Nice Surprise Side Effect of not drinking

[amyotte]

Been lurking here of about a year now and have read many postings from
those that have quit or tried. Thankyou.
From my smoking days 20 years ago I know to quit, a person has to
really want to do so.
Over the years my consumption had increased to downing a 1-1/2 liter
bottle of wine per evening. Worse on weekends with an earlier start
with beers. Got to the point that I would buy the 4 liter boxes so
the recycle box each week would not look bad. I could burn the box in
the fireplace.
Within the last 9 months my blood pressure had skyrocketed and I would
wake up at night with my heart pounding and racing. Scared me BIG
time.
I tried to "cut down" but one drink led to another so that did not
work. Tried to drink only on the weekends and found myself looking
forward to Friday night just to drink until Sunday.

On Thanksgiving, Canadian, Oct.13/03 I decided that the only way to
control what was happening with my body was to quit drinking totally.
The first couple of days were OK but the 3rd to the end of the week
were weird. Mild confusion, anxiety, and mild shakes.

I am almost 2 weeks dry and still have very mild cravings for wine at
night but they are diminishing. My wife still drinks and I can smell
the beer and the wine and find it somewhat disgusting. Similar to when
I quite smoking and tried a cig a few weeks later and almost gagged.
Drinking diet pops is actually refreshing and don't mind filling the
recycle box with squished cans.

The BIG surprise is I have dropped from 210 lbs to 204 without even
dieting in less than 2 weeks. I have not changed how I eat and do not
exercise so this weight loss is a Nice Side Effect of not drinking. I
have been trying to lose weight for a long time and now not trying to,
but doing so is GREAT.
During the day and night I am alot more calm, no waking up at night
with heart pounding, no hangovers, more $$ in my pocket, and feeling
better than I have for a very long time.

This is FANTASTIC.

By this posting I want to record a record that I can access anytime,
thanks Google, so if in the future I want to recall why I no longer
drink, a few of MY reasons are here.

Thanks to all who post and good luck with your journey.

Brian

[Bpyboy]

Hey brian, GOOD DEAL,

That first couple weeks for me was HELL. and some of my guys at meetings just
said "it will lose it's grip--hang in there" and I thought "if this is "sober,
I want NOTHING to do with it!"

But, you're right, and after a couple weeks, my appetite started to come back,
along with some ambition to do something other than drink beer (I PRAYED for
the weekends to come, so I could start tying it on right upon waking). The
stomach problems are going away nicely, I SEVERLY cut down on smoking, as I
just don't smoke as much when not drinking. My blood pressure returned to
healthy.

I still have some depression/sleep problems, but nothing that alcohol will ever
do any good on. I also tried to just be more moderate, but that would last a
day or two and then right back into it again.

I still have PLENTY of problems to sort out, plenty of health to regain, but
the booze was NEVER going to let that progress happen. I didn't have the
energy, the money, the health, or for that matter, even the desire to change
things.

after one particularly bad bender sometime last winter (around christmas
time--a time of terrible depression for me), I woke up after like a 2 week
bender, that actually I have very little memory of, and made it my mission in
life to stop. I fell from grace a couple times, but now that I'm seeing some
health benifits, it's a lot easier to talk myself out of cravings "yeah, go
ahead and get loaded--you are going to feel like hell for days! Is that worth
it?"

Funny how when you're drinking heavily, it does seem to be "worth it" but after
you stop, you realize that it's an insane cycle of sickness. So, i'm going
strong for a couple months now, ramping up some excersise, getting ready to
quit smoking (YIKES--that one scares me!).

Keep on going my friend. You're adding years to your life, and GOOD years at
that!
John

ps, I sort of got lucky (in retrospect--seemed like a pain in the ass about a
year ago) to live in a dry county, with a fiance who only ever drank at her
communion! There would have been no way on earth to quite if there was
anything in my house. I have even been known to knock on the door of an old
wino neighbor from time to time in the middle of the night. I don't even drink
wine, but it had alcohol in it--and I NEEDED some.

freaking insane man, can't believe that depravity ever happened (maybe it's
good that a lot happened during a big blackout?)

[George &The Dragon]

> Within the last 9 months my blood pressure had skyrocketed and I would
> wake up at night with my heart pounding and racing. Scared me BIG
> time.

Ah, memories....! I would wake up several times a night in a total sweat,
sometimes I'd even aspirate and wake up choking - an absolutely horrible
feeling that is too close to death to even think about. And around 3 am I'd
have such a thirst that I'd slug back three or four glasses of water from
the toothbrush mug in the bathroom, not caring whether it was washed first
or not! YUUUUCKK

Well done Brian - and thanks for reminding me.

George

BTW, I lost about 15 pounds after stopping drinking too. A liter and a half
of wine contains a LOT of calories.

