Gonna be gone for a little bit.

[Cooter01]

Good luck man, you got this! I use to go on benders and would down some stuff, last time out for my birthday went off the deep end and woke up the next day feeling real bad. Since than have not had the desire to drink like I use to. Anymore I struggle to have one beer. Since I stopped I sleep way better, when I wake up in the morning before work I do 50-100 jumping jacks and feel better each day!

 

[riverroyal]

Sunday evening I said I was gonna stop drinking for a while. I made it to Wednesday night. LOL

Well done

 

[DrunkenSailor]

Not sure what the experts say it is a good idea or not but there are a ton of great non alcoholic ipa's out there that really curb the craving for a beer at social events. I like the athletic brewing one

 

[24 Sleekenforcer]

Good luck on your new journey, it will be a struggle. Keep your head up and don’t forget what got you to this stage. Stay strong.

 

[Boatymcboatface]

For those not going through the struggle of alcohol addiction, please remember when your around someone who is, you need to support and help them stay on the right path. Not for a week or month but for years. Recovery is a lifetime battle and achievement.

When you have them over, or have a party, don’t drink alcohol. Do it for them. Don’t be selfish and put the temptation in front of them because you don’t have a problem with alcohol.

If you can’t have a good time without it, then maybe you too have a problem and don’t realize it. I have a friend who’s a recovering alcoholic, and it’s been 12-15 years, and he actually is able to control it and be around others who are socially having a drink. But to be respectful to him and support his sobriety, I don’t drink alcohol around him and he knows I’m doing it for him.

I kinda disagree with this but to each their own! I played golf all day yesterday with a massive group of drunks and it was a blast!

Haven’t had a drink in almost 4 years!

 

[Boatymcboatface]

I’ll ad to this a little.

I was on a waterski trip two weeks ago and after we finished shopping for our camping supplies we hit a dive bar in Yuma. As we’re pulling in a lady was leaving the bar after a day of drinking and she got hit! Her life and her kids life will forever be changed for the worse. Yes she’d been drinking no she wasn’t at fault but it didn’t matter!

I’m glad that I never have to worry about going to jail for something that wasn’t my fault. I spent the rest of the night at the second dive bar hanging out and laughing with new friends and driving my drunk friend around.

I would’ve missed out on a great weekend if I took the run and hide approach! Not my style I face everything in life head on.

I still go to meetings but I won’t make that my life I see to many people doing that and truthfully it’s no different to me than if I did it in drinking in a dive bar or at a AA hall.


I wish you the best on your path and if you ever need someone to talk to about anything don’t ever be afraid to reach out.

 

[BHC Vic]

I kinda disagree with this but to each their own! I played golf all day yesterday with a massive group of drunks and it was a blast!

Haven’t had a drink in almost 4 years!

I kind of feel the same. All my friends and family drink. Every weekend after little league we go out for dinner and everyone drinks my wife included. It doesn’t bother me at all but I can see in the beginning

 

[Boatymcboatface]

I kind of feel the same. All my friends and family drink. Every weekend after little league we go out for dinner and everyone drinks my wife included. It doesn’t bother me at all but I can see in the beginning

Yeah I’ve mentioned it before but I had friends over after my mini vacation and they were worried about drinking at my house. I said you better or don’t come over for dinner.

 

[Singleton]

For those not going through the struggle of alcohol addiction, please remember when your around someone who is, you need to support and help them stay on the right path. Not for a week or month but for years. Recovery is a lifetime battle and achievement.

When you have them over, or have a party, don’t drink alcohol. Do it for them. Don’t be selfish and put the temptation in front of them because you don’t have a problem with alcohol.

If you can’t have a good time without it, then maybe you too have a problem and don’t realize it. I have a friend who’s a recovering alcoholic, and it’s been 12-15 years, and he actually is able to control it and be around others who are socially having a drink. But to be respectful to him and support his sobriety, I don’t drink alcohol around him and he knows I’m doing it for him.

