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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by FredPotter on December 12, 2002, at 18:01:55
With Christmas coming I'm wondering how I'll celebrate now I've quit drinking. Yes that's correct, I want a bit of euphoria. I want to drop my guard, let my hair down. I love music, the great outdoors etc but nothing works like alcohol for that feeling of letting go. Things I've tried to unwind are kava (minimal effect and probably imaginary); pot (either no effect or frightening dissociative effect with a rolling short-term memory loss so I feel I can't remember who I am); Xanax (minimal anxiety control and no euphoria); meditation (can rarely bring euphoria but hard to predict). Obviously nothing that takes weeks to work is what I'm after. I take Pamelor and lithium anyway. I'm not mad enough to try hard drugs or E and too scared to try GHB.
I suppose a dramatic conversion to Christianity might do the trick. I see them all euphoric, especially at this time of year. But that's hardly something that can be done to order. Any suggestions?
Fred
Posted by janejj on December 12, 2002, at 18:30:05
In reply to How to celebrate without drink, posted by FredPotter on December 12, 2002, at 18:01:55
If you don't smoke, then having a cigarette can give you a euprhoric kind of head rush ! It works for me !
Posted by utopizen on December 12, 2002, at 18:35:28
In reply to How to celebrate without drink, posted by FredPotter on December 12, 2002, at 18:01:55
Okay, why don't you bring this up with your doctor?
Trying to look for euphoria is an irrational idea, and your doctor will help you to realize this. It is not rational to try to get euphoria, because that isn't healthy. If something's good, you'll want to repeat it, even at the expense of long-term goals in your life.
You should instead focus on enjoying your loved ones' company this holiday, and be grateful those who still are around are there with you. Seeking euphoria, that's not good. Bad things happen when you let your guard down, and no drug will let you do this cleanly, as you want to think-- so you are definitely thinking on irrational terms there. You know what has happened when you let your guard down back when you were drinking, so do you really think it's rational to want to repeat that, or that it's rational to have the euphoria without the bad things that come with it?
Um, and when I say this I'm not trying to be mean.
But while we still haven't been kicked off the psycho-psycho babble board, I'd like to offer some cartoon from the New Yorker that was actually funny once. It said "the things that happen at the party 10 minutes after you leave" and it showed each person doing something unbelievably interesting. One was a group of friends huddled together, and one had their hand out and said, "I've just found these non-addicting, completely safe, euphoric pills, let's try some." =)
Posted by FredPotter on December 12, 2002, at 18:47:25
In reply to Re: How to celebrate without drink (+New Yorker ca, posted by utopizen on December 12, 2002, at 18:35:28
Your lecture still doesn't explain how for about 25 years I used alcohol to relieve anxiety and bring some euphoria into my life without any of the dire things you mention happening. I stopped in the end because it got mixed up with my anxiety/Depression and made me worse. Most people in the Western world at least will be getting a bit of euphoria through drink this Christmas and nothing dire will happen to most of them.
Posted by Jaynee on December 12, 2002, at 20:01:49
In reply to Re: How to celebrate without drink (+New Yorker ca » utopizen, posted by FredPotter on December 12, 2002, at 18:47:25
If you figure it out Fred, let me know. I have chosen to quit drinking too. Of course this is probably the worst time to do it, but I have decided it was time and that I want to quit. I must admit I will probably take an ativan before any real stressful event or party this season. For me ativan makes me more carefree and not really euphoric, but funny, dopey like, close enough to booze for me. Plus it will help me not to drink. I can take one ativan, with out wanting the whole bottle, but I can't have one drink of beer without wanting or drinking the whole case. Ativan it is for me this Xmas.
Posted by wendy b. on December 12, 2002, at 20:17:44
In reply to Re: How to celebrate without drink (+New Yorker ca, posted by utopizen on December 12, 2002, at 18:35:28
Hi Utop,
I think your message might not be taken as kindly advice, more a punitive gesture. Sorry, but that's how it reads to me...
Fred, I would just have to disagree with Utop - I think we all search for euphoria, in one way or another. Especially if we're accustomed to drink being a part of every holiday for as long as we can remember. It must be difficult for you to be wondering what it's going to be like without it...
So, go for it! You may not find it this holiday season, but I'm sure there is something out there (or inside yourself, perhaps?) that will bring you euphoria. It may be something you've never experienced before (drag-racing?), or it may be in a community of friends who get together and sing, or some other musical endeavor (always brought me a high, anyway). It might be a sport or other physical activity, something that gets the endorphins going without it having a negative effect on your body or brain chemistry...
Good luck in your search...
Fondly,
Wendy
Posted by FredPotter on December 12, 2002, at 20:36:36
In reply to Re: Euphoria isn't off-limits » utopizen, posted by wendy b. on December 12, 2002, at 20:17:44
Thanks Wendy. Of course - drag-racing. I've found if I work like stink all day, then work hard all evening, getting things done, doing housework, writing letters, music, practising the piano, then I collapse into bed with my pipe and a good book and I feel tired and euphoric. But it seems a bit sad that I have to flog myself to feel that way.
