Have You Given Up Alcohol? If So, What Have Been The Benefits?

[brettk]

Hi.

Just wondering if there are many others who have given up alcohol on this forum. Not just for a while, but as a permanent life choice.

The reason I ask is that I have recently given up alcohol and would love to hear how others have benefited from their decision.

Personally I am seeing many positives.

Here are some I've noticed already.

- I've lost about 4.5kg
- I look about 5 years younger
- My skin is getting better by the day
- Better able to cope with the stresses of life
- Stopped taking medicine for acid reflux
- Reduced pain. Very few painkillers used.
- I'm happier
- I'm less moody/grumpy
- Much more tolerant with my wife and kids
- Heaps more energy
- Grateful
- Calmer
- Clearer head
- More motivated
- Less reflux/heartburn
- Saving heaps
- More positive outlook on life
- Less aches and pains

That's just some off the top.

I'd love to hear from people who have really changed their lives because of their decisions.

It's been a big decision for me, but I know it is the correct one.

Thanks in advance.

Brett.

[fxtrader]

i haven't given up alcohol, alas i'm only 22 years old, sort of still in college, i'm a party animal, etc.

however, i shoudn't drink as much as i do... need to slow down a bit

[freewheelnat]

I had to give up alcohol due to a stomach inflammation condition and the biggest benefit for me has been clarity of mind. Gone are the fuzzy evenings where I couldn't quite remember what I had told a friend or what I had told my boss...

Also, healthwise, I find myself being able to taste flavours much better - as if alcohol was somehow depriving me of my sense of taste before, even on the nights when I wasn't actually drinking.

Finally, it's helped my bank account tremendously

I was never a binge drinker but I was certainly drinking more than what was recommended.

[brettk]

Hi freewheelnat.

Thanks for the reply.

Like you, one of my main reasons for giving up is terrible acid reflux and stomach pain/inflammation.

Unlike you, I was quite a big drinker and from a very early age. I am certainly noticing a big difference in the old bank account as well. I dread to think how much I have spent over the years. I try not to look back though, but focus on the goals I want to achieve going forward.

The fog is slowly starting to lift. I'm becoming much more rational and level headed.

I would not swap what I now have for anything.

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Kind Regards

Brett.

[ginkgo]

Before age 18 I was doing martial arts and yoga. I had a book called 200 Ways to Get High Without Drugs. So I had not taken any drugs including alcohol.

Alcohol is a drug. A.A. people are called alcoholics. Narcotics Anonymous (N.A.) people are called addicts. If you are both then they do not call you an addict and an alcoholic. You are simply called an addict.

At age 18 I decided to not take any drugs and that includes medications like aspirin. I have never regretted that decision. Many who took Vioxx do not regret taking it since they are dead. The most celebrated medication in America was known as a cure for heroin addiction and is the best way to lose weight.

It creates no physical addiction like smoking does. You can use it one day and easily go without it the next day. Alcohol does create a physical addiction and withdrawal symptoms include the shakes. This greatest drug ever that created had no physical addiction and was used by the U.S. president, many M.D.s, the Pope and Thomas Edison who invented the electric bulb.

It was the key ingredient in Coca Cola or Coke. It is called cocaine or coca.

[carenkh]

Originally Posted by ginkgo

The most celebrated medication in America was known as a cure for heroin addiction and is the best way to lose weight.

It creates no physical addiction like smoking does. You can use it one day and easily go without it the next day...
It was the key ingredient in Coca Cola or Coke. It is called cocaine or coca.

Hmm... I had several friends who fell face-first into their baggies and took a long, long time coming out. I've never used it, but my experience with them makes cocaine look pretty damn addictive. They also, for the most part, became complete & total ******** when they were using - violent, loud.

The wiki article states that coca - the coca leaf - has not been shown to be addictive. The first paragraph of the cocaine article says clearly, "cocaine is addictive".

Again - no personal experience, but I wouldn't equate the two.