Not 100% sure I agree with this.
My BIL (SIL husband) states he is a recovering alcoholic. Yet he chooses to do edibles like candy. He does not attend any meetings or has a sponsor.

First time he shows up to the winter ski vacation that I host for the family with my father-in-law, without asking or telling us why he threw all the booze away one night. Including my bottle of Whistle Pig Boss Hog my wife got me for Christmas.

The next morning, my SIL told us why. That is when I explained, that is great for him, but he threw away close to 2k in booze, so he now has 2 choices. Pay me back or leave. He left!

The next year, he did the same thing (thank goodness we had zero top shelf booze). That is when my FIL told him, this is your problem and we will support you, by not drinking in front of you, but you are making this our issue. You can’t throw away booze because you are tempted to drink when you come over for dinner because it is in the house. He no longer attends family events.

 

[rivrrts429]

I’ll ad to this a little.

I was on a waterski trip two weeks ago and after we finished shopping for our camping supplies we hit a dive bar in Yuma. As we’re pulling in a lady was leaving the bar after a day of drinking and she got hit! Her life and her kids life will forever be changed for the worse. Yes she’d been drinking no she wasn’t at fault but it didn’t matter!

I’m glad that I never have to worry about going to jail for something that wasn’t my fault. I spent the rest of the night at the second dive bar hanging out and laughing with new friends and driving my drunk friend around.

I would’ve missed out on a great weekend if I took the run and hide approach! Not my style I face everything in life head on.

I still go to meetings but I won’t make that my life I see to many people doing that and truthfully it’s no different to me than if I did it in drinking in a dive bar or at a AA hall.


I wish you the best on your path and if you ever need someone to talk to about anything don’t ever be afraid to reach out.

I kind of feel the same. All my friends and family drink. Every weekend after little league we go out for dinner and everyone drinks my wife included. It doesn’t bother me at all but I can see in the beginning

You both have a great attitude and approach to it and can tell you’ve spent time in the mirror and improving what you see, respect!

 

[Boatymcboatface]

I have a friend that also doesn’t drink. He’s a wise
Man and gave me this great piece of advice.

If your wife still drinks and she comes to bed after a night of drinking.

“Give her a kiss goodnight and enjoy the taste of her lips and the smell of her breath and sleep good know that you’re the one with the problem not her”

 

[RiverDave]

We are behind you a 100%.

 

[NIKAL]

In my opinion and experience this is just not realistic nor would I expect everyone to change there ways because I abused my priviledge to drink. PEOPLE , especially heavy drinkers are just not that considerate.

The advise given to me early on and it stuck .... If you don't want a haircut don't hang out in a barbershop !

I totally get that. They need to not put themselves in positions & places that will get them in trouble, like a bar or barbershop. But I don’t want them to feel like they can’t be around their friends because of their struggles. Maybe it’s because Im not a big drinker? Maybe it’s because I will not sacrifice a friend for a beer or two. I want them to come and enjoy hanging out with friends and not feel uncomfortable.

Maybe I’m wrong in how I go about it, and maybe every program would say Im not helping? But so far I still have a friend.

 

[Socalx09]

You got this! Don’t be too hard on yourself and take it a day at a time.

Robert will be 15 years sober in a few weeks. He doesn’t keep track anymore like I do since he doesn’t think about it. People can drink around him and he’s completely fine with it.

I wish you the best of luck and anyone else on that journey.

 

[pkrrvr619]

Here’s some ideas to ponder….

Create as many new healthy habits and routines in the first 90 days as that’s usually the toughest time period.

Find a new hobby to keep busy with.

Don’t expect the world to change for you, asking people not to drink around you seems wild to me as booze is such a part of American culture as it’s not their problem…

One way to frame it is that you’re not losing anything by not drinking, but gaining your life back and all that goes with it (health, wealth relationships). You’ll be amazed at the level you can operate at when not fighting hangovers etc.

