some benefits to drinking less frequently or not at all?

[Growf]

@Rilles True, I want to do let's say half or a quarter of the drinks I normally do. But with alcohol you easily get in this 'fuck it, next time' mode. 

@eskwire Saving money, Less need of low consciousness entertainment next days to comfort myself. Getting more things done, I seriously lost 3 to 4 work days (work on my own) because of this. Better health physically, better overall health mentally (That's a guess). 

I think my life might be to empty and unfulfilling, and that's why those nights matter for me that much? Or maybe I am in the first stages of alcoholism haha.

Edited May 13, 2018 by Growf

[Growf]

@Rilles Is there other stuff I can do to reduce a hangover (besides obviously drinking less, which I will). Just to counter the low mood / exhaustion the next day. I am not ready to give up partying completely.

[Rilles]

@Growf Leaving earlier usually helps, you can get pretty wasted but if you get a good 6-7 hours at night youll feel way better in the morning.

[Jokerman111]

If you feel so bad after just alcohol you probably can't handle it, 2 day hangover is not common. And if you can't have a good time without being shitfaced you definitely have a problem.  

[The Don]

Hello.

From my experience, yes. It ruins your self improvement.

I used to smoke weed and drink alcohol. It was a bad experience because it interfered with my work.

I couldn't find myself in a productive state.

My advice for you is to get rid of any subtle addiction.

Good luck.

[cirkussmile]

You will get tired of alcohol and going out eventually as you get more conscious. 

I think getting tired of alcohol is one of the first signs of growth ?

[eskwire]

5 hours ago, Growf said:

I think my life might be to empty and unfulfilling, and that's why those nights matter for me that much? Or maybe I am in the first stages of alcoholism haha.

On a scale from zero to ten - zero is incapable and ten is quite capable -How capable are you of embracing life without friends and booze, even if it seems empty at first by comparison?

[aurum]

@Growf

It's something you'll want to drop eventually, alcohol is really poor for you energetically. Plenty of ways to feel good and have without it.

[favourthebold]

Why do you feel like crap?  Is it because you are physically tired/exhausted or because you are annoyed at yourself for drinking too much? Or just in general wish you didn't feel like you do?

[phoenix666]

5 hours ago, cirkussmile said:

You will get tired of alcohol and going out eventually as you get more conscious. 

I think getting tired of alcohol is one of the first signs of growth ?

so true <3

after my first shroom trip I just dropped all interest in alcohol. it wasn't even something I wanted to do / tried hard at that time. it just happened. just the thought of drinking it or even worse, the smell of alcohol, makes me feel sick since then. one of the best changes in my life so far 

the more aware I get, the more I can perceive just a 'bad energy' around alcohol and drunk people. it drags everything down.. 

[cirkussmile]

8 hours ago, phoenix666 said:

so true <3

after my first shroom trip I just dropped all interest in alcohol. it wasn't even something I wanted to do / tried hard at that time. it just happened. just the thought of drinking it or even worse, the smell of alcohol, makes me feel sick since then. one of the best changes in my life so far 

the more aware I get, the more I can perceive just a 'bad energy' around alcohol and drunk people. it drags everything down.. 

❤️?❤️

[RawJudah]

I am a binge drinker, whenever I go out and have one drink I can’t stop until I’m wasted. 

But I do yoga and keep active so it kinda balences itself out. 

I know it’s bad, but I like seeing friends when I’m out and I actually enjoy the feeling of being drunk.

Only you know what effect it has on you 

[Colin]

@Growf This is a giant list of pro vs cons one could make about alcohol 

One con that might not be commonly considered for instance is that it for sure interrupts one's sleep which will have far rippling consequences in life in unexpected ways. Even if you lose consciousness and are laying in bed you are not getting the essential restorative sleep states that ones needs to thrive.

At the very least look into glutathione, and activated charcoal among other things to mitigate or eliminate the effects of a hangover. 

[Epiphany_Inspired]

@Growf

"Alcohol’s activity on the dopamine site in the brain’s reward center produces the pleasurable feelings that motivate many people to drink in the first place."

"may develop deficits in brain functioning that continue even if sobriety is attained. In other words, cognitive problems no longer arise from drinking alcohol but from brain damage that prior drinking caused. In short, long-term alcohol abuse can negatively impact the brain’s “hard wiring” such that even when drinking ends, the cognitive problems persist."

 https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/mental-effects/

Personal experience: life is way more fun/ awesome/ vibrant without booze.... all I miss is the escape and the inclusion in that "club".... but I am done hiding.... and it's not really a worthwhile "club" to be in... at first, if you stop, friends may exclude you, but there are way *** better*** things to do