Quitting Alcohol

[Wolf13]

I gave most of mine away and throw the remainder out when I quit.

Much of it is not “throw away” bottles. I am a collector of many things, bottles being one of them. 90% are opened as I never bought with the intent to hold and sell. I’ve started to ask a few friends but none have enough room.

 

[Dbbell]

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?

I was in a very serious wreck (major head trauma) Neuro surgeon comes in and asks my wife how much I drank, she told him I didn't drink, he says maybe I had a chance. I'm still here, supposed to be dead.

 

[PlumberED]

Much of it is not “throw away” bottles. I am a collector of many things, bottles being one of them. 90% are opened as I never bought with the intent to hold and sell. I’ve started to ask a few friends but none have enough room.

I get what your saying.

 

[LFC911]

"One day or day one. You decide." -Paulo Coelho

 

[highcountrymuley]

My friends and I are all moderating or stopping altogether. There are alot of good NA beers out there now: Athletic hazy iPa is my favorite. I have some regular but lower alcohol beers and some NA or seltzer waters. We still go to bluegrass festivals and hang out... just don't get blotto anymore... different reasons for everyone. It is good to have support and we are all around 50 yrs old and not looking for that level of partying anymore. Lots of folks going California sober, weed in its many forms and some psilocybin here and there.

Good luck and continued strength to those who need to limit or stop drinking altogether. Being strong and planting your foot isn't easy for everyone. Keep trying and get help if you need it.

 

[Finch]

So I guess I’m not that crazy from trying the na stuff then hahaha.

I had a Athlethic NA for the first time last Friday. My buddy and I got off work and went to this bar we always like going to. Only difference is this is the first time I didn't order an actual real beer. I was a little hesitant at first thinking it might make me want the real thing but nope, I'm good. Going on 41 days...

 

[RobertLosekamp]

Today marks seven years of sobriety from alcohol for me. Life is a wonderful thing, full of highs and lows, I'd have nothing I cherish today if I continued down that path.

I see alcohol for what it is now... Poison. A poison for your body and mind, relationships, and passions. It leaks into every aspect of your life and poisons them too, nobody around you is immune to the effects of your poisoned mind.

Whatever troubles you try to wash away will still be there in the morning but you'll have to face them hung over. It lifts my heart to see so many young people celebrating their own victories over alcohol and I'm proud of each of you for taking the first step.

To anyone fighting this fight I see you. Life can be better. You can quit. Take the first step towards a better, healthier, happier you. I promise it's worth it.

 

[ODB]

Today marks seven years of sobriety from alcohol for me. Life is a wonderful thing, full of highs and lows, I'd have nothing I cherish today if I continued down that path.

I see alcohol for what it is now... Poison. A poison for your body and mind, relationships, and passions. It leaks into every aspect of your life and poisons them too, nobody around you is immune to the effects of your poisoned mind.

Whatever troubles you try to wash away will still be there in the morning but you'll have to face them hung over. It lifts my heart to see so many young people celebrating their own victories over alcohol and I'm proud of each of you for taking the first step.

To anyone fighting this fight I see you. Life can be better. You can quit. Take the first step towards a better, healthier, happier you. I promise it's worth it.

Powerful statement. Thanks for sharing and well done on seven years.

 

[survivalistd]

Today marks seven years of sobriety from alcohol for me. Life is a wonderful thing, full of highs and lows, I'd have nothing I cherish today if I continued down that path.

I see alcohol for what it is now... Poison. A poison for your body and mind, relationships, and passions. It leaks into every aspect of your life and poisons them too, nobody around you is immune to the effects of your poisoned mind.

Whatever troubles you try to wash away will still be there in the morning but you'll have to face them hung over. It lifts my heart to see so many young people celebrating their own victories over alcohol and I'm proud of each of you for taking the first step.

To anyone fighting this fight I see you. Life can be better. You can quit. Take the first step towards a better, healthier, happier you. I promise it's worth it.

Congratulations on a milestone.

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[RobertLosekamp]

Powerful statement. Thanks for sharing and well done on seven years.

I only hope to inspire others to put down the bottle and pick up life. I appreciate your comment sir.

 

[RobertLosekamp]

Congratulations on a milestone.

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Thank you, many more to come I hope.

 

[OregonSteeler]

A follow up to a previous post of mine...

