Quitting Alcohol

[Davyalabama]

Doing it for yourself, for others for God, just jump on this bandwagon if you're contemplating it. Remember to use that time you were drinking wisely, you don't needlessly need to add calories eating, start smoking, drugs, etc.
Add something back to your life for giving this stuff up, more time with family (quality time), time for you (golf course, hunting/fishing, exercise, hopefully more and better sex with the wife), add some time to give back to others, or more time reading your Bible or praying over your family.

 

[ChrisA]

The benefits are innumerable, and the negatives get hidden and become a normal routine and shitty lifestyle.

It can get quite silly. For instance, I'd have a few beers and get a case of the F*** it's and not get anything done, or became one handed as a beer can tied up the other. Then I surely couldn't take the boat 5 minutes to the boat ramp, what if a game warden was there and smelled alcohol on me? I surely wasn't going to get an OWI, so I stayed home and didn't accomplish shit.

That's all gone now and I've gotten more done on the farm, fished and hunted much more, and am a way better husband and father with a much better temper and reasoning. The lower stress and blood pressure, and 50 lbs lighter is icing on the cake.

I've actually opened up and talk to people at school events because I'm not worried they'll smell alcohol on my breath. So many positives, I am so grateful and would've quit or never started decades ago had I known it would rob me of so many things.

 

[Northern Safari]

Great for weight loss too. I give my liver a break every few months. Every time I stop I easily lose a pound per day for the first 28 days.

 

[COLD SMOKE]

6 months sober and its been all positive.

Gained motivation, I’m sharper mentally and stronger physically and it’s quantifiable.

Lost weight and I now exercise everyday. I looked like a bag of jello before, I’m cut with muscles now, have logged 100 hours lifting heavy in the gym since I got sober.
and just took 1st place in a 1/2 marathon. Got another 1/2 in July.

Im signing up for a full in sept. and hopefully if I feel ready, a 50 miler in February 2026. Longer distance running has helped a ton.

I don’t get angry nearly as much ( I always struggled with anger and the negativity that surrounds being angry ). I don’t blow up at little things. I’m not spiteful or resentful.

I sleep 6-8 hours every night ( and I write down my dreams, highly recommended )
I’m more organized.

I’m never hung over or inflamed from alcohol. My skin is better , I’m mid 40s and I look much younger.

Catalyst for being sober was a divorce after 20 years. I needed something positive to come out of such a difficult situation and one day at a time it became sobriety.

Im currently retraining (was a carpenter am going to get a bachelors in nursing then a DNP CRNA
(nurse who can administer anesthesia).

Currently I have learned calculus, statistics completing an anatomy and physiology sequence, learned how to play the drum set, in the last six months.
I can integrate, differentiate, identify the glomerulus, play simple grooves on a set with fills, and more .. I knew none of this 6 months ago.

Physically I look better and I’m in good shape heading towards excellent shape.

I have a new girlfriend (who’s is health oriented and sober ) and sex life is vastly improved.

It’s been powerful and eye opening how much of my life I was in a haze. No more.

It was alcohol ( and abusing tobacco as well) they really put me in that state.

I am grateful and thankful that I am still alive and able to create a new path in this life.

Hunting ties in, in small ways. I enjoy being in nature and am blessed to live in the mtns

I am looking forward to progressing as a hunter. I found I like to be solo in the woods ( or with my dog ) and that’s the way forward for me. I’m targeting mule deer now ( was black tail before ) and looking to get a high Sierra granite buck that is 140” or above. Plus my 1st bear. Modest goals for me but this would be my lucky 7th deer.

I’ll be a NV resident next year for nursing school so I’ll look forward to elk and antelope ( hopefully ) And someone range practice out in the sage.

Anyway didn’t have a celebration for 6 months, so this is my proclamation and celebration.

Congrats to all who have found a new path and if you read this and are considering quitting alcohol,

All I can say is the life without alcohol is immeasurably better in every capacity.

We can achieve so much ! We just have to tune in, find motivation, work hard and have the right attitude!

 

[Onehorse]

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?

