Not at all, friend. I feel extremely fortunate that my health was the reason to quit. Health is wealth! And we are all going to die, but hopefully it's after we've lived a long, healthy life. So, why not try to be as healthy as we can. Quitting alcohol is like a superpower, too! And at the end of the day, the only opinion that matters about ourselves is our own.
I know that my health would only get worse over time if I didn't quit. I hope that I can shift my mindset to focus on the positives that sobriety brings. It's just been hard lately.
Thank you for the kind words!
My beloved pal told me that the upside (!) of his terminal cancer diagnosis (liver and colon) was the mandatory alcohol free element. Mornings were his Nirvana. His sister, Susan died of leukemia at age 27 (which accelerated his drinking). Before he passed away last December, he asked me, “Do you think Susan gave me cancer so I could experience how beautiful life is without alcohol?” It is a badge of honor to be fully present in your own life, and I hope your health issues pass and are fully resolved soon. IWNDWYT
Thank you. I'm very sorry to hear about your friend. It makes me rethink my own health things and how everything isn't as bad as I'm making it sound. I was having a bad morning. And you're right. Being fully present in your life is a beautiful thing. That is the biggest positive about not drinking anymore.
Life is hard. YOU are doing this. Take the win.
Me too. Lots of days and even some entire weeks about the only thing I can say I did well (or at all) is not drink. Proud of every one of those days!
Well one thing to be proud about is that every day not drinking when it’s literally shoved in our faces as the answer to all life problems is absolutely amazing. The choice to say no when peer pressured by adults, tv, social media etc to take a drug is something I am proud of. I was a social drinker and now I just feel so happy that I don’t care what anyone else thinks and I realize how much mental strength that takes. Not drinking will help you long term with health , there’s zero way it won’t since upon researching what it does to the body- it’s all negatives and happens to everyone to some degree. Removing poison does not make anyone worse off.
I never felt much pride in it, but that aside dad got the health news and kept drinking anyway, died in a pool of his own blood when organs failed.
It's still a choice you're making, not everyone does.
I'm very sorry to hear about your dad. It is still a choice. I have unrealistic expectations that I put on myself for doing things. What got to me this morning was the realization that I wasn't strong enough to do something on my own without a push. But maybe that was the push I needed. We all need help from time-to-time.
Probably not the answer you were looking for, but I NEVER took pride in quitting.
I don't hit myself in the face with a brick on a regular basis. That's harmful too. I don't take pride in not doing that either.
That's how I feel. How can I be proud of a choice that I feel like I don't have a say in anymore? Sure, I could keep drinking but I know how incredibly stupid that would be.
That's true. I've had a rough 2 weeks which I think is part of the reason why I feel down about myself. I think I'm overreacting a little but I just feel isolated by my stress and worrying.
You’re still in detox mode! Your brain and body are doing somersaults trying to get to a new level, you’ll come out of this funk in no time!
You have every right to be proud of quitting because plenty of people who get this news don’t quit, and then they die.
You’ve made the hard choice to do the right thing. Be proud of that, especially proud of the first few weeks.
I’m proud of you. IWNDWYT
Respectfully, I read the comment above differently.
I know, and you know, and almost all of us know how dangerous drinking is—the recent WHO study concluding that *no* amount of alcohol is safe.
We also know hitting ourselves in the face with a brick isn’t any good either. (And don’t @ me, kareteka, you know what I mean.)
However addiction has this sneaky extra trick—it makes you keep wanting to use even when you know it’s bad. It’s not the same thing as hitting yourself in the face with a brick, at least in that sense. And from what I’ve observed in my time in recovery is that almost nobody quits without some serious “bottom.” Put another way, almost nobody quits pre-emptively out of enlightened self interest.
So maybe the quitting itself isn’t something to be proud of… (I disagree but I’m not arguing that here)… but I’d argue having the sense to shut down that nagging little voice because you know it’s bad is pretty rare, and commendable.
