Quitting Alcohol

[Pikespeak]

I quit alcohol a couple years ago. My body has not tolerated outside things very well and it got to the point that drinking even one beer led to a migraine 30 minutes later.

Something I enjoyed is non alcoholic beer. There has been an explosion in the types of non alcoholic beer. The Guinness one tastes exactly the same. I noticed it kind of tricked my mind into thinking I was drinking but gradually over time I just didn't want it anymore.

Now if I could just kick caffeine.

 

[Steelhead]

Some are built for the drink, so I would never tell anyone not to, but I'm not built to drink.
I don't "drink" anymore but its still a struggle. I tried "treating" myself to 2 glasses of wine on anniversary dinner, which sounds great, always been a happy buzzed guy but a terrible drunk and the line is hard and fast between the two. So one glass leaves me figity, needing more, bored because the engine only got a little fuel then the tap turned off. The second glass has me warming up and starting to justify yet another glass, or moving on to whiskey, or God-forbid, tequilla.
So even now in my 50's i have to avoid that because it just gives me a reason. and in reality, even the times I've allowed myself, say 2 drinks, it doesn't even make me feel good anymore, tired and anxious, wanting to go to sleep or figure out what do to next. Fire up some shit. Old habits.

Only child from a broken home, introverted, shy, ADHD and started life with massive self esteem issues which all went away when I found booze and anti-social subculture. both fit like a glove. Drank to drunkedness Friday to Sunday night and several times during the week from about 13 until my early 30's. in hindsight EVERY SINGLE regrettable thing I've done in my life I've done while drunk.
Because when I drank to drunkedness there was no "that's enough" I just kept drinking until the drink was done with me.
Bar fights, street fights, verbally assaulting people that didn't deserve it, broken friendships and trying to burn the entire world down with my bare hands, destroy all college kids, destroy all tourists, destroy anyone having a good time. And the booze backed me up. Becoming a small-town "townie" to where the cops knew to come by me and my buddies house if something went sideways at a party somewhere local, just to check if we were home or not. Pointless chaos like deciding yes I will take on 4 guys with knives because they were younger than me and I can't let that slide, going up against guys so big that I would never win a fight with in a million years because at the end of the day it was all about self-destruction, I just didn't totally know it.
I drank to blackout almost every time I drank. I got so good that I could fool cops and even my own wife couldn't tell that I was very very drunk sometimes. I missed years of my life looking through the blurry lense of the booze and as my buddies started pulling back I didn't realize it. suddenly I was
"that guy" that friends and associates put up with and expected trouble. I'm extremely fortunate I had the friends that I did.

The shittiest part of this, when I say every-single regrettable thing I've done was whilst drunk, is that I can't even tell how many things I might have ****** up on if I just didn't find the booze. How much better I would have progressed, physically, mentally, emotionally. You can't get that time back, there are no real do-overs, you just have to do better going forward.

Then my Mom died 5 years ago, all by herself, very drunk apparently, fell down cracked her head, went to bed and never woke up again. I found the vodka bottle that took her there. So that was a pretty stark warning. I stopped drinking then because I know the feeling of all of life's problems drifting away as a chug down a bottle of cheap wine. and that quick fix option just leads to more pain and troubles.

So yes, everything is easier for me without the booze, even at elk camp. waking up, getting good sleep, staying hydrated, any headaches can't be attributed to the drink. It just eliminates a lot of variables that would have normally taken some of my energy. And the older I get, the more energy I need!!

 

[Kilboars]

Thanks for sharing Steelhead. That’s powerful stuff.


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[Capphd]

Recently came to the conclusion I want/need to stop drinking. I've seen a few guys on here say they've been sober for years.

I've been pretty strong willed when it comes to kicking habits, but this one has been a one step forward three steps back one. Haha

Those of you who have stopped did you notice many benefits on your hunts, mindset, or physical shape?
Any tips on the process?

From watching family members, I know it’s tough. They had two things in common. Help from those who were where you are and are now sober. Trust in God. Praying for you.

