Today, my heart rate is elevated and I don't like it. Never again.
Today is my first official day sober with the intent of never going back. Ever onward.
To the other patriots who have also quit, hats off to ya. I'm right behind ya.
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I look forward to never drinking again.
Good move, buddy. I’m at about 7 1/2 years. It’s like anything else: it sucks at first and then it sucks less and then it’s not even a challenge anymore.
It’s cheesy, but they’re not wrong when they say, “One day at a time”. Don’t stress about tomorrow. You can worry about that later. Just don’t have a drink right now. My inbox is open if you need anything.
Just out of curiosity, what called you to quit?
I just blacked out and did stupid shit one too many times and decided to “take a break” and my life got better so I just continued the streak.
Sounds familiar. Thank you
If the username has anything to do with it, we know.
😂😁
Thank you, sir
I am a Recovering Alcoholic. My 4 year sobriety date is Jan 14, 2023. All alcoholics lie. Don't lie to yourself. As an addict you prolly can't quit "on your own." That is a fallacy promoted by evil. Go to AA. It's anonymous. BUT you need to understand WHY you have become an addict. That is what AA will do for you PLUS put you through the steps to start the healing process.
I turned my addition over to Jesus Christ. Told Him the truth....
Very true....you need to understand why to stop.
Make a list.
Society applauds drinkers...one of the boys...a girls night out....to brag how much you can drink ..how fast you can drink neurotoxins is applauded....It makes you 'one of them' grown up..accepted ...the whol culture is devoted to admiring sophisticated grown up people who swallow neurotoxins..poison their livers and cut short their lives. The worse factor is the loss of control of your Self..the conscience is dulled ..things are said and done that conscience would not allow if it wasn't stupid by the poison.
That's the worst of it
I'm doing the same, sir. I'm not alone in this, cuz God has my back. I'm doing it for Him as much as for myself. Thank you, and congratulations on your sobriety
AA, Alon and many 12 step programs are cultish. I attended alon many years ago when I was dealing with a alcoholic mother. I was told that I must attend meetings for the rest of my life because of my mother's drinking. Many members speak behind others backs if they miss a meeting etc. Its much like a secret society, i don't like group think of any sort. Especially those stupid AA catch phrases, they're the worst, reminds me of the Mockingbird media Hey but if AA helps you stay sober, I wish you well.
Have been in A.A. since 1983. Sorry but they are very insistent that there is nothing you "have" to do - they are very clear about the fact that they have suggestions but you don't have to follow any of them. There is nothing cult-like about them, please look up characteristics of cults. A.A. doesn't require a damn thing from you, but the are there if you want to heal. There are just as many codependents who don't want to heal as there are alcoholics who don't want to heal, at least that's what I've seen. It's not for everyone and they are very clear about that as well. No one is perfect, so if some people gossip about others behind their back they are no different from any other group of people. Some humans will do that kind of thing and not be very nice - deal with it.
Read and believe what you will, however I work in a hair salon so I listen to AA members on back stabbing & making catty utterly horrible human comments regarding other members.
My 1 year tenure as a member of Al anon taught me the same. It's a church like cult. If being a member of a 12 step group has helped you, I'm happy it worked for you. I am not personally fond of that system
There are many ways to heal oneself than joining a group with12 steps and traditions. Have met the worst during my tenure at Al Anon. My experience made me run for the hills
I'm sorry but telling somebody they can't do it on their own is just wrong flat out wrong. You don't tell somebody struggling to get sober they can't do it on their own I don't care how f****** honest you think you are being I did it on my own without AA without an a without any help so your assumption is wrong you can do it on your own
I cannot name any other context where these lines work. They can easily be used to justify drinking. "Borrowing happiness from tomorrow" and all that.
But beating addiction is always good.
You never beat an addiction, you can only not drink/do drugs one day at a time but you never lose that addiction. If you indulge in your addiction you will keep on doing it until you again gain the fortitude to quit and that may or may not happen again.
Ditto. That was ditto you can msg me.
Don't try willpower. Luckily, you don't need it. You've been brainwashed to believe you enjoy drinking. You actually don't.
Think about how people are addicted to the vax. We can see the fraud, they can't. We have zero desire for the vax, we have zero injuries from the vax.
Alcohol gives them control....and tax revenue!
All the time, you actually don't like it because is is poison.