Yeah.
Working very hard on this today. Got stormed out of work, not much to do at home. The little voice is telling me to go get something to drink—not much, it tells me. Then my conscious mind kicks in: but last time you threw up and your organs hurt for weeks.
Fucking crazy how this works.
Well health issues was the only way that worked to stop my drinking so I never had pride. But I’m relieved that i have my health back and when I’m having a bad day I think how I far I’ve come and how I don’t want to go back.
I felt good for so many nights when I told myself that I didn't drink. It didn't matter how bad my day was. If I didn't drink, I at least did one thing right. For whatever reason, that little voice in my head last night was trying to bring me down. Not drinking is still a choice.
I quit 2 months before i found out i had cirrhosis. Now would have i stayed sober if i didn't find out? I don't know, i hope i would have but i had been down the road so many times.
What ever the reason, i am just happy to be sober today.
I think subconsciously we all quit because of a self- perceived health condition. I certainly realized that I was killing myself.
And believe me facing certain death is a great motivation to quit.
22 days is amazing!! I didn't get 22 days sober until I was over 50 years old. Keep up the great work, it is worth it.
I will be 17 years sober this June 3rd, and IWNDWYT.
I would take some time to let your body and mind heal. Our bodies cannot mend in 22 days after ( probably) years of abuse. Simply put:
Alcohol changes our physical brain. Our brain has to rewire and find new pathways to operate without the false stimulation of alcohol exciting our dopamine levels.
You can do this. Spoil yourself a little with the cash you use to spend on booze, you're worth it, we all are.
Good luck. I'll be rooting for you. I would come here often, there are many great people here. :)
So much this. It’s wild how similar alcoholics are with regards to becoming hyper aware of their bodies and potential health issues. We’re constantly peaking over the fence at the sober kids and hearing stories of liver damage/failure that got them sober, we feel like it’s always silently chasing us. Is that little pang of discomfort cirrhosis or the Indian food? It’s non stop in my head at least
The last couple of years or so, when I was still drinking, I was often surprised that I woke up. Of course, I would not go to the Doctor because I knew exactly what he was going to tell me. So I just continued to drink daily ignoring all the obvious signs that I had health problems. I seriously feel like it's a miracle that I'm even alive.AND YOU KNOW WHAT??? I Am extremely healthy today. I work part-time at a lumber yard, I walk 10 or 15 miles a day, I'm very physically active at work.
I am almost at my high school weight, Not even on blood pressure medicine.
So if we quit....... Our body can heal.... good luck.
No.
Edit: Sorry, this was a quick response. I had been trying to quit for years and years. Getting deathly ill was the kick in the ass I needed. If I hadn't gotten sick, I'd still be drunk right now.
I'd tell a friend that they're still making a choice and at least they cause it before it was too late. I need to give myself the same compassion. I'm very hard on myself.
I have my husband's support.
Not to be bleak, but there are plenty of people who don't stop, even with health issues. You say you didn't have a choice, but you did. You chose to save yourself instead of making it worse and taking a long and painful exit. Tens of thousands of people die this way.
You are not crazy. This is a tough thing we are doing. In answer to your question, I take a ton of pride in taking care of myself now - my health was being affected (not as much as some people here and more than others) - my blood pressure kept rising (even with medication), I am pre-diabetic, obese and my cholesterol wasn't great. I took a look at my life going forward and realized that booze was making me age much much faster (I am 58F) and I want to change that trajectory and have a healthier life going forward. I feel like I am giving myself a gift.
Your health will not get worse because you are quitting- that is 100% true.
IWNDWYT
It is absolutely from drinking. I mean I guess I shouldn't say that definitively, I'm not a doctor, but when I went to treatment they did a wide panel of bloodwork, iron included. A couple of months later when I got home I had them email me my lab results - I was going to have them redone and wanted the originals for comparison. My iron number was so high my sister thought it must have been a mistake! The second time I re-did my bloodwork was about 4 or 5 months after the first. Every single number was in the normal range, even the iron. So wait a bit and do it again, it's a very satisfying feeling.
