Playing sober, can’t do it

buckshotshoey said:
Maybe you don't have a high stress job like some other people do. I have a hard time winding down after work too. On weekends it's no problem.
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I tell you what, I had a SHIT job that made me feel I'd ALMOST rather be dead than show up again...every day.

I agree, alcohol might be the answer to every night's questions.
 
MikeLeClair said:
I started playing pool around 8 years old. Played everyday and became extremely good. Around 17 I started drinking and found the more I drank the better I played. This became the norm and I even made money doing it as I would start off playing nervous and my opponents would think they had the upper hand. The bets would increase and so would my booze. But I had a high tolerance and would end up beating them badly. I was a hustler without even having to try. Unfortunately, around 21 I stopped playing but kept on drinking for the next 25 years. 4 years ago I was hospitalized 4 times due to severe withdrawl. The last one was the final straw as I could've died. Been sober since and also started playing again 2 years ago. My skill level is quite high now as I can put in about 15-20 hours per week (I have a GC1 in the basement) but my biggest battle has been my nerves when competing. Booze was always my comfort. The good news is that I've finally realized booze isn't necessary to battle the nerves. Focus and proper breathing among other things really help. Honestly, nothing feels better than destroying a strong player with something on the line and doing it dead sober.
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Are you from Maine?
 
Cole Dixon once told me he needed one drink to take the edge off. Calm the nerves. However an alcoholic can't quit at 1. His alcoholism ended his life.
My best performance in a big tournament had me with a cup of coffee a glass of water and a beer on the table for my first match in the race to 7. One sip of coffee and I was jangled. A swallow of beer to calm and the water to fullfil the habit of taking a drink at every sit down. I finished the match successfully with a full cup of coffee a half a beer and an empty water glass.🤷
There was a time when working as a carpenter that 3 beers after work was my normal and my best playing condition. Now as a retiree I drink water while playing and reserve the post match wind down for my 1 beer allowance. My liver thanks me.🤷
When 3 beers was the normal it did take the nerve factor away but it also impaired the judgment and clarity when absolute focus was required.
 
cbi1000 said:
I’m not sure. When I have a few drinks the mind goes quiet and I just play. Playing with no drinks leads to brain chatter and body just fighting. I can’t strike the ball. Like for real. Object ball 3 diamonds away from cue ball, I can’t draw that ball back 3 diamonds or follow 3 diamonds. Soft shots I can do, medium power on up goes to total crap. It’s just not worth it. I’d rather win and deal with trying to have the correct level of buzz for hours.
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I don't know you and I'm only going off what you've posted here so don't get insulted...lol. Sounds to me like you are mentally weak and use the alcohol as a crutch to overt the weakness. Don't go running back to the sauce because you are having confidence issues. Stay the course and learn to deal with the nerves and self doubt. You'll be a better player as a result. You might want to try reading some books that deal with performance related thought processes: Golf is not a Game of Perfect, The Inner Game of Tennis and the Mental Game of Baseball are a few good ones.
 
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MikeLeClair said:
Same thing as in you went through what I did or you're from the same place?
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I was saying Canada is the same as Maine. I definitely drink too much. I've been dry for March so far just to make sure I don't die, but I would drink every night if I could. I certainly feel it when I'm playing lately. One or two drinks would definitely make me play better, it's a weakness of mine. In the pool rooms it's difficult for me to focus on the game when I'm staring down everyone's drinks.
 
rexus31 said:
I don't know you and I'm only going off what you've posted here so don't get insulted...lol. Sounds to me like you are mentally weak and use the alcohol as a crutch to overt the weakness. Don't go running back to the sauce because you are having confidence issues. Stay the course and learn to deal with the nerves and self doubt. You'll be a better player as a result. You might want to try reading some books that deal with performance related thought processes: Golf if not a Game of Perfect, The Inner Game of Tennis and the Mental Game of Baseball are a few good ones.
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Don't be insulted but you are mentally weak. Try learning not to be like that. Read a book or something.
 
easy-e said:
I was saying Canada is the same as Maine. I definitely drink too much. I've been dry for March so far just to make sure I don't die, but I would drink every night if I could. I certainly feel it when I'm playing lately. One or two drinks would definitely make me play better, it's a weakness of mine. In the pool rooms it's difficult for me to focus on the game when I'm staring down everyone's drinks.
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I hear ya and completely understand. It was always a way out for me. I would show up to a pool hall very nervous sometimes knowing a lot of people are there to watch me play with money on the line. Just knowing that all I had to do was drink would actually help calm me even before I started drinking. It was a bad trend. I did end up drinking every night as I got older. My tolerance got stronger as a result which meant I needed to drink more. Try and stay dry. Believe me when I say you don't want to go through what I went through. I was up to about a litre of vodka per day when I finally had enough and tried to quit cold turkey. Each time I did that I ended up in the hospital with very bad seizures along with the hallucinations and severe bruising all over my abdomen. I was lucky that I was able to finally stop. One more time would've killed me. Please stay dry, your life is worth it!
 
cbi1000 said:
Once again I gave it a go playing sober. See I have APA singles nationals coming up and figured it would do me some good to play without drinking. Long days of playing don’t go very with long days of drinking.
Well it’s been 6 weeks and I have never played so bad. I’m a skill level 9 and the last six weeks I’m playing at a SL 5 at best.
My body just wants to fight itself the entire match. Need to hit the ball hard, nope, both will freeze up halfway through the stroke and I’ll do something stupid like miss cue.
F this, going back to drinking. This is the most frustrated pool time period I’ve ever experienced.
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At times I’ve thought the same, but feeling like you have to have a few drinks to play good pool can be a crutch and a sign of trouble, particularly if you have to drive afterwards. I’m guessing pool may not be the only activity in your life you feel like you have/need a few drinks for.
 
rexus31 said:
I don't know you and I'm only going off what you've posted here so don't get insulted...lol. Sounds to me like you are mentally weak and use the alcohol as a crutch to overt the weakness. Don't go running back to the sauce because you are having confidence issues. Stay the course and learn to deal with the nerves and self doubt. You'll be a better player as a result. You might want to try reading some books that deal with performance related thought processes: Golf if not a Game of Perfect, The Inner Game of Tennis and the Mental Game of Baseball are a few good ones.
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Don't forget 12 Steps and 12 Traditions.
 
I’ve never played well while drinking. When I gamble, I lose. It keeps my playing time much simpler.
 
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