Hi Kavish
What was supportive for me at the time when I started my process was to make that, let's say 'radical' decision to quit all addictions - except for coffee at the time, but now I am also done with that one. Why? As Gabriel, said, it became part of my stance and my decision to change my life around and really get to experience totally 'me' without any fogs or suppression caused by weed or alcohol going on. So to me, it was a point of understanding that I was committing to live what's best for myself. I really didn't have much 'cravings' except for the occasional 'smell' I would get from people around me and so on, but then I would bring myself back to my decision, my self-commitment and my own understanding of 'why I decided to stop doing it.' This strengthen my self-trust a lot. Till this day I can say that it's one of those things I can feel most 'proud' of if you will by sticking to my word and not really going 'back to it' ever again, especially weed.
With Alcohol, there was a time I was super strict and I didn't drink not even a drop. But then I decided to test out how I'd do by drinking say 1 beer every now and then, since in my case - long story but true - alcohol consumption was mostly due to liking the taste of it, only through a brief period in my early teens did I seek the 'high' from alcohol, but afterwards - and this is quite early on around the age of 14 that I stopped 'getting drunk', it was about the enjoyment of it. So, I basically tested myself with the alcohol consumption in being able to drink one beer for example every now and then and even with that, it was only quite a specific kind and not really something I'd drink to just 'get an experience' but once again, because of the taste.
Now, I mostly dislike having to go through any sort of alcoholic experience to be honest, it is just not something that my body 'likes,' so that also entails of course not overdoing it and not making it a 'habit' of doing so every week or so. And to me it wasn't so much of a 'going out' or socializing, I could do it by myself in going to a place to enjoy a moment or with live music. What happened? Well, the truth is that specific hand crafted kind became more and more expensive - so, I decided I would not spend more than say 1.5 dollars on that so, the moment it tripled the price, I stopped doing it, because I care to look at what I spend my money on as well, and prefer to buy stuff that nurtures me
And currently since I'm pregnant, I simply don't go out much or
Something I have been discussing - yep mostly in spanish currently in a podcast - is about outgrowing addictions. This is also something I talk about with my buddies, because for example by taking the decision to change your life, change your habits to improve your life in general, you will start seeing which activities - or lack thereof, like boredom as you mention - are not really something that contributes to your life, they will - or may - start feeling like 'old habits' from an 'old self' or a previous version of yourself that was less aware, less considerate perhaps of taking care of your own body. Something I've been discussing with one of my trainees is precisely outgrowing the habit of say 'once a week going out to drink' by deciding to instead do stuff that is more supportive for his body. His lifestyle has changed into being more physically active, doing several 'sports' like activities and he's noticed how when deciding to do 'a few drinks' or taking some more alcohol in one day, it is quite noticeable in his body, the 'icky' experience alcohol creates and even in his own awareness, so he's now realizing how even if he kind of 'fears' saying 'I won't drink ever again', he's more like realizing that it may just be one of those habits of the past which he would do at times out of boredom or out of believing it was the only way to socialize.
Here what it is all about is the famous 'starting point' checking. To see 'who am I' in the drinking, who am I in the smoking or of any other activity that you may be perhaps 'hooked on' doing. If it is something that's controlling you, that you believe 'you need,' or that you simply do because you don't give yourself any other direction and just 'resort to it,' then it means it's something you can start investigating in self honesty. Hence the example I gave with how I currently approach alcohol with not doing it out of 'wanting to get the alcohol high' or 'wanting to socialize' or 'just get lost' or whatever - but to me it's like similar to taking a slice of super sugary cake lol, can't over do it, can enjoy the taste but that's it. Weed is definitely by far a thing that in my life is just a NO GO - perhaps in a very radical way, but it is mostly because of the level of suppression and lostness that I actually realized I was in once I got out of it. So I may have to 'de-satanize' it to be honest, but that's where I'm currently at.
So, I share these examples so that it doesn't sound too 'rough' to say 'you have to quit altogether' as a 'must do.' It's a very personal decision and it really goes hand in hand with 'where you're at' in your process. To me it's just something that it's definitely 'out of my sight' for now and I mostly also enjoy discussing with people how they get 'trapped' in these kinds of habits and finding ways to outgrow them by creating new habits, dedicating the time to more self-assisting activities that will simply make the 'addiction' point obsolete in general.
Even if my response was outlined from another discussion, I consider that I can still share some articles you may not be aware of:
The Long Lasting Effects of Marijuana
http://desteni.org/desteni-material/blo ... -marijuana
Ok, feel free to ask if something is not clear, I enjoy assisting others and yes also myself in finding some ways to see 'through it' as well. Take care and enjoy your process
Thanks !!
That was a big help and brought clarity to the point. I still have to make an account for eqafe but as soon as I do I’ll watch that video!