[ginkgo]

Originally Posted by carenkh

Hmm... I had several friends who fell face-first into their baggies and took a long, long time coming out. I've never used it, but my experience with them makes cocaine look pretty damn addictive. They also, for the most part, became complete & total ******** when they were using - violent, loud.

The wiki article states that coca - the coca leaf - has not been shown to be addictive. The first paragraph of the cocaine article says clearly, "cocaine is addictive". So he has a physical disability, not a psychological disability.

Again - no personal experience, but I wouldn't equate the two.

You missed the key word. People do this all the time. Is it okay to bury a baby? No but it is OK to bury a dead baby. The key word is "dead."

How many ounces are in quart? It is not 32 ounces. Everyone gets this wrong and then they complain that there is something wrong with the right answer. There are 32 ounces in a pound, not a quart. One woman said that everywhere she looked that it said that was correct.

But she could not tell me one place that said that. So what is the answer to this mystery? There are 32 fluid ounces in a quart. The key word is "fluid." So the key word in addictive is "physical." Anorexia nervosa is not a physical disease. It is a psychological disease.

So cocaine may be the most psychological addictive drug that there is! One cocaine addict said that the psychological effects of taking it may be permanent. This cocaine addict was a psychological mess. Stephen Hawking is a genius but his problems are physical. He is completely paralyzed. He has a physical disability, not a psychological disability. So the original excitement over cocaine was that it was not physically addictive but possibly the most psychological addictive drug ever.

[Writertype]

I have not quit drinking in the sense of never touching alcohol at all, but I have quit drinking and the benefits are immense. As I posted before, I used to drink as much as 3-4 times a night, generally downing at least six each time.

Money is one obvious benefit of not drinking (even if you do it at home, you probably save at least $20 a week), but much more important is the time you save. It amazes me how much more time I have. If you start drinking around eight and stop around one, that is a solid five hours gone! Then you will wake up the next morning groggy and hung over, which means that although that time isn't gone you will get way less out of it. For me that was a major problem: I had to go to class! Without drinking I wake up easily and feeling fine, go to class, and have to study far less than before because I get it the first time.

Physically I saw benefits as well. I experienced a creeping weight gain while I was drinking heavily that has reversed. I also don't feel as sick as I did when I was drinking (when you drink three or four times a week, hung over days become the norm).

The biggest benefits have been mental. The fogginess I used to feel while hung over has gone, but overall I don't feel illuminated all day long. What I have gained is more along the lines of self-confidence, a feeling that I don't need alcohol. I also feel less depressed and anxious. That's a bit of a chicken and egg question: do you drink because you feel bad or do you feel bad because you drink? In general it's both, but there is no doubt in my mind that alcohol leaves you feeling worse about yourself the more you abuse it.

Like I said, I still have a drink every once at a while at bars or parties. I don't completely abstain, but I have learned how important moderation is when it comes to alcohol. I am extremely glad that I figured that out before I let alcohol dominate my young adult years, rob me of much personal growth, and make me chronically ill.

[carenkh]

Originally Posted by ginkgo

You missed the key word.

...

So cocaine may be the most psychological addictive drug that there is! One cocaine addict said that the psychological effects of taking it may be permanent. This cocaine addict was a psychological mess. Stephen Hawking is a genius but his problems are physical. He is completely paralyzed. He has a physical disability, not a psychological disability. So the original excitement over cocaine was that it was not physically addictive but possibly the most psychological addictive drug ever.

Oh, right, I forgot about the fluid ounce... ummm... discussion. I wouldn't have responded at all to your post if I had remembered. Please stop jacking people's genuine threads to expound on your vocabulary inanities.

[brettk]

I don't really see what cocaine has to do with my question but thanks anyway.

Writertype - It seems as though you have experienced many benefits from drinking less. Unfortunately I have struggled with moderation and abstinence is the only solution for me.

Saving money is certainly one of the major benefits of quitting drinking. I estimate that my wife and I are saving approximately $250 per week. A nice bottle of wine each per night @ $20 x 7 = $280. not to mention a few beers on the weekend. I'm quite ashamed to admit it, but that is what we were drinking. I say this though in the hope that I can help others who are in a similar situation and want out. From my experience, there are many. I get emails everyday from around the world from others who are suffering from alcoholism and wanting help. Part of my recovery is simply to help others in a similar situation.

