The Wise Alchy Sage Retires
 

I've been working on my various character flaws and like to think I've made some progress. It is time to reconsider alcohol. My problem with booze usually expresses itself in group settings. I'm generally regarded as a funny drunk. The comments I keep to myself sober stream out unfiltered. Obviously, this can lead to unfunny moments. The other part of drinking in group settings is the quantity problem. I don't drink moderately while engaged socially. So in the name of good emotional, physical, and spiritual health and fitness I'm pulling the plug on booze. We had a nice run but it doesn't work any more. If y'all catch me on the drunk thread, give me hell.

Good for you, Griff! I totally support you on this. ETOH has been my master for a looooong time and I know just how hard it is to quit. Best wishes!

Thanks B! I appreciate the support.

Good on you. I'm think about a new years deal myself. Again!
Hi Lady. Good on you also.

You can do this, Griff, just like everything else you've set your mind to.
While alcohol can be fun, it extracts a pretty hefty price.
Being sober might prevent you from getting run through in a duel, also.

We need a new support thread for all of us who are gonna try and alter our behavior! I stopped smokin 3 months ago, but I still feel the urge on occasion. It was the last vice I had and by far the hardest to leave behind. Griif set your mind and if you need any help or encouragement - shoot me a pm. Great luck to ya!

Thanks guys!

Griff:

You can do this.

I don't miss alcohol. I don't miss being drunk. I definitely don't miss the misery of being hung over. I don't miss that hole in my pocket where my money used to be. I don't miss the fear of doing something stupid/illegal/harmful while being drunk.

I still drink, just club soda or something similar. I still get happy, but from circumstances, not substances. I still get sick, just not self inflicted. I still spend my (practically all my) money, just on stuff that lasts longer than one night. And I still do stupid/illegal/harmful things. I have plenty of room for self improvement. But I am trying to find new mistakes to make, instead of repeating the same stupid/illegal/harmful ones I did while drinking. I flatter myself by considering that learning.

I know you have an abiding love of learning too. I wish you success with your efforts to learn what you're seeking. It's there, and you're able. You can do it.

Great decision, Griff. I made that one almost a year ago and haven't missed it since. Sobriety = clearheadedness. Clear is nice.

I just took my last patch off today from quitting smoking. I have only gained about 3 lbs since quitting, but I am not worried...I think it will come off again, since I am not holiday pigging anymore. I have tried very hard not to be a complete bitch through this whole thing, but quitting smoking is much harder than I had expected. It's difficult to stop doing something you have done every hour for 12 years.

Good on you Griff. I am seriously considering joining you.

I'm sure I'll agree with all of you tomorrow morning.

Until then...

We'll try not to be too smug. Thanks all.

HungOverLikeJesus?

lmao!

Good luck to you, Griff.

good luck with it. i didn't make a big decision to stop drinking altogether, it just kind of happened last year. i decided i needed a break about a year and a half ago. so i just started working out during the time i normally drank. at some point i realized it felt pretty good not drinking and although i do miss the flavor of a gorgeous guinness... i don't miss it. much.

for me the only hard part was when i realized what the alcohol that was always in my system did for me. i was a very happy fully functional drunk. i was never hammered, but usually buzzed. i found out that after being sober for some time that sobriety brought my temper to the surface. apparently the booze suppressed that. so i recognized that and deal with that through means that aren't turning my liver into a rock.