Quitting Alcohol

[Fatcamp]

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 .

Yup. It's like that but with the people in my life now.

A couple weeks ago at the end of a great family vacation I had a bunch of bad memories come flooding back. Stuff from way back when I was a kid even. Out of the blue.

Really strange.

 

[Kilboars]

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.

With the three of four people like me in the world I don’t have Apple Watch is what does that mean? And how is it gauging your body battery?


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[Kilboars]

I had a side-by-side roll over on me after a few Bourbons last weekend and got away with just a gash on my head, bruise shoulder and knees. But had several wide awake nightmares laying in bed for the next few nights thinking of how bad that could’ve gone.

I’ve worked so hard all my life and I’m finally getting able to relax and smell the roses and to think it could all get thrown away in a split second after having a few too many.


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[ODB]

I had a side-by-side roll over on me after a few Bourbons last weekend and got away with just a gash on my head, bruise shoulder and knees. But had several wide awake nightmares laying in bed for the next few nights thinking of how bad that could’ve gone.

I’ve worked so hard all my life and I’m finally getting able to relax and smell the roses and to think it could all get thrown away in a split second after having a few too many.


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Yup.

 

[deltadukman]

With the three of four people like me in the world I don’t have Apple Watch is what does that mean? And how is it gauging your body battery?


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It's a Garmin but I assume it's off of some stress indicator, restful sleep tracker. Whatever it uses, it's pretty damn accurate. I just got a watch a few months ago and thought it was bogus because I can run on fumes according to my wife, but after this weekend and drinking and staying up I felt like garbage, and my watch reflected it.

 

[OregonSteeler]

I had a side-by-side roll over on me after a few Bourbons last weekend and got away with just a gash on my head, bruise shoulder and knees. But had several wide awake nightmares laying in bed for the next few nights thinking of how bad that could’ve gone.

I’ve worked so hard all my life and I’m finally getting able to relax and smell the roses and to think it could all get thrown away in a split second after having a few too many.


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That's freaking scary and glad you are ok. Learn from that experience but don't forget. Close calls I've had in the outdoors keeps me on my toes for future adventures.

 

[Kilboars]

That's freaking scary and glad you are ok. Learn from that experience but don't forget. Close calls I've had in the outdoors keeps me on my toes for future adventures.

The bourbon made me forget how quickly those things will flip on you.

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[cold stethoscope]

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.

not having a drink is a way to exert control over the urges some folks get when the opportunity arises.

 

[*zap*]

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.

I think your sad.

 

[ridgefire]

October will be 4 years for me. It took my wife moving out for me to realize how quickly it got out of control. If it's causing problems it probably is a problem. Good luck to those trying to quit.

 

[gabenzeke]

Kind of an odd question here. I am newly sober (3 weeks) and I am experiencing muscle cramps during the night. Primarily in my legs/feet. I have always been a big water drinker (like a gallon a day drinker). I also still have faux cocktails (sprite zero or squirt zero) in the evenings so I feel my good fluid intake is still solid. My workout routines have stayed constant during this timeframe. My diet/food has not changed that I am aware of. Just seems to be a weird side effect hitting me this month.

Good things include BP is back down to normal ranges without meds, mornings are something I look forward to, and I have dropped 6lbs.

I know a handful of people that deal with that or restless legs at night after quitting booze. CBD fixed it for all of them.

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[WoodBow]

I guess I will chime in as well. I did not drink growing up or even in college. The handful of times I did drink I would be so hungover the next day that I had no interest in doing it again. Fast forward until I was about 30. There was a total wine right by where I worked and it was too convenient to grab a bottle of vodka (town I have lived in my whole life was dry until recently and still does not sell liquor). I liked having a drink or two a lot. I immediately wanted to do it every day. For a long time I limited it to weekends only. Then it became well Thursday is almost Friday. And well Mondays suck. Didn't take long for me to be drinking every night. I wanted to quit but I wanted to drink more. I'd be hungover to some extent every day and hate myself. But I'd be ready for a drink again by 5. I get up very early for work. I was never late. I have never called in. I have never let it affect my family. But it was a problem for my head and my health. I was fighting some battles in my own head and it felt like I was in a vise that tightened a little every day. I was exhausted all time. I slept but did not recover. I have a great job that I worked really hard to for many years to get to. But my head was such a wreck that I was convinced that the job was all of my problems. It is hard to explain but I bet some of yall have experienced similar. In my darkest place I can only describe it as despair. No one knew this. Not even my wife. I was too ashamed to tell anyone and I hid it well. I only tell yall because you are strangers mostly.

