Post: #351

(01-19-2014 09:52 PM)scubadude Wrote:  

(01-17-2014 07:33 PM)Onto Wrote:  

(12-01-2013 05:17 PM)The Lizard of Oz Wrote:  I've been reading cardguy's binge drinking thread and certain comments there and in other threads inspired me to suggest this 1 year drinking wagon challenge for 2014.

Why do a 1 year drinking wagon?

I'm all for cutting back if you indulge too much, but Benjamin Franklin said something to the effect that God loves us because he made beer, and that guy was a President back when this country had men.

Going cold Turkey is fine for some things, like heroin, but for other things it seems it could be just be another example of going to the extreme. Kind of reactionary.

The key is not to be extreme, but to be balanced. Interestingly, I wonder if it would be harder to have just one drink a day than nothing at all.

Which President was he?

This whole post makes no sense. So is no heroin extreme or should one just try for one dose a day? Strive for a balance s to speak.

This thread is for those who have enjoyed enough alcohol enough and want to see what the other side of the fence is like.

I heard a quote contributed to Winston Churchill towards the end of his life that his only thing left in this world he would like to try is going through it one time sober. Irrelevant of if he actually said it or not. That is my stance. In my mid thirties I've seen everything the booze has to offer and want to see what else there is.

Almost a month now. Not my longest stretch but I am loving the way I feel and not drinking has made marked improvements on almost all areas of my life.

He was the President of Pennsylvania and one the most important founding fathers of the United States.

If my post doesn't make any sense to you, I wouldn't fret too much about it.

EDIT: You know what? Thinking more about it, maybe I have a drinking problem and I would rather believe I can moderate it so I don't have to think about a life without it. I guess I just don't know, but that's probably why I said what I did.

Post: #352

(01-19-2014 10:02 PM)Onto Wrote:  

(01-19-2014 09:52 PM)scubadude Wrote:  

(01-17-2014 07:33 PM)Onto Wrote:  

(12-01-2013 05:17 PM)The Lizard of Oz Wrote:  I've been reading cardguy's binge drinking thread and certain comments there and in other threads inspired me to suggest this 1 year drinking wagon challenge for 2014.

Why do a 1 year drinking wagon?

I'm all for cutting back if you indulge too much, but Benjamin Franklin said something to the effect that God loves us because he made beer, and that guy was a President back when this country had men.

Going cold Turkey is fine for some things, like heroin, but for other things it seems it could be just be another example of going to the extreme. Kind of reactionary.

The key is not to be extreme, but to be balanced. Interestingly, I wonder if it would be harder to have just one drink a day than nothing at all.

Which President was he?

This whole post makes no sense. So is no heroin extreme or should one just try for one dose a day? Strive for a balance s to speak.

This thread is for those who have enjoyed enough alcohol enough and want to see what the other side of the fence is like.

I heard a quote contributed to Winston Churchill towards the end of his life that his only thing left in this world he would like to try is going through it one time sober. Irrelevant of if he actually said it or not. That is my stance. In my mid thirties I've seen everything the booze has to offer and want to see what else there is.

Almost a month now. Not my longest stretch but I am loving the way I feel and not drinking has made marked improvements on almost all areas of my life.

He was the President of Pennsylvania and one the most important founding fathers of the United States.

If my post doesn't make any sense to you, I wouldn't fret too much about it.

EDIT: You know what? Thinking more about it, maybe I have a drinking problem and I would rather believe I can moderate it so I don't have to think about a life without it. I guess I just don't know, but that's probably why I said what I did.

I was not disagreeing with his importance. I understood you to say he was the President if USA.

There have been plenty of famous drunkards. Did he and others achieve what they did because of the drink or in spite of it?

For me. Do/did I have a problem? I don't know and don't really care. Not like I rolled out of bed every day to a bottle of bourbon. Plenty of binge drinking and undoubtedly more than I should have.

Like all drugs, I believe that the purpose of alcohol is to intoxicate. I no longer see the point in just a few drinks. If I'm going to drink, I want to get at least a nice buzz which frequently turns into one hell of a drunk. I'm also not going to smoke weed just for the flavor or any other drug because of lame excuses like being sociable, bored etc. The couple hours of 'fun' just isn't worth the day of recovery, expense, health and physique toll etc.