Each day I get further away from alcohol the better my life seems to get. This may seem hard to comprehend for those of you who can moderate your drinking, but for people like myself it is merely the truth.

I can honestly say that I have not felt this good for many many years. Probably early teenage years was the last time I felt this good.

I was hoping for more success stories from others who have given up the booze, but I can understand if people don't wish to share their experience as it can be quite a personal experience.

To those of you who have succeeded in giving up alcohol, I salute you.

To those of you wanting to give up, I wish you all the best. IMO life is brighter on the other side.

Brett.

[Wildside]

Thanks for sharing Brett...although I haven't given up alcohol, I do think about it sometimes. I'm pretty much a binger...I go weeks or months without drinking then go crazy for a weekend...there isn't much moderation in me. I checked out your blog...keep it up, sounds like things are going well for you.

[brettk]

Hi Wildside.

Thanks for the support and kind words.

Like you, I was a binger for many years. Mostly weekends and a day or so during the week. That was up until a couple of years ago when for some unknown reason my desire to drink became insatiable.

I had a fair bit of time off the booze last year and it was fantastic. Stupid me decided I could moderate though didn't I. Needless to say that didn't work.

On the many many occasions I convinced myself I'd only have a few drinks and behave myself, I failed miserably. After reading many book and blogs on the topic I decided it was best for myself and family if I gave up permanently.

It's been tough at times, but I know long term it will be one of the best decisions of my life.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Cheers

Brett.

[Andrew Brunelle]

For some people, alcohol is addictive and becomes a habit. For others, it is no problem to drink in moderation. I am not a person who does not drink on any regular basis because I don't feel like killing brain cells. I don't feel like unleasing a neurotoxin on my body that will cause all sorts of unintended consequences.

Good for all of you who have decided to give up alcohol as it is the number one killer drug in America.

[ginkgo]

Originally Posted by brettk

I don't really see what cocaine has to do with my question but thanks anyway


Brett.

Cocaine and alcohol are both mind altering drugs. Alcohol is a legal drug now but was an illegal drug for awhile. Cocaine is illegal now but was a legal drug for awhile.

[carenkh]

I drank pretty heavily until my mid-twenties, then I got into recovery, a 12-step group, and didn't use alcohol or other drugs (except caffeine & sugar!) for over 15 years. I experienced a GREAT amount of growth in those years.

A couple years ago, I stopped going to 12-step meetings; I was not being fed any more, and while you're encouraged to keep going to meetings to be there for the newcomers, I gave it over a year of consideration and decided to not go. I'm not a loud, showy person, so I didn't have people asking me to sponsor them, or if they did, they'd ask, but then never call or follow up.

Because it had been so long since I had drank, I was wondering what the effects would be - I wanted to make sure I was making the choice to not drink from a fully aware place, not out of the fear-based abstinence 12-step groups engender. So, I tried alcohol a couple weekends. Drinks that I had missed during all those years.

What I found was that the effects are much more far-reaching than just the small time I had a buzz, or the next morning. For weeks after even just a couple drinks, I was not thinking as clearly, I didn't feel as present, and I felt a little... depressed.

I tried on a couple different occasions, over a year or so, and always had the same experience. Only once in that time did I drink what I would consider to be heavily, where I was stumbling slightly and likely to blurt out anything. The effects were the same no matter the amount I drank.

I've stayed away since, don't feel compelled to drink, and while sometimes I have a slight desire to, it's just not worth it.

I'm looking at the place recovery has in a life where I'm taking complete responsibility; where I'm living at total choice. I don't think it has a place at all! But I have no doubt I needed that support when I first stopped, I believe connecting with that group saved my life.

