Quitting Alcohol

[Stubborn_bowhunter]

Really love seeing this thread pop back up.

I'll be 400 days sober tomorrow. Ups and downs, but I'm on the best path I've ever been on.

Appreciate all of you!

 

[ODB]

Really love seeing this thread pop back up.

I'll be 400 days sober tomorrow. Ups and downs, but I'm on the best path I've ever been on.

Appreciate all of you!

Good stuff!!!

Funny. I was at a wedding last weekend and there was VERY little drinking for the occasion. The bar tab was $150 for 50 people.

 

[Hardtak]

This thread inspired me to register. I have been sober for close to 4 years now. It wasn't the best decision of my life, it was the only decision in my life. I was desperate, I was lonely, broken, I had lost hope. I had been hospitalized for acute hepatitis, varices and yes I have liver damage. I was also 40, married, son, good job.

If you have not read the doctors opinion in AA, I would encourage anyone to read it. Google it. It was me, it may be you too.

Bottom line, I needed help, I tried with will power. Will power doesn't work. It does not work in a traffic jam with diarrhea, why would it work with alcoholism ? I didn't want to go to AA, in fact I fought it for years, but I needed something. I went, I didn't like it, but I went.

I found people that struggled like I did. I found people that related to all the things that I had done, been shameful for, drank the way I did. They made the same excuses I did. Through that they also gave me some hope. That sliver was enough to get me on. Really tough battle but I asked for some help and got it.

Drink when you are down? Drink when you are up ? Can't imagine not having a drink at XYZ ? I have been there and couldn't imagine not drinking even though it was killing me. Damn tight spot.

Not here to preach, not to judge. Just saying, I can relate, I have been humbled, beaten and found some hope, asked for help and gained some perspective and a sense of serenity along the way. Beats the shit out of the horrible suffering I was enduring.

Kudos to the badasses struggling to get better and those that support them

 

[Still Hunter]

Really love seeing this thread pop back up.

I'll be 400 days sober tomorrow. Ups and downs, but I'm on the best path I've ever been on.

Appreciate all of you!

Congrats! Here is some motivation!!

 

[Campcreek12]

Best of luck to those trying to kick it. Addiction is an awful thing and for those who haven't witnessed it firsthand, I hope you don't. Luckily, I don't have that trait or I very well could be a stat as well. I've put more than one person close to me in the ground. However, I do have a very close friend who was very bad off and is now doing awesome, so it is not an impossible thing. But most who have overcome it will tell you that if you're deep in it, it will be challenging but worth it.

 

[Kilboars]

I have the book Alcohol Explained on my list. Thank you.

Listen to Alcohol Explained by William Porter on Audible. https://www.audible.com/pd?asin=B07814KTGQ&source_code=ASSORAP0511160006&share_location=pdp


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JBrown1]

I'll be 400 days sober tomorrow. Ups and downs, but I'm on the best path I've ever been on.

Appreciate all of you!

I’m happy to hear that you are doing so well with it.

I stopped drinking 6 or 7 years ago. I’m coming up on my anniversary, but it has become such a non issue that I don’t hardly think about it anymore.

I just wanted to mention that, in my experience, any urge/inkling/thought of having a drink disappeared during my second year. And at some point stating “no thank you, I don’t drink” begins to come naturally.

Best of luck!

 

[Kilboars]

I’ve been reading this thread from its beginning because at 59 years old I still find myself waking up the next morning thinking I should’ve stopped one or two drinks earlier the night before or that I dodged a bullet and got lucky not doing something to seriously hurt myself or others. Happens very rarely but it’s startles me because of my age it still happens

It’s funny you think about not drinking at a party and being the odd guy out who’s not buzzed while everyone else is and I think normally it to the way around I’m the one who’s too buzzed and nobody else is as much.

I’ve quit for a month or two many times just to prove to myself I can. I guess I’m someone’s who’s a casual drinker but really enjoys it and sometimes a little too much.

Really enjoying the thread and hearing so many people that don’t drink and don’t miss it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[doc holiday13]

Starting Sept 6th I'll be sober till christmas. I have about 5 drinks a week +/-1 drink. Just attempting to get myself on track healthwise. I'll also do a 72 hour broth only fast sept 6-8 and having my first meal Sept 9.

