I think the only way I can cut down or quit drinking is with substitutes (that arn't as bad), I did that with smoking, I substituted with herbal smokes (with no tobacco/nicotine) and popcorn, but only for a while, now I'd say cold water is my only substitute.

I really had to outsmart, trick, the addiction rather than overcome it with will power, that was utterly fultile (& it seems to be what most anti-smokers expect you to do).

I'm thinking of trying the same with drink, things like getting a car and taking my dog somewhere completely new and different instead of getting drunk, that might be like a pleasant complete break, like an altered state of conciousness, or even regular camping maybe.

I suppose I was really looking for any suggestions for substitutes for drinking that have worked for other people, or ideas that might give me ideas.

I don't know the official view of substition, my Doc didn't think much of the tonnes of popcorn, but it worked. Any thoughts on substitution as a technique?

I hear you Splitimage about it being easier to quit completely than cut back, I read only around 15% of alcoholics can cut down, the rest it's all or nothing. I'm still hoping I'm dependent rather than alcoholic so may be able to continue a bit.