Sounds like you are on the right track (a little hunting terminology, LOL). Look, quitting alcohol will make your life better in all respects, not just hunting. It will benefit your family and so many people - you being the first, of course. You absolutely will be in better shape. How do I know? For one thing, I am in MUCH better shape than most people 20-30 younger than I who drink alcohol, and if you consult medical experts, for every kind of medical condition, the first thing you will hear is to stop drinking alcohol. Fortunately, I am not an alcoholic. I have only been drunk once in my life when I was a very young man. The next day, after all the puking, etc., I decided being drunk and drinking, in general, was stupid, and that was it for me. Unfortunately, that didn't shield me from the horrors of alcohol addiction. My daughter was an alcoholic, and so I learned, firsthand, what this terrible illness does to people, families and communities. I won't go into all details here, but even burying her, at the age of 30 from an alcohol overdose hasn't ended the grief and pain for her mother and me. Please follow your current direction. It will be hard, hard work. Keep in mind you are not alone, and there is help available. Take it! Be strong. You CAN do this, but it's only (and all) up to you - no one can do it for you. The GOOD news is that it looks like you have already figured this out and are ready to begin your journey back to sobriety, which is a HUGE, HUGE first step. I wish you all the best. Peace and God bless!

 

[Onehorse]

My control is knowing what’s right for me. I still enjoy NA beers with my buddies.
The way you phrased the above makes it sound like I’m somehow inferior because I don’t drink. I’m hoping it only sounds that way and it’s not actually what you really think.

If that comment, "It's good for you," is directed to true alcoholics, it's WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!

 

[thinhorn_AK]

6 months sober and its been all positive.

Gained motivation, I’m sharper mentally and stronger physically and it’s quantifiable.

Lost weight and I now exercise everyday. I looked like a bag of jello before, I’m cut with muscles now, have logged 100 hours lifting heavy in the gym since I got sober.
and just took 1st place in a 1/2 marathon. Got another 1/2 in July.

Im signing up for a full in sept. and hopefully if I feel ready, a 50 miler in February 2026. Longer distance running has helped a ton.

I don’t get angry nearly as much ( I always struggled with anger and the negativity that surrounds being angry ). I don’t blow up at little things. I’m not spiteful or resentful.

I sleep 6-8 hours every night ( and I write down my dreams, highly recommended )
I’m more organized.

I’m never hung over or inflamed from alcohol. My skin is better , I’m mid 40s and I look much younger.

Catalyst for being sober was a divorce after 20 years. I needed something positive to come out of such a difficult situation and one day at a time it became sobriety.

Im currently retraining (was a carpenter am going to get a bachelors in nursing then a DNP CRNA
(nurse who can administer anesthesia).

Currently I have learned calculus, statistics completing an anatomy and physiology sequence, learned how to play the drum set, in the last six months.
I can integrate, differentiate, identify the glomerulus, play simple grooves on a set with fills, and more .. I knew none of this 6 months ago.

Physically I look better and I’m in good shape heading towards excellent shape.

I have a new girlfriend (who’s is health oriented and sober ) and sex life is vastly improved.

It’s been powerful and eye opening how much of my life I was in a haze. No more.

It was alcohol ( and abusing tobacco as well) they really put me in that state.

I am grateful and thankful that I am still alive and able to create a new path in this life.

Hunting ties in, in small ways. I enjoy being in nature and am blessed to live in the mtns

I am looking forward to progressing as a hunter. I found I like to be solo in the woods ( or with my dog ) and that’s the way forward for me. I’m targeting mule deer now ( was black tail before ) and looking to get a high Sierra granite buck that is 140” or above. Plus my 1st bear. Modest goals for me but this would be my lucky 7th deer.

I’ll be a NV resident next year for nursing school so I’ll look forward to elk and antelope ( hopefully ) And someone range practice out in the sage.

Anyway didn’t have a celebration for 6 months, so this is my proclamation and celebration.

Congrats to all who have found a new path and if you read this and are considering quitting alcohol,

All I can say is the life without alcohol is immeasurably better in every capacity.

We can achieve so much ! We just have to tune in, find motivation, work hard and have the right attitude!

Dang man….i just take my dog on more walks. Maybe I should start drinking again so I can quit again and see if it works like that.
Maybe I’m doing something wrong.

 

[zaprosper]

6 months sober and its been all positive.

Gained motivation, I’m sharper mentally and stronger physically and it’s quantifiable.

Lost weight and I now exercise everyday. I looked like a bag of jello before, I’m cut with muscles now, have logged 100 hours lifting heavy in the gym since I got sober.
and just took 1st place in a 1/2 marathon. Got another 1/2 in July.

Im signing up for a full in sept. and hopefully if I feel ready, a 50 miler in February 2026. Longer distance running has helped a ton.

I don’t get angry nearly as much ( I always struggled with anger and the negativity that surrounds being angry ). I don’t blow up at little things. I’m not spiteful or resentful.

I sleep 6-8 hours every night ( and I write down my dreams, highly recommended )
I’m more organized.

I’m never hung over or inflamed from alcohol. My skin is better , I’m mid 40s and I look much younger.

Catalyst for being sober was a divorce after 20 years. I needed something positive to come out of such a difficult situation and one day at a time it became sobriety.