Ask a vaxxer if they enjoy their vax. 'Oh yes yes.' And then they may talk about the benefits and drawbacks of each. A real connoisseur. Of poison.
Read Alan Carr Easyway to Control Drinking" It will blow your mind the psyop you were apart of.
Very interesting point. I never had a drinking problem but smoked cigarettes for many years. When I did quit - 13 years ago next month - I was amazed it was a lot easier than I ever thought. That was because I was told for years that it was impossibly hard. It really wasn't. I don't know if there's something like this for alcohol, but one thing that helped was a chart that listed the benefits as time passed without smoking: https://whyquit.com/whyquit/A_Benefits_Time_Table.html
I helped a number of friends to quit smoking tobacco--a hint--buy the small bottle of canker medication from drug store-has small amount of lidocaine--when withdrawing from nicotine and just seems unbearable just about to fold place a drop of the lidocaine on gum -will numb for a few seconds--this has been the small assist that has helped my friends in quitting
Interesting
Yup, sounds about right. Stuff is poison.
100%…it’s the perfect drug for wicked assholes trying to control everything.
Congratulations on taking your life back.
I notice so many people who drank a lot stop recently while people who never drank too much are staring to drink a lot (more the NPC type).
One other thing, try not to think of it as "never drinking again," but rather "I won't drink today." Tomorrow is another matter, one we have no control of, so when tomorrow comes, make the same commitment, "I won't drink today." One day at a time exists for a reason.
One other thing: In our Third Step, we turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understand Him. So often I have heard newcomers tell me how much they are "fighting" alcohol, and I tell them to give up the fight, you don't HAVE to fight it.... just turn it over to God and let HIM fight it for you, so you can concentrate on the things that matter: Not taking a drink today, getting your house in order, rebuilding your life, and focusing on things that truly matter. STOP FIGHTING IT, God will fight it for you.
I believe it. I've given it to our Father. He is great. God bless you.
Prayers from our family to you, fren! In His name we conquer!
Sending strength, clarity and joy your way!
Thank you! Sending some well wishes and prayers right back!
I quit dipping a few months ago, have tried many times before, even with the gum, etc, but when I made the decision, I was awake, aware, had clarity and was like I'm done with it. Not changing my mind idgaf what I feel like or whatever the case, done with it. This is after a can a day at least for 10 years. Dropped it, don't even think about it anymore, when I do, realize how dumb it is. Don't let your body get dependent on shit, addiction comes in all forms. Now I have to work on caffeine or at least minimizing.
I’m going to do it with you👍I don’t need alcohol.
That's awesome! We got this.
Prayers for you too, fren, you have supporters here!
22 years sober, it took me 2 years of trying to quit to finally quit, with 2 stints in detox. If you are struggling, go to AA, it saved my life. No one has to know.
I will definitely keep that in mind. What kept you going back to the drink those two years, if you don't mind me asking?
it's just delay. pointless, useless, delay that affects the next day, and then the next day, and then...
it's years later. and although you've had dreams, you haven't lived them. missed opportunities, missed chances. the journey really begins with a new vigor once one decides on pursuing an unknown better reality
you become many times better at wanting things, better at achieving passion. if you can't even feel passion now, that's not you, that's the suppressive substance that alcohol convinces you you are
put another way, "alcohol wants to be YOU," like having a bad friend that always drags you down while wanting to live in your shadow. how much do you hang with alcohol, rather than... ? it may be so deep that you've forgotten the alternative!
the alt best strat I've heard is to do one year "on" one year "off," etc, this stabilizes you without the extremism of "never again," where that tension of "will I take that drink" is taken away and put into next year, or the next best time, or as some have put it, the eternal tomorrow. no need to incorporate alcohol unless it truly fits the joy of sharing a space with friends, family, or the like minded
truth be told, alcohol used to be lightly psychedelic until the bavarian beer act, where it became rule to make it pure carbs/acetylahyde/estrogen, without the fermented introspective aspects. hence the first paragraph, where one loses oneself in a bland abyss that we'd never thought we'd arrive at
there's many ways out, the only way is to decide for oneself, ya know?
Huh, I never knew that. Very interesting! Thank you
Nike is an evil shoe company.
But their slogan is the absolute fucking truth.
"Just do it."
The other person who said that tried to create another slogan. That slogan?
He will not divide us
It was the "lack of will power", unless I had a spiritual change, I was always going to have a "lack of will power".