 

[Team4LongGun]

Some are built for the drink, so I would never tell anyone not to, but I'm not built to drink.
I don't "drink" anymore but its still a struggle. I tried "treating" myself to 2 glasses of wine on anniversary dinner, which sounds great, always been a happy buzzed guy but a terrible drunk and the line is hard and fast between the two. So one glass leaves me figity, needing more, bored because the engine only got a little fuel then the tap turned off. The second glass has me warming up and starting to justify yet another glass, or moving on to whiskey, or God-forbid, tequilla.
So even now in my 50's i have to avoid that because it just gives me a reason. and in reality, even the times I've allowed myself, say 2 drinks, it doesn't even make me feel good anymore, tired and anxious, wanting to go to sleep or figure out what do to next. Fire up some shit. Old habits.

Only child from a broken home, introverted, shy, ADHD and started life with massive self esteem issues which all went away when I found booze and anti-social subculture. both fit like a glove. Drank to drunkedness Friday to Sunday night and several times during the week from about 13 until my early 30's. in hindsight EVERY SINGLE regrettable thing I've done in my life I've done while drunk.
Because when I drank to drunkedness there was no "that's enough" I just kept drinking until the drink was done with me.
Bar fights, street fights, verbally assaulting people that didn't deserve it, broken friendships and trying to burn the entire world down with my bare hands, destroy all college kids, destroy all tourists, destroy anyone having a good time. And the booze backed me up. Becoming a small-town "townie" to where the cops knew to come by me and my buddies house if something went sideways at a party somewhere local, just to check if we were home or not. Pointless chaos like deciding yes I will take on 4 guys with knives because they were younger than me and I can't let that slide, going up against guys so big that I would never win a fight with in a million years because at the end of the day it was all about self-destruction, I just didn't totally know it.
I drank to blackout almost every time I drank. I got so good that I could fool cops and even my own wife couldn't tell that I was very very drunk sometimes. I missed years of my life looking through the blurry lense of the booze and as my buddies started pulling back I didn't realize it. suddenly I was
"that guy" that friends and associates put up with and expected trouble. I'm extremely fortunate I had the friends that I did.

The shittiest part of this, when I say every-single regrettable thing I've done was whilst drunk, is that I can't even tell how many things I might have ****** up on if I just didn't find the booze. How much better I would have progressed, physically, mentally, emotionally. You can't get that time back, there are no real do-overs, you just have to do better going forward.

Then my Mom died 5 years ago, all by herself, very drunk apparently, fell down cracked her head, went to bed and never woke up again. I found the vodka bottle that took her there. So that was a pretty stark warning. I stopped drinking then because I know the feeling of all of life's problems drifting away as a chug down a bottle of cheap wine. and that quick fix option just leads to more pain and troubles.

So yes, everything is easier for me without the booze, even at elk camp. waking up, getting good sleep, staying hydrated, any headaches can't be attributed to the drink. It just eliminates a lot of variables that would have normally taken some of my energy. And the older I get, the more energy I need!!

Damn Bro-thanks for sharing.

 

[IDShane]

I quit drinking just shy of 19 years ago. I am from Wisconsin originally and all of my friends drank pretty hard almost all of us a DWI's some had multiple. I had a pretty rough night and got sick while asleep and that was it. I had a 3 and 1 year old at the time and the thought of them having to tell people that their father died that way was enough for me. I am the guy that is 100 mph or nothing in life and alcohol had to go. Our marriage improved ten fold my career took off and family life has improved immensely. Best of luck to you I never missed it and do not ever think I will drink again.

 

[sivart]

If anyone follows the Dr Huberman podcast, he just did an amazing presentation/podcast on the effect of alcohol on the body. Specifically the brain and gut. It was pretty eye opening for me. The studies show, even very moderate alcohol use, shows very negative effects. Moderate, meaning more than 2 drinks per month. I thought it was very interesting, and definitely has me cutting back.

 

[WoodBow]

If anyone follows the Dr Huberman podcast, he just did an amazing presentation/podcast on the effect of alcohol on the body. Specifically the brain and gut. It was pretty eye opening for me. The studies show, even very moderate alcohol use, shows very negative effects. Moderate, meaning more than 2 drinks per month. I thought it was very interesting, and definitely has me cutting back.

