Quitting drinking

Bumping this thread. Hope everyone is doing well.

Just finished an early morning run with a friend, came home to a house with my wife and family and heading to a job that I like. All of this is possible due to the fact that I gave up the drink through the grace of GOD, one day at a time.

Simple pleasures in life are the best.

Welcome to all wrote:

"Alcohol is addictive, and when you attempt moderation, you end up spending excessive time and effort, not on living but on moderating, determining when to and when not to drink."

This was it for me. When I quit after 20 years of heavy drinking, it was because I finally admitted to myself that moderation wasn't going to work. Controlling the amount I drank was just too damn much work.

I passed the 20 year sobriety anniversary 4 months back. There are definitely things I miss about drinking, but not having to fight the battle of whether to drink today is worth much more than everything I lost.

I quit drinking 16 years ago and haven't had a drop since. I feel the same way and have never regretted it. Wasn't worth all the hassles is brought me.

Indeed this thread is a great one.

Hope everyone is successful if they decide to quit. It may take several attempts, but don't despair and don't give up.

I'm closing in on 12 years without a f*cking drop!

Booze was a liar and a thief (for me). Life couldn't be better at this point!

I reduced my drinking by 95% almost 6 years ago. I now only drink at weddings, family gatherings, and camping. Even then, I keep it to a few drinks. This happens maybe 4 times year.

I used to drink a ton of craft beer. I was super bloated, carrying around a ton of excess weight. Training the day after drinking always sucked (more difficult, higher HR, etc.) I lost 15lbs within 2 months changing literally nothing other than stopping to drink. Got faster, lighter, healthier, saved money... all upside to quitting IMO.

ClaytonHammer wrote:

I reduced my drinking by 95% almost 6 years ago. I now only drink at weddings, family gatherings, and camping. Even then, I keep it to a few drinks. This happens maybe 4 times year.

I used to drink a ton of craft beer. I was super bloated, carrying around a ton of excess weight. Training the day after drinking always sucked (more difficult, higher HR, etc.) I lost 15lbs within 2 months changing literally nothing other than stopping to drink. Got faster, lighter, healthier, saved money... all upside to quitting IMO.

Clayton, you cut back, you did not quit drinking.

I love this thread!

Reading the stories are uplifting for the people who may struggle with their decision. Keep up the great work everyone.

I quit drinking before it could become an addiction for me. Just like smoking cigarettes, it’s nice as you’re doing it but you know it’s damaging in the long run so why bother?

I was never an alcoholic, but when my mother, who was, died of liver failure and all sorts of related complications, I quit drinking completely. Been a year and half since I had a drink. Don't miss it at all.

Swoosh! wrote:

ClaytonHammer wrote:

I reduced my drinking by 95% almost 6 years ago. I now only drink at weddings, family gatherings, and camping. Even then, I keep it to a few drinks. This happens maybe 4 times year.

I used to drink a ton of craft beer. I was super bloated, carrying around a ton of excess weight. Training the day after drinking always sucked (more difficult, higher HR, etc.) I lost 15lbs within 2 months changing literally nothing other than stopping to drink. Got faster, lighter, healthier, saved money... all upside to quitting IMO.

Clayton, you cut back, you did not quit drinking.

STFU. the "abstinence only" mindset of AA and such needs to go. if it works for you, great, but you don't need to come in here and gatekeep sobriety. as far as claytonHammer's liver is concerned he's been dry for years. i know not everyone can "cut back" and maintain it, but some can and they should be encouraged in their efforts. i'm one of them! down from regularly downing >20 drinks per week to 5 or 6. it's been good for me and i plan to stick with it.

You're right. I cut back to the point where my consumption is negligible. We're talking about 8-10 drinks per year, not per day. I highly doubt I'd get massive gainz by cutting out these remaining few drinks.

fethullah gulen rupp wrote:

Swoosh! wrote:

Clayton, you cut back, you did not quit drinking.

STFU. the "abstinence only" mindset of AA and such needs to go. if it works for you, great, but you don't need to come in here and gatekeep sobriety. as far as claytonHammer's liver is concerned he's been dry for years. i know not everyone can "cut back" and maintain it, but some can and they should be encouraged in their efforts. i'm one of them! down from regularly downing >20 drinks per week to 5 or 6. it's been good for me and i plan to stick with it.

Good for you !

Sounds like you have an issue with anger.

You too, have not quit drinking, you've cut back, nothing wrong with that, but you drink, own it.

Own it !

ClaytonHammer wrote:

You're right. I cut back to the point where my consumption is negligible. We're talking about 8-10 drinks per year, not per day. I highly doubt I'd get massive gainz by cutting out these remaining few drinks.