 

[TeamGreene]

It will be four years next Feb for me. Started out because I had blood clots and was put on blood thinners. Now it's a choice that I have made and it gets easier as time goes by. One of the biggest hurdles for me was Friday nights because they had become they unwind time with my wife that was a hard behavior change to accomplish. My wife still has her wine and friends that come over still drink and it doesn't bother me at all hell there's still a bottle of Makers and vodka in the pantry along with beers in the garage fridge but the temptation is gone and I know that I'm a better person for it.

So stick with it, it will get easier and you'll be happy you did.

 

[Singleton]

I totally get that. They need to not put themselves in positions & places that will get them in trouble, like a bar or barbershop. But I don’t want them to feel like they can’t be around their friends because of their struggles. Maybe it’s because Im not a big drinker? Maybe it’s because I will not sacrifice a friend for a beer or two. I want them to come and enjoy hanging out with friends and not feel uncomfortable.

Maybe I’m wrong in how I go about it, and maybe every program would say Im not helping? But so far I still have a friend.

The other thing we have done.
Wife and I know a couple who both are in AA. Approaching 5 years sober together.

We used to do large football gatherings on Sunday to get the group together (apx 10 families). Due to the drinking at the gatherings, the AA couple stopped attending.

SO

The couple who are in AA, started hosting and 1 requirement was no alcohol. Everyone showed up to spend time together and everyone followed the requirement. It worked awesome.

This is how it should work.
Their house, their rules. My house, my rules.

As I posted above, my BIL wants to impose his rules on everyone. My FIL and I rent the house in Colorado for the entire family (grandparents, parents, grandkids - apx 18 people) over winter vacation. This year my FIL is paying for an additional hotel room so my SIL and her husband can join us, but don’t have to stay in the house where liquor is kept. We will see how it goes.
I also told my BIL, if you want to set the house rules for winter ski vacation, you have the ability to do that. You can take over my share of the house rental. This year my portion of the house is 4500. He had zero interest in that approach.

 

[coolchange]

Good luck on your journey.
But think about all the GOOD things that happen because of alcohol you’ll miss out on…..,

 

[gqchris]

3 years or so here as well. I am seeing more and more of these threads on here. I quit due to my daughter being born. No way am I going to raise an infant being hung over lol.

Also my liver enzymes have always been a tad high, fatty liver I think. So drinking I am sure puts a strain on it as well.

I have had a few beers here and there over this time. I bought the mini 12 pack of Ultras, lol..Like the super tiny ones. There are still 10 in the pack out in the garage months later. Just don't have any desire now. Feeling like shit is the main factor.

 

[pkrrvr619]

Also there are so many NA beer choices now at Bevmo, it used to be an end cap now it's an entire half isle.

Although early in your journey that may not work for you as it could be a trigger, but if you like the taste of beers all the big names make em.

Soda stream is another good buy, fizzy waters and add your favorite fruits.

 

[clarence]

Create as many new healthy habits and routines in the first 90 days as that’s usually the toughest time period.

Find a new hobby to keep busy with.

There's a good argument made that big changes are easier than small/gradual.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/140196995X/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_3?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

 

[BHC Vic]

Im curious why the 25 days. Does anyone know why that number?

 

[TeamGreene]

Im curious why the 25 days. Does anyone know why that number?

Rehab? Don't know never been.

 

[Long Way Home]

Traveling a thousand miles, can be achieved by simply taking the first step and continuing steadily, one day at a time.
Just focus on making small, consistent progress.

 

[pkrrvr619]

There's a good argument made that big changes are easier than small/gradual.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/140196995X/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_3?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

I can definitely see that.

Usually the first 30 days are the hardest as booze is such a part of the day to day or weekend deal. Bad day at work, good day at work, celebration, event, etc it goes hand in hand. Most people don't know what to do with themselves as not drinking is such a departure from their routine. It is almost shocking how engrained booze is in society and how much time it takes from planning on where to get it or go drink, how to get home, recovery the next day, etc.