It's something I'd love to discuss, but the only person I've met who had the same experience passed away last year. Most 12-steppers are convinced I'm going to go wild and drink until I die, and people who haven't been in recovery don't understand being in that place. There's a message in 12-step groups that you never "graduate", you're never cured, you'll be an alcoholic or addict forever, but I'm finding otherwise, in my life of freedom.

[Beuford]

Well I refused to eat strawberries that had been soaking in a sauce that had alcohol in it.

[Writertype]

Originally Posted by carenkh

What I found was that the effects are much more far-reaching than just the small time I had a buzz, or the next morning. For weeks after even just a couple drinks, I was not thinking as clearly, I didn't feel as present, and I felt a little... depressed.

I find this interesting. I drink every once in a while (I had two beers out with friends last night) and don't believe I feel anything at all the next day. I have heard from several people, though, that they feel bummed, dumbed down, or otherwise impaired for a few days after they have even a few beers. I wonder if this is a difference in how individuals react to alcohol or if people like you are just more sensitive to the effects? In other words, I wonder if a couple of drinks affects me but it kind of slips off my radar. I have tried paying attention to how I feel in the days after I have a beer and, assuming I don't get drunk, I really can't tell a difference.

[carenkh]

Interesting - I remember a friend who drank occasionally, and he would swear to the same thing, that he felt no ill effects at all, unless he seriously over-indulged. But I could always tell when he'd been drinking the night before, because he'd be more short-tempered and not as available - he'd hurry me off the phone, for example, where when he hadn't been drinking, he'd want to chat a bit and connect more. This was even after just a beer or two, out with friends.

I used to guess if he'd been drinking the night before, and I was always right. He was so surprised when I told him how I knew! Because he didn't feel any different.

I'm not saying you're like this, too, this is just something from my experience, kinda interesting.

[angorafedora]

Hello Brettk and thank you for sharing. I completely encourage you to follow your highest calling and fully support you in sobriety.

And it gets even better. Trust me. Better yet, trust your Higher Power.

I have been sober since I was 16 years old. When I say that a lot of people say disrespectful things like, "please, I spilled more than you drank."

Some think I'm so courageous, lucky, or smart, to have gotten sober so young. That's just inaccurate because I didn't stop drinking because I thought it was a good idea. I stopped because I saw that I needed spiritual help and there were absolutely no other options.

I don't try to explain alcoholism to people, but I do know that living my life by spiritual principles have given me things, feelings, characteristics, relationships, and a newfound respect that I couldn't even think of in my wildest dreams of drinking.

I'm not kidding. Couldn't even think of in my wildest dreams.

It's great to hear that you are enjoying sobriety.

It's also great to be in a place where we are not judged or glorified for drinking or not drinking.

[Wildside]

Originally Posted by carenkh

I drank pretty heavily until my mid-twenties, then I got into recovery, a 12-step group, and didn't use alcohol or other drugs (except caffeine & sugar!) for over 15 years. I experienced a GREAT amount of growth in those years.

A couple years ago, I stopped going to 12-step meetings; I was not being fed any more, and while you're encouraged to keep going to meetings to be there for the newcomers, I gave it over a year of consideration and decided to not go. I'm not a loud, showy person, so I didn't have people asking me to sponsor them, or if they did, they'd ask, but then never call or follow up.

Because it had been so long since I had drank, I was wondering what the effects would be - I wanted to make sure I was making the choice to not drink from a fully aware place, not out of the fear-based abstinence 12-step groups engender. So, I tried alcohol a couple weekends. Drinks that I had missed during all those years.

What I found was that the effects are much more far-reaching than just the small time I had a buzz, or the next morning. For weeks after even just a couple drinks, I was not thinking as clearly, I didn't feel as present, and I felt a little... depressed.

I tried on a couple different occasions, over a year or so, and always had the same experience. Only once in that time did I drink what I would consider to be heavily, where I was stumbling slightly and likely to blurt out anything. The effects were the same no matter the amount I drank.

I've stayed away since, don't feel compelled to drink, and while sometimes I have a slight desire to, it's just not worth it.