Thanks, just added it to my list.

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[a_noob_hunter]

Awesome thread to read through! Im 24 and havent ever had a drink. I decided as a teenager not to touch alcohol but as ive moved out and developed more of an open mind ive changed my perspective of it. Still havent drank and dont plan on it but this thread has been really encouraging and reenforcing of what ive chosen and its offered awesome perspective for me. Thanks to all who have shared!

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[schmalzy]

Awesome thread to read through! Im 24 and havent ever had a drink. I decided as a teenager not to touch alcohol but as ive moved out and developed more of an open mind ive changed my perspective of it. Still havent drank and dont plan on it but this thread has been really encouraging and reenforcing of what ive chosen and its offered awesome perspective for me. Thanks to all who have shared!

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Right on man. Spend the money and heartache you save on adventures and hunts!


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[Stubborn_bowhunter]

Warms my heart to see how much of a positive impact this thread has had.

The girlfriend hit 1 year sober today while we backpacked all weekend. Probably would've never met her if I kept on my old shit.

Quitting drinking has been one of, if not the most profound choice in my life.
I started seeing people around me descending from alcohol. It was always right in my face, but I was right along there with them.

One friend asks me how I afford the gear, and stuff I do. I don't drink, or go to bars. I got a really good job that wouldn't have happened if I kept drinking.
The amount of money I've saved in a year of not drinking is now a seek outside cimarron + stove that just got to my house.
Everything we say "yes" to is us saying "no" to so many other things. Every no to alcohol has been a yes to positive choices, and awesome adventures so far.

Grateful for all of you.

If anyone wants to discuss any of this in pm. Then feel free to reach out.

 

[hunt1up]

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.

So I finished this book on my travels last week. When I was about halfway through it during my delays at the airport, I got lunch at one of the airport restaurants. Likely out of habit but also as an "experiment" (or so I told myself), I had two beers with my food. There were some other people at the bar getting totally hammered. When people are stuck in an airport it's the perfect excuse to get wasted. I looked around and realized that's what I'd always do. Got 3 hours to kill at the airport? What better use of my time but to blow $75 on beer while I'm there. So I paid my bill and left. I went back to listening to the rest of the book on my flight home. That was Thursday at noon and I haven't had a beer since. Going a full 3 days of a weekend without alcohol is something I haven't done it probably 16 years. I had a few NA beers each day and kept my self occupied. I took the kids fishing, got planted food plots, exercised hard, and slept better than I have in a long, long time. My elk season diet had sort of slowed due to me still drinking beer. Since Thursday I've lost 1.5 pounds.

After listening to 6 hours of that book and really self reflecting I keep asking myself "why?" to all the times I felt I just had to drink. Get home from work and start drinking. Why? Load up the boat for a fishing day and take 12 beers. Why?

I've already gotten a few half joking jabs just over one weekend. My brother says, "What, are you going to become a preacher now?" Another friend asked if I wanted a beer and I said I'm taking a break. He asked if I was sick.

It's wild, and a little sad, that I've been in such a poor routine that just going back to being a normal human makes me feel like superman. But I'll take it.

 

[ODB]

So I finished this book on my travels last week. When I was about halfway through it during my delays at the airport, I got lunch at one of the airport restaurants. Likely out of habit but also as an "experiment" (or so I told myself), I had two beers with my food. There were some other people at the bar getting totally hammered. When people are stuck in an airport it's the perfect excuse to get wasted. I looked around and realized that's what I'd always do. Got 3 hours to kill at the airport? What better use of my time but to blow $75 on beer while I'm there. So I paid my bill and left. I went back to listening to the rest of the book on my flight home. That was Thursday at noon and I haven't had a beer since. Going a full 3 days of a weekend without alcohol is something I haven't done it probably 16 years. I had a few NA beers each day and kept my self occupied. I took the kids fishing, got planted food plots, exercised hard, and slept better than I have in a long, long time. My elk season diet had sort of slowed due to me still drinking beer. Since Thursday I've lost 1.5 pounds.

