Drinking alcohol

[KarateKen]

On 12/7/2024 at 1:15 PM, JazzKicker said:

Holidays are probably the most difficult situational triggers. Hosting Thanksgiving this year, prepping & serving food while guests enjoyed wine, I had a couple of moments where a glass of red looked pretty good. I just remind myself of the foggy mood later, a headache the next day, and move on.

Got thought it, actually not as tough as I thought it would be.  Biggest challenge though was New Years Eve, but it worked out well. 

[KarateKen]

It's been a full year now without a drink.  

I promise this is the final update 

[DarthPenguin]

1 hour ago, KarateKen said:

It's been a full year now without a drink.  

I promise this is the final update 

Congratulations!!

 

Also, doesn't need to be final update 

[aurik]

On 5/8/2025 at 12:53 AM, KarateKen said:

It's been a full year now without a drink.  

I promise this is the final update 

Well-done!  I know it can't be easy.

[Nidan Melbourne]

On 5/8/2025 at 4:53 PM, KarateKen said:

It's been a full year now without a drink.  

I promise this is the final update 

Doens't have to be the final update! 

I encourage you to continue giving updates here and there.  Because it is good to vent somewhere, and we're all here to listen

[JazzKicker]

Congrats, and the more time that goes by, the less you'll think of it. Thing is, our boozy society has a way of reminding us, and it can be hard to avoid.

I was just at a first Communion party, a friend of my young daughter's. This was a really over-the-top party, more like a wedding. Food and booze flowing, open bar, wine and champagne toast already poured at the tables. It seems silly to wait in a line for the bar to get a plain tonic water.. but there I was. It would have been all too easy to indulge, but not my thing anymore. Just as well, too- there was a horrendous downpour, bad storm on the drive home, glad to be sober for that!

[Nidan Melbourne]

17 hours ago, JazzKicker said:

Congrats, and the more time that goes by, the less you'll think of it. Thing is, our boozy society has a way of reminding us, and it can be hard to avoid.

I was just at a first Communion party, a friend of my young daughter's. This was a really over-the-top party, more like a wedding. Food and booze flowing, open bar, wine and champagne toast already poured at the tables. It seems silly to wait in a line for the bar to get a plain tonic water.. but there I was. It would have been all too easy to indulge, but not my thing anymore. Just as well, too- there was a horrendous downpour, bad storm on the drive home, glad to be sober for that!

PLAIN TONIC WATER?!?! You like the taste of that stuff?

At least its loads better than what I had done when I quit; I used Coca-Cola and Energy Drinks to cope. Even though I was 19 at the time; I should have gone for water or other healthy options. 

[KarateKen]

On 5/10/2025 at 7:53 AM, JazzKicker said:

Congrats, and the more time that goes by, the less you'll think of it. Thing is, our boozy society has a way of reminding us, and it can be hard to avoid.

I was just at a first Communion party, a friend of my young daughter's. This was a really over-the-top party, more like a wedding. Food and booze flowing, open bar, wine and champagne toast already poured at the tables. It seems silly to wait in a line for the bar to get a plain tonic water.. but there I was. It would have been all too easy to indulge, but not my thing anymore. Just as well, too- there was a horrendous downpour, bad storm on the drive home, glad to be sober for that!

I've learned to accept that I will be around alcohol and people who are drinking my entire life.  Restaurants, live music, holiday parties, etc., drinking is deeply rooted in the social aspect of American culture.  Just have to say no and always be a non-drinker.  I find riding the fence doesn't work.  Not only am I opening the door to falling back into excessive drinking, but once the drinkers see you drink, they pressure you to drink next time.  At least that is my experience.  However, if you are not a drinker and stick to that, they tend not to pressure at all. I'm pretty much over the bar scene, which is where most of the pressure takes place, so that makes it easier. 

[Patrick]

Congrats! Happy for you.