Stimulus - Response - Reward

[SouthLondoner]

I've been battling weekly social binge drinking for a decade now. It has been a crutch. At first, I was unaware, it was a bit of fun. In recent years I have bounced between wanting to change and numbing myself to the problem.

I have been reading a lot on change and change psychology. In particular the stimulus-response-reward cycle has become prominent in my thoughts.

My stimulus for drinking = too much self talk/mental chatter, often in the negative - especially in social situations/with new people.

Response = drink far too much

Reward = numbing out to social anxiety/negative self talk

Long term effect = even worse self talk/lower energy to deal with it.

My thoughts now, do I need to see a psychologist/therapist about my mental chatter? Do I have OCD tendencies, extreme social anxiety, paranoia? Or does complete abstinence with a sensible countering plan improve my symptoms?

[Baclofenman]

Good Afternoon South Londoner

I find that most alcoholics have OCD traits, it is part of thier make up tbh - You do not appear to be any different from many of us with the anxiety/reward/remorse cycle

Have you been to see your GP and what methods do you think are out there that might suit you?

BTW I was born in Sydenham before moving to the East End when I was young, not particulaly interesting I grant you but true

Regards


Bacman

[Pavati]

Hi,

I found that that chatter became remarkably softer once I quit drinking. Amazing - even though I wouldn't have believed it before - how much alcohol contributed to my anxiety. I also got help quitting with talk therapy which helped me understand myself. Work and reading here and other places helped me understand what I would feel (bad) as I was quitting at first, and to develop other coping strategies for when I do feel like I'm battling myself.

Hope this helps.

Pav

[aihfl]

I shared some ideas I got from my therapist during my last medical detox shortly after being discharged in March. It may be helpful to you. You can read it here: https://www.mywayout.org/community/ju...e-process.html

[SouthLondoner]

Thanks for the input - I guess a big part of this is realising that so many people are like us - we are not freaks, and suffering in the dark only makes things 10 times worse.

I realise I must make sacrifices for a while - avoidance techniques being a must when it comes to alcohol, to rewire the brain to new stimulus-responses.

I realise that in situations with lots of people that are new to me, and drink is available, I will use drink as crutch. So I must avoid these.

The problem is, I have run out of 'excuses'. For instance, tonight I am meant to be at an engagement party of a friend. But, I already know that if I go I will drink. Plain and simple. I've used plenty of excuses in the past to opt out of such events in the past - but never avoided them long enough to give me a chance to rewire (I now have the awareness to realise what needs to be done).

What to do in such a situation? I can't keep putting this off. The effort and commitment has to be made to build a new life. Every time I use drink it is letting me now, on a deeper level, that I can escape when I want - I can become someone else. Which only creates inconsistency with my life values.

It seems like 'only one night'. But I know it isn't, it drips on with time. Maybe it's the ego in me, thinking that I need to be there. But I've cancelled going to these events plenty of times.

[Lost Soul]

Hey all,

I find the stimulus part the hardest part of addiction. I have to do my upmost to stop as soon as possible at this part or it will wear me down & I give in.

Social events where people will be drinking will just add more pressure so do whatever it takes to avoid when your still feeling vulnerable & in time it gets easier.

Hope you managed ok S.Londoner