This is a common thread I've seen in various conversations, and I'd like to start a discussion specifically about it.

The theories I've seen about stress and alcoholism suggest that the two tends to exist in a cycle that builds on itself. You drink because you're stressed, and the overall effect is an increase in stressful circumstances. Dr. Sinclair's work with alcoholism has suggested another avenue for this, though. The idea is that the addiction makes drinking seem like a much better idea for dealing with stress than it really is.

I'd like to ask a couple questions of people as they progress with The Sinclair Method. Have you noticed a decrease in your desire to drink as a stress reaction as your overall craving has decreased? Have you noticed a decrease in overall stress level?

My second reason for wanting to start this thread is because I suspect that there are those who are so used to turning to alcohol as stress relief that might not know of any better methods of stress management. I know that Marbella has some excellent things to say on this subject, and I hope to get several perspectives on techniques for handling stress.

Hello Robert,

Over the years, I have experienced a great deal of stress brought on by anxiety. This is why I turned to alcohol in the first place and I did/still do find that alcohol can help reduce anxiety, which, in turn, can reduce stress. Unfortunately, as time goes by, more alcohol is required to achieve the desired level of self-medication. Ultimately, I have become alcohol-dependent.

So, what do I do now? Well, I'm trying to develop my relaxation skills. The idea is to work on these when I'm not feeling anxious. Then, when crisis strikes, it's time to open up the relaxation toolbox and pull out an appropriate relaxation technique. This could be breathing-based or using visualization or listening to a guided relaxation on a CD/tape/MP3 player. I guess the idea is based on the principle that stress and relaxation cannot coexist simultaneously.

V.

An excellent topic, RR. Gave me pause to think, and in the process I've come to understand something very useful that wasn't apparent to me before.

Virgil talks about breathing, meditations, etc., which are tools I have used in the past. What I realized here, though, is that I will virtually never decide to sit down and practice meditation when I am already triggered by stress. Stress hits, and I reach for the bottle every time.

However, when I spend quality time in meditation early in the day, it serves to help keep me focused through the rest of the day. So when things that ordinarily would cause stress occur, I don't respond by getting triggered. Instead I am able to view the situation with clarity, and deal with it appropriately.

I thought that my drinking made it difficult/impossible to practice quality meditation. . .now I see how quality meditation, practiced regularly, might well help me avoid triggers that lead to excessive consumption of alcohol.

An 'aha' moment! Thank you!


PS: A nice hot whirlpool bath is the best de-stresser in the world!

[quote="Robert Rapplean"]. Dr. Sinclair's work with alcoholism has suggested another avenue for this, though. The idea is that the addiction makes drinking seem like a much better idea for dealing with stress than it really is.
Absolutely , while addicted the apetite for alcohol and stress are concurrent and we make a false link believing we drink to relieve stress yet are really just satisfying the apetite for alcohol . Now (and as some remark ) there is less need for alcohol and it's possible to see stress as present yet no need to drink , there's a dissonance
and habitual reflexes are seen as redundant ??

Swimming , saunas very relaxing , walking , reading . the things that require leaving the house are not always so attractive if I feel fragile . Sometimes the bright sun overwhelms me in the afternoon .
There's also the situations where you really can't do much apart from deep breaths.
So also if you can't do much it's important to accept at least that and ask whether my demand on reality is actually reasonable . Often the demand is not reasonable
ie /: you hear a baby crying and get tense , the unconscious demand is to do something , when you realize the demand is unreasonable it can dissolve stress .
i think this is cognitive behaviourhal stuff but wouldn't swear to it . Anyway , if you like that kind of thing take a look at MOODGYM, a free site with loads of stuff that may help you with stress and otherwise.

I work out on an almost daily basis - stress or no. If it has been a particularly stressful day, I contemplate blowing it off altogether and just either going home to my comforting wine (rare), or trying to arrange a friend to meet somewhere (rarely). Most likely (depending on the weather) I will forego the gym and go to local park, walk/jog 3 miles and then hit the driving range. I take NTX in between and after I am thru hitting balls, I have a glass of wine and watch people. Then come home and drink some more, feeling much better I at least did something!! And I always wonder how many others out there do the same thing. I look at a man and wonder "is he going home to drink xxx beers/glasses of wine??" ya know??!!

Anyway - that is how I mostly deal with a really stressful day. Or, if I am lucky, my teen-aged kids will be free and we will all go to dinner. But usually I have time to at least hit the treadmill. I exercise ALOT - but I also drink ALOT -

Which brings me to the thread on the NAL-free days/endorph relief thing on some other thread here...looking