When you quit you get all that time back, so what do you do to fill it so you're not thinking of the booze?

Days 30-60 are still tough but if you have a routine things get easier. and you start to see benefits so that is a motivator as well.

Day 90 and beyond, life is much different (hopefully) if you've established healthy routines and people actually start to think "do I even want to drink again?"

I just checked my calendar and hit 900 days yesterday. Wife and I quit bc we got covid and had to deal with a miscarriage so by the time we were done with all of that it was about 70 days of no drinking and we felt so good we just continued the trend.

We can't fathom going back as we have crossed off many bucket list items (bareboating in the BVI was a big one), bought a Havasu house, created side businesses and improved physical and mental health. The graphs from my doctor all shot down and ive lost a shit ton of weight as well.

This isn't to sound preachy, just our story and how we found success and what keeps us going.

 

[Onetime12]

Way to go Hallet,

I made the same decision 10 years ago, did the whole rehab and outpatient after. Was a tough journey but it does get easier. @GRANT@FUNCO I agree, would never expect and always tell people who are considerate, its not their burden continue as you would. If its an issue for me I remove myself from the situation.

 

[BHC Vic]

Rehab? Don't know never been.

That’s what I was thinking but I thought it would be like 30 days? I’ve never done rehab either I quit cold turkey which I’m told is kind of dangerous with the way I drank. I’m rooting for anyone that’s trying to make the change however they can.

 

[TeamGreene]

That's how I quit also albeit I only drank on the weekends. I quit the midweek in 2013 because of the job I was running at the time. But made up for it come Friday/Saturday nights

 

[lbhsbz]

Im curious why the 25 days. Does anyone know why that number?

Gotta pick a goal...he picked 25 days.

I picked 4 days. After that I picked 10....and so on

Whatever works for him.

 

[bonesfab]

So how much is too much and too often? Not trying to stir the pot. I know everyone's situation is different. And there are addictive personalities that make things even worse. I have a couple a drinks a night to unwind. Basically equates to about two shots. Fridays I may have 4-5 when people are over for dinner. and I feel that saturday morning. then there is my buddy who will drink till the bottle is empty. Same guy same problem with weed. If its there he will smoke it till its gone. Thats the full on addictive personality. He even comments how I can have it around for so long. Do I think I have a problem, Not really. I will not drink and drive as I don't want to hurt anyone or myself and my tight ass doesn't want to think about what the insurance situation would be with all the cars and the shop.

 

[BHC Vic]

So how much is too much and too often? Not trying to stir the pot. I know everyone's situation is different. And there are addictive personalities that make things even worse. I have a couple a drinks a night to unwind. Basically equates to about two shots. Fridays I may have 4-5 when people are over for dinner. and I feel that saturday morning. then there is my buddy who will drink till the bottle is empty. Same guy same problem with weed. If its there he will smoke it till its gone. Thats the full on addictive personality. He even comments how I can have it around for so long. Do I think I have a problem, Not really. I will not drink and drive as I don't want to hurt anyone or myself and my tight ass doesn't want to think about what the insurance situation would be with all the cars and the shop.

I guess it’s not really a laughing matter but my buddy went to talk about his problem. Said he did about 20 bucks worth of coke a month. Key shot here and there basically. He was told he didn’t have a problem. He asked if they could tell his wife that

 

[Sportin' Wood]

I'm sure the process is different for everyone. For me it's a lonely path I gladly walk alone. I did stop doing some things, I'm less fun, but after a lifetime of drinking I found out that I did not like paying back the toll for a good time.

The NA beer helped a lot. I have slowly reduced that to about a 6-pack a month, they are great when it's hot and I feel like I need a beer. I get a hell of a lot more done.

I might drink again someday, just not today.