After listening to 6 hours of that book and really self reflecting I keep asking myself "why?" to all the times I felt I just had to drink. Get home from work and start drinking. Why? Load up the boat for a fishing day and take 12 beers. Why?

I've already gotten a few half joking jabs just over one weekend. My brother says, "What, are you going to become a preacher now?" Another friend asked if I wanted a beer and I said I'm taking a break. He asked if I was sick.

It's wild, and a little sad, that I've been in such a poor routine that just going back to being a normal human makes me feel like superman. But I'll take it.

It’s odd when people criticize others for making a better decision. It’s always easier to do something you know you shouldn’t if you have a partner.

 

[jpmulk]

You will see a ton of benefits. Keep on it, whatever it takes. Find community to walk with you through it. You cant do it cold turkey on your own. That rarely works for any addiction.

You are making a good move.

 

[Tilzbow]

I clearly remember the first time I got drunk. At 11 years old, my best friend and I drank half a bottle of Canadian Mist from a case we found in my parents basement. He nearly died and had to have his stomach pumped; I was having a great time until he was taken to the hospital. After that I drank and got drunk with friends, maybe once to a few times a year after age 16, up until the time I turned 21 and that’s when the professional binge sport drinker was born. I partied hard socially and in bars probably 30% - 60% of weekends from the time I turned 21 until my mid-40’s. After that I didn‘t go to bars much but continued drinking at home, at friends houses or events like concerts. Have a great marriage, financially stable, great career (retired at 55 as a VP running manufacturing across several continents for a $6B company). That saidI lost a lot of days, a lot of 3D tournaments due to be tired from the night before and missed out on many days outdoors due to partying the night before. Might’ve had a better career, better marriage and many more days afield if not for drinking but I had some great times at music festivals, bars and social events while having too many. I know for a fact I would’ve had many more good nights of sleep had it not been for drinking. If I have more than two, it’ll turn to pure sugar about 3 hours into sleep and from that point on for the next few hours I don’t sleep much if at all. That’s the past and I really don’t have many regrets. I worked for the same company for 28 years and the last 10 I probably went to work once every one to two years with a hangover. I really didn’t drink much during the week unless on vacation or traveling.

Nov 11, 2016 at 51 years old I quit Copenhagen after chewing since I was 14. I quit cigars at the same time since they’d bring me back to Cope when I wasn‘t using it but would smoke the occasional cigar. Just enough smoke to maintain the nicotine dependency. I finally decided I was done with it. When I’d start the Cope after a few months off of it I’d feel absolutely horrible for days and weeks until my body readjusted to the toxins then I’d be back on it and buying it regularly when I hunted, fished and drank. I did this on again off again approach for 20 years and the first 15 I’d go back to using it heavy but the last 5 I’d only use when I’d fish or hunt then I’d toss the can at the end of the day or trip. I finally quit altogether because after a September elk hunt in 2016 I didn’t throw the can out but instead kept it and had a dip in the way into work and in the way home the first day back. Within two months, I was dipping at my desk all day long and knew if I didn’t stop altogether I’d be back on it like I was in my teens, 20’ & early 30’s when I was using at least a can a day. I haven’t had a chew since November 2016 and I’d go back to it tomorrow if I knew there we zero health issues with it! My hope is to live until I’m 80 and then again…. Maybe 90!

Dec 12, 2016 my dad died at 79 after his third or fourth heart attack. He was a heavy drinker, according to him, until he got a family and then drank a little for 20 years until he quit completely in his 50’s after his first heart attack. Genetics played a large role in his heart issues and it’s unknown if alcohol or smoking had an impact or not. After all, he was elk hunting with my brother the week before (although he didn’t get out of the truck much…) Many of my dad‘s siblings and relatives had or died from heart disease.

Some years before my dad died we did a family intervention to get my oldest sister into rehab. After a month it didn’t stick and she started drinking again a few days after getting out. My mom and dad didn’t participate in the intervention. My mom was a functioning alcoholic but never admitted it and thought those with “addictions” were simply weak minded people and never admitted.

