Hello everyone my name is Phil and I’m struggling. I drink every day and now have major issues with my overall health and in particular my liver, the rest of me is somewhat inadvertently in good shape. I booked rehab but didn’t go because I had work commitments, I do need to stop drinking for a variety of reasons but mainly so I just don’t drop dead! Any advice for the “easiest “ way to stop?
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Hi Phil, welcome. I wish I could tell you there was an easy way. You have to want to. Commitment, support and starting a good rehab program. I know all about liver troubles. I'm 2 years sober and functioning normally now. I had been told work won't matter when you're dead and I didn't go until I was pretty close to the cemetery. You can do it. You can. Believe it, believe in yourself. If you commit to it you'll see all of the wonderful rewards. It's there, take it!
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What Brian said! 100%. You can do it Phil. If we can you can.
Welcome Phil! I agree with Brian as well, if you are struggling and your health is on the line you need to take action now. I know a lot of people also do very well with AA, have you tried that?
Brian, thank you and I get what you are saying, I go to AA meetings and everyone says it’s so much better being sober, and I read that no one regrets getting sober. Yet I am sitting here by myself in a bar watching football and drinking
I've been there. We all have. AA isn't for me. Hated it in fact. There's other ways. But you've taken a great step just by being here! That is something, and it's a big something!
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Distract yourself
Easiest way is to accept that there is no easy way. Then get to an AA meeting and take every piece of advice.
Wishing you the best of luck in your journey.
“Embrace the suck” as they say, it does get better. The only way to literally save my life due to the physical damage I was doing to my body and brain was rehab. If I wasn’t going to be around to go to my job the job wouldn’t matter anyway. Good luck to you. Work it, it’s worth it.
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I myself had all sorts of heath issues. In 2018 I has hospitalized for the final time for 8 months! Failing kidneys here. Most sane people would would change right after that. But, we alcoholics are quite broken and not terribly sane. I lasted 6 months dry with no solution. I didn't try working a program until 2020. I have had some hiccups but I keep at it and learn what I did and more importantly, didn't do.
Phil, let me tell you man... The feeling I get walking another man through the steps and seeing their life change is my new addiction.
Health wise these days, 110 lbs lighter. Off all diabetes meds. Kidneys don't recover like the liver, but they are stable. You'll find me at the gym not the bar!
Do this for yourself! Are you willing to go to any lengths? Get a sponsor to help walk you through this. We can't do it alone!
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Wow 110 pounds lighter is amazing! I’m 222 pounds and my goal is simply to get below 200 and I’m 6’2 but fundamentally skinny! I played rugby and basketball growing up and always wanted to be bigger but now I enjoy the benefits of being “slim”
There is no easy way. But the best way, I firmly believe, is to get into a detox hospital where they can monitor you and give you meds for seizures and withdrawal and then give you medication for cravings after. That’s the only thing that saved my life. Stopping on your own can be very dangerous. But please do the right thing before it’s too late. I buried my brother at 35 the color of a lemon he had no functioning liver left. Then 2 years ago they found another dear friend dead in his car from alcohol. He bled out from every part of his body. Not a pretty way to die. No dam alcohol is worth that kind of suffering. Please get yourself into a hospital ASAP. You will be happy you did.
Welcome Phil!
Very true. Hospital stay is safe and effective. I too lost a dear friend and band mate. He was dying while I was getting well.
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Those two deaths were awful. I just want everyone to get real and get the help they so need. Very sorry for your loss 
. Alcohol isn’t worth your life.
Reaching out for professional help was absolutely the hardest part for me. After about ten days in rehab, I started to accept that I can’t do this alone. Once I accepted that, everything started to get easier. You are worth doing this for even if you doubt that right now. Wishing the best for your health.
Step 1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.
Phil, if there was an easy way to stop, we would’ve all done that. Recovery is a long and sometimes arduous experience, but there is joy if you just keep going.
You’ve done the first step. You admitted you were powerless over alcohol. Now I know you can do what’s next. You’ll be fine. Just go to the hospital.

Phil, I suggest that you keep going to the A.A. meetings. I can say for me personally that A.A. saved my life. I had liver trouble as well. The simple fact is that if I were sane regarding alcohol I would have just quit after the Dr told me to.
I didn’t like A.A. at first either, but once I gave it a real chance I wouldn’t give up this way of life.
Good news is there is a solution and you don’t have to live a life ruled by alcohol.