Thanks for posting Foxman!

I'm glad you're still holding strong. I'm hoping we will get some new members posting in the new year. This time of year is often slow for us.

I would love to read from any old or new members. I'm hoping or old members are very busy with their new alcohol free lives and that is why they are not posting. Maybe we will get an update done day soon...

Ashley

Ashley -> Health Educator @ Oct 12, 2022, 1:33:14 PM

Bump!

A beautifully written post by "Nodrama". It's great to read for motivation and inspiration. Real conversations, more love and no regrets sounds priceless to me.

What are your reasons for wanting to quit or cut back?

If you are already quit or cut back, what positives have you gained?

Thanks for reading! We are in this together.

Ashley

I wonder where these people are now? How are they doing? I always remember when NoDrama said she bought a bottle of Vodka and disposed it in the trash can. I said Oh No..... She pulled the bottle out of the Trash can and drank. I can totally relate to the obsession and how the mind works. It tricks us into taking that drink.

Anyways for me life is good. I can proudly say the program of AA has completely removed the obsession to drink. I just have to watch my selfish and self-centered thoughts so I dont slip into the old state of self pity. I am sorry to see that there no new members, i am sure there are plenty of people out there. I see those empty beer cans on the curbside and I know there are people still taking that last drink and tossing the can before they head back home. I have done that. Hope they all find a solution.

Hi Lynn!

What great information here. I enjoyed reading it. Thank you for putting so much thought into this. Others will definately find this helpful.

To anyone else reading this, please share your thoughts at any time. It's ok if you haven't quit yet. We can help you work through your thoughts together.

Ashley

Ashley,

I enjoyed the time I spent reflecting. This is what I came up with:

Quitting:

• There will be hard times, especially in the beginning.
• Have a plan for every circumstance you can imagine.
• You probably need to practice how you will handle a situation.
• The alcohol voice is loud, persistent, and demands attention.
• Be prepared for cravings.
• Find a way to treat yourself.
• The craving will diminish but be careful. I tried moderation but it did not work for me. It was harder than giving it up completely.
• Every day you don't drink, you gain confidence.
• Use the confidence to help quieten the persistent alcohol voice.
• Like it or not, you are/were being controlled by a liquid in a bottle. You chose it; it didn't choose you.

Happiness:

• A cup of coffee on a quiet morning.
• A busy afternoon without worries about getting home to have my first drink.
• A quiet evening alone with nothing to do. (Yes, this can be a wonderful thing!)
• Spending time with my wife.
• A morning walk with my dogs and/or wife without the lingering effects of alcohol.
• A leisurely afternoon or evening walk with my dogs and/or wife without rushing home to drink. Or having a drink with me.
• The healthy feeling that comes only from being alcohol free.
• I'm less stressed. I knew that alcohol increased stress and anxiety hormones. I didn't think I was stressed but now that I'm not, I know that I was!
• I now realize how beautiful the world can be. My focus was so narrow when I drank. There was only one thing on my mind all day, every day.
• I have self-esteem from knowing that I have regained control of my life. I can trust myself.
• I have freedom! Freedom to do what I want to do when I want to do it!

Thank you for asking these questions. This was good for me!

Many thanks,

Lynn

Thanks for posting Lynn!

If you could go back in time and give your past self advice on quitting drinking what would you say? What would you tell your past self makes you happy now?

Years ago, when I read through threads, I would read posts like this and wonder how they could be happy without alcohol. It never occurred to me that drinking didn't make me happy or that giving it up would bring more happiness than I could have ever imagined.

I agree with Nodrama. Life is better now. SO much better. :)

Bump!

A beautifully written post by "Nodrama". It's great to read for motivation and inspiration. Real conversations, more love and no regrets sounds priceless to me.

What are your reasons for wanting to quit or cut back?

If you are already quit or cut back, what positives have you gained?

Thanks for reading! We are in this together.

Ashley