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I am 7 years sober today.

C

ClanOfNone

Member
And man, I can't even begin to tell ya'll how much my life has improved in those 7 years, the past few in particular.
While I tried (and loved!) tons of drugs, in the end it was the booze that damn near killed me. I walked away from everything else, but my brain is hard-wired for alcohol apparently.
7 medical detoxes, a 60 day inpatient, a 30 day inpatient, countless shrinks and psychiatrists, a bevy of different medications...none of these things worked. In the end it was AA and my family that I give the lion's share of the credit to.
I didn't find god in AA, but I did find sobriety!
Anybody else out here in gaf-land fighting the good fight? Trust me, if I can do it, anybody can!
 
NeoGiffer

NeoGiffer

Member
giphy.gif
 
The Scrivener

The Scrivener

Member
ClanOfNone said:
Anybody else out here in gaf-land fighting the good fight? Trust me, if I can do it, anybody can!
Click to expand...

I try. I spent many years in my twenties sober. Now I'm 39, I am trying again. Religious reasons tbh, but the results are all the same. In fact, I was surprised to read about AA that they follow a religious path, I thought it was all science till I read about them on Wikipedia. I don't use AA, just cold turkey.
 
Papa

Papa

Banned
DocONally said:
I try. I spent many years in my twenties sober. Now I'm 39, I am trying again. Religious reasons tbh, but the results are all the same. In fact, I was surprised to read about AA that they follow a religious path, I thought it was all science till I read about them on Wikipedia. I don't use AA, just cold turkey.
Click to expand...

You’re Irish, I forgive you.
 
CrankyJay™

CrankyJay™

Member
In-laws came over on Sunday. Told myself I wasn't going to drink....ended up having 3 beers, a bottle of Cabernet, and 3 shots of bourbon. I don't drink during the week though, but my weekend consumption isn't going to lead to good things.
 
C

ClanOfNone

Member
DocONally said:
I try. I spent many years in my twenties sober. Now I'm 39, I am trying again. Religious reasons tbh, but the results are all the same. In fact, I was surprised to read about AA that they follow a religious path, I thought it was all science till I read about them on Wikipedia. I don't use AA, just cold turkey.
Click to expand...


AA can be as religious as you want it to be, I've been to some groups that were cult-like in their religious bend and others where god wasn't mentioned once during the meeting.
God talk kept me out of AA for a long time, I definitely had to find a meeting that fit my needs, and it took a while.

For some reference points, I drank a lot. I wasn't a binge drinker, I drank 24/7. At the end I was putting away a handle of vodka daily, almost 2 freakin liters! The withdrawal from physical alcohol addiction is some terrible shit, I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy.

Also, I'm Irish too, lmao.

The best part is that I still bartend, the money is too good to leave, especially as a single dad.
 
The Scrivener

The Scrivener

Member
(I'm not Irish.)

Irish are cool in my book anyway.

Good luck fellow gaffer C ClanOfNone leading a healthier, happier life. I have never been anywhere near drinking 24/7 or litres of vodka, but just the general philosophy of drinking is tough to beat for anyone. It ain't good for you in any way (I think).

Edit: Ah, Y'all think I'm Irish cuz of my tag? Nah. I'm also not a real doctor.
 
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AlteredForms

AlteredForms

Banned
You consumed 2 whole litres of vodka on a daily basis? That liver must be shredded as though it came out of a meat grinder. How old are you OP and what health complications did heavy drinking bring upon you?
 
C

ClanOfNone

Member
AlteredForms said:
You consumed 2 whole litres of vodka on a daily basis? That liver must be shredded as though it came out of a meat grinder. How old are you OP and what health complications did heavy drinking bring upon you?
Click to expand...

I'll be 43 next month, I was 35 when I got sober. Just had bloodwork done for the 1st time in sobriety about six months ago. Liver and kidney functions are back to normal, the doctor was kind of surprised, as was I. My liver counts were through the roof 7 years ago. Doc said he didn't typically see counts that high outside of 70 year old patients that had been drinking alcoholicly for decades.
Mentally is another ball game. My short term memory storage and recall is completely shredded. I have to leave notes for myself everywhere, thankfully the kids help me out there.
I still occasionally get pretty bad anxiety attacks, but I've learned how to deal with them without medication.
Other than that, life is pretty amazing!
 
synchronicity

synchronicity

Member
I'm glad you've found (maintained) your freedom. Congratulations on the milestone!

On a side note, I find it absurd that alcohol, which can often be devastating in its destructive nature, is considered socially acceptable (& legal) while mushrooms and some other potentially very beneficial things are forced into the (relative) shadows.

What a world.
 
Ownage

Ownage

Member
Congrats man. The body feels great when it's clean. I quit a cpl of years ago. You aren't alone.
 
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-Minsc-

-Minsc-

Member
That's awesome. I've been attending SA and have yet to go through the first step. Only a few days sober. The fellows I see doing the best are the ones who did hit rock bottom and were going to lose everything.
 
