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I quit drinking for a year

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Re: I quit drinking for a year

#111

Post by steve1977 »

FeloniousHam wrote: post #99
steve1977 wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's kind of what I did. I initially stopped for a month for some health reasons. That became another month. And another one. And now it's a bit more than 4 years. The interesting thing is, when I quit smoking (almost 20 years ago), I knew I must never touch a cigarette again. I think with alcohol, I could have some wine or beer occassionaly, I just don't feel the need for it anymore.

Totally agree. I was non-professional smoker for a long time, and quit many, many times. Even after years, I'll get this "you know what'd great?" tap on the shoulder. One cigarette is not a slippery slope, it's a vertical cliff drop. I love booze in all its forms, but it doesn't have the same pull.

I even still dream of smoking sometimes, after all this time. And I know I shouldn't be smoking in the dreams. Really shows you how addiction messes up your brain. I'm happy I never really tried anything harder.

Re: I quit drinking for a year

#112

Post by mfru »

SwiftyBug wrote: post #100
mfru wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For me it is social anxiety / being on edge around more than 4-5 people (apply from 1 person upwards if they are strangers) and having sensory overload because it is a bar / pub / whatever. A lifetime of masking leaves its mark on a nervous system, i.e. And alcohol down regulates / takes the edge off You might look into neurodiversity / trauma in your life (if you haven't done so already)

What do you mean by masking? And can you elaborate on the neurodiversity part? This is the first time I hear about alcohol as something that's reached for specifically by neurodivergent people.

For people on the spectrum masking is basically roleplaying a "normal" person, by learning behavior that is associated with not being singled out as a weirdo.

This takes a lot of processing power and constant vigilance in order to not drop the mask which is quite exhausting.

Here is one study looking at the connection between neurodiversity and substance use: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3965675/

Re: I quit drinking for a year

#113

Post by Ronsenshi »

kyleee wrote: post #101
Ronsenshi wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This comments section is bizarre in general. Very few comments from people who don't seem to have an issue with control over their alcohol consumption where they can enjoy a glass without it becoming a problem. Naturally it's good that people who do have a problem can recognize it and stop it from affecting their life, but I feel like there has to be more people who are perfectly OK with irregular consumption of ligh…

You really find it bizarre that people who have trouble with moderation are active participants in a discussion about alcohol?

The ratio is certainly surprising to me. I thought there would be some people chipping in who don't have issues with occasional alcohol consumption that doesn't affect their life in a negative way.

Re: I quit drinking for a year

#114

Post by not_a_bot_4sho »

irishcoffee wrote: post #52
not_a_bot_4sho wrote: post #31

Don't drink. Or if you must, drink less. Who am I to tell you what to do? No one important. But I did recently discover I have colon cancer, perhaps related to my great fondness for beer. And now I'm awkwardly figuring out my final exit strategy. 0/5 stars not recommended. Oh, and schedule that colonoscopy you've been putting off. Better to catch it early when more treatment options are on the table.

In my mid 30s (I'm older now) I got breast cancer I drank so much, which was after I got pancreatitis because I'm too fucking stupid to learn my lesson. I am a biological male now one nipple shy of a set. Oh and a DUI. Sleeping in a running car. I’m a jackass and an idiot. I'm done drinking. Ideally my feet will be less numb and painful, my shoulder might stop hurting, the outer two fingers on my left hand might beco…

> I need to break that cycle for my kids.

Thanks for the kind words. I never considered myself an alcoholic. I drank beer on Fridays and Saturdays. I wouldn't consider it excessive, I didn't get drunk, but I also wouldn't consider it helpful in retrospect.

The kids. I have a 5mo child. And 2 older kids. This is the part I hate. I REALLY HATE. They shouldn't have to pay for my mistakes or my luck but they will. The thought of dying isn't scary. I'm good with it. But I HATE, HATE, HATE, that I'm going to leave my kids early and my poor wife to figure it all out.

I wish you a long and healthy path ahead without any remission. (I assume you're on the good side. I really hope so!) All the best to you!

Re: I quit drinking for a year

#115

Post by not_a_bot_4sho »

HerbManic wrote: post #36
not_a_bot_4sho wrote: post #31

Don't drink. Or if you must, drink less. Who am I to tell you what to do? No one important. But I did recently discover I have colon cancer, perhaps related to my great fondness for beer. And now I'm awkwardly figuring out my final exit strategy. 0/5 stars not recommended. Oh, and schedule that colonoscopy you've been putting off. Better to catch it early when more treatment options are on the table.

I will second the early testing, it caught my mothers cancer in the early stages. That was 10 years ago and she is going strong in her mid 70's. As for the final exit strategy, do what works for you and don't worry about others thinking you are being "selfish". You are the final arbiter. Be well.

Appreciate it!

Re: I quit drinking for a year

#116

Post by not_a_bot_4sho »

SapporoChris wrote: post #58
not_a_bot_4sho wrote: post #31

Don't drink. Or if you must, drink less. Who am I to tell you what to do? No one important. But I did recently discover I have colon cancer, perhaps related to my great fondness for beer. And now I'm awkwardly figuring out my final exit strategy. 0/5 stars not recommended. Oh, and schedule that colonoscopy you've been putting off. Better to catch it early when more treatment options are on the table.

I looked up the risk factors for Colorectal cancer and it is influenced by various lifestyle and genetic factors, including: Diet (high in red and processed meats), Obesity, Smoking, and Lack of physical activity. I also noted that rates are appear to actually be decreasing. At least according to the National Cancer Institute. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/colorect.html

> Diet (high in red and processed meats), Obesity, Smoking, and Lack of physical activity.

These are very much the complete opposite of me. Life is like that.

Re: I quit drinking for a year

#117

Post by kyleee »

Ronsenshi wrote: post #113
kyleee wrote: post #101

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You really find it bizarre that people who have trouble with moderation are active participants in a discussion about alcohol?

The ratio is certainly surprising to me. I thought there would be some people chipping in who don't have issues with occasional alcohol consumption that doesn't affect their life in a negative way.

Fair; I don’t think those types of people are nearly as drawn to these types of threads though
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