It's easier for me to just not drink than attempt moderation.

If you want to moderate fine. Good luck, you're a stronger man than me. You can read on plenty of boards where people talk about the mental, physical and spiritual gains from teetotaling and I want to find that out. Just like people talk about the benefits of sauna or cold showers or baking soda deodorant, I think it's worth a shot. I can always start again if I don't like it down the road.

Post: #353

I read Sonny Rollins was hesitant to give up heroin because he worried his creativity would suffer. He got clean anyways and went on to write his best stuff.

Im glad to hear things are going well for you a month in, and re-reading this thread has got me thinking about my own relation to alcohol.

Post: #354

Is smoking weed allowed?

Post: #355

Had a few nights out in the last week (no clubs, just bars).

I've got comfortable being in the bar with friends drinking around me and, to be honest, aside from the episode the other day I'm having just as much fun as always. My friends now know to order me a tea or soda so they are used to it too.

While my sober game isn't quite there yet, I've been opening like usual and got several numbers (means little in Japan though).

The biggest benefit so far has been my sleep quality. It's much better than it has been in a while. Amazing feeling to go out 3 nights in a row and have no hangover or energy issues.

Post: #356

(01-20-2014 08:44 PM)SeanBateman Wrote:  Is smoking weed allowed?

The best course is to leave off all stimulants, depressants, and mind-altering substances, except for a token cup of coffee, once a day.

The wagon should be an opportunity to experience life unmediated by any such substances and let it prove itself, or not.

Post: #357

(01-20-2014 10:05 PM)The Lizard of Oz Wrote:  

(01-20-2014 08:44 PM)SeanBateman Wrote:  Is smoking weed allowed?

The best course is to leave off all stimulants, depressants, and mind-altering substances, except for a token cup of coffee, once a day.

The wagon should be an opportunity to experience life unmediated by any such substances and let it prove itself, or not.

fair enough

Post: #358

I felt a lot of extreme emotions lately (some time borderline suicidal, like just want to hang myself and get it over with), I don't know if it from abstaining from alcohol or other things.

Post: #359

Im about a month in now. Honestly I feel great. Been a lot more social with a notable increase in my desire to day game etc.

Focus is gone way up, gyming consistently, learning faster and feeling healthier.

Don't know if its related but Ive also noticed an increase in sexual drive/performance too. I was fucking like a beast the last few days.

Post: #360

(01-21-2014 03:56 AM)Felix88 Wrote:  I felt a lot of extreme emotions lately (some time borderline suicidal, like just want to hang myself and get it over with), I don't know if it from abstaining from alcohol or other things.

Felix,

That's not a surprise. Alcohol over time dulls a lot of sensations -- ever heard the expression "take the edge off"?

Conversely, one of the things that can happen when you stop drinking is that you start experiencing things more sharply -- that's why some guys are reporting more intense sex drive or appetite, but this can also go for different kinds of emotions.

You should dismiss these "borderline suicidal" thoughts completely -- they don't really mean anything. And you only get credit for a 1 year wagon if you live through all 365 days -- zombie teetotaling doesn't count.

Post: #361

I keep getting set back, had 3 beers yesterday. I think it's slowly coming to a halt.

Post: #362

(01-22-2014 12:44 PM)Fisto Wrote:  I keep getting set back, had 3 beers yesterday. I think it's slowly coming to a halt.

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Post: #363

I'm at 17 days as of today.

Sleep is about 75-80% better and getting better each day.
I'm much more outgoing and talkative / personality improvements.
Seem to be happier despite certain negative situations.
No desire to watch porn or FAP.
I don't crave alcohol as much as I thought I would, given that I'm a full time bartender...

I have noticed my appetite has increased ten fold, I eat everything in sight, even food items that I never really eat normally, since I eat pretty healthy anyways, but as of late I eat whatever I see... I workout extremely hard 6 days a week so the extra calories right now could be beneficial to me. However, once this little buffer period, say 30 days or so, I will go back to strict healthy eating.

I see only positive things in the future.

Post: #364

god damn that beer looks good

Post: #365

Biz,

This is great to hear. But keep in mind that there will be ups and downs and there will be periods when you feel disappointed or bored. It's not likely to be sunny skies all the way, so just be ready for that. And be ready to dismiss the cravings when they come, as they probably will at some point.

