[ARCHIVED THREAD] - I quit (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 9/19/2010 1:48:23 PM EDT
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So last night I got pretty obliterated. Had a friend over for beer and a movie. I had most of a 12-pack of Yuengling plus a few bottles I had hanging around. I don't remember about half of the movie, and I passed out some time after it was over. I dreamed I was puking, then later when I came to found out I wasn't dreaming about that. Hell of a thing to wake up to, especially combined with a headache and not quite having sobered up.
I was putting febreze on yesterday's dinner to keep the smell down while I ran out to get some carpet cleaner, and I thought to myself, why am I doing this? Is this really how I want to spend sunday mornings? I don't drink often, but when I do, given the opportunity, I drink a lot, and it's getting worse. Not so long ago, I'd had exactly one bad hangover in my life. This year, I'm sure I'd run out of fingers trying to count, and I've only really been able to drink since May (I was on a med for several months that can cause liver damage, so I couldn't drink for that time). I'd never got puking-drunk before. Last night changed that. I don't like the way this is heading. There's a nagging voice which says, "you don't want to quit," but that makes me think, well, why not? Why do I drink? I'm not going to lie to myself and say it's for taste, most of the time I'll chug PBR or Bud. For social reasons? I didn't have any problems when I had to quit for that medication. If anything, I was probably more sociable. To have fun? That implies that I can't have fun without drinking, and while I don't think that's true, if it is, then it's not acceptable to me. The only reason left is for intoxication. For the high. Well, why not just set limits for myself? Like, no more than two drinks a night? Because any limit other than none is too easy to break. I do fine on two beers and it's a special occasion, so why not three? Three seems okay, why not a fourth? Hey, it's a long weekend, maybe I can just cut loose this time. And because really, alcohol is a poison. Who the hell says "I'll just eat a little bit of warfarin, it's got a nice flavor and a bit here and there isn't going to kill me"? Fuck that. I've basically proven to myself that I can't drink responsibly, so my choice is to follow that road to its dismal destination, or to stop entirely. I've decided. I'm not going to eat poison for a high. I'm going to choose not to end up crawling on my belly like some degraded beast, barely conscious. I'm not going to let hours turn into a dark blur where I have to think "oh god, did I do anything stupid?" I have a job, I have responsibilities, and I can't let myself go spiraling down into a mess anymore. Maybe it'll be hard, but what's worth doing that isn't? |
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Quoted:
So last night I got pretty obliterated. Had a friend over for beer and a movie. I had most of a 12-pack of Yuengling plus a few bottles I had hanging around. I don't remember about half of the movie, and I passed out some time after it was over. I dreamed I was puking, then later when I came to found out I wasn't dreaming about that. Hell of a thing to wake up to, especially combined with a headache and not quite having sobered up. I was putting febreze on yesterday's dinner to keep the smell down while I ran out to get some carpet cleaner, and I thought to myself, why am I doing this? Is this really how I want to spend sunday mornings? I don't drink often, but when I do, given the opportunity, I drink a lot, and it's getting worse. Not so long ago, I'd had exactly one bad hangover in my life. This year, I'm sure I'd run out of fingers trying to count, and I've only really been able to drink since May (I was on a med for several months that can cause liver damage, so I couldn't drink for that time). I'd never got puking-drunk before. Last night changed that. I don't like the way this is heading. There's a nagging voice which says, "you don't want to quit," but that makes me think, well, why not? Why do I drink? I'm not going to lie to myself and say it's for taste, most of the time I'll chug PBR or Bud. For social reasons? I didn't have any problems when I had to quit for that medication. If anything, I was probably more sociable. To have fun? That implies that I can't have fun without drinking, and while I don't think that's true, if it is, then it's not acceptable to me. The only reason left is for intoxication. For the high. Well, why not just set limits for myself? Like, no more than two drinks a night? Because any limit other than none is too easy to break. I do fine on two beers and it's a special occasion, so why not three? Three seems okay, why not a fourth? Hey, it's a long weekend, maybe I can just cut loose this time. And because really, alcohol is a poison. Who the hell says "I'll just eat a little bit of warfarin, it's got a nice flavor and a bit here and there isn't going to kill me"? Fuck that. I've basically proven to myself that I can't drink responsibly, so my choice is to follow that road to its dismal destination, or to stop entirely. I've decided. I'm not going to eat poison for a high. I'm going to choose not to end up crawling on my belly like some degraded beast, barely conscious. I'm not going to let hours turn into a dark blur where I have to think "oh god, did I do anything stupid?" I have a job, I have responsibilities, and I can't let myself go spiraling down into a mess anymore. Maybe it'll be hard, but what's worth doing that isn't? Step one....a great place to start. |
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Quoted:
Who the hell says "I'll just eat a little bit of warfarin, it's got a nice flavor and a bit here and there isn't going to kill me"? Fuck that. 
Depending on what day of the week it is, I ether eat 5mg or 2.5 mg every night before bed. 
