Like Ilona, I wouldn't say I was an alcoholic at all. However, I thought nothing of drinking every day, especially when I lived in the Caribbean. I don't think there was a single day I didn't drink and yes, I sometimes used it for courage as a solo traveler because as you said, drinking is a VERY social affair.
My health had a lot to do with me quitting. In my 40s I started experiencing excruciating migraines after drinking. My last bender was in New Orleans in 2019 and haven't touched it since.
Kristi - Thank you for sharing your story. I love that you chose your health over social norms and the potential fear of standing out. Wouldn't it be great if we could normalize not drinking?
YES it would!! I could talk about this for days related to certain “friends” I have who just can’t understand how I can live such a mundane life of no hangovers. It’s bizarre.
Hi Sara! I will be five years sober on Feb. 1. I also never identified as an alcoholic since I only ever had a couple of drinks. But those drinks were verrrrry important to me to take the edge off the day. I used to drink wine every night while preparing dinner, but then for the rest of the night I would be useless. Once I quit drinking (which took a while), I substituted drinking juice while I cooked, but eventually, I didn't need anything. I discovered I don't like to cook and only do so because it's necessary to live. The wine had been a motivator to do this thankless task.
Thanks for sharing your story. I recommend everyone quit drinking this cancer-causing toxin. You'll be surprised how your life changes!
Five years! Congratulations. I get the wine with dinner. When my kids were little, I used to do a lot of that, along with the 'mommy's bottle' trope. Looking back, it's not that funny. The things we do to hide from ourselves are immense - congratulations on doing the hard work.
Like Ilona, I wouldn't say I was an alcoholic at all. However, I thought nothing of drinking every day, especially when I lived in the Caribbean. I don't think there was a single day I didn't drink and yes, I sometimes used it for courage as a solo traveler because as you said, drinking is a VERY social affair.
My health had a lot to do with me quitting. In my 40s I started experiencing excruciating migraines after drinking. My last bender was in New Orleans in 2019 and haven't touched it since.
Kristi - Thank you for sharing your story. I love that you chose your health over social norms and the potential fear of standing out. Wouldn't it be great if we could normalize not drinking?
YES it would!! I could talk about this for days related to certain “friends” I have who just can’t understand how I can live such a mundane life of no hangovers. It’s bizarre.
No hangover is a huge plus!
Hi Sara! I will be five years sober on Feb. 1. I also never identified as an alcoholic since I only ever had a couple of drinks. But those drinks were verrrrry important to me to take the edge off the day. I used to drink wine every night while preparing dinner, but then for the rest of the night I would be useless. Once I quit drinking (which took a while), I substituted drinking juice while I cooked, but eventually, I didn't need anything. I discovered I don't like to cook and only do so because it's necessary to live. The wine had been a motivator to do this thankless task.
Thanks for sharing your story. I recommend everyone quit drinking this cancer-causing toxin. You'll be surprised how your life changes!
Five years! Congratulations. I get the wine with dinner. When my kids were little, I used to do a lot of that, along with the 'mommy's bottle' trope. Looking back, it's not that funny. The things we do to hide from ourselves are immense - congratulations on doing the hard work.