Sober

[patrick1]

Forgive some attention ho'ing.  Well, after a Gehrig like career of around 20 years, I decided to hang up the mug and give up the booze. Some poor blood work, a general desire to live healthier, and alcohol induced depression has led me to just stop.  With my tolerance for the stuff, there is a good chance I'd be dead for cirrohsis within a decade or two.  I've stopped before for some months at a time before, then convinced myself that I could do moderation.  However, I've learned I just don't do moderation too well. So I've got  a bit over a month under the belt and I'm seeing a counselor to help me along the way.

Anyway, my main reason in making the thread is that there have been occasions where I would post in a well... altered state. So if I have been nasty to you, I'm sorry.  Now I only have my general a$$holery to blame for being ill informed and/or a d!ck.   

[Senator Napoleon]

Whoa, dude.
First of all, congratulations and good luck.

But......you are one of our most reasonable and intelligent posters. I don't recall ever seeing a post of yours that was rude or seemed lacking in thought.

Guess you will have to pick a new team though.

[patrick1]

Haha, thanks and well yes the Jets and Mets could drive St Peter to drink.

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

Best of luck to you!

[anvi]

Well, congratulations, patrick1!  I wish you the best and am sure that sticking to it will quickly improve your health.  The body does respond in most cases quite rapidly and happily to changes like this.

I must say also that you are doing this for the right reasons.  My drinking has slowed down considerably over the past three months, but that's largely because the gf doesn't like to drink much anymore.  

Anyway, all best wishes.

[AkSaber]

Patrick that's great! Getting assistance for addiction is always a good thing to do cause just using will power to beat addiction usually isn't enough.

Good luck Patrick. I'll be praying for you.

[patrick1]

Thanks a lot.  My health has actually rebounded quite a bit already, the depression is gone and I feel great. The booze was steam rolling my endocrine system and I probably bruised up the ol' liver something good too.  I've never been an everyday type drunk but once I started I didnt stop. Liters at a time take a toll.

Since the new year, Ive lost about 90lbs, quit smoking and getting off the booze was really a missing piece to the puzzle.

To quote Dean Wormer from Animal House: Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son.

[Vasall des Midas]

I've learned I just don't do moderation too well.  

The only good reason to stop drinking entirely, and a very good one it is.

Since the new year, Ive lost about 90lbs, quit smoking

Anybody would feel better having done that. Though if you'd still be drinking you might be too drunk to notice.

[Јas]

Good for you Patrick. Best of luck.

[Sibboleth]

Glad to hear that you're getting on top of things and all that

[ilikeverin]

Good luck!  That's awesome! *hughughug*

[IDS Legislator Alfred F. Jones]

Good for you Patrick!

[patrick1]

Thanks all for the well wishes.

[patrick1]

Update time. Since being off the sauce for over half a year now, all blood tests are now back to normal, depression is gone, started a job, lost another 50 lbs or so, and start a new job in my desired career field on Wednesday.  I'm still able to go out and socialize and have a great time without destroying my body and feeling like crap all the time.  I was well on my way to a drinking problem before I even started college (and really set up from birth) but my general advice to you younger folks is to not let it get the better of you.

I turn 35!!! tomorrow but havent felt this good since 18.

[memphis]

Amazing! Congrats!!!!

[Snowguy716]

I hope all ends well.  There is life after booze!

[BushKenya]

Congratulations, Patrick!  You're in my prayers, man!

[patrick1]

Congratulations, Patrick!  You're in my prayers, man!

Thanks a lot Jeff.  I don't really need the prayers in general though.  I saw something that needed changing so I made a decision and changed it. Some people like to dress that up in higher power and build jargon around it. For me there is nothing mystical about it.  I just decided to stop punishing myself.

And snowguy, yes I found there is a bunch out there. I wasted countless hours (and money) with my duff on a stool  or sleeping one off. Nothing I can do about that now though and just have to move forward.

[oakvale]

Congratulations man, that's fantastic. Not to go all self-help (it'll sound it though) but it's great to see someone can turn their life around when they step back, take a look at things, and decide it's not working out.

I also second the point about never seeing a post of yours that was rude or insulting, and as a person with an unfortunate tendency to be both I'm hyper-aware of these things.

Best of luck.

[CathKhan]

Hope everything works out for you in this!

[© Tweed the Younger]

I admire your ability to just say, "I'm done" and be done.  it is much more of a war of attrition for a lot of people.

[opebo]

What was your 'drink of choice' prior to this?

[patrick1]

I admire your ability to just say, "I'm done" and be done.  it is much more of a war of attrition for a lot of people.

Well this isn't my first rodeo.  I quit or 'cut back' many times in the past and it was a struggle because I really resented not being able to drink how I wanted to drink i.e dangerously.  It was a battle I was losing for years/a decade. I don't know something about this time I've been able to make the rational decision that it is just not good for me. It makes me lazy, fat and lastly horribly anxious/depressed- they don't sell that lifestyle on the commercials.  I now wish I was able to stop much earlier but I dont think I was ready to stop.

And to Opebo, I drank almost anything. You put snake piss in a glass and I would drink it. Beers, rum, whiskey, vodka.  I would go out nights and drink the alphabet at a bar. Just prior to me stopping I was drinking a bunch of gallons of Chilean wine, washed back with a dozen beers or so.... I was a thirsty man.

[BushKenya]

Congratulations, Patrick!  You're in my prayers, man!

Thanks a lot Jeff.  I don't really need the prayers in general though.  I saw something that needed changing so I made a decision and changed it. Some people like to dress that up in higher power and build jargon around it. For me there is nothing mystical about it.  I just decided to stop punishing myself.

And snowguy, yes I found there is a bunch out there. I wasted countless hours (and money) with my duff on a stool  or sleeping one off. Nothing I can do about that now though and just have to move forward.

Good to hear.  You can't stop me from praying for you.