Recently I have not been feeling great about my life or myself. I drink way too much and have quite depressive hangovers on a regular basis. I have decided I want to change this and myself, I am bored of partying and feel my life is just going round in circles and I am not achieving anything.  I was just wondering if anyone on here knows some good sources on the internet or books  that I may look at to help improve myself. Good ways to stop drinking, meditation, positive thought etc. Any help and advice is welcome thanks    

It's a slippery slope.

Very few people even catch themselves falling into it.

And fewer make intentions to clean up.

Even fewer succeed.

Any type of fitness program generates chemical changes in your brain. You will start feeling the positive effects almost immediately.

But it is hard to change unless u change your environment and most of the people you hang out with....

Just set contentment, peace and happiness as your goal and don't use alcohol or other mind altering substances to reach that point.

Oh yeah.. good luck.

shortyg... I have been where you are now.

There is an old joke....

Q - How many psychiatrists does it take to change a lightbulb?

A - Only one. But the lightbulb has got to WANT to change.

Believe me, making the choice you say here IS the hardest part and biggest step.

Email me... [email protected] if you would like some thoughts, encouragement, advise and directions.

I am not a counsellor, guru or therapist. I am just a fellow human who thoroughly empathises and can give you some time to share some hard-learnt wisdom.

Well done, so far.

The important thing is to keep yourself doing positive and healthy things. You might also try to hang around different people, that correspond more to the lifestyle you want to move toward.

I don't really believe reading book will be much help, the importance here is willpower and determination.

Good luck!

It depends on what you feel depressed about... like Don said.. fitness will help, any sport I would say..

Then if it's about the past I can recommend: the power of now by Tolle

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eckhart_Tolle

if it's about will power I can recommend: the act of will by Assagioli

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Assagioli

if it's about love: find yourself first and then a good gal....

take care and good that you dare talk about it!

Don't know any books.

I agree with condotown though, in that a change of environment is a big help.

Something to occupy the mind and take up the free time also.

Re: Exercise. Do enough physical exertion (training) and you will be too tired to want to party. At least, thats what I found.

None of us are experts here, so maybe that might be another avenue of help, seeing someone who is, and can be there.

AA

Thanks for all the advice everyone I am already feeling more positive, already managed to find copies of some of the books mentioned. Decided I am gonna buy a new bike tomorrow (my last one was stolen in a burglary at work) and start riding again daily. If I stay positive then I am sure I can change the way my lifestyle is.

I agree with condotown. A fitness program is something positive and healthy and is a good change from the drinking. It will help to take your mind off of things

that are bothering you.

Sorry the only one that can change your life is you self... so you must self take a the descition.. or to citate one of the guys that wrote before, "But the lightbulb has got to WANT to change"

I have had freids an even family members with the same problem, they didnt take care of business them self! nothing happen... with the exeption that they blamed us fpor they own failure..

So you must actually say no to party by your self, no one else can do it to you.

Yeah...i agree with many comments...

Of course many been there already of us....and sometimes we don?t know what makes us happy.

It could be securing a new job....or trying a new hobby...beginning a relationship or improving your current one...

or participating in a sport you love.

Get off and grab every opportunity...

You may not fancy going for a walk or run if you?re feeling down..

if you getting quite depressive..do something physical for just 45 min. a day...

can really improve your mood and improve the health of your heart.

Sports, dancing, cycling or a brisk walk will all stimulate endorphins....

The brain chemicals that make us feel good...plus..exercising will help keep your body fit and healthy,

so you feel better about the way you look.

If you having trouble with sleeping..go to bed and get up at the same time every day.

Avoiding caffeine in the evening....yeah...just doing regular exercise can help you for sure.

Share what?s on your mind with friends or people who care...talking about your real feelings can help you deal with them.

Think positive..control yourself...respect alcohol....respect yourself!!

Take good care yourself and i wish you good luck:-)

Google personal development programmes

I agree with all these comments. But the first step is to go and see a doctor. Sort yourself out through a medical expert.

We can give you advice and good advice it is, but by far the best advice will be from someone who has training as a fully qualified GP for 5 years and then specialized for 2 years or more in mood disorders. There is help out there go and seek it. Chin up mate. Forget the 'stigma' of the psyciatrist the brain is just another part of your body. If your pancreas was producing too much insulin or your thyroid too much thyroxine you wouldn't hesitate for second to go and seek professional help. Your brain too can have imbalances of dopamine and seratonin etc. Maybe his/her advice will be the same as above - great; but don't avoid seeking help from someone really in the know because you feel it's not perceived 'strong' There are other ways and yes you don't need a doctor necessarily - but why suffer? Ultimately they know best.

it's easy to follow that path...

i'd recommend introducing something new into your life - a new hobbie/interesting. Good one would be some sort of fitness - keeps you busy, new location to visit on a regular basis and as a bonus lose weight/get body in shape.

Get someone to help you as well it's very hard to do it on your own!!! Swiitch to Low Alcohol drinks if you want to have a sip, (less hangover) god luck!!!

you have been hangng in a bar too long, cut the drinking and feeling sorry for yourself.............start doing some daily exercise, find a gf!!! Having someone to love gets rid of all depression and you just want to keep sharing beautiful days with her and enjoying the real life!

you already started your improvement with your decision to get better.....once you commit and work at it little at a time you will get better........good luck to you....

Get some professional help and the TF gang will help you interact through your crisis...............don't worry, I'm always here for you...........lol

....and stop acting like Amy Winehouse and Lilly Allen, it helps

I assume it is easy for you to go to alcohol coz you work in a bar where drink is near at hand. It is just that me think.

I have depression which comes and goes as circle. My way out is not drinking. But I takes it out on my poor bf instead!?

So i think finding gf is not a good thing to do now. Sexual healing might helps you out a bit though.

Good idea to buy a bike. In a beautiful summer, you can take a long bike tour somewhere.

Perhaps your life are at a cross-road which called a middle- life crisis. Afook06 knows best.

take care ja....

CRACK its the only way.

Not sure if anyone already mention this, but I have been listening to "100 ways to motivate yourself" by Steve Chandler. My bf got the audiobook version off the internet, so if you are a computer savvy, you might be able to find a free copy online. I found it very positive and not too difficult to follow.

Also, my bf sent me some video of Paul Mckenna shows, from skyone channel. He does introduce some easy tricks of how to control your craving. The episode is mainly about food and how to lose weight but there were some partipants in the studio who said that the method did help with his drinking or smoking habits as well. That might be useful for you. And again, the copy is available on the internet, if you can find it.

My suggestion: Write down what you want to change about yourself in a paper and stick it somewhere you can see everyday, morning and night. Read it to yourself two times a day, you are telling your subscious to work towards the person you want to be. Have fun creating the new you!

if u want the "100 ways to motivate yourself"... shoot me an email.. I have a copy i can forward to u.

I also hear a 7 day meditation retreat is always very good to clear the mind. sont know exactly how to spell it.. but it should be something like Vipasana meditation.

condo has it right as a start ... an exercise program is a great start. Studying kung fu or a martial art can also help with self control and coming into a new social group whose association doesn't revolve around drinking. Good luck and one big thing I have heard when is never drink alone!

REALIZING your problem is already a beginning to the change. I think you're doing fairly well.