In April 2019 my mom passed away at 80 due to a stroke. The sad thing is she’d finally learned to live without my dad, had stopped feeling sorry for herself, had cut way back on drinking, making friends at the retirement home. My mom smoked from her 20’s through her 50’s and drank regularly after all the kids were out of the house. Maybe she would’ve lived past 85 or 90, had she lived clean, maybe not.

In May 2020, my super fit, 12% body fat, elite road and mountain biking brother died from a massive heart attack caused by arterial blockage while riding his mountain bike. He’d just retired a year earlier after 31 years as a fire fighter after achieving the rank of captain. He was an occasional party boy. He was 59. Bad genetics.

In February 2021 my previously mention sister died from pancreatic cancer and liver failure like caused by alcoholism. Maybe she would’ve died anyway but I doubt it.

In April 2021 I retired at 55. My one to three day a week drinking habit with a binge day or night every 10-14 days turned into a 4 - 6 day, 4 - 6 drinks per day with a big binge day or night mixed in every 10-14 days. There was no reason not to since I had all the time in the world and could still get out and fish and hunt 2-3 days every week with the increased drinking. I was also smoking a lot of pot. Drinking Crown and Coke Zero made me crave pot. Smoking pot made me crave more Crown and Coke. Now it was becoming a problem and I was going through a handle of Crown, along with other stuff like beer and scotch, every week….

In late November 2021 I took a stress test and echocardiogram after consulting with my new cardiologist on my family history. I tried to tell her and her staff how much I was drinking but they classified me as a “social drinker“. I was hungover after a 6 or so drink night when I took the tests. The stress test came back normal while the echocardiogram showed a low left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) of 39% (39% or under is unhealthy and trending toward heart failure. Above 50% to 55% is viewed as normal). I knew drinking had become an issue so I quit drinking the day of the test and days before I got the results and didn’t have anything to drink for 10 weeks when I had one glass of bourbon then I didn’t drink anything again until mid-March. My next echocardiogram test in late January showed improvement to 45% while the last test in early June showed improvement to 55% and the volume of my left ventricle before and after has more than doubled which means there’s much more oxygenated blood flowing through my system. I can feel this when I hike and exercise, I’m in the best shape I’ve been in since a Stone Sheep hunt in 2014, have lost 20 pounds and a six pack is started to show at the ripe age of 57. Another 5# should do it but…..

As mentioned I started drinking a little back in March, started smoking a little pot then too, got drunk one night at a friend’s house in May and had 4 other nights that I had 4 drinks in a three month period. Starting to slide back into old habits…. That said, I did quit smoking pot altogether in mid-June since it would make my heart flutter for days after and couple of hits on the vape pen. I don’t miss the pot at all. But, two weeks ago I bought a regular size bottle of Crown and finished it last night. I also drank 6-10 beers that past two weeks. Moderate drinking by most standards and I haven‘t gone past a little bit buzzed before I quit for the night but my 20 year battle with quitting chewing is bouncing around in my head as I write this. Even after two beers, or whatever, I don’t sleep as well and the euphoria I had back in early February after not touching it for a couple of months isn’t there anymore so it seems as if it’s time to give it up for good and leave it in the past forever like I did with Cope. My friends have been very supportive and when they know your family history and you tell them you were approaching heart failure which turned around 180 degrees after quitting they’re even more supportive. I always enjoyed drinking and being drunk with friends and by myself but I enjoy not drinking even more and my health is way better without alcohol in the mix.

 

[BravoNovember]

I quit drinking just shy of 19 years ago. I am from Wisconsin originally and all of my friends drank pretty hard almost all of us a DWI's some had multiple. I had a pretty rough night and got sick while asleep and that was it. I had a 3 and 1 year old at the time and the thought of them having to tell people that their father died that way was enough for me. I am the guy that is 100 mph or nothing in life and alcohol had to go. Our marriage improved ten fold my career took off and family life has improved immensely. Best of luck to you I never missed it and do not ever think I will drink again.

