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 for the kind words
thanks FP, we've got to have lunch some day this Fall.
I have two (very good) beers each and every day. Never more and very rarely less.
No Bud, Busch, Miller, Corona, Coors etc. And NO lite beer.
Wheats, abby ales, blonds, porters and only one lager, Grolsch Blond
What has been the best part of sobriety for you? (I agree it seems like a miracle at times)
Personal responsibility and self control beat sobriety any day. "Congratulations for having a better psychological makeup than I. Some personality types are genetically more prone to addiction.
But you know the old saying, “An untempted virgin can’t brag of her chastity.”
I'll buy ya' a 30-pack...
I take antabuse every day. It is my "insurance plan" against drinking. It is also a blessing to me. I only wish I had the guts to not need a pill to prevent me imbibing. I realized I had to quit when I developed health problems, high BP, type 2 diabetes, and my libido all but disappeared. Nothing is worth losing my health. Nothing.
I congratulate you heartily!
Probably the best part is that I can actually have a loving relationship and I'm not filled with GUILT over my behavior the night before. I was the type that was not a happy drunk,,I became a vile and aggressive person who'd try anything...Not a good thing especially being female...;)
For most, it doesn't have to be be. For some, it absolutely must be an either/or proposition. Are you saying that we who stop drinking completely are weak? Are you saying that we're just too lazy to control our drinking? Because I am one hell of a strong person, with tons of intestinal fortitude. You have no idea what I am accomplishing in my life right now (non alcohol-related) simply due to my determination. And if you think it doesn't take "intestinal fortitude" to abstain from alcohol when alcohol is the center of your life, you are deluded.
When I first got sober I took anabuse as well, don't feel bad you're right it is like an insurance policy. Do they still make you sign a paper stating you know the consequences of taking the drug?
Sounds to me like you'll succeed! You don't need alcohol.
thanks for your encouragement.
Were you at the DC Oct 1998 Freeper Rally?
I think this is my favorite part too, and I sleep a lot better.
So naturally, I took the opportunity to evangelize on this forum about how I took control of my life and quit my food addiction (or more precisely my addiction to sugar and processed foods).
I believe my posts on dieting and exercise benefited many here in this forum so the abuse I got from some of the others was well worth it.
Congratulations on your two year anniversary of being dry. I had my two-year anniversary last April of quitting my sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle.
I am fortunate not to have developed an addiction to alcohol but I know many friends and family members whose lifes have been ruined or at least adversely affected by the abuse of alcohol.
Just as there are people who can sit around all day eating bags of chips and still stay thin and healthy, there are some who can drink regularly and never have a problem with it. So I am never judgmental of others. Only they know if a certain lifestyle is not good for them and they need to recognize that for themselves.
To me, a bag of Doritos is probably the same as a six-pack of beer to you. Once I start the bag, I am condemned to finish it! SO I learned to never open the bag in the first place. It's very tough to do at the beginning but it does get easier with time. Especially now that I've replaced all those old favorite foods with new favorite foods that are healthier for me.
I didn't do it. :-) (I wasn't there and I can prove it)
I was at the Jan 05 FR Bush II Ball though.
thanks for your personal remarks, I am sure that they will resonate with just the person who needs to hear them. I had many great experiences while drinking, they could have been great sober too in most cases.
Switch to a Guinness. Low alcohol, low calories and loaded with flavonoids.
I am not trying to tempt anyone vulnerable to EtOH.
Congratulations Rob..
13 years and counting, every time my 3rd son has a birthday starts another year for me.
Congrats, Rob, but you might just take it a day at a time. It's a great life ,....been doin' it that way since 1972.
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