Honestly can't think of any reason people shouldn't drink but taking a break from it has great benefits

 

[Marmots]

I haven't quit cold turkey, but really changed my habits since last April. I don't ever drink alone anymore, never have more than two, and limit it to "mandatory fun" work functions or trying out the homebrews that my friends make. I have probably had about two dozen drinks in total in the last six months, there was a time when I was doing that in a week.

I'm down from 210 to 190 lbs at 6'4. I sleep better, feel better, and physically recover from hardship significantly faster.

An added bonus is I have my old jawline back. I have one of those unfortunate Irish-American faces that swells up in proxy to alcohol the same way those magic grow dinosaur foam tablet toys swell up under water.

 

[eamyrick]

I’ve been reading this thread from its beginning because at 59 years old I still find myself waking up the next morning thinking I should’ve stopped one or two drinks earlier the night before or that I dodged a bullet and got lucky not doing something to seriously hurt myself or others. Happens very rarely but it’s startles me because of my age it still happens

It’s funny you think about not drinking at a party and being the odd guy out who’s not buzzed while everyone else is and I think normally it to the way around I’m the one who’s too buzzed and nobody else is as much.

I’ve quit for a month or two many times just to prove to myself I can. I guess I’m someone’s who’s a casual drinker but really enjoys it and sometimes a little too much.

Really enjoying the thread and hearing so many people that don’t drink and don’t miss it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I quit at 28 (8 years ago) and my dad quit again (hopefully for the last time) 3 months ago at 60 years old. It’s never too late. As his son, the relief is better than the mega million jackpot.

 

[K-22]

Sad, some of you folks have no control. Life is better with a drink here and there. Enjoy a crispy beer or a glass of wine or two. It’s good for you.

It is sad you would proffer a comment such as this, totally unencumbered by the thought process.

 

[Kilboars]

My drinking is at home with the wife starting at 6pm with a glass of wine while making dinner and finishing the the bottle during dinner. So two glasses each but we do this every night and maybe old fashions on weekends.

But I’ll notice on a night I drink nothing I’ll sometimes have a slight headache in the morning making me think they’re withdrawal symptoms.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[eamyrick]

My drinking is at home with the wife starting at 6pm with a glass of wine while making dinner and finishing the the bottle during dinner. So two glasses each but we do this every night and maybe old fashions on weekends.

But I’ll notice on a night I drink nothing I’ll sometimes have a slight headache in the morning making me think they’re withdrawal symptoms.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Another added benefit that I’ve personally experienced and I’ve heard echo’d by many people who have stopped drinking is a cognitive boost several months post drinking. I drank heavily from 14-28. There were years when I likely drank 300 days, 100 of which were in extreme excess. I somehow managed to still be successful and high functioning at work. 3 months post drinking there was a fog lifted off my brain that i never knew was there. At work my ability to navigate a complex problem improved 30% and at home if something fell from a shelf I caught it before it hit the ground. My wife still drinks and it’s a complete non issue for her. Glass of wine here and there, but I’m still reminded that alcohol is low dose poison.

 

[CRJR45]

I'm always torn when writing about my quitting alcohol . I am one of the people who just doesn't handle it well , or handled it , I should say . I have been alcohol free since 8-11-1991 .
I had a miserable childhood and was very emotionally retarded , my answer for everything was screw it , nothing matters , basically .
I would get drunk every night , just for fun . Got to the point my friends didn't want to go out with me anymore because they knew I'd get into some kind of trouble . I've had multiple DUI's , spent time in jail , and ruined relationships .
Tried to quit forever , tried the just drink when you want , or only have two beers , or a beer an hour , nothing worked . Then a friend I had known from HS , an ex marine , sat me down and told me what a drunk I was , how I'd never amount to anything if I kept drinking , and it hit me right at the time I was ready to hear it , I guess . I was renting a house in Flint Mi , and had 8 beers in the fridge at the time , I would come home from work and look at those beers , and fight the urge to drink them . Nine months later when I moved out , I left them there .
I'd been court ordered to AA , and it was an eye opener , finding out that other people had the same problems I thought were exclusively mine , but I didn't really fit into the program , it was just not for me .
Also had a lot of court ordered one on one counselling . I remember the day a counselor told me I was emotionally retarded , I told him "F You " , he laughed and said "SEE?"
I didn't get it then , but years later it sunk in .
Admittedly , I was at the point where the next DUI meant prison , but it became a matter of pride , or stubbornness , I wanted to be in control of my life , not just going along for the ride.
My life got a whole lot better fast .
I don't think alcoholism is a disease , I see it as a choice , I can choose not to drink , you can't choose not to have cancer , or polio say . I am just one of the people who don't process alcohol well .
My wife will have a drink every now and then , there's always beer or rum in the house , I just don't drink it .