I went to Las Vegas last weekend (Wed-Saturday) with some elementary and high school buddies. Some of them I haven't seen in 20yrs!

I made it through without having a drop of alcohol and though, at times I felt like giving in; I stayed the course.

Here's some observations:

1. Alcohol is EVERYWHERE and fuels that city. From a bloody mary or red beer in the morning to free beer while gambling, to fruity drinks during pool time, to drinks at dinner, to late night shots and partying at the clubs. It's insane how ingrained booze is in every aspect of your day/night.

2. While others were drinking, it really helped to have some type of drink in my hand. I didn't feel so out of place.

3. Bartenders definitely give you a weird glance when asking for an arnold palmer or pepsi! LOL

4. There really is something about the air in those casinos. Typically, I'm an early riser and in bed by 10:30-11p at the very latest. I somehow was able to stay up with everyone until 2a-3a.

5. Watching my friends go from sober to absolutely obliterated, I could almost feel the gluttony of so many drinks and vividly remember the impending hangover coming the next day. That was probably the biggest moment where it solidified why I quit.

6. Looking back, I don't know if I could truly say it was just as fun being sober than not. I did miss the bond that is created when you're drinking with close friends. It's undeniable to me that I felt like an outsider, even though none of them cared. But staying on the course of sobriety, not every day is going to be sunshine and rainbows. Overall, I'm happy where I'm at and excited to continue down this road.

 

[dtrkyman]

Keep it up fellas.

I have gotten weird looks my whole life for refusing booze and coffee, It just doesn't matter to me. Fortunately I was never a drinker so it is really not challenging for me.

Definitley not the case for my family, there are some really pro's there.

 

[ODB]

A follow up to a previous post of mine...

I went to Las Vegas last weekend (Wed-Saturday) with some elementary and high school buddies. Some of them I haven't seen in 20yrs!

I made it through without having a drop of alcohol and though, at times I felt like giving in; I stayed the course.

Here's some observations:

1. Alcohol is EVERYWHERE and fuels that city. From a bloody mary or red beer in the morning to free beer while gambling, to fruity drinks during pool time, to drinks at dinner, to late night shots and partying at the clubs. It's insane how ingrained booze is in every aspect of your day/night.

2. While others were drinking, it really helped to have some type of drink in my hand. I didn't feel so out of place.

3. Bartenders definitely give you a weird glance when asking for an arnold palmer or pepsi! LOL

4. There really is something about the air in those casinos. Typically, I'm an early riser and in bed by 10:30-11p at the very latest. I somehow was able to stay up with everyone until 2a-3a.

5. Watching my friends go from sober to absolutely obliterated, I could almost feel the gluttony of so many drinks and vividly remember the impending hangover coming the next day. That was probably the biggest moment where it solidified why I quit.

6. Looking back, I don't know if I could truly say it was just as fun being sober than not. I did miss the bond that is created when you're drinking with close friends. It's undeniable to me that I felt like an outsider, even though none of them cared. But staying on the course of sobriety, not every day is going to be sunshine and rainbows. Overall, I'm happy where I'm at and excited to continue down this road.

Nice, man. Great observations (including the air in the casino).

#1 is an undeniable truth. Booze fuels damn near everything. You just can’t look anywhere without seeing it. Including the outdoors.

Glad you made it through. You now have an excellent example of “if I could make it through xxx I can make it through anything.”

 

[Customweld]

A follow up to a previous post of mine...

I went to Las Vegas last weekend (Wed-Saturday) with some elementary and high school buddies. Some of them I haven't seen in 20yrs!

I made it through without having a drop of alcohol and though, at times I felt like giving in; I stayed the course.

Here's some observations:

1. Alcohol is EVERYWHERE and fuels that city. From a bloody mary or red beer in the morning to free beer while gambling, to fruity drinks during pool time, to drinks at dinner, to late night shots and partying at the clubs. It's insane how ingrained booze is in every aspect of your day/night.

2. While others were drinking, it really helped to have some type of drink in my hand. I didn't feel so out of place.

3. Bartenders definitely give you a weird glance when asking for an arnold palmer or pepsi! LOL

4. There really is something about the air in those casinos. Typically, I'm an early riser and in bed by 10:30-11p at the very latest. I somehow was able to stay up with everyone until 2a-3a.

