No Hangovers for Two Years! [Now 3 Years!]

self | October 8, 2005 | RobFromGa

[RobFromGa]

October 8, 2003 is the date that I quit drinking for good. It has been a great two years!

When I was drinking, I thought that life would be impossibly boring without alcohol. How can you enjoy parties, football games, vacations, weekends, etc without alcohol? I found out that not only is it possible to enjoy these things, that in many ways they are made better without the "buzz".

I haven't had a hangover in two years and that is a blessing.

I have occasionally had brief thoughts that I might be able to drink normally now that I have controlled myself for this length of time. But I understand myself better now. The fact that I would even consider such a question and action even for a millisecond is a sign of my lack of control over alcohol. My only sane solution is to keep it out of my body.

I urge anyone who suspects that they may have a drinking problem to find help and deal with the issue. I wish I had quit when I was 30 instead of 41.

Almost a year ago, I posted a thread on FR, If You Suspect You Might Have A Drinking Problem (An Open Letter). There might be some help there for you if you are trying to quit.

Thanks to all who have helped me to quit and to stay sober.

[WKB]

I was late gettting to that thread but I WAS there.


When drinking starts causing "real" problems, DUIs,car wrecks,late for work, loss of job, loss of family, etc and the drinking continues it's time to seriously take a look at it.
459 posted on 09/29/2005 4:11:29 AM CDT by WKB (If you can't dazzle them brilliance.. then Baffle them with BS)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]

[RobFromGa]

I read your earlier letter, it seems like you made this happen by your own will? Did I miss the powerlessness part somewhere?

In my case, at present, I am only lose my power to control alcohol once I take the first drink. At that point the amount and frequency are unknown to me.

Have I grown up enough now to be able to drink in a controlled manner? Maybe.

Is it worth the risk to find out? No.

I am serious when I say that I am much happier, alert, and capable without the alcohol so why would I have any reason to drink it again except for nostalgia or to prove that I can tame it. I'd prefer to let it think it won and be done with it.

The test that I can remember is:

"Imagine that you are going to try controlled drinking for thirty days. Each day you will have two drinks after work, no more no less. At the end of the thirty days, do you think you will still be in control?"

For a normal person, this seems like an excessive amount of drinking. For many problem drinkers, this is an impossibly small amount.

[RobFromGa]

thanks

[RobFromGa]

thanks for stopping by

[RobFromGa]

Do you see AA as a cult?

Cult to me brings up thoughts of brainwashing, forcing members into involuntary actions, and stealing their money and possessions.

AA as I have seen it does not do these things so it is not a cult. I would say that "fellowship" is a better word for what I have experienced, more comparable to a church Sunday School class.

But since we are talking about addictive personalities making up the vast majority of the members, there is a natural tendency for them to go overboard in whatever they are doing and become "addicted" to the latest thing. I don't necessarily think an addiction to AA meetings is a bad thing, but it is not for me. It is too much time, and too much living in the past.

Again AA might be the best hope for many people, and I believe that is true. I have learned a lot from meetings and from reading the literature and from going through a number of receorded workshops and weekends on "the steps".

What is your experience with AA?

[MarkL]

I read many years ago that "if you think you might have a drinking problem, you probably do." Well, after a particularly hard partying summer (I literally got drunk every night), I thought that maybe I did have a problem. I didn't have another drink for almost 10 years. After 10 years, I decided that I wanted a beer, had it, and stopped at one. Since then, I've had a drink now and then, but the most I've ever had in one evening has been 2. I will go in to see some friends after work occasionally (once or twice a month) for happy hour, and I'm quite popular with them: You see, happy hour is 2 for 1 beers, and whoever I'm there with gets my second beer, since I always stop at one.

I was worried about drinking, since I know for a fact that I DO have something of an addictive, or at least obessive, personality. I think that I'm lucky that I've never had a "real" addiction to alcohol, being as I was able to give it up so easily, for so long, and be able to stop at one drink.

Congratulations on your sobriety!

Mark

[RobFromGa]

Drinking is so pervasive in our culture and one has to wonder: How much is too much?

That is different for every person. One tip is if you think you might have a problem, you probably do. People who think about the amount they are drinking and whether it is too much are often starting down the slippery slope.

[RobFromGa]

"if you think you might have a drinking problem, you probably do."

I was typing my 267 as you posted yours. Neat coincidence.

I am glad that you were able to control your problem before it controlled you. As one with an obsessive personality myself, I understand where you are coming from.

Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.

[anton]

Well, look, I am very happy for any problem drinker who gets two years of sobriety. You are to be congratulated and commended. I wish you there very best.

You must know, though, that AA is a spiritual program of recovery relying on a HIGHER POWER, a Christian God for most of us, and does not rely on self will.

Many persons for whom AA has been the solution rely on their spiritual condition and their relationship to that higher power instead of self will or self knowledge.

Indeed, many people have been unable to put more than a couple of days of sobriety back to back until they experienced the spiritual revelation that convinced them that it was God and not them that was in control.

Again, I wish you well, but the spiritual side of recovery is the part that replaces the drinking.

[RobFromGa]

it's another day, so now its Two Years and a day.

[RobFromGa]

I am very well aware that AA "is a spiritual program of recovery relying on a HIGHER POWER, a Christian God for most of us, and does not rely on self will."

I have no intention in getting into a fight with you over AA. Obviously it has helped many to quit drinking. My method, which I'll call "Decide To Quit"(tm) has also helped many people to abstain. :-)

Since I am trying to help people with this thread, I am not going to lie and tell people that AA is the only answer because many people are turned off by the idea of surrender to a Higher Power, even many of us who believe in God. I happen to believe that God granted me the tools to resolve my problems and the free will to decide when to take action.

Many people are unable to stop stealing until they go to Jail, while others are able to quit when they start to worry about going to jail. People are different.

Again, I wish you well, but the spiritual side of recovery is the part that replaces the drinking.

you are wishing me well, but?

[MaryFromMichigan]

Rob, God bless your patience with posters who somehow take your sobriety as a slap against them.

Why lash out at someone who chooses not to drink?
Denial must be painful thing.

[anton]

Did I sound like I was looking for a fight? Hmmmm. I seem to remember being pretty complimentary to a person who celebrates his own success in not drinking. I remember Jesse Ventura giving the same advice for obesity: Just push back from the table and stop eating. OK, that may work for people without a serious problem.

[anton]

Indeed, Rob, what is your point other than you did what 90% of all people do with ease, stop drinking by your own free will? Is there a point other than your own success?

[RobFromGa]

I'm just making sure that you don't think I want to fight over AA. Sorry if it came across as accusatory.

And believe it or not, this thread is not intended to be about me. I am trying to help others and me is the only thing I have to offer to start the discussion.

[anton]

Let's call it done. Glad you've been on the right track for two years.

[RobFromGa]

The point is to show other people that might be having a problem that it is possible to enjoy life without drinking.

Sorry to have ruffled your feathers.

[RobFromGa]

I agree lets call it done. Thanks for your input.

[MaryFromMichigan]

Wow.
You two have restored my faith in the civility of Freepers.
Thank you.
I needed that.

[anton]

Actually, Mary, I wasn't quite done with you. You jumped into a discussion in which you had no part, with an insult about denial directed to me for no apparent reason. If you want to be part of the "civility" I think you have a ways to go.