It was five years ago today that I gave up alcohol. Oh how time flies, it seems like yesterday that I would wake up with pounding head and swear to never do it again. Of course I would do it again and again and again. I didn’t plan to quit drinking 5 years ago. it was my plan to quit for a few weeks so I’d be all rested up for the Christmas party season but one thing led to another and it’s now been 5 years.
So what did being sober for five years give me? Firstly, it gave me a lot more money in my pocket. Drinking too many single malt scotches ain’t cheap. Secondly, my health is probably better now than it was five years ago. Thirdly, ah shit there is no thirdly. Money and health are about it. One thing I miss is the comraderie I shared with my fellow drunks. Most of my drinking pals quit coming around after I gave up liquor. I miss those sons of bitches.
I’m not one of those reformed drinkers that swears he’ll never drink again and thinks sobriety is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I enjoyed drinking and I’m not ruling out returning to my old ways. If I only had one hour to live I’d like to spend it with a glass of single malt and something good to smoke.
So that’s it. 5 years of sobriety.
16 comments:
I commend you.
I slip once in a while but mostly I drink in moderation and when I do slip it doesn't hurt me.
Sometimes drinking with the same old drinking buddies is just as boring as not drinking with those that don't.
Na, drinking buddies are a tic more fun.
I never drank the hard stuff other than an occasional cocktail at a party, but I do like my 4 oz. of wine with dinner a few times a week.
Congrats on the 5 years of sobriety. My husband and I are smoke-free for 11 years so that has helped our health too. Every little bit helps these days.
Now that is a grande piano.
I admire your ability to do what you like. Carry on then.
Well, you've got willpower, that's for sure. I hope your liver is truly grateful.
I can't believe it's been 5 years. People still visit with you even sober. I quit almost 20 months ago sort of. I went to the hospital and haven't had anything since. I might sometime but I don't know. When you survive complete liver and kidney failure with a patchwork digestive tract you tend to think twice about stuff like that.
Good for you - your health and your wallet.
billy - moderation is for monks. sadly i'm not a monk.
cheyenne - i never drank wine, i think it was a french thing.
thims - that's the secret, do what you like doing.
gb - just had blood work, the liver is in excellent shape. i guess it can regenerate itself.
mr wit - yup, you never want to shut that door. a guy needs to dream.
secret - thanks.
Well, you might not have your drinking buddies, but you do have us.
Ditto to what C4C said! I'm happy for your health and your fatter wallet. Congratulations!
ahh, I think I remember back that far..because I remember you talking about drinking and then you weren't..Nov 9th was my 21st year of no drinking..I was always afraid that if I quit drinking I wouldn't be me..the wild and crazy jackiesue..but after being sober for about 3 years I realized it wasn't the booze that made me wild and crazy..it made me want to kick peoples ass..then after 10 years I realized I still wanted to kick peoples asses, but I had better control. I do believe I could have a beer and not want 73..because I don't want 73..or 12..but now that I'm diabetic I don't drink because I don't want to kill myself..
congratulations old buddy..
crazy - and you guys don't give a headache the next day!
ananda - health and fatter wallet, if that isn't nice, what is?
yellowdog - a viking is a viking is a viking!
Congrats all around, Billy. I still drink on occasion, but very sparingly...Certainly not the fish-like quantities without quality I would enbibe a couple years ago.
Live long and prosper, ya sonofabitch!
Congrats Billy on the 5 years. Continued good luck if you choose to stay on this path, and of course good luck in everything else that you do.
ted - good thing we drank a lot in our youth to make up for the lack of drinking in older years.
mr shife - have a good stiff drink for me over xmas.
Quitter!
Not really, I SHOULD do the same.
I know what you mean about drinking buddies.
"I've got dozens of friends and the fun never ends, that is as long as I'm buying."
My father was a drunk so I vowed never to take up the habit. Nevertheless I did, but for some reason I'm able to stop at two. I guess in many ways I am not like my dad... thank god.
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