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Oculus Spirit [81078]

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AMA: I haven't had any alcohol in 31 days.

Jan 29, 2024, 3:35 PM

I stopped drinking a few days before new years day. I think. I may not have had any alcohol even before that. Even if I did, it may have only been a beer or two. I didn't drink much in December. With no other symptoms, I got it into my head my liver was swelling up, but it turns out I think it was just how I was slumped over on the couch watching TV.

The first week not drinking and I was consciously thinking about not drinking, I was bored out of my mind. I still kinda am, but now I just watch a lot of dumb movies and apply for jobs, so that kills some time.

Never had any cravings for alcohol, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss it--I enjoy drinking. I was a little anxious the first week or so I think. But I don't miss the hangovers. And it's not like now I'm getting up on Saturdays at 7 am and doing anything productive; its been cold and rainy every weekend except this weekend since Late Dec/Early Jan. I'm still sleeping until 10 and then sitting around watching TV for a while; I just don't feel bad while doing it.

Since I went cold turkey, one oddity I didn't expect is that my once Swiss clock like precision BM's have shifted now to "maybe today, and if not today, maybe tomorrow sometime between 12 Am and 12 PM". Which is weird. I also haven't lost one ounce of weight that I can tell.

I sleep a little better, so that's been a positive. But I just go to bed earlier because I'm bored out of my mind, so that may not have anything to do with alcohol at all. I can sleep on command for as long as I have time available, so I can't really count this as a win.

This is probably the 20th time I've quit drinking in my life, ranging from 3 weeks to about 8 months. I'm 31 days in this time, and for the 20th time, I don't notice any feeling of how much better I feel, or how great life is, or much weight I've lost, or how much money I've saved...or anything. My mood is probably more constant--constantly bad, because I hate winter and now have non-distracted time to sit around and think about it. I think I have seasonal depression.

I think I've saved some money because I'm not Ubering anywhere, but I'll bedamned if I can see it in my bank account. All I can figure is that the people who quit drinking and noticed all that stuff like that they say happens must have really had a drinking problem, and mine wasn't as bad as I thought.

Also, I learned "alcoholism" as a term is now apparently verboten, and replaced with "alcohol use disorder", and it's on a binary scale. If you drink anything--you have it, and there are 3 degrees to having it. And everything bad in life is caused by it--if you drink anything. I guess for whatever reason people are trying to de-normalize drinking, which for some I guess is a good thing. For others, it's just calling them names that don't really fit.

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Sounds like this thread is a good substitute for a "Meeting" of social drinkers.
Sooooo, I was only a beer drinker for many years and didn't really drink anything more potent. Also a jogger/runner so i told myself a little (or lot) of beer was ok. About 8 years ago i got hooked up with a few bourbon/gin/vodka drinking guys on quarterly golf trips and switched to their favorite beverages to fit in. Problem is i started drinking up to 8-12 ounces most nights at home too. So far the only downside is a fatty liver which can lead to worse conditions of course. Or maybe i would have a fatty liver anyway.
I usually cut back for awhile before seeing the doc for liver and other tests but don't think he's fooled at all. Anyway, i've only had a couple stiff drinks in January and and even bought some beer as a substitute but don't really care for it anymore. It may expire in my fridge.
I think i'll just buy the good stuff for golf trips and not keep it around home.
I just turned 75 so i'm not gonna worry about it too much.
But the absolute worst habit i ever kicked was smoking. Started 1970 Quit 1976 No doubt would have been been dead by now. Started running and quit cigarettes over several months. My last CARTON cost $4.00.
Good luck to ya'll.

AMA: I haven't had any alcohol in 31 days.

I'd reflect on the benefits to your liver and cutting alcohol-related cancer

I can still send you some if you like.

Good on ya, mate.

I grew up hearing the term "functional alcoholic".

You have mild alcohol use disorder.

Same here - I started collecting bourbon last year, got about 40 bottles

That's kinda my strategy. I have 40 or 50 opens, but it's a rarity

Yeah, me fits this one

Good job (I guess? Sounds like it's due to choice and not issues anyway)

Thanks

That's a good start.

Quitter. Haha, just kiddin. But in all seriousness,

I quit for eight and a half years once.

Just curious, how many times after drinking would you have a hangover?

Once every couple weeks I guess?***

I made it to just over 70 days without drinking.

Mitch?***

I don't remember, but definitely Junge-recycled material.***

congarts and welcome to the "dark" side

Re: AMA: I haven't had any alcohol in 31 days.

Found your beer.

Good for you. I stopped

I dunno if I'll stop forever.

Have you been to a meeting?

Certainly some interesting characters at them.***

No man...I'm not going to any meetings.

I had to look up "dry drunk"

You probably dont wanna hear this, but

Moderation in everything...even moderation***

Re: Moderation in everything...even moderation***

If I was 75, I'd prob be talking about all the additional drugs I'm doing

Re: AMA: I haven't had any alcohol in 31 days.

Re: AMA: I haven't had any alcohol in 31 days.

No alcohol since Saturday for me

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