AA is like (at least for me) spiritual kindergarten, where I learned how to have an understanding of spiritual things on a daily practical level.
Oh you and me both. I always tried on my own, and I always failed.
This time, I am walking with God in everything that I do. Especially this.
We got this. God bless you.
Thanks fren, you too. God Bless
AA is a cult no different than secret societies. You saved your life with the help of God. AA did not
If you think that then you have no idea what AA is really like or what a cult is. A closed mind will not help you. THere is nothing cult-like about it, look up symptoms of a cult. A.A. doesn't demand that you do one damn thing, they merely have suggestions and tell you what has worked for people in the past. That is it.
Oh, please i was a member of Al-Anon for years. Completely a cult like atmosphere but if helps you, who am I to judge.
Exactly, I was never forced to go to a meeting, or have a sponsor. And my sponsor only suggested things I should do, and they helped me to not drink. When we are sick, we need simple instructions to get better, although they are simple, they aren't easy.
Sugar and carbs can metabolize into trace amounts of alcohol in the blood, so if you find yourself craving sugar now you're off the tap you gotta make sure you drink plenty of water, just like you (should) do when you fight a hangover.
Cutting the sugar and carbs entirely will help you stay off the booze because you won't be extending the withdrawal phase. Stopping cold turkey is better with alcohol, because once you're buzzed you wanna drink more.
If you can, stay off sugar and carbs for a couple weeks, then work them back in. It may be hard at first, but snack on raw carrots (healthy carbs) and raw orange/yellow peppers (healthy sugar) to sate your sugar and carb cravings.
Hope that helps.
I'm sure it will, sir. I love raw peppers anyway. I can eat 'em like apples.
I have been dehydrated a lot over the last couple years. I was drinking too much soda and not enough water. I've cut out soda as well. As of right now, water only.
When you cut out sugar and carbs, beware! You may feel like shit for a day or two. This is called the keto flu. It will pass.
Time is your enemy right now. You're going to find there's a lot more time in the day. You need to fill that time with a new hobby or rekindle an old one. My point is, you need a distraction to keep your mind occupied while you transition to your new life.
I recently reached out to an ex-girlfriend, didn't work out when we were younger but she found God. She is also a based pureblood who is highly intelligent.
I think she'll be a good distraction :) found me one, boys, and I knew her all along.
You can stave off the keto flu if you get adequate rest and stay hydrated with electrolytes. I guess the first hurdle is getting those electrolytes without being accompanied by carbs.
IIRC the biggest reason for feeling like ass when you are shifting to keto is that you start flushing your system of electrolytes because you are peeing away all that water you're retaining on carbs.
This is going to lead to headaches, dehydration and deficiencies. All of which are avoidable by drinking water, getting your electrolytes and eating properly.
LMNT brand of supplemental electrolytes made my keto diet a breeze!
Supplemental electrolytes sounds nice, I'm going to keep these in mind next time I get back to keto, thank you
I really, really don't recommend going off sugar and alcohol at same time. Sugar keeps most people in early recovery from relapsing! I was a therapist for many yrs who worked with alcoholics/addicts and I'm in recovery myself for 8 yrs - had 15 before that but relapsed. Sugar helps in early recovery, not good to do too much early in recovery. Same with smoking, don't do it in early recovery from alcohol wait a year or so then try giving up smoking, it will be easier.
oranges and orange juice also helps greatly as well going for a walk when you crave alcohol. I highly recommend A.A. and getting phone numbers of people to call when the craving starts. AA. is great for helping to talk people down from drinking/drugs. Best of luck! I have almost 8 yrs sobriety. Had 15 yrs but relapsed, I don't recommend it! It gets easier the longer you go without drinking.
Lot of people don't realize just how much sugar is in alcohol. My husband has been sober for 32 years+ and that's really amazing living with me. I'm sure it's been very tough sometimes.
Alcohol is almost entirely sugar as it metabolizes into the same basic carbohydrates that sugar does. So, alcohol is a lot of sugar, especially when a lot of things add sugar and other carbs to their beers.
Spirits don’t have carbs though. But definitely hard on the liver. And until the body has cleared the alcohol, it doesn’t really process other stuff since it’s trying to clear the toxin.
Depends on flavorings. But I avoid alcohol except for cooking, it's just not worth it for drinking IMO
May I add a suggestion to sleepydude's post about sugar? When you feel the craving for the sugar, put a pinch of pink Himalayan salt into your mouth (on tongue to slowly dissolve). It will dull the craving immediately.