5. Watching my friends go from sober to absolutely obliterated, I could almost feel the gluttony of so many drinks and vividly remember the impending hangover coming the next day. That was probably the biggest moment where it solidified why I quit.

6. Looking back, I don't know if I could truly say it was just as fun being sober than not. I did miss the bond that is created when you're drinking with close friends. It's undeniable to me that I felt like an outsider, even though none of them cared. But staying on the course of sobriety, not every day is going to be sunshine and rainbows. Overall, I'm happy where I'm at and excited to continue down this road.

Well done! If you can get through that, you are fighting the good fight!

 

[hunt1up]

Well the 1 year mark has come and gone. I distinctly remember waking up the morning of 8/26 last year. I was on a work trip and drank a fair amount the night before. I wasn't as hung over as I could have been but I recall being tired. I was having the conflicting thoughts about quitting that I'd had a bunch of times.

This year on 8/26, I woke up at 5:00am and went hunting with my kids. Drinking never stopped me from doing that before, but nowadays I wake up raring to go. I rolled over wide awake before my alarm and my 10 year old son was already getting dressed. It was a great day. The boy got an antelope and the next day my daughter did too.

The other guys in camp were having evening beers and offered me some as friendly people do. I politely declined and had a few of the NAs I'd brought. The experience was quite pleasant and I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything. Quite the contrary really.

 

[schmalzy]

Well the 1 year mark has come and gone. I distinctly remember waking up the morning of 8/26 last year. I was on a work trip and drank a fair amount the night before. I wasn't as hung over as I could have been but I recall being tired. I was having the conflicting thoughts about quitting that I'd had a bunch of times.

This year on 8/26, I woke up at 5:00am and went hunting with my kids. Drinking never stopped me from doing that before, but nowadays I wake up raring to go. I rolled over wide awake before my alarm and my 10 year old son was already getting dressed. It was a great day. The boy got an antelope and the next day my daughter did too.

The other guys in camp were having evening beers and offered me some as friendly people do. I politely declined and had a few of the NAs I'd brought. The experience was quite pleasant and I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything. Quite the contrary really.

This is awesome. Way to go man. Happy for you.


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[WayneKerr]

Today marks seven years of sobriety from alcohol for me. Life is a wonderful thing, full of highs and lows, I'd have nothing I cherish today if I continued down that path.

I see alcohol for what it is now... Poison. A poison for your body and mind, relationships, and passions. It leaks into every aspect of your life and poisons them too, nobody around you is immune to the effects of your poisoned mind.

Whatever troubles you try to wash away will still be there in the morning but you'll have to face them hung over. It lifts my heart to see so many young people celebrating their own victories over alcohol and I'm proud of each of you for taking the first step.

To anyone fighting this fight I see you. Life can be better. You can quit. Take the first step towards a better, healthier, happier you. I promise it's worth it.

Man, this post hits hard. Everything is 100% spot on. It reinforces everything I've come to learn and I couldn't have asked for a better time to read it.

This year was shaping up to be the best of the 33 years I've been on this planet, but several things recently took an abrupt turn in the opposite direction. I thought I knew what it was like to have life take a giant dump on me, but this is by far the worst mix of sadness, anxiety, fear, and uncertainty I've ever felt.

I came very close to picking up the bottle 2 weeks ago. I would have thrown away 6 years of clean time. Drinking would not have solved my problems. Drinking in times like these only make things worse, but I couldn't shake the thoughts of doing it because it seemed like the easy thing to do. It seemed like the easy fix. First time in 6 years I've had urges that I almost caved in to. I had to get back into some AA to get my head straight, and in a way this thread has been icing on the cake. The positivity in here is a huge help.

Thanks for reading, thanks for sharing. Mad respect to all of you who have quit and those who are taking the steps to moderate and/or put it down for good.

I wish there was a way for the post I quoted from RobertLosekamp to be seen by everyone who visits this thread. It's the truth. The dude straight up nailed it. Wise words.

 

[Oh.Leever]

"One day or day one. You decide." -Paulo Coelho

This quote is new to me yet it feels so familiar. I like it a lot.



The misses and I talk about quitting all the time… I can hold my own but I guess it’s more about doing it for her sake too… hmmm

Lots of inspirational stuff in this thread. Thank you all for sharing and hope everyone stays on track.

 

[SwiftShot]

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?

Lost weight, got in better shape. You can substitute one bad habit with a good one like working out.