I’m thrilled that I found a way to pat myself on the back for the mere act or NOT doing something harmful and costly, instead of the more strenuous alternative of actually getting up off my ass and achieving anything. So what if I’m lazy and mean with bad hygiene. I’m not drunk! Woohoo!
I didn’t drink every day, but I certainly drank heavily and to excess with some regularity. For some time I tried to set various limits as to frequency and amount, but eventually found it easier to just stop drinking than to moderate.
No AA or other support group. Just stopped.
Not sure when or if I’ll ever drink again. There are occasions on which I would LOVE a beer, glass of wine, or drink. But I really don’t miss it (much!). And I don’t have any real cravings. But I can guarantee you that if I had a beer today, at some point sometime in the future, I’d be shitfaced. So for now, I’ll forego the pleasure at least for a while more.
Congrats. Very well done.
Dins, I remember back when you made this decision - it’s been a long time, and I’m very happy for you and that this is working for you!
Yay! I remember when you were trying to cut down and I’m glad you have accomplished this. Good for you.
Congrats!
Good for you! Hubby and I are sober two weeks today. I’m glad to hear it will get easier.
This is great, Dinsdale. Congratulations !
Best of luck to you and your husband, XaMcQ [Yes, it will get easier]
Good luck. I seem to recall the first month being the toughest, and the first holidays being the next toughest. One thing that makes it easier is that each extra day you put behind you, is one more you don’t want to give up and have to repeat. 1 drink, and you are back at zero.
One thing that really helped me was to make sure I had other stuff to drink. Cause tho I’m a big fan of tapwater, it just doesn’t satisfy the same way! For me, it is iced tea. Yes, I’m quite the little caffeine abuser. Figure I’d just be too disgustingly perfect if I didn’t retain at least ONE bad habit…
I went out the other night to shoot some pool with 3 guys who turned out to be quite the beer snobs - as I used to be. Felt odd not to be able to really participate in the discussion of various microbrews and styles, something I used to be quite informed and opinionated about. But hey - I got free refills on my tonic water!
Thanks for all the positive waves, folks.
Congrats, Dinsdale! Ever since your last post before your hiatus, I wondered how it turned out for you. Good on you!
Damn!
Thanks for digging that up NP.
That was quite a bomb to drop in a final post!
Someone would have to be quite a jerk to do that, huh?
So - I could eschew booze longer than Dope!
Yeah - ran a marathon in Oct. 04. Just under 4 hrs and 1 minute.
Then my knee started hurting in March 05 and I had my knee scoped in Oct. 05!
Don’t think I’ll be running any more marathons in the future.
In April 04 my hcp was 16.1 - right now I’m carrying a 12.0.
So at least there’s been measurable progress in ONE category!
Not a jerk, no - just setting up an unresolved drama - always leave the audience wanting more!
Don’t know if you went back to the “missing Dopers” thread and saw my comment there, so I’ll repeat it here: I’m glad you’re back - I’ve missed your acerbic common sense.
The last time I quit was for over eleven years. Job and social pressures started me drinking again. Be careful!
CONGA-RATS!
Good on ya, Dins!
Congraduations. I am very happy for you, Dinsdale.
Good for you! Congratulations!
Deb
Congratulations! We’re all pulling for you. We’ve hears it’s a crazy thing to kick.
All your beer are belong to us.
But did the new drinking quickli become as bad as the old days? Is it not possible to drink only moderately for someone who once had a drinking problem?
It usually does, if one has a drinking problem.
It is usually not possible.
Again, if you are merely a heavy drinker, you can quit or cut down without much of a problem. But if you have a drinking problem, you seem to head directly to where you left off (or worse) when you start again, regardless of how long you’ve been sober.
At least, that has been my experience over the last 15 years or so.
Congratulations.
Yay you Dins!
Don’t let me forget to show you the secret handshake!