KillCleanEat

KillCleanEat

Member
I'll drink to that!


Seriously keep up the hard work. So many people don't realize they can't handle alcohol and just how much it impacts their lives. Glad you were able to walk away from it.
 
highrider

highrider

Banned
I smoke weed a lot so not a sober person, but I figured out the kind of subtle destruction that alcohol can have pretty young. Congrats op, you should be very proud of what you accomplished. 🤛
 
Mista

Mista

Banned
Well done OP. Proud of you! As a Muslim I don’t drink but I can see how miserable alcoholics can be

Now you hit the gym, work out and start cleaning that body
 
C

ClanOfNone

Member
Mista said:
Well done OP. Proud of you! As a Muslim I don’t drink but I can see how miserable alcoholics can be

Now you hit the gym, work out and start cleaning that body
Click to expand...


I'm a lazy bastard, I'll never hit a gym. When I quit drinking, I weighed around 230ish. Within four months I dropped to 165ish, where I've been for the past 7 years. Didn't change my eating habits, didn't exercise, just cut out the booze.
 
Mista

Mista

Banned
ClanOfNone said:
I'm a lazy bastard, I'll never hit a gym. When I quit drinking, I weighed around 230ish. Within four months I dropped to 165ish, where I've been for the past 7 years. Didn't change my eating habits, didn't exercise, just cut out the booze.
Click to expand...
You’ve changed something massive in you. You think you can’t build a determination to go?!
 
Chittagong

Chittagong

Gold Member
That is impressive, congrats man.

I am seven days sober, taking a detox break after summer holidays. Feels good, great sleep and good hormone balance. I’ll be off the wagon in a week, though. But seriously reduced amounts this year as I want to trim off some fat.
 
Diddy X

Diddy X

Member
I used to go to clubs and drink, not too much, I only did it for the social aspect tbh, I never even liked the taste of alcohol, I still go to clubs but don't drink, sometimes I get out of the club and look at all the people wasted some in a very bad condition all probably thinking 'Wow I'm living life to the fullest' wth...
 
C

ClanOfNone

Member
EverydayBeast said:
What do you do? Not drinking over and over again is what a lot of mortals want
Click to expand...

When the pain of drinking outweighs the pain of not drinking, you'll stop. The trick is surviving that long.
But for reals, I was lucky, and surrounded by a strong support group and family. There are a million realities where I didn't survive my addiction. I just happen to exist in one where I did.
 
DonJuanSchlong

DonJuanSchlong

Banned
ClanOfNone said:
When the pain of drinking outweighs the pain of not drinking, you'll stop. The trick is surviving that long.
But for reals, I was lucky, and surrounded by a strong support group and family. There are a million realities where I didn't survive my addiction. I just happen to exist in one where I did.
Click to expand...
I want this so bad. I've been to AA, I've taken meds, support groups, etc. I took a heroic dose of shrooms one day, and it helped for a long time. But then, I slowly got right back into the same habit. Keep it going bro, many props to you. Some never realize how something legally sold everywhere, can be much worse than some of the most addictive drugs.
 
C

ClanOfNone

Member
DonJuanSchlong said:
I want this so bad. I've been to AA, I've taken meds, support groups, etc. I took a heroic dose of shrooms one day, and it helped for a long time. But then, I slowly got right back into the same habit. Keep it going bro, many props to you. Some never realize how something legally sold everywhere, can be much worse than some of the most addictive drugs.
Click to expand...

Keep trying AA, I haven't really been to meetings in years, but I do credit AA for my sobriety. You have to shop around and find a meeting that fits, it's a hard thing to do.
I let religion put me off AA for a long time, but there are meetings/people out there that don't shove it down your throat. I didn't find God in AA, but I did find a better sense of myself and sobriety.
Keep going brother, if I can do it you can too!
 
DonJuanSchlong

DonJuanSchlong

Banned
ClanOfNone said:
Keep trying AA, I haven't really been to meetings in years, but I do credit AA for my sobriety. You have to shop around and find a meeting that fits, it's a hard thing to do.
I let religion put me off AA for a long time, but there are meetings/people out there that don't shove it down your throat. I didn't find God in AA, but I did find a better sense of myself and sobriety.
Keep going brother, if I can do it you can too!
Click to expand...
I appreciate the words of advice and encouragement! I'm going to really try and get back into that. I recently found a discord AA group, which seems pretty cool thus far, so we'll see how things go. And if it's ok, can I PM you sometime in the future?
 
C

ClanOfNone

Member
DonJuanSchlong said:
I appreciate the words of advice and encouragement! I'm going to really try and get back into that. I recently found a discord AA group, which seems pretty cool thus far, so we'll see how things go. And if it's ok, can I PM you sometime in the future?
Click to expand...

Absolutely. "I keep what I have by giving it away."
And that includes the lot of ya, I'm always willing to help anyone get out of the mire of addiction. I don't have all the answers, but I'll gladly share what precious little I do!
 
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