[debs]

Well done...carry on the good work......it does get even better

debs

--
Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.
"amyotte" <amyotte@personainternet.com> wrote in message
news:e269e1a3.0310240908.43ab45fa@posting.google.c om...
> Been lurking here of about a year now and have read many postings from
> those that have quit or tried. Thankyou.
> From my smoking days 20 years ago I know to quit, a person has to
> really want to do so.
> Over the years my consumption had increased to downing a 1-1/2 liter
> bottle of wine per evening. Worse on weekends with an earlier start
> with beers. Got to the point that I would buy the 4 liter boxes so
> the recycle box each week would not look bad. I could burn the box in
> the fireplace.
> Within the last 9 months my blood pressure had skyrocketed and I would
> wake up at night with my heart pounding and racing. Scared me BIG
> time.
> I tried to "cut down" but one drink led to another so that did not
> work. Tried to drink only on the weekends and found myself looking
> forward to Friday night just to drink until Sunday.
>
> On Thanksgiving, Canadian, Oct.13/03 I decided that the only way to
> control what was happening with my body was to quit drinking totally.
> The first couple of days were OK but the 3rd to the end of the week
> were weird. Mild confusion, anxiety, and mild shakes.
>
> I am almost 2 weeks dry and still have very mild cravings for wine at
> night but they are diminishing. My wife still drinks and I can smell
> the beer and the wine and find it somewhat disgusting. Similar to when
> I quite smoking and tried a cig a few weeks later and almost gagged.
> Drinking diet pops is actually refreshing and don't mind filling the
> recycle box with squished cans.
>
> The BIG surprise is I have dropped from 210 lbs to 204 without even
> dieting in less than 2 weeks. I have not changed how I eat and do not
> exercise so this weight loss is a Nice Side Effect of not drinking. I
> have been trying to lose weight for a long time and now not trying to,
> but doing so is GREAT.
> During the day and night I am alot more calm, no waking up at night
> with heart pounding, no hangovers, more $$ in my pocket, and feeling
> better than I have for a very long time.
>
> This is FANTASTIC.
>
> By this posting I want to record a record that I can access anytime,
> thanks Google, so if in the future I want to recall why I no longer
> drink, a few of MY reasons are here.
>
> Thanks to all who post and good luck with your journey.
>
> Brian

[Mias]

Dear Brian
*CONGRATULATIONS*
Be assured that it only gets better as time passes. My blood pressure is
regularly 130/80 now despite the fact that I am obese. When drinking I had
to take tablets for blood pressure at the tender age of 22! Can fill the
Internet for you with other good happenings since stopping drinking. The
nicest one is possibly the wool that booze pulled over my eyes that are gone
now.
Hang in there and way to go!
Kind regards
Mias
14 years clean and sober and enjoying every second of it!
"amyotte" <amyotte@personainternet.com> wrote in message
news:e269e1a3.0310240908.43ab45fa@posting.google.c om...
> Been lurking here of about a year now and have read many postings from
> those that have quit or tried. Thankyou.
> From my smoking days 20 years ago I know to quit, a person has to
> really want to do so.
> Over the years my consumption had increased to downing a 1-1/2 liter
> bottle of wine per evening. Worse on weekends with an earlier start
> with beers. Got to the point that I would buy the 4 liter boxes so
> the recycle box each week would not look bad. I could burn the box in
> the fireplace.
> Within the last 9 months my blood pressure had skyrocketed and I would
> wake up at night with my heart pounding and racing. Scared me BIG
> time.
> I tried to "cut down" but one drink led to another so that did not
> work. Tried to drink only on the weekends and found myself looking
> forward to Friday night just to drink until Sunday.
>
> On Thanksgiving, Canadian, Oct.13/03 I decided that the only way to
> control what was happening with my body was to quit drinking totally.
> The first couple of days were OK but the 3rd to the end of the week
> were weird. Mild confusion, anxiety, and mild shakes.
>
> I am almost 2 weeks dry and still have very mild cravings for wine at
> night but they are diminishing. My wife still drinks and I can smell
> the beer and the wine and find it somewhat disgusting. Similar to when
> I quite smoking and tried a cig a few weeks later and almost gagged.
> Drinking diet pops is actually refreshing and don't mind filling the
> recycle box with squished cans.
>
> The BIG surprise is I have dropped from 210 lbs to 204 without even
> dieting in less than 2 weeks. I have not changed how I eat and do not
> exercise so this weight loss is a Nice Side Effect of not drinking. I
> have been trying to lose weight for a long time and now not trying to,
> but doing so is GREAT.
> During the day and night I am alot more calm, no waking up at night
> with heart pounding, no hangovers, more $$ in my pocket, and feeling
> better than I have for a very long time.
>
> This is FANTASTIC.
>
> By this posting I want to record a record that I can access anytime,
> thanks Google, so if in the future I want to recall why I no longer
> drink, a few of MY reasons are here.
>
> Thanks to all who post and good luck with your journey.
>
> Brian

[Evey]

