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Stages of change

Ashley -> Health Educator

2024-06-25 11:19 PM

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What have you learned?

Ashley -> Health Educator

2024-06-19 12:26 AM

Quit Smoking Community

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Emergency Happy Questions

Ashley -> Health Educator

2024-06-11 2:42 PM

Depression Community

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Questions to challenge negativity

Ashley -> Health Educator

2024-06-03 3:43 PM

Depression Community

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I?ll do it to save my eyes


7 years ago 0 2 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Thank you, well maybe the transition is doable because I've been getting ready for it for a while. I see the benefits - the eyes, of course; saving money; no hangovers; safe driving. There are things I am just learning - such as that the bartenders who "loved me" when I ordered drinks, are visibly annoyed when I only order club soda and sit there, probably because they want the bar room for the drinking patrons. I notice that there is a pretty strong urge to go to the bar or liquor store after work and the gym - once I'm home though, I'm glad I did not. I do remember one quitter online advising not to stop going out and having fun - I totally agree. Sober doesn't have to mean hermit... isolation is unhealthy. It's hard not to drink when everyone around is drinking.
7 years ago 0 11223 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Welcome!

Thank you for telling us a bit about what is motivating you to stay quit. I am glad you are finding it a relatively easy transition. Great work!

Other then the positive effects on your eyes, what other benefits of quitting have you noticed?
 
 
 
Ashley, Health Educator
7 years ago 0 1562 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Welcome to the board. If you cant stay stopped or if you feel irritable you may want to consider some recovery program so you can handle your emotions. I was medicating my condition with alcohol but then it stopped working. Eventually I had to go to AA and on Tuesday next week I will be completing 10 years of continuous sobriety. I couldnt even spend a few days without alcohol then.
7 years ago 0 2 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi dear friends,

I'm in my late thirties and have drunk daily for about 5 years. A lot of stuff was going on. My drink of choice is German craft wheat beer, which gets expensive. I went from 2 a night to 3 a night (small bottles) or 2 pints if on draft, and more on weekends. This year I decided it was time to start wrapping it up. I started doing sober days, and cut the number of bars I went to after work, to only one. Last week, I was diagnosed with severe chronic dry eye -in my case, the condition is very painful. I decided to quit drinking as to not make the dry eye worse. 

The very unvague goal of helping normalize the condition of the eyes makes abstaining way easier than with no such specific purpose. I have been dry since I was diagnosed last week and it does not bother me. When in drinking situations, if I have to say "I can't drink, my doctor said I can't" there are no more questions.

I don't kick myself too hard. Over these five years I went through major stressors (including watching my beloved very old grandma physically and emotionally abused). My own hopeless singleness. The boss (ex-boss, thankfully). Being a crime victim as a child. The fun side is that I've explored a lot of Hefeweizens, can call myself part of the craft beer scene (limited to Hefeweizens though), have had lots of fun conversations, heard some compliments and laughed a lot. But, it's time to do something different. I like it when my eyes don't hurt - am willing to give up the muddy yellow goodness for it. It was fun while it lasted! Cheers.

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