after 3+ years it's been pretty easy for me to not think of it anymore - I did end up taking wine in communion one time last month and that was a little bit of a rough memory coming back but otherwise I don't miss it anymore - but I end up coming up with a lot of dumb crap to fill the hours -

wouldn't go back in retrospect but when I see situations where it's halfway glamourized (watching "A Love Song for Bobby Long, for example) - and I start to think about selling everything and hightailing it off to some obscure nowhere to die in peace if everyone I ever loved got wiped out in a crash or disaster

You're welcome to just sit and listen if you want.

Yeah, the brain is a lousy place for an alcoholic to live.

I had 6 Michelob Ultras watching the games and drank perrier in between. So far the super light beer moderation experiment is going ok. I'm also seeing a therapist who I know I will have to answer to on Monday if I have a big coke blowout. Maybe that little extra incentive is enough to keep me from wanting to tip over to the dark side. I dunno. So far so good. But I won't feel like I've really put that stuff behind me until it's been a year since my last blowout. So superbowl and counting.

Went to a party tonight, 40th birthday of a friend of my wife's. Felt totally normal to not be drinking, didn't miss it a bit. Stayed for a couple of hours, made conversation, etc etc etc, no problems, no awkwardness. I've definitely gotten used to this sobriety thing. People were just starting to really get loose when we left, that would've probably gotten annoying at some point, if only because I've noticed that drunk people are really loud.

So it's all good in the hood!

Yes drunk people are loud, it's hard to get their attention, and they repeat themselves a lot. I too have noticed this.

I had duck club sliders at a place called Voodoo Tiki bar here in Charleston last night. They melted in my mouth...with the help of water.

I didn't make my point here, which is: my comfort level with sobriety has increased dramatically over time. So for any of you who think you can't quit because you know what it's like to quit for a week or a month, I can tell you that for me personally it's just getting easier and easier.

Every thing is good in moderation, including moderation.

If you can't handle it, stop it completly... nice work and keep it up.

updates gentlemen?

I am rocky-steady sobriety-wise. Coming up on eight months, don't miss it, don't think about it, don't think I'll ever go back. Just went on a five-day solo trip to Atlanta for a conference of Jewish community leaders (I am heavily involved in a JCC) and it wasn't even close to an issue. In the past, I would have used that trip as an excuse to get loaded constantly. Now, I used it as an excuse to catch up with work and network for my JCC. My oh my how times have changed.

Have had my ups-and-downs emotionally. Business and life has been hectic so I haven't had much/any time for myself, it has felt like the walls were closing in a few times. But I think the next few months should be relatively calm, knock on wood. I'm planning on really trying to get physically healthy, that always helps my emotional state.

Not sure that an update is wanted from me, but I haven't had a drink since late January, so about 3 1/2 months, and frankly haven't missed it a bit. Been to parties, plenty of bars, around all sorts of booze and it's just not tempting. There is no timetable for when or if I will drink in the future but have no plans to do so. I will say though, at least as of right now I'm having a really hard time imagining going to Vegas and not drinking, it's just such an integral part of my being there...every single time I've ever gone. That doesn't worry me - it's so far removed from the daily routine that it's not really the issue. It's the habits I was acquiring that were the concern.

The sugar intake is tapering slightly, but I still eat a lot of sweets (as opposed to before when I basically ate none), yet because I never ever miss the gym anymore I've actually lost weight while gaining muscle.

So to tally it up, I have more money (by not spending on booze/related entertainment), better health, and can eat almost whatever the f I want without repercussion - yet anyway. Seems like a good deal.

By the way, in discussing this with a friend of mine recently I suggested that had I followed a more traditional path and gotten married with kids etc. perhaps I wouldn't have fallen into a happy hour-type routine / cycle. He is somewhat recently divorced and said that's quite wrong, that many people in marriages, especially unhappy ones, get plowed every single night when they get home just to take the edge off. So if anything they're more susceptible to routine and in need of escape.

Things going good for me -

I still do have an occasional drink with the wife - or out - but very easily keep it to 2 (and regret it to be honest - but it's simpler that way).

Have had a few cases where I've been thinking back - and really surprised how often I thought about drinking..things like:

'can't wait to get home and have a beer'
'ok - where's the bar'
'this beers almost gone - what am i having next'
or even on a day like mother's day - in years past (with family coming over, etc) i'd have been thinking 'is it too early to start drinking yet?"

where-as now - it's barely even a passing thought.

the more i've thought about it - the more i've reached the conclusion that drinking alcohol really wasn't adding a single positive thing to my life - not one.

i quit it all, been sober for 48 days now, has been super easy, but i only ever partied on an occasional saturday night

cigs on teh other hand, r a another story, fml

good luck travis!

ty

Fell off the coke wagon this weekend. First time in 3 months. Yay weeklong depression ahead.

Day one. Good luck.

that sucks Suzzer -

sorry if you covered this earlier - but what's the story? you're regular friends are regular users? or were you the catalyst? hanging out with some random who offered it?


it sounds like you just need to stay out of situations where there is going to be a heavy coke temptation

Yeah pretty much. It's a group of friends I have who are pushing 40 or over and still doing it. I'm not sure how they haven't gotten sick of it. But after working my ass off all week it was nice to be able to go out and watch the UFC fight with them. I just wish they didn't all just want to go hang out at someone's house afterward - or that I could say know when I've had a few drinks. I have a bunch of things to do, including a major project for a new client, that I am now way behind on. Yay.

I really wish I could quit. It's been so bad lately, been drinking at work, etc., but I have so much crap going on in my personal life I don't think I could handle all the stress without it. I applaud all those in this thread with the strength to quit, you are much stronger than I am. I guess I just need to learn to cope without booze.

i had been skiing, pretty regularly for teh past 5 years, like 2-4 times per month sometimes more, but usually at least twice

it got to the point where i couldnt go out drinking without it, and i came to the conclusion, alcohol was the root of all my evil and just said fk it all

it feels really good to be sober this long, str8, and am proud to say it

it was never going to be a permanent thing, was just gonna take a 3 month break from partying, but with how good ive been feeling, it may end up being permanent

makes me feel proud of myself to say ive been clean for this long

ive been around all my friends golfing, etc, while everyone was getting smashed, and i just chilled, and still ended up having a damn good time

i have just realized, i dont need booze and drugs to have fun or "feel" good

Today my girlfriend went away until Sunday. I thought "sweet" now I can drink a few bottles of wine when I get home. Does that make me an alcoholic?

I feel like the only thing keeping me from alcoholism is winning the lottery because if I didn't have to work, I'd have no problem getting drunk every night from 9-2 and then sleeping til 1.

the top part is normal imo. After some things you might just want to drink. The 2nd part... just dont with the lotto

See I'm in that glorious middle stage where buying a few lottery tickets or even a $20 scratch ticket is not a real imposition, but winning one would still be awesome.