I dont drink alcohol, and feel better for not

Both of us have gone over 15 years without it and we don't miss it. :thumbsup
If he would quit smoking I would be happy.

I claim Irish

I haven't drank in 3 years. I miss it at times. Getting over the first year is the hardest.
:Oh crap

For me it was the first week when my entire body was trembling and enduring excruciating pain from withdrawals. It felt like every inch of me was being squeezed by a vice grip and thinking about a beer or a shot made my mouth water. Then, after the DT's were over for me one of the other patients died going through it. It was at that point, seeing his body being taken away on the gurney that I realized how serious this was for me.

I make it a point to tell people I am an alcoholic. I know there is that "tradition" about anonymity, but there is also a benefit to knowing that there are people like me that were really, really, REALLY fucked up that were able to get sober and stay sober.

:thumbsup

Nice to hear you made it through...scariest thing Ive ever done...if people think Im boring or not a "real" webmaster because Im sober..they can go fuck themselves..some of the smart ass comments in this thread really anger me

I'm developing a crush on Bausch. The kind of crush that can only be expressed from afar because I don't like to socialize or party either. I wonder if Bausch is an Aspie?

So anyway, we threw out all of our alcohol and pills in November; my girlfriend has a drinking problem so I am really happy to be done with all of that. I never drank much, but I did enjoy the security blanket of having alcohol around (which never worked once we moved in together because I'd like to just have it sit there, while she would actually, you know, DRINK it). Every so often I like to pour a glass of wine or a gin & tonic, but mostly just for the ritual of it; I would take a few sips and be done with it. And actually? I did like drinking alone, in moderation (not to get drunk). Now that there's no alcohol (and especially no pills) in the house, I feel kind of deprived but overall happier because of the positive impact on our relationship. I know I *could* still drink, but I don't feel like that's a supportive thing to do at this point.

And I'm in agreement with Fletch: caffeine is a massively addictive drug that is ridiculously tossed down children's throats like it's no big deal while their parents scream about porn on the internet like that's a bigger problem than their kid drinking Red Bulls.

I don't tell people that I don't drink -- I tell them I am an alcoholic. I think the up-front approach prevents stupid comments like that. However, if someone gave my that line of crap I would probably tell them -- and quite honestly-- that I have already drank a hell of a lot more than they have and I am just waiting for their piece of shit sorry ass to catch up.

I don't tell people that I don't drink -- I tell them I am an alcoholic. I think the up-front approach prevents stupid comments like that. However, if someone gave my that line of crap I would probably tell them -- and quite honestly-- that I have already drank a hell of a lot more than they have and I am just waiting for their piece of shit sorry ass to catch up.

I am amazed at guys that think they can hold their liquor because they can put down 8 or 10 beers in a night. When I was arrested, my bar tab was in my wallet, and of course it was evidence used against me. I was a selfish alcoholic and I did not buy drinks for anybody but ME, so I know that the bar tab was all mine. The tally? 12 beers and 18 scotch and sodas. And I passed the field sobriety tests. I have yet to meet anyone that could drink like I did (and just stick to alcohol, nothing else).

Oh yeah.. the DT's. A pure delight. Went through those many many times when I drank hard liquor. But also had gotten to the point my body could not longer metabolize alcohol. So I would have to be cardioverted. When I would go through the 'withdrawl' period 12-18 hours later. My heart would flip into B-fib. Only way to fix it was cardioversion (i.e. hit you with the paddles to stop your heart, and then again, to bring you back. The theory you will start on the right rhythm).

Then I stopped drinking liquor, and was fine for a spell. But beer consumption got to the same point, and result. On the 13th time of doing the cardioversion, my sister and 6 month old niece showed up at the hospital. Every other time I had went through it alone, but this day my sister was home with baby.

So THIS TIME I had to look at the people my choices effected. Seeing the worry on my sister's face. Looking at my baby niece. Having to see the end result on others face-to-face was all it took.

After 10 years, I was done.

I did not do any rehab. Did it myself. For the first year I had to learn how to sleep, get over the social situations, and bars, weekends, etc. I had to learn how to deal with conflict, and depression. My body ached. They had told me it can take 6-9 months to get all of the alcohol out of your system because it's in your tissue, etc. That felt about right.

Around the 9 month mark I was much better. Feeling physically, and teaching myself how to deal with social, and emotional situations where I used to hide in a bottle at times.

Three years now, and feeling better. Dropped some weight, and working on getting rid of the rest through thread mill, and new Bowflex. Long go, but I remind myself it took 10 years to get tot this point, and it's going to take some time to get back in shape.

Bravo to you sire.
:thumbsup

I laid in bed shaking and going through the DTs for 9 days once. I have never been suicidal, but man that will make you want to die. And feel like it.

Its a feeling I never want to feel ever again thats for sure.

Yeah, I remember those days. I would have to dry out after a hard liquor bender, and it would take 3-5 days of no sleep, cold sweats, and shakes, crazy thoughts.

I was never suicidal, but I can tell you I NOW better understand why someone would do it.
:Oh crap

I drink...... Im canadian..... it happens..... I value my free time, and choose to spend it accordingly.... Im not a drunk..... not during the week anyways.... but i do know when its time to loose the tie and cut loose Its all part of living to me... I enjoy it. and it adds to my life and how i live it.... but thats just me

:1orglaugh:1orglaugh:1orglaugh:1orglaugh:1orglaugh