I tried that. Sugar is like a drug and IMO you need to taper off. Sugar is what has helped lots of people quit drinking. It helped me for first 2 yrs. If you go cold turkey off sugar, you may well end up going absolutely bonkers - that's what it did to me. I had to do it slowly and I suspect most folks are like that. When I went cold turkey I was 1.5 yrs sober so hadn't had alcohol in all that time but going cold turkey off sugar is not recommended in my book.
2 months now myself. Feel better than i have in years. No more. U got this!
Heck yeah, I can't wait until it's entirely out of my system.
Fellow 2-monther. Quit on my birthday. Set myself a goal of a clean year and will probably set another goal after that.
32 yrs sober praise the Lord. I drank enough for a lifetime in the 8 yrs that I partook...maybe that's an understatement. But, I have a testimony to give now to others and along with turning my life over to God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit I spent six months in outpatient treatment along with some AA. When I accepted Jesus I asked that the desire to drink be removed. It was!, instantly. The issues I had were habitual. I had to change my lifestyle completely and abruptly.
That said, I now help with the Celebrate Recovery program at my church. It is a 12 step program based on Christianity. Maybe you can find a chapter local to you.
https://www.celebraterecovery.com/
Wow, that's quite a long time. I've asked for my desire to drink be removed. It already is as of right now, but I'm praying He helps keep the demon away.
I'm checking out your link right now, thank you so much sir. God bless your heart.
And I'll pray for you. You can do this.
Thank you so much. I appreciate yas.
Similar length of time here (but it's not a competition, is it?). By now you may have noticed, as I have, that being sober is more of a habit than a daily struggle. I can't recall the last time I had a drinking thought, or worse, a drinking dream. I used to HATE those things...waking up in a sweat and thinking I had picked up a drink again. Good for you, congratulations on 32 years. But we both know, we didn't do it alone, did we?
Grats on your similar length of time and I think "praise the Lord" covers your last question.
Indeed.
Just came across this. Thought it to be apropos.
https://t.me/MAINEGIR/66106
Thanks!
One year, new year's eve. You've got this.
Good for you, brother. You'll be inspiration for me.
Took me about 6 months for the itch to go away. Now I can see someone on TV having a drink and not think about having one myself.
That's awesome, I'm glad to hear it.
Depending on how much you drank, and how often, you'll have to go through withdrawals. Your sleep will suck, elevated heart rate, nausea, lack of appetite.
After you get through that, your sleep will become incredibly good. You'll wake up from 8 hours feeling better than a drunken 12 hours by far. You'll have more energy.
Baby steps. You can do this.
I quit for about three months four months ago, no withdrawals that I know of. Hopefully there will be none this time.
Nice! Best wishes on your success. Don’t rule out some kind of ‘sponsor’ or a good buddy to talk to when you are at a breaking point.
I'll keep that in mind for sure. Thank you.
JUST KEEP QUITTING!!!!
It can be a real struggle, I recently feel off the wagon and am considering getting right back on. You already know how dreadful the day after can be so you will always have that in your corner.
You are going to want to eat and you will need to, depending on consumption level. I was pretty bad when I was bad, I feel like I am dying after 5 beers now though. Very thankful for that, it gets lighter!! Get some real food in there. Carbs will be pined for so consider learning how to bake, you will have an excess of energy after a few months, maybe sooner if you don't hoover your nearest fast food establishments.
Find something constructive to pour all that money into. If I had a job I would be borderline rich right now. Talking folding bills, ya heard? TRACK THE MONEY SAVED! Figure a months average on alcohol and food after alcohol, then x that by 12 and hate yourself for as long as you need to but then remember you are worth it and get back to it.
You already did the hard part, just keep doing it! You got this!
Heck yeah, bro! I was on the wagon too. Just gotta stand up, dust yourself off, and get right back on it.
I gotta level, I lean on the weed still. I don't want to stop, I like it. I feel it helps me keep focus like coffee without the jitters. Probably not awesome.
You're talking to a smoker as well. I also leaned on in, it kept me away from drinking but still... why do I need to be altered to enjoy the world God created?
I figure I must be hiding. I'm quitting the buds too, actually today was my last day for that.
Next, after I am done kicking these, I am quitting smoking cigs. Going clean.
