Hey Y'all, It's that time of the year where I get all personal on ya! Skip this thread if you don't want to hear about my issues.
I'm an alcoholic. Today I've been sober for 4 year. I also can't spell alcoholic without the help of spellcheck apparently...
This was a pretty good year, mentally speaking. The strangest thing is the amount of dreams that I had where I drank. I would dream drink and then dream realize I drank and feel incredibly guilty about it.
I still want to drink, that is to say... I still feel the want to drink. Long days, tough days, vacation days, just regular days... I'll get a strong voice in my head that tells me that "a drink would be nice." The smell of certain beers really trigger that part of my brain.
The awareness of "drinking culture" is astounding, it's EVERYWHERE! And the amount of people who ask why you're not drinking is... more than you'd think. They always regret asking once I tell them why I'm not drinking... so as a heads up, don't ask people that.
I've found a good non-alcoholic bar drink, Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher. It's basically a hop flavored sparkling water with 0 alcohol(most NA beers have 0.50%) The regular refresher with a lime is my go to bar drink. It keeps the "why aren't you dinking" questions to a minimum.
I'm ok with where I am right now, it feels like I'm getting to know my own patterns and am around enough supportive people where I could just walk away from a situation where I felt uncomfortable... no questions asked. But I also know that I'm still fighting.
The pull to drink is still there, I don't know if it goes away or lessens over time because I'm only 4 years in. I hope it does, but until then I'll keep fighting. In conclusion: Do good, be well, and thanks for all your kind words of support... and for listening.
@Harlack I don't believe you. I'm 99% sure that one's blood alcohol content skyrockets purely through proximity to Mike Stoklasa.
@Harlack Congratulations man. Better off without it as you'd know. Not worth the hassle. Fair play.
@Harlack this internet stranger is proud of you Jack <3
@Harlack I’d personally say that makes you technically a none alcoholic. I did it in reverse, didn’t drink till I was 34 and life is healthier without it. So I just keep it to a minimum
@Harlack congrats on 4 years jack 👏 ❤️
@Harlack Congerts, you're a fuckin champion
@Harlack Congrats!
@Harlack Congrats on your 4-years sober anniversary!
@Harlack good job man. shit never gets easier. just fight it.
@Harlack Congratulations! Keep on fighting
@Harlack <3