I am separated from my wife and in the middle of a PhD program and am using alcohol to numb the pain.
This is a lot of messages for little pay.
Better hourly pay.
Hi there, how are things with you right now?
assistant
Question
Hi, well to be honest I'm struggling a bit right now. I keep turning to beer when I'm feeling really down.
user
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Ah I hear you - I think that there is a lot of that going around during this pandemic. Did you ever have a problem before?
assistant
Question
No, this all actually started about 3-6 months after the pandemic really hit and things shut down.
user
null
It has been horrendous hasn't it? Have you been able to at least speak to your doctor, even if you could not see them in person?
assistant
Others
Yes! So horrible! And yeah, I have a therapist I see once every two weeks. Although that only helps so much.
user
null
It might be time to get some more help? Do you think it is bad enough that you might need inpatient treatment?
assistant
Question
No, I'm not quite that bad off. It's sort of a mix of too many rough things. My wife and I are separating right now, I'm in the middle of a PhD program and living far from home, and covid really made it more challenging. I think it's a bit more circumstantial.
user
null
It sounds like you have had a really hard time the last eighteen months. As the lockdown is easing, are there any new pastimes you could get involved in that might distract you?
assistant
Providing Suggestions
Well, I am starting to hang out with friends more and establish weekly traditions like poker night. So that's definitely helping. The more I can be around others the easier it is for sure. I'm wondering how bad it is to turn to alcohol when I'm in pain.
user
null
Poker night does sound like something that might involve a lot of alcohol though :(
assistant
Information
Haha, yeah maybe I should have specified that this is typically booze free. Sometimes we split a 12-pack among the 6 of us, but that's the wildest of nights. Engineers make for good sober poker night buddies :)
user
null
LOL well I am glad to hear that at least. Splitting a twelve pack between six does not seem like a problem to me
assistant
Others
Yeah, I figure 2 beers over 4 hours is not a big deal every once in a while. I just really hope we start opening back up and people get vaccinated. Although, maybe that is just masking some underlying problem, huh?
user
null
That is possible as well and it is definitely worth talking to someone, I think, just in case
assistant
Providing Suggestions
Yeah, that's a good idea. What do you turn to when you are struggling in life?
user
null
Well beer, to be perfectly honest :D Anyway I hope that I can have been of assistance :)
assistant
Self-disclosure,Others
Hahaha, good so I'm not the only one! I think if it's not over the top and getting in the way of the functioning of my life then that's a good sign. Yes, thank you. This has been helpful!
user
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