Yours
Fred
Posted by bookgurl99 on December 12, 2002, at 22:08:58
In reply to How to celebrate without drink, posted by FredPotter on December 12, 2002, at 18:01:55
Posted by jay on December 12, 2002, at 23:09:37
In reply to Re: Euphoria isn't off-limits » wendy b., posted by FredPotter on December 12, 2002, at 20:36:36
Fred...I agree with Wendy et al about this. Have you maybe thought of combining a couple of things..like say pot, Xanax, and maybe a drink or two on the side? I have *never* heard chasing euphoria was irrational, and I think that is a belief a large part of society likes to use to control us from enjoying ourselves. In fact, it is a tradition that goes back to the begining of time. Whether it was ancient rituals with a 'sacred brew' , or the peace-pipe, or leaves from plants that produce cocaine, or booze or pot or sex or chants or music..phew! Anyways...just find your 'vibe' and enjoy.Good luck..and I've got a feeling you are gonna love what you find! Just share with the rest of us, ok? :-) I am going through a really hell-ish time, and I am using the old standby...alcohol.
Best,
Jay
Posted by bobo on December 13, 2002, at 9:26:31
In reply to Re: How to celebrate without drink » FredPotter, posted by janejj on December 12, 2002, at 18:30:05
Fred
I have to agree with the person who questioned the use of some artificial means to feel happy?While I may not have said it the way they did I do believe that this is something that needs to be brought to your doctors attention.I have always believed that happiness should be something real--not caused by drinking or medication or drugs--just my view is all
Posted by daizy on December 13, 2002, at 11:05:51
In reply to How to celebrate without drink, posted by FredPotter on December 12, 2002, at 18:01:55
> im glad you say your not mad enough to try hard drugs, from someone that has tried almost every sort of drug before now, believe me the euphoria doesnt last long enough to compensate for how bad you will feel afterwards.
. With Christmas coming I'm wondering how I'll celebrate now I've quit drinking. Yes that's correct, I want a bit of euphoria. I want to drop my guard, let my hair down. I love music, the great outdoors etc but nothing works like alcohol for that feeling of letting go. Things I've tried to unwind are kava (minimal effect and probably imaginary); pot (either no effect or frightening dissociative effect with a rolling short-term memory loss so I feel I can't remember who I am); Xanax (minimal anxiety control and no euphoria); meditation (can rarely bring euphoria but hard to predict). Obviously nothing that takes weeks to work is what I'm after. I take Pamelor and lithium anyway. I'm not mad enough to try hard drugs or E and too scared to try GHB.
>
> I suppose a dramatic conversion to Christianity might do the trick. I see them all euphoric, especially at this time of year. But that's hardly something that can be done to order. Any suggestions?
> Fred
Posted by sebastian on December 15, 2002, at 14:52:35
In reply to Re: Euphoria isn't off-limits » wendy b., posted by FredPotter on December 12, 2002, at 20:36:36
Would you get away with just a sip of the alcihol?
Posted by BeardedLady on December 15, 2002, at 17:54:02
In reply to How to celebrate without drink, posted by FredPotter on December 12, 2002, at 18:01:55
Hi, Fred:
I have found some drug-free euphoria inducers.
The first time I went water-skiing was an exhilaration I've not ever felt. It was amazing! My brain said, "Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" for hours! But you may not be in a warm and sunny place, so...
In-line skating gives me euphoria--during and after. I put my headphones on and crank the DIY punk CD (unbelieveable fun) and skate my brains out. But you may not have skates (or be able to rent them), so...
Heights give me a severe phobic reaction--I could puke, really. But it's very similar to euphoria! There is something amazing about being where the air is thin and the drop is long. But you may not be near mountains, so...
Look for something in these suggestions that might be useful to you. Something exhilarating--something you always wanted to do but maybe were afraid to do. And if you're thinking that it's not quite something you can do at a party, you're so right. But imagine doing it before the party--a few days, a week. The exhilaration lasts a long time.
Nope, there's really no magic pill that can help you here, especially if you already have a problem with alcohol. You don't want to rely on some other chemical that may replace alcohol and be just as dangerous.
I hope you find the thrill of a lifetime in the trill of a bird or the roar of thunder. I hope you find it in a hot air balloon or on a jet ski.
And if you find it at all, please let us know!
Good luck!
beardy
Posted by BeardedLady on December 15, 2002, at 18:02:32
In reply to Re: Euphoria isn't off-limits » FredPotter, posted by jay on December 12, 2002, at 23:09:37
> Fred...I agree with Wendy et al about this. Have you maybe thought of combining a couple of things..like say pot, Xanax, and maybe a drink or two on the side?
Jay, I don't think this is what Wendy was suggesting. I think she had more drug-free ideas in mind, which is probably a good idea, considering Fred needs help avoiding alcohol. Advising him to combine drugs doesn't seem like the right idea. Just my opinion, for what it's worth.
These sites are about support, and I don't think suggesting a drink or two on the side is supportive to a person trying to give up drinking. Do you?
I don't know if Fred's an alcoholic, but I imagine that if alcohol weren't a problem, one wouldn't have to give it up, ya know?
beardy
Posted by linkadge on December 16, 2002, at 17:55:29
In reply to euphoria, mephoria, wephoria » FredPotter, posted by BeardedLady on December 15, 2002, at 17:54:02
1. Skinny Dipping
2. Shocking yourself with electricity
- Note I don't recomend doing this
on purpose, buts its quite a rush
when it happens by accident.
3. I'm out if ideasLinkadge
Posted by Mr.Scott on December 17, 2002, at 0:09:31
In reply to How to celebrate without drink, posted by FredPotter on December 12, 2002, at 18:01:55
This is the end of the thread.
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