It helps me appreciate what I already have. enough is enough, ya know. I can really get into my knitting and just let go of the chaos for a while. In all fairness it is all God but it is also like the word of God because it couldn't exist if God hadn't spoken it. I dunno if it is good or bad, like really know. I have brought myself to a level of tolerance though so that could really be all that it is... I do get antsy pants without it.. I smoke ciggs like a freight train anymore. I had quit that for a few years too. I am trusting the science! Use my failures as a learning opportunity!
Well, whenever you decide to get back up on whatever wagon you choose, you've got my support.
Much appreciated!
I wanted to comment on the science and logic thing! I feel like that lead me to God.
Evolution... In a completely random chance for existence caused by a physics denying blip floating through space on a rock akin to completely uninhabitable specimens just neatly placed to support something that is capable of adapting to its environment over time. Too many coincidences for me. AND THEN!!!!!!!!!!! A monkey stumbles onto consciousness and can harness it long enough to contemplate its very existence negating all of that precursor information that drove the very existence of life for millions of years?? I mean..... Is that not more farfetched than God or what? BOXING SHRIMP WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED? PISTOL SHRIMP??!!! COME ON!
Hahahahahahaha yeah, you've got a good point.
You know what boggles my mind? Fruit.
If you have trouble quitting cigs consider buying a good vape mod that you can fill with your own juice. Then you can determine the nicotine amount and gradually reduce it. That helps a LOT of people, and in Europe (UK for sure) their national health service can actually prescribe it as a smoking cessation aid. You have a lot going on and knocking out 2 addictions cold turkey at the same time might not be the best idea.
I'm gonna try to give my life up to Jesus and our Father. Exist as they'd like me to, as much as I am able.
It's a journey. Walk with him. That might mean a physical walk but Holy Spirit... This gets me sometimes. Anyway, he will always be right there on the path where you left him. Though he is always with you. It is up to us to return to him. I cannot say that I am certain that I am capable of upholding his laws on my own anyway and the world is rough. I wonder if that is why Jesus told us to love. It would get more people on the path. In a way we had to be expected to fuck up otherwise Jesus wouldn't have been planned.
There is a lot of hoopla about giving yourself to Jesus, technically, you are already his. Accept it. Confess with your tongue that Jesus died for your sins and was resurrected by God.
10 Romans For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Welcome to life brother. It is so much better with a good friend! It will be difficult as a mother trucker, but you got this!
Heck yeah, sir. I'm in.
I had always found my path to God difficult, as I am very much scientifically-minded. Very logical. Was hard to believe.
It took a great shaking to wake me up, but I am here now and thank Father for sending Jesus to save our souls.
A helpful tip I do not follow often enough. Talk to the Father first in all situations. Be vulnerable, he already knows you. Do not expect what you want and you will be far further than me! He has your best interest in mind.
That is very helpful. I'm gonna keep thinking about that from time to time, thank you
Thanks for the info, Doc. Appreciate it.
I will say that I quit drinking cold turkey for about three months somewhat recently, and beyond the initial hangover the day after the last day I drank, no other symptoms of withdrawal presented.
Indeed, my resting heart rate became more healthy. I haven't been drinking as much as I used to, either, so I expect similar but will be paying close attention to my body.
Thank you for taking the time to write this up for me. You're awesome, sir. God bless.
And may He bless you and yours, sir.
TAPER!
I don't need to taper, really. I wasn't the type to drink every day. I just drank too much when I did drink. No withdrawals. Didn't get that bad into it.
I'm definitely paying attention to my body just in case.
Wow, I had no idea. Someone I know needs to be reading this. He is sometimes on this board and I pray daily that he could gather up the strength to quit.
You got this patriot! I have been sober from herion/opiates for almost 11 yrs. I'm to a point I can drink 1 beer and be done. Its a daily battle still almost 11 yrs later but it gets easier with every passing day. Be careful alcohol withdrawals can literally kill you. So if you get bad go to the hospital and be TRUTHFUL on what you are doing. They can monitor for the first few days to get you through the worst. Good luck you can do it!!!
January 24, 1998, I quit alcohol, drugs and smoking all on the same day. 30 years of abuse and I quit cold turkey, if I can do it ANYONE can. Good luck patriot.
Wow. That takes some serious strength. I'm amazed. God bless ya
It took "hitting bottom" to wake me up, you don't want to go that route...EVER. Stay strong, there's a lot of patriots praying for you.