Nothing wrong with that, as a matter of fact, congrats!

It's kind of like this, somebody say's " I quit taking it up the butt"

Then you talk to them a little more and they say " I still take it up the butt, a few times a year 8-10 times"

You still take it up the butt, it's ok, but don't say you know longer take it up the butt!

Swoosh! wrote:

ClaytonHammer wrote:

You're right. I cut back to the point where my consumption is negligible. We're talking about 8-10 drinks per year, not per day. I highly doubt I'd get massive gainz by cutting out these remaining few drinks.

Nothing wrong with that, as a matter of fact, congrats!

It's kind of like this, somebody say's " I quit taking it up the butt"

Then you talk to them a little more and they say " I still take it up the butt, a few times a year 8-10 times"

You still take it up the butt, it's ok, but don't say you know longer take it up the butt!

Swoosh! I understand what you’re saying but Clayton never said he quit drinking. He said he reduced his drinking.

If someone takes 2 tylenol when they have a headache, do you consider them a drug addict? I think not but they do use drugs once in a while. It’s fine.

Swoosh! wrote:

ClaytonHammer wrote:

You're right. I cut back to the point where my consumption is negligible. We're talking about 8-10 drinks per year, not per day. I highly doubt I'd get massive gainz by cutting out these remaining few drinks.

Nothing wrong with that, as a matter of fact, congrats!

It's kind of like this, somebody say's " I quit taking it up the butt"

Then you talk to them a little more and they say " I still take it up the butt, a few times a year 8-10 times"

You still take it up the butt, it's ok, but don't say you know longer take it up the butt!

I never said I quit. The first four words of my post were "I reduced my drinking ".... do you understand? Where did I say I quit.

Clayton, "all upside to my quitting drinking"

docLorna wrote:

Swoosh! wrote:

Nothing wrong with that, as a matter of fact, congrats!

It's kind of like this, somebody say's " I quit taking it up the butt"

Then you talk to them a little more and they say " I still take it up the butt, a few times a year 8-10 times"

You still take it up the butt, it's ok, but don't say you know longer take it up the butt!

Swoosh! I understand what you’re saying but Clayton never said he quit drinking. He said he reduced his drinking.

If someone takes 2 tylenol when they have a headache, do you consider them a drug addict? I think not but they do use drugs once in a while. It’s fine.

Doc, in the above post I quoted Clayton.

The analogy you made isn't quite right. If someone says "I quit meth" then you talk further and they still take meth 4-5 times a year, they have not quit meth.

Not trying to make a federal case out of it but a thread for quitting drinking is about not drinking.

I have not drank in 34 years, none, but I enjoy a toke, so I don't say I'm sober and drug free.

Does that make sense ?

Swoosh! wrote:

docLorna wrote:

Swoosh! I understand what you’re saying but Clayton never said he quit drinking. He said he reduced his drinking.

If someone takes 2 tylenol when they have a headache, do you consider them a drug addict? I think not but they do use drugs once in a while. It’s fine.

Doc, in the above post I quoted Clayton.

The analogy you made isn't quite right. If someone says "I quit meth" then you talk further and they still take meth 4-5 times a year, they have not quit meth.

Not trying to make a federal case out of it but a thread for quitting drinking is about not drinking.

I have not drank in 34 years, none, but I enjoy a toke, so I don't say I'm sober and drug free.

Does that make sense ?

Yes it makes sense and I agree with you. What I was referring to was: I understood that Clayton said he quit drinking “the way he used to” because he had mentioned that he reduced his drinking.

Also, congratulations on you 34 years! It must feel great. With the experience and knowledge you have about quitting drinking, do you think it is beneficial to tell people who are trying to quit drinking that unless they quit completely, they are still drinking? I think it might confuse a lot of people to think that if they quit drinking completely, their addiction goes away, which is not true. It’s a tricky scenario. Some people might see the light at the end of the tunnel by knowing that if they reduce their drinking, more clarity will come to them and therefor make it easier to make decisions.

Everyone has their own way to battle I guess.

Doc, Excellent points you make!

I do think it's important to own what we do in life.

If I am discussing alcoholism, don't tell me you don't drink yet you do.

I do agree it can be a tricky scenario but I don't think the people I addressed in this thread are trying to quit drinking, they cut way back which is great but they drink, yet I felt like they proclaimed they quit drinking.

Maybe I'm wrong?

Big difference for the alcoholic drinker, it can cost them their life.

Also, let me say I appreciate your diplomacy and your mature discussion manner.

Best of luck!

All the best! Keep up the battle, you do great work!