Posted on 10/08/2005 7:33:57 AM PDT by 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.
thanks a bundle, and thank your Marines for me too!
24 Years, I look forward to achieving that milestone when I am 65, and then looking fondly back on it when I am 90!
Good for you, Rob, all it takes is will power, once you
turn your doubts they become your strongest allies.
No alcohol or drugs in ten years.
t.
that is a very good couple of paragraphs for those of us who might be tempted to a relapse...Thanks for posting it again!
I'm holding up a Diet Coke and toasting you right back.
I have had quite a few Freepmails over the past two years about these personal threads, and I think trying to help others has helped me to stay very strongly away from alcohol.
Happy Anniversary ! Keep up the good work.
Sure helps me! :)
As to liquor, except for waiting out hurricanes, I don't have an urgent need for it. I can go weeks without a drop but when I do drink I like to drink only the top quality stuff.
However, coffee is something I absolutely can't live without. If I don't have a cup of coffee within an hour of waking up, I feel terrible. So I guess that makes me a caffein addict.
Congratulations, Rob. Stay alert, the day is not over yet. Good luck. Don't stop going to meetings.
Thanks for a couple of points you made:
you mention being concerned about past behaviors while drinking, I had a number of uncomfortable times where I did things that I shouldn't have, and didn't remember doing the things (nothing illegal just really stupid). I don't miss those blackouts.
I also no longer have the desire to drink like a normal person. I am a normal person who chooses not to drink any more.
And last but not least, I don't intend these threads and posts to be viewed as a way to congratulate me, and I am aware that it might look that way to someone (probably not an addict) who is lurking. This truly is my honest attempt to show others that it is possible, and it can be great, to give up alcohol. If I helped a single person through sharing, it is worth it. At the same time, I strengthen my resolve to remain sober.
It wouldn't be very good for the keeper of the Addiction Recovery ping list to start drinking again now, would it? (rhetorical question)
Thanks for your post!
thanks for the encouragement!
What effect does FreeRepublic have on you? I'm not sure I understand.
For me in Feb is going to be special.. 3 years since I have kept off my weight..
tell us when you hit ten and we'll throw a virtual party! I think xcamel hits twenty real soon!
I remember the "hair of the dog that bit you" hangover cures. Since I drank almost every day, it was pretty much a regular cycle.
6 months is a great accomplishment! you are through one phase of recovery but there are many challenges ahead- stay strong! Ley us know if you need help- there are many on these threads that would be respond to any Freepmails on the subject.
There should be a law mandating it. (not really, the libertarian in me wouldn't like that). But it is good to visualize it that way.
WAY TA GO ROBFromGA !!!!!
Congratulations........
Polly
I am very glad that the thread and SC helped-- day 77 is a great achievement-- we are all proud of you!
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