I've hit pretty low myself. Sometimes it takes being shaken to wake up.
Congratulations! Trump doesn't drink, so you've got a partner and role model right there. And I'll second all the suggestions for AA if you need help; I've never gone to a meeting but several people I respect have told me it really helped them.
I'm definitely considering it.
A sober mind will be important in the days to come. Good job, buddy.
Alcohol, if you drink often enough, needs a weaning schedule. Which means you should dose yourself in a controlled way to come off it.
Relapse is no fun. Will power might get you past the withdrawal but it's better to do it properly. Imo.
Also start drinking bubbly water as a replacement for booze. It worked for me. Been sober 2 years.
My weening schedule used a Moore’s law approach; first it was a week (drank 2-3 times a week) and celebrated by drinking, no doubt an oxy-moronic move. After that, it was 2 weeks, then 4 weeks, then 8 weeks, until I got out to 36 months.
I then drank and wished I didn’t; had hangover for 3 days, and never drank again! I thought I was doomed to drink myself into the grave too.
I don't drink all that often. I'm more a drunk than an alcoholic in that way. No withdrawals, though I am monitoring my body closely. There is a first time for everything, if you keep at it. Thank you
All hundred mile journeys start the same, one foot in front of the other. If you never take that step, you never get started, and you never have a chance to prise that monkey off your back.
So congrats and dont forget to treat yourself with something else that you enjoy when you hit some days-since-last-time milestones. If you can share those moments with supportive people, even better.
That's a great idea, thank you
I quit smoking several times before I actually quit smoking. Here is my best advice.
Every time you don't, the next time you want to will be that much easier. Every time you do, the next time you don't want to will be that much more difficult.
In time, you just won't want to anymore, and on the occasions that you do, the desire will be so low you won't even think about it.
Thank you, that's good advice.
This book will be really helpful. It's an easy read with easy to understand and easy to apply rules to help change habits.
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven... https://www.amazon.com/dp/0735211299?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Sure picked the wrong day to quit amphetamines.
xD
I’m trying to quit drinking as well. It’s significantly reduced, but I can do better. Anyway, it’s tough, but we’re tougher. We’ll put it to bed for good
Definitely. I believe in us, and I believe in you. We got this.
God is helping you to in your decision to stay sober!
Well done. Alcohol is a degenerate drug
I quit 6 days ago. Drank for 25 years.
Good for you! I'm right there with ya!
It's boring. That's about it
Boring can be alright. Better than negative excitement, I think.
Ya. I usually drink alone and watch movies. Made it more fun. That's gonna be hard. Days are easy, nights not so much.
We got this!
One day, one hour, one minute. Ever onward. ❤️ You got this. God bless you.
You guys are great.
Good. You'll enjoy feeling healthier and better throughout the day.
I'm so happy to hear this. My sister died last month a bedridden alcoholic. It is not a good life.
I am so sorry to hear that, fren. I prayed for you and your family.
You're not behind anybody friend. You're beside us! Congratulations!
Thank you for the encouragement, fren!
weird, because i did the same thing today as well. im never drinking again. ill make a pact with you.
Deal. We got this. I feel much better today. Also feel better knowing I put it behind me.
download the AA app on your phone and hit a meeting once a week or whenever you feel the urge. you'll feel great and meet some amazing people.
That's a good idea.
So glad you are all doing this.
It is beyond time to get right. Should have started way sooner.
Please, let that be the last time you indulge that worry. Today is never too late… but tomorrow is. So you’re right on schedule; today was the perfect day to start. I say that not to be trite, but to commend you for your resolve, and to remind you to let ALL regrets to blow away with the wind, today, right now. 🍃
I’m praying for uncommon strength and the peace to know you are loved, PTW. I pray that this will be sufficient, to allow you to best focus your reinvigorated health and strength on doing the Lord’s work, but don’t let any setbacks or stumbles break your stride. Take heart in those who have informed you it took them multiple tries to kick the desire; you will never lose unless you give up. But if you can manage booting the booze without slipups, also know that that example can inspire those who fear taking the first step for fear of failure. Either way, this is (blessedly) about more than just you; it’s for those who care about you, for those whom you do and will care for, and for those you can inspire. And that’s not pressure, not at all; that’s a cheering section. 🎉
Also, on the practical side benefit, cutting out alcohol will save you a ton of money, and will save you from consuming a ton of extra empty, gratuitous calories. That’s rarely enough to spur people into stopping drinking, but it’s a huge bonus.