Im currently retraining (was a carpenter am going to get a bachelors in nursing then a DNP CRNA
(nurse who can administer anesthesia).

Currently I have learned calculus, statistics completing an anatomy and physiology sequence, learned how to play the drum set, in the last six months.
I can integrate, differentiate, identify the glomerulus, play simple grooves on a set with fills, and more .. I knew none of this 6 months ago.

Physically I look better and I’m in good shape heading towards excellent shape.

I have a new girlfriend (who’s is health oriented and sober ) and sex life is vastly improved.

It’s been powerful and eye opening how much of my life I was in a haze. No more.

It was alcohol ( and abusing tobacco as well) they really put me in that state.

I am grateful and thankful that I am still alive and able to create a new path in this life.

Hunting ties in, in small ways. I enjoy being in nature and am blessed to live in the mtns

I am looking forward to progressing as a hunter. I found I like to be solo in the woods ( or with my dog ) and that’s the way forward for me. I’m targeting mule deer now ( was black tail before ) and looking to get a high Sierra granite buck that is 140” or above. Plus my 1st bear. Modest goals for me but this would be my lucky 7th deer.

I’ll be a NV resident next year for nursing school so I’ll look forward to elk and antelope ( hopefully ) And someone range practice out in the sage.

Anyway didn’t have a celebration for 6 months, so this is my proclamation and celebration.

Congrats to all who have found a new path and if you read this and are considering quitting alcohol,

All I can say is the life without alcohol is immeasurably better in every capacity.

We can achieve so much ! We just have to tune in, find motivation, work hard and have the right attitude!

That's awesome! Before you were sober, how much would you drink in a week? I wasn't a heavy drinker ever, but even cutting out my nightly beer or 2 has changed my general mood and anxiety a lot.

 

[WRO]

Coming up on 2 years, I weigh 60lbs less, sleep like a baby and feel mentally sharper than I have in decades.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ODB]

Great stories. Inspiring.

 

[markhugus]

I enjoy being sober

 

[scottbot]

I don’t not have a problem with drinking, I have friends that do. Is it true that the only way for people with addictions to get help is them wanting to stop? It seems like no matter how much we talk about it nothing ever changes.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I don’t not have a problem with drinking, I have friends that do. Is it true that the only way for people with addictions to get help is them wanting to stop? It seems like no matter how much we talk about it nothing ever changes.

Everybody wants to heal until the medicine shows up in the form of discipline.

Self improvement is hard which is why so few people succeed at it. I have a close friend similar to yours, he’s got a few young kids, hasn’t exercised in a few years, drinks every night and he thinks he’s in good shape because he works on his yard (he isn’t in good shape at all). He talks about stopping drinking, going for runs and doing pushups after the kids are asleep but it never happens. I heres always excuses. It’s his business and he’s an adult so I don’t even bring it up anymore. There’s an old saying: if you really want something, you’ll find a way, if you don’t want it, you’ll find an excuse.

That’s all it is. I hear that buddy say “I don’t have time to exercise”, well you had time to drink 7 beers after your kids were in bed….

 

[KevinInID]

Inspiring to read everyone's experience.

I never had a drinking problem (1 or 2 beers a week). I cut that out 18 months ago. Even coming off 1 or 2 a week I feel better drinking zero. Sleep improved. Don't miss it a single bit. Wife feels the same. My opinion, nothing good comes from alcohol. My point is, even if you don't have a "problem", I think cutting it out can still improve your life.

 

[ODB]

Everybody wants to heal until the medicine shows up in the form of discipline.

Ain't that the damn truth.

 

[Yoder]

I don’t not have a problem with drinking, I have friends that do. Is it true that the only way for people with addictions to get help is them wanting to stop? It seems like no matter how much we talk about it nothing ever changes.

It's the ONLY way. If your friends are functioning alcoholics it will be extremely hard for them to quit. I know from my own experience that when you have a job, wife, kids and nothing really bad is happening you think you are fine. I lived like that for about 20 years. I drank just enough to get a buzz almost every night. Never missed work or my kids baseball games. I thought I was a good dad. It makes me sick even writing that now. If you have a buzz around your kids every day, you are a shit parent. Stop for your family even if you don't respect yourself enough to stop. If you don't, you'll regret it. Trust me.

 

[Huntndog]

It's the ONLY way. If your friends are functioning alcoholics it will be extremely hard for them to quit. I know from my own experience that when you have a job, wife, kids and nothing really bad is happening you think you are fine. I lived like that for about 20 years. I drank just enough to get a buzz almost every night. Never missed work or my kids baseball games. I thought I was a good dad. It makes me sick even writing that now. If you have a buzz around your kids every day, you are a shit parent. Stop for your family even if you don't respect yourself enough to stop. If you don't, you'll regret it. Trust me.