Post: #366

(01-23-2014 07:12 PM)SeanBateman Wrote:  god damn that beer looks good

It sure does -- but as the wagon gets rolling you have to learn to relish the melancholy and seemingly perverse pleasures of feeling deeply just how good it looks and would taste -- and then denying it to yourself and turning away. Those are the times that make you.

Post: #367

(01-23-2014 09:37 PM)The Lizard of Oz Wrote:  

(01-23-2014 07:12 PM)SeanBateman Wrote:  god damn that beer looks good

It sure does -- but as the wagon gets rolling you have to learn to relish the melancholy and seemingly perverse pleasures of feeling deeply just how good it looks and would taste -- and then denying it to yourself and turning away. Those are the times that make you.

Yeah, usually I'm fine but sometimes I really feel it. I've realized that in the absence of booze as an outlet and stress reliever I need to burn off excess energy in different ways. I'm restarting the Starting Strength program, I've begun studying for a private pilot license and I need to get two or three girls in a good rotation to bang away these sober evenings.

Motivation by necessity.

Post: #368

I broke down yesterday.

I just found out my longest close friend committed sucide.

I am still in shock. When I heard this news I did not know what to feel. I am a pretty emotionless guy but this news rocked me. I cant remember the last time I cried but this news brought on the waterworks.

I sat in my room reading the internet obiturary in shock for several hours. Thinking about all of the experiences and good times I had with this guy.

I am still pretty badly shaken up. I read allen carrs book and i understand the myths about drinking but this news had me running for the nearest bottle. I cant process this shit sober and to be honest I need a couple days of a binder to get my head around all of this. I want to quit drinking which I had done since new years but this news is affecting me in a way i have never felt.

I will check in to this thread in the next few days. I hope to be in better shape and continue sobriety but for now i dont have the mental state to do that.

Post: #369

bacon,

That's terrible to hear. Please accept my deepest condolences.

Was there any reason for the suicide that you know of? Did he leave a note?

Please remember that suicides are often essentially accidents -- a whole life cannot necessarily be judged by that one act.

Post: #370

Sorry to hear Bacon... Hope you bounce back soon man, stay up.

Post: #371

My sincerest condolences.

Post: #372

very sorry to hear that..

Post: #373

(01-25-2014 08:23 PM)bacon Wrote:  I broke down yesterday.

I just found out my longest close friend committed suicide.

I am still in shock. When I heard this news I did not know what to feel. I am a pretty emotionless guy but this news rocked me. I cant remember the last time I cried but this news brought on the waterworks.

I sat in my room reading the internet obiturary in shock for several hours. Thinking about all of the experiences and good times I had with this guy since we were friends from age 12 and we shared middle school,high school, college and post college memories.

I am still pretty badly shaken up. I read allen carrs book and i understand the myths about drinking but this news had me running for the nearest bottle. I cant process this shit sober and to be honest I need a couple days of a binder to get my head around all of this. I want to quit drinking which I had done since new years but this news is affecting me in a way i have never felt.

I will check in to this thread in the next few days. I hope to be in better shape and continue sobriety but for now i dont have the mental state to do that.

Alcohol is Novocaine to the soul. Don't let do gooders demonize it. You wouldn't get a tooth pulled without numbing, why take bad news stone cold sober? Just remember that once that initial pain wears off, so should the booze.

Post: #374

Awful news Bacon. I hope you pull through sooner than later.

Post: #375

Is it bad that after skimming some of the earlier posts in this thread, I want to drink right now?

I have an older friend, who always goes from Jan 2nd until March 16th without drinking, and then starts again at St. Patrick's Day. I think that type of cleansing is a pretty good way to go. Throughout my life, whenever I've felt I was getting too carried away, I'd step back and take a month or two off the bottle.

I think going cold turkey (from time to time) is easier than moderation though, those with true discipline can control themselves. If you just eliminate the vice, you're not really learning to regulate your intake. Easier said than done though.

This winter has been so brutal, that I haven't gone out much at all, or drank, and I do feel like I'm in a better spot. Although, I did hit the bottle pretty hard playing with my old band the other night.