Quitting Alcohol

[grizz19]

Just found this thread. You guy are awesome. Congrats to all of you. I haven’t drank since April of 2013. So I guess that would be coming on 12 years. Haven’t missed it once. Have plenty of fun without it and have been in the best shape of my life the last several years. Saving all that money isn’t so bad either.

 

[grizz19]

You nailed it dead center. I don’t know how to do anything in moderation and I don’t understand people who can. If I’m interested enough to dabble I’m interested enough to make it an obsession that I’ll poor every ounce of energy into until I have nothing left. I have the ability to get outta hand in almost any hobby or project, oftentimes with amazing results. But the dark side of that trait can be terrible. If I like it enough to do it more than once I like it enough to want it every single day.

All things considered I’ve done really well in the social maneuvering. But You can’t reason or teach politeness to a drunk person. They’ll attack you and your character before they’ll admit alcohol might be a problem for them. I’ve seen just exactly how far they’ll go to that end.

I Watched the love of my life balling because her dad refused to come to our house for dinner, because we don’t allow booze at our house. I’ve seen them tell her she was rude to refuse to accept a college graduation gift of wine from a friend of theirs when they knew she was sober. Saw them bring booze to our home on our wedding day when everyone was told it wasn’t allowed and I calmly told them again when I saw one of them on the front porch with a beer. After which an aunt left in a huff and later told lies to my wife, that I said something shitty to her. And lastly my nieces and nephew were told that I forced my wife to quit drinking.
Was I rude when I marched in to grab the phone to call her dad when he brought her to tears? Perhaps, but you better believe I told him point blank that he was choosing a bottle of booze over his own daughter. We get along now, they held a grudge longer than I did.

I stand up for the people I love and anybody trying to get sober. Especially when people who drink can’t stand the thought of someone getting sober because it makes them contemplate the effects their drinking habit has on the people around them. Because alcohol negatively impacts a hell of a lot more people than are willing to admit it.

So for me it’s not nearly as much of “I don’t understand” as it is “I just can’t stand”. Because I think about how dangerous their rhetoric is to people who are desperately trying to get sober or stay sober. “Awe man just one beer won’t hurt” could absolutely destroy someone. I think more people should see and understand that. I did try very hard to be polite in my reply to the “just slow down bro” comment.

It’s not allowed in our house either. Crazy how so many people are reliant on alcohol and cannot function without it.

 

[longrangelead]

9 years and 3 months

I don't miss it AT ALL, EVER!

As I was, I couldn't see living as I am now.
As I am now, I don't know how I lived as I was.

The truth is, living as a drunk is not living.

Alcohol is a thief!
thief of joy,
of time,
of money,
relationships,
memories,
opportunity,
family,
love,
self respect,
your energy,
your positivity,
and most of all, your future.

9 years and 3 months

I'm 47 and feel better than I did at 37

I sleep better, I have more endurance, less constant pain from inflammation, the list goes on.

I'm at peace! when I was drinking, I was angry all the time at everything for no real reason.
it's a cycle, alcohol perpetuates depression and anger.

STOP THE LOOP!

For anyone and everyone just making the decision, realize that little voice that calls to you to "just have one" or "try one and see if you miss it"
That is raw temptation trying to pull you back in the trap!

DONT DO IT!
Don't do it for your future self, your wife, your kids, your true friends that support your decision.

Once you can see temptation for what it is, find something to do instead. go to the gym, go for a hike, do something you have to focus on entirely.

someone mentioned triggers. if you always had a drink doing ______... identify those triggers and put something else in its place.

Bottom line is it is a decision to not let it back in your life at any cost.

Sometimes it means letting people leave your life. That usually works itself out because the dysfunction was the bond to begin with.

peace brothers