I guess I was a shit parent. ( even though I didn’t have a buzz every day I drank way more than I should have around my kids.) One ended up being a high level hospital executive and the other a Spanish literature translator and ESL teacher. I chose them and my wife of 40 years over being at the highest level in my own career. The reason was so I could be home for them every night. We traveled extensively both home and abroad and share countless wonderful memories. They both were in church every Sunday.

If I could do it over again I would not drink. I did not set a good example in that area .
In my opinion terms like shit parent ,however, should be reserved for those who put career, fishing and hunting ,or any other pursuit before family. There are many teetotalers who cheat on their spouses , spend little or no quality time with their children , and never listen to anything anyone else has to say. There are many ways to fail our kids and having a buzz every day may be one of them ,but it’s not the worst when compared to all of the other human frailties out there.

Finally, I think self loathing is only one reason to abstain. Many people,though, drink because they already hate themselves. If we could learn to love ourselves and each other perhaps drinking would not feel necessary for many of us.
I regret drinking too much over the years and ,thankfully,have been alcohol free for a year and a half. I also celebrate that in spite of it there are many, many good things to look back on. We live ,learn and sometimes change for the better. Recognizing our shortcomings, fixing them ,and moving on is all part of it. What else CAN we do?

 

[Tilzbow]

I stopped alcohol and pot 11 months ago in preparation for fairly major lower back surgery, never really went back to alcohol and recently gave up weed. Since early July 2024 I’ve had 1/2 shot of whiskey, 1 full glass of wine and another 1/2 shot of whiskey. The glass of wine gave me a full day hangover, not a bad one but I knew I’d drank it the night before. The only thing I miss is the social aspect of sipping on a drink but the same can be said for cigars and Copenhagen which I quit totally in 2016 after 35 years of that stuff.

My heart, which is now sensitive to alcohol after more than 35 years of drinking more than I should on a regular basis, thanks me and I haven’t had an episode of AFIB in 18 months (only had two thay I know of but they were not fun) or regularly occurring PVCs (premature ventricular contractions). Three months ago I also gave up pot since it was also giving me undesirable heart symptoms. I’m off Eliquis for the AFIB, another med for high triglycerides and have cut back on my BP meds.

Essentially no alcohol has been a really good thing for my health and the same can be said for pot. Lastly my memory has gotten way better since quitting the weed.

 

[Yoder]

I guess I was a shit parent. ( even though I didn’t have a buzz every day I drank way more than I should have around my kids.) One ended up being a high level hospital executive and the other a Spanish literature translator and ESL teacher. I chose them and my wife of 40 years over being at the highest level in my own career. The reason was so I could be home for them every night. We traveled extensively both home and abroad and share countless wonderful memories. They both were in church every Sunday.

If I could do it over again I would not drink. I did not set a good example in that area .
In my opinion terms like shit parent ,however, should be reserved for those who put career, fishing and hunting ,or any other pursuit before family. There are many teetotalers who cheat on their spouses , spend little or no quality time with their children , and never listen to anything anyone else has to say. There are many ways to fail our kids and having a buzz every day may be one of them ,but it’s not the worst when compared to all of the other human frailties out there.

Finally, I think self loathing is only one reason to abstain. Many people,though, drink because they already hate themselves. If we could learn to love ourselves and each other perhaps drinking would not feel necessary for many of us.
I regret drinking too much over the years and ,thankfully,have been alcohol free for a year and a half. I also celebrate that in spite of it there are many, many good things to look back on. We live ,learn and sometimes change for the better. Recognizing our shortcomings, fixing them ,and moving on is all part of it. What else CAN we do?

I just have a lot of self hatred for drinking so long. My oldest son had a lot of problems with drugs and I wonder if it was due to my influence. I was only 19 when he was born so maybe I should give myself a little bit of a break.

 

[Robster]

Not sure if this has been posted, but it's a great podcast on the effects of alcohol. He states in there he wishes he can find something good to say about alcohol but there is nothing. And he said those that say they drink wine for the health benefits! By the time you drink enough to get the benefits from the grapes, you've more than toxified your body from the alcohol.

Episode 86: What Alcohol Does To Your Body, Brain & Health | Huberman Lab • Podcast Notes

In this episode of the Huberman Lab podcast, Andrew Huberman takes a deep dive into all things related to alcohol, its consumption, effects on the brain and body, alcoholism, and much more. He breaks down the physiological effects that drinking alcohol has on the brain and body at different...

podcastnotes.org