I gave up drinking for 7 years. I thought it would help me keep a job and make me a better, more relaxed, more easy-going person. I didn’t make a big deal out of it and refused drinks politely, often using the excuse of, “Can’t - I have to drive home.”
I didn’t judge friends or family wanting a drink or having a drink. I calmly ignored such statements as, “You were alot more fun when you drank.” or “Geez, can’t you just have a beer to be social.” I bit my tongue instead of replying,“It would be easier to be social if you would stop trying to force a drink down my throat, asshole.”
I had pretty much given it up when three years ago, a cousin that I really like (and who I never considered to have any type of drinking problem and I never heard anyone else mention that she had any kind of problem with drinking.) gave up beer, wine and alcohol for religious reasons. She tried to claim that when wine was mentioned in the Bible, they were actually referring to grape juice, and other such rot. This really bugged me because this cousin had always been normal, intelligent, and reasonable.
I told her that I was OK with her giving up drinking if it was her personal choice, but if she kept trying to blame it on bad biblical interpretation, I would have to laugh.
When she stuck to her guns, I heard a little voice in my head say: “Dammit, if I gotta listen to this ridiculous shit, I’m havin a beer.”
Three years later, I had a beer and enjoyed the hell out of it. Now, I drink about a 6-pack a week.
Dinsdale - do what makes you happy. (Of course, if you think staying married would make you happier than cracking a cold brew… I think you know what the answer is.)