 

[rivrrts429]

So how much is too much and too often? Not trying to stir the pot. I know everyone's situation is different. And there are addictive personalities that make things even worse. I have a couple a drinks a night to unwind. Basically equates to about two shots. Fridays I may have 4-5 when people are over for dinner. and I feel that saturday morning. then there is my buddy who will drink till the bottle is empty. Same guy same problem with weed. If its there he will smoke it till its gone. Thats the full on addictive personality. He even comments how I can have it around for so long. Do I think I have a problem, Not really. I will not drink and drive as I don't want to hurt anyone or myself and my tight ass doesn't want to think about what the insurance situation would be with all the cars and the shop.

When it begins to have a negative impact on your career and those closest to you. That’s when it’s too much.

 

[Bigbore500r]

Trying to get a handle on this drinking stuff so I’m gonna be outta the loop for another 25 days.

But everything is good.

Do what you gotta do! Good luck and congrats on taking action!

 

[Sportin' Wood]

So how much is too much and too often?

The doctor ask me how much beer I drank in a day. "All of them" was my answer.

 

[bonesfab]

The doctor ask me how much beer I drank in a day. "All of them" was my answer.

That's why there are 24 beers in a case.

 

[FROGMAN524]

How does one realize they need help with a drinking problem? I have no desire to drink unless it's a social atmosphere or a party of some kind, otherwise, Coke Zero is my addiction.

Good luck OP!

 

[gqchris]

How does one realize they need help with a drinking problem? I have no desire to drink unless it's a social atmosphere or a party of some kind, otherwise, Coke Zero is my addiction.

Good luck OP!

I dont think its a problem with some as it is more of a choice.

Alot of folks will make excuses on why they arent an "alchoholic". I only drink on weekends, I dont drink alone, it doesnt affect my job. But there is really no one correct answer.

My light blub moment was when I started looking at all the "events" that I felt I needed to drink. River Trips, Desert Trips, Concerts, Disneyland, Kids School Fair, Weekend Garage, Taco Tuesday, Brithdays, Sporting Events, Pool Partys, BBQ's, Happy Hour, Golf Cart Cruising, 4th of July, Trick or Treating, Beach, Sunsets, Bike Crawls, and the list goes on and on and on.

I couldnt believe how habit forming it had become! And if you step back, like others have mentioned, holy shit its EVERYWHERE and society pushes it EVERYWHERE.

With that being said, Fuck I miss a good buzz! LOL

 

[Sportin' Wood]

I dont think its a problem with some as it is more of a choice.

Alot of folks will make excuses on why they arent an "alchoholic". I only drink on weekends, I dont drink alone, it doesnt affect my job. But there is really no one correct answer.

My light blub moment was when I started looking at all the "events" that I felt I needed to drink. River Trips, Desert Trips, Concerts, Disneyland, Kids School Fair, Weekend Garage, Taco Tuesday, Brithdays, Sporting Events, Pool Partys, BBQ's, Happy Hour, Golf Cart Cruising, 4th of July, Trick or Treating, Beach, Sunsets, Bike Crawls, and the list goes on and on and on.

I couldnt believe how habit forming it had become! And if you step back, like others have mentioned, holy shit its EVERYWHERE and society pushes it EVERYWHERE.

With that being said, Fuck I miss a good buzz! LOL

I planned everything around the art of drinking. I miss a good beer buzz early in the morning. Especially while floating on a body of water.

 

[evantwheeler]

I planned everything around the art of drinking. I miss a good beer buzz early in the morning. Especially while floating on a body of water.

"Sober enough to know what I'm doing, but drunk enough to really enjoy doing it"

 

[BHC Vic]

"Sober enough to know what I'm doing, but drunk enough to really enjoy doing it"

I am the liquor .34 first dui .26 the second. I never could find that damn line

 

[Sportin' Wood]

"Sober enough to know what I'm doing, but drunk enough to really enjoy doing it"

100%

Don't kid yourself for a minute to think that having a handheld breathalyzer was not on my fathers day gift list for years.