I'm looking at the place recovery has in a life where I'm taking complete responsibility; where I'm living at total choice. I don't think it has a place at all! But I have no doubt I needed that support when I first stopped, I believe connecting with that group saved my life.

It's something I'd love to discuss, but the only person I've met who had the same experience passed away last year. Most 12-steppers are convinced I'm going to go wild and drink until I die, and people who haven't been in recovery don't understand being in that place. There's a message in 12-step groups that you never "graduate", you're never cured, you'll be an alcoholic or addict forever, but I'm finding otherwise, in my life of freedom.

Thanks for sharing carenkh...I really resonate with what you wrote...as I wrote earlier I am a binger...but I still feel I have a lot of control over what I do...I, as you, do feel the effects of alcohol (beer for me) days...usually no longer than a week after I over indulge. But I go weeks and months without drinking so I have a hard time calling myself an alcoholic...maybe I am, by society's standards...but I lead a very fulfilling life and a lot of people depend on me...so I have a hard time thinking I have to give it up to a higher power...I think I can control my own body and mind...but absolutely respect those that believe in a higher power...whatever you need to feel fulfilled you should do...

[aggie]

i have wine almost daily with my evening meal and drink socially...and have never had any affect or desire to drink more than i could handle.

the few times i did this i payed for it dearly physically.

i am no expert but i think a common thread here is the beginning of drinking at a very early age.

i didn't even begin to drink socially until i was in my late twenties. then i went for probably a couple of decades until i started again.

i just wonder if more physical or psychological gripping of a substance occurs more if you are younger when you start. any expert info or opinions on this?

but kudos to all of you.

i too do not know what cocaine has to do with all of this...and the poor souls that pray to their crack pipes ought to be encouraged

[brettk]

Andrew - thanks for your support.

carenkh - Thank you for sharing your amazing story. You have done so well.
I am a believer that alcohol addiction can be overcome and is not something you have to live with for the rest of your life. As I have said on my blog, I was addicted to cigarettes and other substances over the years and I managed to free myself from their addictive properties, why not alcohol. For me, it is simple. Never put another alcoholic drink in your mouth. Ever! Period! The same as I have done with my other addictions. I could think of nothing more vile than having a cigarette and that is the mindset I am creating with alcohol. Congratulations on your success.

Beuford - I've been considering if I am going to have the Brandy sauce on Christmas Day. I'm 99% sure that I have made my decision not to. I don't want any temptation, especially in the early days. That Brandy sauce has got a real kick too.

angorafedora - Thank you so much for your support. It truly sounds like you made a great decision and at such an early age.

aggie - Hi aggie. I'm certain their is a link between the age you start drinking and your predisposition to have alcoholic/addictive tendencies. I remember having sips of beer from a very early age. I too remember being given small glasses of my aunties home made liquor before the age of 10. Yes, I honestly believe their is a connection. Thanks for your support.

[FazK]

I haven't had alcohol for almost five years now and i can tell you giving it up is one of the best things i have ever done. I have gained mental clarity, lost weight and look far younger than someone my age should.

The best thing i have gained is TIME, you see all those hungover mornings and days eventually add up and the best thing about not drinking is getting those mornings and days BACK

[brettk]

Hi FazK.

It sounds like you certainly made the right decision.

Like you, I am finding myself with considerably more time. I have never been so organized, not to mention so much more productive.

Congratulations on your blog by the way.

It is a credit to you.

Brett.

[bluedragon]

For me it is not a question of willpower to give it up. I would need to be sure that the benefits of quitting outweigh the positive effects of drinking.

For some bizarre reason, when I have 2-3 drinks in the evening, I wake up feeling better and more centered. Physically, I do feel a little groggy, but nothing that 3 glasses of water, fresh air and a bunch of fresh fruits and green tea can't fix. But I feel better emotionally, more stable, just as if I had a reboot (like a computer) After the ill-effects pass, I feel energized and ready to go.