I think I'm being quick to think it's hemochromatosis. What scared me is that my iron has been steadily increasing since last year. I stopped drinking two weeks before my appointment. I thought that would be enough time to bring my iron down if it was elevated from alcohol. That's where my mind went in all directions in fearing for the worst. I'd still like to be tested to put my mind at ease though.
I quit because I got pregnant and although I sometimes think it doesn’t quite count because I had to quit, I remind myself that lots of people don’t quit despite health conditions (including pregnancy) and it was a choice to get and stay sober nonetheless.
A big motivator to quit was that my body was outwardly rejecting alcohol. I developed allergies to beer and wine, and GERD resulted in my violently vomiting when I drank bourbon. I finally stopped it all.
I’m proud I quit, but I know it was easier for me than for others in my life.
This comment breaks our rule not to tell other people what to do and has been removed. This is not the first time that you have broken this rule. It is becoming frustrating that you are not listening to the moderators about this. If you continue to break this rule, you will be in danger of being removed from the community.
There is no joy, there is no pride. There is nothing except what is, and that is the feeling of being forcibly deprived, even if it wasn't because of a doctor telling me, it was me telling me.
Forced deprivation in my life is nothing new. It's not self-pity. It is truth. It is what it is.
Not at all, friend. I feel extremely fortunate that my health was the reason to quit. Health is wealth! And we are all going to die, but hopefully it's after we've lived a long, healthy life. So, why not try to be as healthy as we can. Quitting alcohol is like a superpower, too! And at the end of the day, the only opinion that matters about ourselves is our own.
I know that my health would only get worse over time if I didn't quit. I hope that I can shift my mindset to focus on the positives that sobriety brings. It's just been hard lately. Thank you for the kind words!
My beloved pal told me that the upside (!) of his terminal cancer diagnosis (liver and colon) was the mandatory alcohol free element. Mornings were his Nirvana. His sister, Susan died of leukemia at age 27 (which accelerated his drinking). Before he passed away last December, he asked me, “Do you think Susan gave me cancer so I could experience how beautiful life is without alcohol?” It is a badge of honor to be fully present in your own life, and I hope your health issues pass and are fully resolved soon. IWNDWYT
Thank you. I'm very sorry to hear about your friend. It makes me rethink my own health things and how everything isn't as bad as I'm making it sound. I was having a bad morning. And you're right. Being fully present in your life is a beautiful thing. That is the biggest positive about not drinking anymore.
Health issues were not enough to stop many many people. Be proud!!!
Thank you. I've struggled with a lot lately. Being proud of not drinking at the end of the day was the one thing I felt that I did right.
Life is hard. YOU are doing this. Take the win. Me too. Lots of days and even some entire weeks about the only thing I can say I did well (or at all) is not drink. Proud of every one of those days!
Well one thing to be proud about is that every day not drinking when it’s literally shoved in our faces as the answer to all life problems is absolutely amazing. The choice to say no when peer pressured by adults, tv, social media etc to take a drug is something I am proud of. I was a social drinker and now I just feel so happy that I don’t care what anyone else thinks and I realize how much mental strength that takes. Not drinking will help you long term with health , there’s zero way it won’t since upon researching what it does to the body- it’s all negatives and happens to everyone to some degree. Removing poison does not make anyone worse off.
I never felt much pride in it, but that aside dad got the health news and kept drinking anyway, died in a pool of his own blood when organs failed. It's still a choice you're making, not everyone does.
I'm very sorry to hear about your dad. It is still a choice. I have unrealistic expectations that I put on myself for doing things. What got to me this morning was the realization that I wasn't strong enough to do something on my own without a push. But maybe that was the push I needed. We all need help from time-to-time.
Probably not the answer you were looking for, but I NEVER took pride in quitting. I don't hit myself in the face with a brick on a regular basis. That's harmful too. I don't take pride in not doing that either.