 

[4Waters]

That's why there are 24 beers in a case.

That's why there are 6, 12, 18 and 24 packs, depends on when you have to go to work next

 

[RiverDave]

I’ll ad to this a little.

I was on a waterski trip two weeks ago and after we finished shopping for our camping supplies we hit a dive bar in Yuma. As we’re pulling in a lady was leaving the bar after a day of drinking and she got hit! Her life and her kids life will forever be changed for the worse. Yes she’d been drinking no she wasn’t at fault but it didn’t matter!

I’m glad that I never have to worry about going to jail for something that wasn’t my fault. I spent the rest of the night at the second dive bar hanging out and laughing with new friends and driving my drunk friend around.

I would’ve missed out on a great weekend if I took the run and hide approach! Not my style I face everything in life head on.

I still go to meetings but I won’t make that my life I see to many people doing that and truthfully it’s no different to me than if I did it in drinking in a dive bar or at a AA hall.


I wish you the best on your path and if you ever need someone to talk to about anything don’t ever be afraid to reach out.

I think the fact that people are found at fault even though it isn’t your fault is a crock of shit and should have never been allowed.. the idea that you are convicted of a crime based on a potentiality is completely unconstitutional.. I don’t know ho that happens

RD

 

[RiverDave]

Not 100% sure I agree with this.
My BIL (SIL husband) states he is a recovering alcoholic. Yet he chooses to do edibles like candy. He does not attend any meetings or has a sponsor.

First time he shows up to the winter ski vacation that I host for the family with my father-in-law, without asking or telling us why he threw all the booze away one night. Including my bottle of Whistle Pig Boss Hog my wife got me for Christmas.

The next morning, my SIL told us why. That is when I explained, that is great for him, but he threw away close to 2k in booze, so he now has 2 choices. Pay me back or leave. He left!

The next year, he did the same thing (thank goodness we had zero top shelf booze). That is when my FIL told him, this is your problem and we will support you, by not drinking in front of you, but you are making this our issue. You can’t throw away booze because you are tempted to drink when you come over for dinner because it is in the house. He no longer attends family events.

Yeah that would have not gone over well for me.. I woulda drug his ass to the store and make him buy all of it and then more then kicked out and don’t fucking come back.. EVER.

I don’t know where this tolerance that other people can just act like that because of their own hang ups.. fuck that.

 

[RiverDave]

[/QUOTE]

Traveling a thousand miles, can be achieved by simply taking the first step and continuing steadily, one day at a time.
Just focus on making small, consistent progress.

The saying I always heard was “you know how to walk a thousand miles? One step at a time”. Or “you know how to eat an elephant? One bite at a time”

Etc

 

[clarence]

Wegovy, other weight-loss drugs might help with alcoholism, opioid addiction - UPI.com

Weight-loss and diabetes drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or Zepbound appear to help people battle alcoholism and opioid addiction, a new study finds.

www.upi.com

 

[clarence]

I think the fact that people are found at fault even though it isn’t your fault is a crock of shit and should have never been allowed.. the idea that you are convicted of a crime based on a potentiality is completely unconstitutional.. I don’t know ho that happens

Nah. Criminal Negligence (disregarding the safety and protection of others) is a thing.

A better question is why is the penalty for Attempted Murder any less than for Murder?

 

[lbhsbz]

How does one realize they need help with a drinking problem?

For me, when it hurt for the first couple hours of each day after I woke up. When you start putting off your obligations or even basic chores that don't absolutely need to be done that day, till a different day because you feel like shit....then realize a week went by and that shit's still not done because you always feel like shit.

That’s when

 

[RiverDave]

Nah. Criminal Negligence (disregarding the safety and protection of others) is a thing.

A better question is why is the penalty for Attempted Murder any less than for Murder?

That is a conversation for another thread.. lol.