From Wisconsin as well. Literally everything is revolving around alcohol

 

[Kilboars]

If anyone follows the Dr Huberman podcast, he just did an amazing presentation/podcast on the effect of alcohol on the body. Specifically the brain and gut. It was pretty eye opening for me. The studies show, even very moderate alcohol use, shows very negative effects. Moderate, meaning more than 2 drinks per month. I thought it was very interesting, and definitely has me cutting back.

Thanks.

What Alcohol Does to Your Body, Brain & Health

Podcast Episode · Huberman Lab · 08/22/2022 · 1h 58m

podcasts.apple.com

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[WoodBow]

Thought i would share this that i came across this morning. Certainly applies to me.

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[WrstMuleHntr]

Had to join the website to let everyone (except that one dude) who contributed here has given me a boost of motivation that I needed over the last week to quit alcohol. I'm on day 9 now and read a couple pages each day in the morning as my motivation. A lot of the stories told here are very relatable and helpful.

I quit dipping almost 6 years ago and the parallels in my thoughts and feelings are incredible. It really boils down to the fact that a substance has control over me and I am ready to gain control back over my own life. No more planning my life around my next drink or not going and doing something because I do not want to drive.

Looking back after reading a lot of these posts it is true that I cannot really come up with any ways that alcohol has improved my life, and almost every bad decision I made or ruined relationship has revolved around alcohol use. My doctor has been telling me for the last year that my liver enzymes are too high (actually found out when I tried to get life insurance and was denied). One year later and 4 more tests show that my liver is only getting worse. With 4 young kids to take care of I need to live longer and I sure as hell need to be a better role model.

I first became aware that my drinking was becoming in excess about 6 years ago right before I quit dip. There were about 3 occasions that year that I can remember drinking to the point of blacking out. At the time I thought it was a fluke and something that I just needed to watch and not drink quite as much. As time has gone on, the blackouts have become almost routine, with 1-2 per Week!! I have become an expert at hiding my consumption. Most of my friends always say they can barely even tell when I am drunk. My wife gets frustrated because she can never tell, or when she thinks I am drunk I am so good at pretending I am not and convincing her that I am not drunk. I brush off the blackouts and pretend that I remember most of what happened the night before and just try not to bring anything up that will give me away that I don't actually remember. Plenty of mornings I have woken up trying to remember if I had sex or not last night!! Man, what a waste. Add to that the memories that I am losing with time spent with my family on camping trips and other vacations. I am embarrassed by how much I have missed out on over the last 6 years.

Luckily I have never had a DUI, and that is 100% luck only. I am still married, but could very easily have done something to ruin that one of the 100s of times that I blacked out. My kids all still adore me, but I know they are not stupid and can see right through my attempts to act like I am not drinking. I feel like I still have time to recover the image that they have of me, but I need to act now. I have a great career, but I can also see how the last 5 years has greatly impacted my performance and my growth. Dragging my ass into work barely moving on Monday mornings and not gaining a somewhat clear head until Wednesday has not helped. Showing up to work yesterday was the first Monday morning is years that I felt refreshed and ready to go.

I look forward to this new chapter of my life. I look forward to remembering all of the great things that this life has to offer me. I look forward to not waking up with a headache or passing out on the couch during family movie night. I look forward to my health improving and my doctor to get off my ass lol. I look forward to being the man, father and husband that I was meant to be, without alcohol.

Tomorrow I go on my annual dove hunting trip and I know it will be one of the best I have had in years, because I will be free from the booze. I will be free to go on an evening hunt, or float down the river, or drive to a fishing spot, or drive to dinner. I won't be tethered to the motel because I want to be able to get drunk and not have to drive anywhere. The freedom is what will keep me going. Thank you again to the member that started this and all those who have positively contributed. I am sure that I will read through all the pages several more times. .

 

[ODB]

Keep it up @WrstMuleHntr The booze will miss you a LOT more than you will miss it. Relish those good night sleeps, the time with your wife, kids and friends, and when it comes to not drinking when everyone else is, channel your inner contrarian and just stick to water. At the end of the night when you are the last sober one standing, it’ll make even more sense why stopping drinking is the right thing to do.