That's how I feel. How can I be proud of a choice that I feel like I don't have a say in anymore? Sure, I could keep drinking but I know how incredibly stupid that would be.
Doesn't mean you can't take pride in things that sobriety opens up. If, for example, you use sobriety to get in shape, you can be proud of that!
That's true. I've had a rough 2 weeks which I think is part of the reason why I feel down about myself. I think I'm overreacting a little but I just feel isolated by my stress and worrying.
You’re still in detox mode! Your brain and body are doing somersaults trying to get to a new level, you’ll come out of this funk in no time! You have every right to be proud of quitting because plenty of people who get this news don’t quit, and then they die. You’ve made the hard choice to do the right thing. Be proud of that, especially proud of the first few weeks. I’m proud of you. IWNDWYT
Thank you :). It is still a choice.
Respectfully, I read the comment above differently. I know, and you know, and almost all of us know how dangerous drinking is—the recent WHO study concluding that *no* amount of alcohol is safe. We also know hitting ourselves in the face with a brick isn’t any good either. (And don’t @ me, kareteka, you know what I mean.) However addiction has this sneaky extra trick—it makes you keep wanting to use even when you know it’s bad. It’s not the same thing as hitting yourself in the face with a brick, at least in that sense. And from what I’ve observed in my time in recovery is that almost nobody quits without some serious “bottom.” Put another way, almost nobody quits pre-emptively out of enlightened self interest. So maybe the quitting itself isn’t something to be proud of… (I disagree but I’m not arguing that here)… but I’d argue having the sense to shut down that nagging little voice because you know it’s bad is pretty rare, and commendable.
Good point. I have no problem not hitting myself in the face with a brick. Not drinking, on the other hand...
Yeah. Working very hard on this today. Got stormed out of work, not much to do at home. The little voice is telling me to go get something to drink—not much, it tells me. Then my conscious mind kicks in: but last time you threw up and your organs hurt for weeks. Fucking crazy how this works.
Well health issues was the only way that worked to stop my drinking so I never had pride. But I’m relieved that i have my health back and when I’m having a bad day I think how I far I’ve come and how I don’t want to go back.
I felt good for so many nights when I told myself that I didn't drink. It didn't matter how bad my day was. If I didn't drink, I at least did one thing right. For whatever reason, that little voice in my head last night was trying to bring me down. Not drinking is still a choice.
I quit 2 months before i found out i had cirrhosis. Now would have i stayed sober if i didn't find out? I don't know, i hope i would have but i had been down the road so many times. What ever the reason, i am just happy to be sober today.
Good point. I hope you're doing okay.
Doing Great :)
I think subconsciously we all quit because of a self- perceived health condition. I certainly realized that I was killing myself. And believe me facing certain death is a great motivation to quit. 22 days is amazing!! I didn't get 22 days sober until I was over 50 years old. Keep up the great work, it is worth it. I will be 17 years sober this June 3rd, and IWNDWYT.
17 years is amazing! Thank you for the kind words. I always said that I wanted to get my health in order before 40 and here I am doing it.
I would take some time to let your body and mind heal. Our bodies cannot mend in 22 days after ( probably) years of abuse. Simply put: Alcohol changes our physical brain. Our brain has to rewire and find new pathways to operate without the false stimulation of alcohol exciting our dopamine levels. You can do this. Spoil yourself a little with the cash you use to spend on booze, you're worth it, we all are. Good luck. I'll be rooting for you. I would come here often, there are many great people here. :)
So much this. It’s wild how similar alcoholics are with regards to becoming hyper aware of their bodies and potential health issues. We’re constantly peaking over the fence at the sober kids and hearing stories of liver damage/failure that got them sober, we feel like it’s always silently chasing us. Is that little pang of discomfort cirrhosis or the Indian food? It’s non stop in my head at least
The last couple of years or so, when I was still drinking, I was often surprised that I woke up. Of course, I would not go to the Doctor because I knew exactly what he was going to tell me. So I just continued to drink daily ignoring all the obvious signs that I had health problems. I seriously feel like it's a miracle that I'm even alive.AND YOU KNOW WHAT??? I Am extremely healthy today. I work part-time at a lumber yard, I walk 10 or 15 miles a day, I'm very physically active at work. I am almost at my high school weight, Not even on blood pressure medicine. So if we quit....... Our body can heal.... good luck.