Bless you, brother! (sorry if I presumed your gender… but unless I missed some info above, that’s just how I roll) Please keep us updated. There’s so many crap posts here, most of mine included, but I promise you, if half the posts here eventually become “I made it another day sober”, or “I’m getting back on the horse again”, then that is victory, as far as I’m concerned. Because if, truly, NCSWIC, then our #1 job here is to get ourselves and as many others as we can as ready as possible for what comes next.
Awesome comment, I'm saving it. Thank you so much sir. You got it right, I'm a dude.
God bless you, brother. I'll reflect on your words, and the words of everyone else here in times of strife.
You’re still in my prayers, fren. (in fact, you’re in my list of prayers on my get-things-done app😁)
No update needed, but don’t think our attention span always only extends to the moment we click the Save button. 😏
Hope you’re having a great weekend.
And remember: — alcohol is a poison, and — it genuinely tastes awful; only its addictive properties (and hectoring marketing) convince our brain it tastes good — every day you go without alcohol, you’re saving money and, what, a thousand empty calories?
And speaking of food, your pledge has convinced me to try something a bit crazy I’ve considered ever since I read (a few weeks ago) this article about a 5-day water-only fast: https://www.hennessysview.com/p/heres-what-happens-to-your-body-on
It’s not really a weight-loss thing, although I’ve crept up to about 15-20 pounds above my ideal weight, so it can’t hurt, and I’ve got enough body fat to sustain me🫤… but fasting obviously isn’t a sustainable change. But it just sounded like a good willpower challenge, with vividly-described cleansing benefits. And I hope it may concentrate my prayers.
Can I do it, given that I’m grouchy if I even have a late breakfast? And given that I’ll be sharing the house with my family during breakfast and dinner time. Well, I’m sure gonna try my very best, starting tomorrow night before bed, until Friday night.
Please say a prayer for me for this trial, and whether I’m successful or fail, unless I die trying, I’ve just committed myself to come back here and tell you how I did.
Hahaha, aw man please do keep us updated on the water fast. I've gravitated towards just one big meal a day, lot of meat.
As for an update on my end, I reconnected with an old flame. We were both self destructive back when we were together and needed to grow separately. But we grew the same regardless of distance, she is a based patriot woman who knows everything already and refused to have kids. Waiting for the right man, haha! I might give her some kids down the line.
For the drinking, I still don't feel a need to. I've put it on God, and let it go. It's an amazing feeling, I thank all of you, and are also in my prayers all.
Update: almost two successful (hungry, so hungry) days down, and, because I had to dial it back from 5 to 3 days because of a couple of events on Thursday/Friday for which I could not be a ravenous monster, one day to go.
My wife said she'd try the 5-day fast with me in January, so if I can do 3 days this week, this'll be a decent proof-of-concept, and a down-payment on making good on my full pledge in the near future.
So, no youthfully glowing skin, or supernatural sense of smell, or improved eyesight so far... maybe I get those tomorrow, or maybe those need the 5 days. Or maybe I got sold a bill of goods. Dunno.🤷♂️ Regardless, at this point, it's surprisingly, so far, so good, and please accept my continued prayers for you.
Prayers out for you as well! Way to keep at it.
I've been eating one meal a day and fasting the rest. I am also in the process of detoxing my body which has disrupted my sleep cycle, so that part is rough.
But that's what I get, so I accept it fully.
Wow, that’s awesome!
It's a very interesting situation.
Just keep up the good work.
Will do, sir. I will not fail this time, because I have God and Jesus on my side now.
I try to start every day being thankful and end every day the same way, with my focus on Him.
God bless you. With God's help, you can conquer this demon also.
God bless you as well, sir. Truth be told, I'm praying he blesses all us sinners. Hopefully we all turn to Him before it is too late.
The enormity of my sins is hitting me at the moment, I just want to fall to my knees in sorrow for what I've done. I take that as a good sign, though.
Amen.
You do you Good luck
Alcohol steals time. Congrats to having more time during your week to dedicate to things that matter.
Congratulations. You will feel so much better after a while. I didn't realize how much it affected my way of being until I quit.
Gonna be awesome! Congrats on your sobriety!
July 9th for me. Going strong since. Haven’t came close to succumbing to temptation. Although it does sneak up from time to time.