Grateful that I was done with booze 8 years ago

[Dzone]

The 2000s for me was 6 years of partying and drinking myself to death, even though I was still working out and even competed a few times during that period.. But I damn near did myself in. Out of nowhere I became addicted to alcohol for a stretch of time. Then , after numerous failed attempts and interventions from friends and family, I walked away from all of it once and for all in 2008. I never looked back once. I never missed any of it. I never craved a drink. Have not been in a bar since. I know I will never drink alcohol ever again as long as I live. Period. Game over. No need for AA meetings. Its NOT an illness that you live with forever. Thats a crock of shit. Over. I was done with even the thought of alcohol. Ive had numerous friends die from it.

I finally realized that nothing or anyone outside of myself was going to help me. I was so disgusted with the whole drinking culture and with myself for screwing up my life. From the hospital, from the bedrock of despair and failure, I vowed that I would rebuild again.

At that time I was buried in a half a million in debt and in foreclosure and had a six figure tax lien slapped on me. Wow. I still cant believe it. The darkness and the heartache was 24/7. But by endurance we conquer. haha

I guess its good on a day like this to look back and see how far we have come and feel grateful and say damn I did it. lol

[guns01]

Re: Grateful that I was done with booze 8 years ago

congrats on your many successes dzone. that's a hell of an accomplishment my friend

[BABY1]

Re: Grateful that I was done with booze 8 years ago

Congrats and Amen. I think interventions, and forcing people into sobriety, have a very small percentage of achieving it. It has to be what the person wants...PERIOD! Very inspiring, thanks for sharing

[MOUNTAIN-MAN]

Re: Grateful that I was done with booze 8 years ago

Booze is the worst drug out there they should out law it agin for good this time. Good for u brother and I agree its not a disease it's a weakness and a crutch. Congrats and God bless.

[kvasir]

Re: Grateful that I was done with booze 8 years ago

Congrats. I always think of these things around this time of year. I had reached the end myself in September of 2007.

I stopped then and never went back

[Torres]

Re: Grateful that I was done with booze 8 years ago

I haven't touched alcohol in over 9 months . Partly because I'm going back to court , family court , and I don't want to give them a reason to say or talk shit about me . But I have to say I don't miss it . I have those days where it's been tough and yes , maybe a cold beer would be good . But yet I still don't !!! I think for some it may be a disease ��? I don't know .
But sometimes people can't stop , no matter what they try . I guess u really have to want it bad enough !!! I live for my son , and if I ever think for a sec I can't do for him because of an outside force , I would hope that I would have the power to push that shit aside . Idk if I'll ever have a drink again , it depends I guess . I take it one day at a time . That's basically the only thing a person can do ! Take it one day at a time !!!
I respect all you guys that have overcome dispare and have come out on top !!!
GodBless !!!

[BABY1]

Re: Grateful that I was done with booze 8 years ago

I don't believe it means someone is weak, nor strong, if they don't engage in it. It is first a choice, that can become a habit, then a way to cope..who knows? I also believe that many a times it can stem from a "disease" which would be a mental illness of some sort.

[BABY1]

Re: Grateful that I was done with booze 8 years ago

I never drank and it wasn't because I was "strong". I didn't like the taste and that was that. I was the driver and I watched many of people do dumbass shit while I sat and ate appetizers,lol, at the clubs when we went out.

[Dzone]

Re: Grateful that I was done with booze 8 years ago

The only reason I even bring this topic up is because of the people who have died from alcohol. Every person I know who died from alcohol never thought they had a problem with alcohol. They thought they could control it. Now they are dead.
Maybe someone out there might read this and it will give them a glimmer of hope that they can stop drinking. Alcohol is an evil drug. You get to a point where you have to drink just to feel normal. It gets a grip on a person and they cant stop. If they stop drinking, they feel like shit until they have a drink. Some people only drink on weekends. They are addicted and dont know it.

Is it a disease? Depends on how you look at it. Thats fine if you want to call it a disease, but I know a guy who hasnt had a drink in 25 years but he still refers to himself as a DRUNK and an alcoholic & still goes to AA meetings. Thats a little ridiculous imo, but to each his own. Whatever works for you.

[Dzone]

Re: Grateful that I was done with booze 8 years ago

In my mind, I was the last person on earth who would ever become an alcoholic. I was fit. I was in shape. I was never much of a drinker. I went off to college and never even drank. I was even competing in bodybuilding contests and was able to quit drinking enough to get in contest shape...but you start dealing with tragic events, etc by going to a sports bar, then you keep on drinking and the next thing you know you feel like crap when you try to stop. As soon as you have a drink, you feel friggin great. At that point, you are sick. You are hooked.

If youre an extreme type of personality, you know what I mean. Some people dont do anything half assed. If they do anything, they take it to the extreme. I have done that with everything in my life, even drinking. Once I started It was balls out lol

Im just thankful that I was able to stop. Some dont and end up dead from booze. Thats the only reason for sharing this in a public forum like this. I will never hesitate to talk about the evil of alcohol.

[Dzone]

Re: Grateful that I was done with booze 8 years ago

Booze is the worst drug out there they should out law it agin for good this time. Good for u brother and I agree its not a disease it's a weakness and a crutch. Congrats and God bless.

I totally agree with that MM. I had to come to grips with the inner weaknesses that caused me to turn to alcohol. It was a choice I made at that time because I wasnt strong enough to handle what was going on. I used alcohol to escape. Since I stopped drinking I dealt with my moms death with strength rather than weakness. My friends were all worried that I might drink after she died. I said them them "are you kidding me? Dont worry. I wouldnt drink for any reason on earth. Not a fucking chance." Thats the point a person has to get to. Once I was at that point, I was free.

I am not an alcoholic. Calling myself that would only weaken me. An alcoholic craves alcohol. I know what that is like. Alcohol disgusts me. The mere thought of it makes me want to puke. Is there any chance that I might drink again? Ha, what a joke. I would just as soon take cyanide as to drink even one beer. lol seriously

[guage]

Re: Grateful that I was done with booze 8 years ago

If youre an extreme type of personality, you know what I mean. Some people dont do anything half assed. If they do anything, they take it to the extreme. I have done that with everything in my life, even drinking. Once I started It was balls out lol



that was my theory also. all in or non at all.. haha. not so much anymore but still suffer that thought process its in the blood.. dna .. whatever. its a positive trate when used correctly.
im not sure if I am going to express this right but I watched a documentary on alcohol and abuse where they said if when you first start drinking and you relate it to a balls out party thing your mind records it as such and you get into a pattern of that partying lifestyle when ever alcohol is introduced to the body and the brain doesn't mature passed that original inception . so that type drinker can never be a 1 or 2 type person its already prewired to go balls out when alcohol is introduced to the body. made sense. almost like you have to train the brain to handle it with out letting it take control . I myself don't put the words control and alcohol in the same sentence but some people can..

the wife hooks up with the neighbor for a glass of wine once a week and a bullshit session where I see no reason for one glass of anything ever so I cant have the alcohol. my personality is a go big or go home.. with everything

[jipped genes]

Re: Grateful that I was done with booze 8 years ago

alcohol abuse wrecks people and families. I have no problem sipping a cold brew or some good scotch but so many people use it as a crutch to self medicate. You are stronger than you know my friend. I am happy for you