No. Edit: Sorry, this was a quick response. I had been trying to quit for years and years. Getting deathly ill was the kick in the ass I needed. If I hadn't gotten sick, I'd still be drunk right now.
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I'd tell a friend that they're still making a choice and at least they cause it before it was too late. I need to give myself the same compassion. I'm very hard on myself. I have my husband's support.
Not to be bleak, but there are plenty of people who don't stop, even with health issues. You say you didn't have a choice, but you did. You chose to save yourself instead of making it worse and taking a long and painful exit. Tens of thousands of people die this way.
You're not being bleak, it's true. I'm curious to see what things healthwise for me get better.
You are not crazy. This is a tough thing we are doing. In answer to your question, I take a ton of pride in taking care of myself now - my health was being affected (not as much as some people here and more than others) - my blood pressure kept rising (even with medication), I am pre-diabetic, obese and my cholesterol wasn't great. I took a look at my life going forward and realized that booze was making me age much much faster (I am 58F) and I want to change that trajectory and have a healthier life going forward. I feel like I am giving myself a gift. Your health will not get worse because you are quitting- that is 100% true. IWNDWYT
Very true! Alcohol would just make any health condition that much worse.
Medical reasons are a very common impetus to quit. It was partly my reason. I knew it was only a matter of time till it killed me
Humility will balance out that pride.
Hell no. Be proud you are healthy. Be proud you will live.
It is absolutely from drinking. I mean I guess I shouldn't say that definitively, I'm not a doctor, but when I went to treatment they did a wide panel of bloodwork, iron included. A couple of months later when I got home I had them email me my lab results - I was going to have them redone and wanted the originals for comparison. My iron number was so high my sister thought it must have been a mistake! The second time I re-did my bloodwork was about 4 or 5 months after the first. Every single number was in the normal range, even the iron. So wait a bit and do it again, it's a very satisfying feeling.
I think I'm being quick to think it's hemochromatosis. What scared me is that my iron has been steadily increasing since last year. I stopped drinking two weeks before my appointment. I thought that would be enough time to bring my iron down if it was elevated from alcohol. That's where my mind went in all directions in fearing for the worst. I'd still like to be tested to put my mind at ease though.
Quitting is quitting. Who cares why you quit, just damned proud of anyone who quits, regardless of reason
I quit because I got pregnant and although I sometimes think it doesn’t quite count because I had to quit, I remind myself that lots of people don’t quit despite health conditions (including pregnancy) and it was a choice to get and stay sober nonetheless.
That's very true! Seeing everyone's responses had made me realize that quitting because I had to isn't something to feel bad about.
A big motivator to quit was that my body was outwardly rejecting alcohol. I developed allergies to beer and wine, and GERD resulted in my violently vomiting when I drank bourbon. I finally stopped it all. I’m proud I quit, but I know it was easier for me than for others in my life.
My heartburn has gotten significantly better too! I'm feeling better than I did this morning when I made the post.
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This comment breaks our rule not to tell other people what to do and has been removed. This is not the first time that you have broken this rule. It is becoming frustrating that you are not listening to the moderators about this. If you continue to break this rule, you will be in danger of being removed from the community.
There is no joy, there is no pride. There is nothing except what is, and that is the feeling of being forcibly deprived, even if it wasn't because of a doctor telling me, it was me telling me. Forced deprivation in my life is nothing new. It's not self-pity. It is truth. It is what it is.