Hi. Enjoy each day, as so many more positive side sffects are yet to come.
Congratulations and keep coming back. Keep us posted. Talk to ya later
....................Evey
"amyotte" <amyotte@personainternet.com> wrote in message
news:e269e1a3.0310240908.43ab45fa@posting.google.c om...
> Been lurking here of about a year now and have read many postings from
> those that have quit or tried. Thankyou.
> From my smoking days 20 years ago I know to quit, a person has to
> really want to do so.
> Over the years my consumption had increased to downing a 1-1/2 liter
> bottle of wine per evening. Worse on weekends with an earlier start
> with beers. Got to the point that I would buy the 4 liter boxes so
> the recycle box each week would not look bad. I could burn the box in
> the fireplace.
> Within the last 9 months my blood pressure had skyrocketed and I would
> wake up at night with my heart pounding and racing. Scared me BIG
> time.
> I tried to "cut down" but one drink led to another so that did not
> work. Tried to drink only on the weekends and found myself looking
> forward to Friday night just to drink until Sunday.
>
> On Thanksgiving, Canadian, Oct.13/03 I decided that the only way to
> control what was happening with my body was to quit drinking totally.
> The first couple of days were OK but the 3rd to the end of the week
> were weird. Mild confusion, anxiety, and mild shakes.
>
> I am almost 2 weeks dry and still have very mild cravings for wine at
> night but they are diminishing. My wife still drinks and I can smell
> the beer and the wine and find it somewhat disgusting. Similar to when
> I quite smoking and tried a cig a few weeks later and almost gagged.
> Drinking diet pops is actually refreshing and don't mind filling the
> recycle box with squished cans.
>
> The BIG surprise is I have dropped from 210 lbs to 204 without even
> dieting in less than 2 weeks. I have not changed how I eat and do not
> exercise so this weight loss is a Nice Side Effect of not drinking. I
> have been trying to lose weight for a long time and now not trying to,
> but doing so is GREAT.
> During the day and night I am alot more calm, no waking up at night
> with heart pounding, no hangovers, more $$ in my pocket, and feeling
> better than I have for a very long time.
>
> This is FANTASTIC.
>
> By this posting I want to record a record that I can access anytime,
> thanks Google, so if in the future I want to recall why I no longer
> drink, a few of MY reasons are here.
>
> Thanks to all who post and good luck with your journey.
>
> Brian

[rosie]

amyotte@personainternet.com (amyotte) wrote in message news:<e269e1a3.0310240908.43ab45fa@posting.google.com>...
> Been lurking here of about a year now and have read many postings from
> those that have quit or tried. Thankyou.
> From my smoking days 20 years ago I know to quit, a person has to
> really want to do so.
> Over the years my consumption had increased to downing a 1-1/2 liter
> bottle of wine per evening. Worse on weekends with an earlier start
> with beers. Got to the point that I would buy the 4 liter boxes so
> the recycle box each week would not look bad. I could burn the box in
> the fireplace.
> Within the last 9 months my blood pressure had skyrocketed and I would
> wake up at night with my heart pounding and racing. Scared me BIG
> time.
> I tried to "cut down" but one drink led to another so that did not
> work. Tried to drink only on the weekends and found myself looking
> forward to Friday night just to drink until Sunday.
>
> On Thanksgiving, Canadian, Oct.13/03 I decided that the only way to
> control what was happening with my body was to quit drinking totally.
> The first couple of days were OK but the 3rd to the end of the week
> were weird. Mild confusion, anxiety, and mild shakes.
>
> I am almost 2 weeks dry and still have very mild cravings for wine at
> night but they are diminishing. My wife still drinks and I can smell
> the beer and the wine and find it somewhat disgusting. Similar to when
> I quite smoking and tried a cig a few weeks later and almost gagged.
> Drinking diet pops is actually refreshing and don't mind filling the
> recycle box with squished cans.
>
> The BIG surprise is I have dropped from 210 lbs to 204 without even
> dieting in less than 2 weeks. I have not changed how I eat and do not
> exercise so this weight loss is a Nice Side Effect of not drinking. I
> have been trying to lose weight for a long time and now not trying to,
> but doing so is GREAT.
> During the day and night I am alot more calm, no waking up at night
> with heart pounding, no hangovers, more $$ in my pocket, and feeling
> better than I have for a very long time.
>
> This is FANTASTIC.
>
> By this posting I want to record a record that I can access anytime,
> thanks Google, so if in the future I want to recall why I no longer
> drink, a few of MY reasons are here.
>
> Thanks to all who post and good luck with your journey.
>
> Brian

hello brian!
i am sorry that i missed your post, but wanted to CHIME IN with my
congrats to you on your sobriety!

i hope that you will stick around, read and post, and share with us!
i have been sober for 21 years, and though there have been some
emotionally tough days, i wouldn't change my life for
anything......................
i "put the plug in the jug", and attend AA for help "to change the
things that i can change".

(((((((((((((((((brian)))))))))))))))))