It is hard to describe what it feels like to stop drinking. For me it is like the clouds parting and the sun shining again. The fog burns off. My head and thoughts are clear. I sleep well and have so much more energy. My workouts are better. I am more patient with my kids. Life is better. I feel blessed to have my job. I am happy. Happy seemed impossible for years even though i had a great life. Great wife. Healthy beautiful kids.

I think some of us are just unlucky to have a gene that has a hard time putting alcohol down. It likely has a more powerful response in our brain and our brain knows how to make us drink it again.

For me it came down to what I call 90/10. Am I willing to feel awful, mentally and physically, 90 percent of the time so that I can be drunk 10% of the time? I finally decided I wasn't willing to make that sacrifice any longer.

If you even think you should cut back, I highly encourage you to stop for 1 week and see how you feel.

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[mike.adams.467]

When I made the decision to stop drinking, I remember thinking I couldn't enjoy fishing, camping, watching sports, or anything else I enjoyed any more. Once I got past that thinking, I'm in better shape, hunt harder and more successfully, and have very few health issues. That was 20 years ago. I was amazed at the support that is available when I needed it, and it was from individuals with experiences and stories similar to mine.

 

[*zap*]

just do it!

 

[schmalzy]

just do it!

I tried to make it way more complex than this before I quit but ultimately that’s all there is to it! It was 100% worth it to me and thank God for it.


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[danwolf]

I’ve been sober 8 years myself. I wasn’t that awful in my opinion, but what others say is lies right? I work a month off a month, and at times I over did it I know.

The deciding point was a divorce. Custody. What’s her name fabricating stories. And I needed clarity. So I changed for me. Over time I got more and more custody of my son, and take him hunting as often as I can.

Benefits hunting is I can feel the ups and downs without having to change how I feel with a drink. Face the things that hurt now rather than wait. It’ll make you stronger. Hunt harder. Physical benefits at first is weight loss. If you get lazy and overeat cause your not drinking and replacing with food, that’s on you buddy. This isn’t a process so easily done alone, that’s often where we get that stinking thinking and grumpy as my son calls it, in AA it’s called ‘dry’. Just be a bit cautious of those you let in new in your life as you start this process, often some will prey on that vulnerability.


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[hunt1up]

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


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I just downloaded the audio version of this. I’m sitting at the airport due to a delayed flight and I’m now two hours in on this book. It’s pretty “sobering” to say the least. The author does a good job of keeping the content easy to understand and highly relatable. Each chapter I think, “Yup, been there” when he hits each topic like sleep, memory, etc.

I’m only 1/3 of the way through it but it’s solid stuff. Some things I didn’t know but a lot that I did, but always choose to ignore. As I’m listening I keep thinking how dumb constant drinking really is. Utterly illogical really.

So far I’m glad I decided to listen.

 

[dtrkyman]

I was never a drinker, had a few occasionally and partied a bit in my late teens and 20s, but I grew up surrounded by alchoholics and have zero tolerance for being around drunks!

Many of them have no clue how foolish they are!

My dad who has been a life long alchoholic finally paid the price last year, He was supposed to be at my sisters and was a no show, wouldn't answer his phone nothing.

I went to check on him and found him on the floor in a wad of blankets next to his bed, barely alive and unable to communicate, he had a severe stroke and has been bed ridden since that day. Alchohol is surely not the only factor but it does have the potential to increase the risk of stroke!

Anyone on the fence just stop, get some help and do whatever it takes!

Good luck to those who have made the choice to quit!

 

[OregonSteeler]

This is one of the most impactful threads that I've ever read on ANY social media site, and sincerely hope it helps many on their struggles with alcohol.

Like many, I drink too much. I am following this thread to remind me of the dangers alcohol brings to my everyday life. I am honest with myself and know that I am not willing to completely quit just yet; but I do want to curb the amount of my alcohol consumption.

 

[schmalzy]

This is one of the most impactful threads that I've ever read on ANY social media site, and sincerely hope it helps many on their struggles with alcohol.

Like many, I drink too much. I am following this thread to remind me of the dangers alcohol brings to my everyday life. I am honest with myself and know that I am not willing to completely quit just yet; but I do want to curb the amount of my alcohol consumption.

Thanks for sharing where you’re at. I was on the fence about quitting completely for a few years. Long story short but finally had a morning where it was clear that the juice wasn’t worth the squeeze. Give me a shout if you want to chat at all or bounce some ideas. Some guys can moderate, but I finally figured out I’m not one of them. Best of luck to you finding what works for you.


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