My message to anybody thinking of quitting is , if you think you have a problem , you do . And , do whatever it takes for you to quit . What worked for me , might not work for you , but find a way to quit , and stick to it , whatever it is , AA , church , rehab , whatever , but it is a doable thing . Real men don't have to drink , real men make their own choices .
Take control , it is your life . Not trying to offend anyone , and as Red Green says , - Keep your stick on the ice and I'll be pulling for you !

 

[Yoder]

My drinking is at home with the wife starting at 6pm with a glass of wine while making dinner and finishing the the bottle during dinner. So two glasses each but we do this every night and maybe old fashions on weekends.

But I’ll notice on a night I drink nothing I’ll sometimes have a slight headache in the morning making me think they’re withdrawal symptoms.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

One thing I noticed when I was drinking was how run down and tired I was the next day. This would be after 3 or 4 beers which was just enough for a decent buzz but no actual hangover. I had this feeling like my feet weighed 100lbs. It would last about half the day. It also made me really moody and quick to snap at people.

Two glasses of wine a night isn't that big of a deal unless it is. I would drink 3-4 beers a night. Every night. Never missed work, never got a DUI, hardly ever hung over. It was just enough to ruin my relationship and make me a dick to my kids. Alcohol effects everybody differently. Objectively look at yourself. Does it have negative effects on your life? Can you take it or leave it? If everything is good then I wouldn't worry too much about it. If not, quit for a while and see how you feel.

 

[Kilboars]

Another added benefit that I’ve personally experienced and I’ve heard echo’d by many people who have stopped drinking is a cognitive boost several months post drinking. I drank heavily from 14-28. There were years when I likely drank 300 days, 100 of which were in extreme excess. I somehow managed to still be successful and high functioning at work. 3 months post drinking there was a fog lifted off my brain that i never knew was there. At work my ability to navigate a complex problem improved 30% and at home if something fell from a shelf I caught it before it hit the ground. My wife still drinks and it’s a complete non issue for her. Glass of wine here and there, but I’m still reminded that alcohol is low dose poison.

So funny you say that because a friend was just mentioning how he only drinks on weekends and he notices it takes till Tuesday or Wednesday before his really clear again.

Something I’m being cognitive about noticing now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[deltadukman]

I am a casual bourbon drinker, but sometimes I'll let lose during special events, weekends at the lake, camp, etc. I used to have a bourbon or two once or twice a week during the week, and Friday/Saturday/Sunday evenings on the weekends. I am not 100% giving it up because I enjoy a good bourbon drink or two. However, after wearing one of these smart watch/workout watches that monitors your body battery and really paying attention, alcohol will completely wreck your body. Case in point this weekend wife and I went out of town, had a good time and drank a good bit. Body battery never got above 5 and I slept like crap. Sunday I felt awful. Sunday and Monday night no drinks, proper sleep and I feel like I can run a marathon and my body battery is at 95-100% both mornings when I wake up.

 

[Fatcamp]

Haven't drank in over a decade. So thankful for that decision. Like many of you I was a mess and struggled to overcome a lifetime of dysfunction.

Good luck to all of you on your path.

Been dreaming of using lately. Violent harsh dreams. Not sure why.

 

[CRJR45]

I still have bad dreams , I dream I got drunk and I'm in trouble , on the run and scared . Wake up with the sweats . Terrible stuff , killing and fighting . Still think about drinking sometimes , I guess it'll never go away .
Good luck .