Seriously, GL getting of the alcohol. Alcoholism & cirrhosis isn't a game you want to play |
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I've been throw up/pass out drunk twice when I was just starting to drink, both times I was very upset with myself afterwards. I've substantially cut the amount I drink since then, no problems since. Not everybody can cut back and you've realized that. I think you've made the right decision. Best of luck. |
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Before someone makes fun of you....Good for you! Fuck 'em if they do. I don't care if other people drink, and if they're bothered by the fact that I won't, well, no big loss that we can't be friends. Quoted:
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[...] Step one....a great place to start. Don't know if you were suggesting it or not, but I'm staying way the hell away from twelve-steppers. My mother's tried AA a few times (honestly, looking at her, I should never have started in the first place) and the fact that it was "a few times" suggests to me it's not really a good solution. Yeah, anecdote != data, but I don't think the evidence available is convincing that they're particularly effective. I don't think I'm powerless over alcohol. I am choosing to exercise my power over it right now. The choice I make now either lasts forever, or it never meant anything. Having to live one day at a time means I've failed at getting rid of the problem and am just treating the symptoms. I can't put myself under a higher power I don't believe in, and the responsibility to watch myself is my own. |
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You can use alcohol, or alcohol can use you.
If you find that you're living the latter instead of the former - do NOT touch another drop. I tied on a good one last night - a nice buzz which lasted for a while. Upon waking this morning, I got on with my daily activities and really didn't give a thought as to when my next beer or mixed drink would be consumed. If I never had another drop I wouldn't care one way or the other. Should you be able to drink like that, fine. It won't be a problem. If you eagerly anticipate your next bout with the sauce - and find yourself drinking more nights than not - STOP. |
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I quit a week before last Christmas. And really there is no story. Just decided it was time to ratchet it down.
Didnt have a beer with dinner one night, which turned into 2 days then a week, then a month. Truth be told I had maybe 6 beers all summer but only 1 on six different days. The weirdest part for me was everyone elses reaction to me drinking iced tea or a diet pepsi. They swore I got a DWI or beat up my kids, dog/old lady, but that just didnt happen. Good luck with your decision to stop. |
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If you pass out and throw up, there is a high likelyhood of death. My wife saved me from this one night.
Go ahead and quit. In a few years you may find that you can have a beer or two in the evening and enjoy it without losing your mind. I think age is a part of it, but if you die, you'll never have a chance to find out. |
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How do you pass out and vomit from less than a 12 pack? Are you a twig? Most of a 12 pack of Yuengling (probably 10, depending how many of them my friend jacked), a 22 of Sam Adams Octoberfest, and two or three other bottles (don't remember, can't find them), in the space of about two hours, plus I haven't really gained back much drinking-stamina that I lost from when I was on the meds. And hey, if I do fail at this, at least I'll be a cheap date for a while after 
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How do you pass out and vomit from less than a 12 pack? Are you a twig? Most of a 12 pack of Yuengling (probably 10, depending how many of them my friend jacked), a 22 of Sam Adams Octoberfest, and two or three other bottles (don't remember, can't find them), in the space of about two hours, plus I haven't really gained back much drinking-stamina that I lost from when I was on the meds. And hey, if I do fail at this, at least I'll be a cheap date for a while after You won't fail at this. 
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How do you pass out and vomit from less than a 12 pack? Are you a twig? A 12 pack of store bought would pretty much just make me want to piss. Last time I threw up (which had not happened since New Years, 2000) was a couple of New Years ago, I had drank: a Heineken mini keg, the WHOLE keg, about 10 or 12 bottled beer, several strawberry daiquiris, some bourbon shots, and about half a bottle of champagne. Wine always makes me hurl. 
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| I went through something similar a few years ago. I quit drinking for about 8 months, just to shut the voice up that told me not to. I really don't drink that much, but I enjoy a nice buzz here and there, in it's place and time. I know when that is, and is not, therefore I am at peace with my drinking now. |
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Quoted: I blame my taste in music on substances with a questionable legal status. Quoted: Quoted: A 12pac, amateur.  It really depends on what it is you're drinking. The stuff I drink will put all but a dedicated professional drunk on his ass, after 12. that explains your shitty taste in music, namely rush  |
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I used to get a card every Christmas from the nice folks out in Lynchburg, Tennessee thanking me for helping them feed, clothe, and provide homes for their families. I mean I DRANK some Jack. I finally got tired of waking up feeling worse on Saturday morning than I felt good Friday night. I'm pretty much a Diet Coke girl now.
The point being that I quit drinking excessively, and so can you. I quit when I was ready to, and so will you. Jane |
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I used to get a card every Christmas from the nice folks out in Lynchburg, Tennessee thanking me for helping them feed, clothe, and provide homes for their families. I mean I DRANK some Jack. I finally got tired of waking up feeling worse on Saturday morning than I felt good Friday night. I'm pretty much a Diet Coke girl now. Jane you just told the story of my GF. she was drinking over a half gallon of jack per week and then just decided she didn't want to anymore. she still drinks but very rarely and almost exclusively beer. route 44 diet cokes from sonic she goes through like she owns stock in the company though. end result is that my ass always has somebody to drive me around 
ETA: i don't do whiskey. every drink gets stronger and stronger and i get meaner and meaner. beer however, i can drink all day long every day and i don't do anything but get more social. |
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I drank 14 Killian's Irish Red one night. Friend said he could drink me under the table. He didn't. We went beer for beer. Haven't touched a Killian's since. I was sick for a week.
I still drink but it's less and less every year. I don't get much out of it anymore. Every bender hurts more and more. Good luck in quitting. It's the right thing to do. |