I noticed that if I drink nothing for weeks or months at a time, I don't notice any increases in my reaction time or general mental acuity. I wish I did, cause then, this would provide me with enough motivation to stop drinking. I like the "flow state" I enter when I drink, I think that is how one should always feel, but I am not yet capable of being like that through meditation alone (or some other way), so I cannot deny myself the experience of having a drink or 2 from time to time without a reason. I'm surprised to see you say that you noticed so many great health benefits after quitting. I don't know if I would get such results.

[lifeforce]

Originally Posted by brettk

Hi.

Just wondering if there are many others who have given up alcohol on this forum. Not just for a while, but as a permanent life choice.

The reason I ask is that I have recently given up alcohol and would love to hear how others have benefited from their decision.
Brett.

I´ve been alco-less for about a year now. Though it was forced upon me due to changes in medication for epilepsy, the benefits have been noticable. As a 24 year old guy, not many my age are without alcohol. In norway, it´s sort of culture to -like the vikings- get hammered whenever we have the oppretunity. Norways government have strategically placed holidays and national "off work days" spaced a coupple of days apart so you get to recover and continue the hammered parties. We actually have a town called Hammerfest wich in english translates to "Drunkparty". We could ask ourself why the government would do this, but there is an easy answer. With the state having monopolized alcohol sale, 10 bucks for a beer seems like a fair price to them. Enter sweeden. Sweedish people love comming over to find work. 1/5th of inhabitants are sweedish. Good guys, and worth to get to know, cause they bring cheep alcohol and sigarets.

Anyways, where was I... Yeah, I had to stop drinking. The first few times going out, I felt anxious and had a hard time relaxing. I sorta understood why people drink. It´s cause EVERYBODY has social anxiety and no ability to relax and feel comfortable. I was a bouncer a college hosted party once, and I especially noticed the change as the night proggressed. At seven oclock, people were sitting in groups. At nine oclock, people were mingling, at eleven oclock people were dancing, at one oclock they looked like slobbering zombies having a great time

I also busted through a fatloss plaetu, built muscle while dieting, mastered my emotions, better focus, intelligence is up by 20 points, humor and ability to relax is noticably higher. More... life glow. Desire. Drive. Energy.

[Benny21]

I haven't given up alcohol completely but it's been a couple months since I had a drink. It's been over a year since I've been drunk. I'm a social drinker but just haven't done anything really social where I've wanted to drink.

I"m 32 and it's cause I just don't have a craving to drink. Even just one beer after a late night at work. I used to have one drink but now try to watch my calories late at night and alcohol has a lot.

So what have been the benefits?

Well I think the calories that I would have been consumed from alcohol, I can use for sweets, which I love.

People are always shocked I look 32.

I don't get those hangovers.

[brettk]

Hi bluedragon.

It sounds as though you are fortunate to not have addictive tendencies. Unfortunately there are many of us out there who struggle with alcohol and other addictive substances on a daily basis. For me, I could see my addiction becoming stronger and stronger. My health and self worth going backwards at a rate of knots. Not to mention the financial cost. (approx $1000 per month for both my wife and I at our peak)

For me though, I have no regrets with my decision. I fully understood that alcohol is a progressive disease and had I not have made my decision my life would've been cut dramatically short.

Since giving up, my health and life have improved immeasurably whether you decide to believe me or not. I have no gain by telling mistruths. My sole purpose in writing this post is to help others who are in a similar situation to realize there is hope for them. Thanks though for your perspective on the topic.

Brett.

[brettk]

Hi Lifeforce.

I was recently talking to an employee at my gym who also gave up alcohol due to epilepsy. He has been alcohol free for over 8 years. He has no choice but to abstain. As it is he suffers at least on episode per day.

It was great talking to him as I really don't know any people who don't drink. It was great to finally meet someone who I feel comfortable talking to about my problem.

It is great that you seem to be coping really well without alcohol. As you said, the first few social occasions are the hardest. You have done a great job for a young guy. It certainly sounds like you are experiencing similar benefits as me.

Keep up the great work.

Brett.

[brettk]

Hi Benny.

Pleased to hear you are doing well.

Cheers

Brett.