Any Sober/ Non-drinking people here?

[sjoes006]

I have very recently decided that I have had enough of drinking and to stop, full stop. I'm not a falling down drunk but I had gotten to the point where I was drinking about a bottle of wine a night and was preoccuppied and bothered on the few nights I couldn't drink or ran out of stock in the house. So upon realizing this I decided it was not healthy and not a practice I was going to indulge in any longer.

Here's the deal though. As like most who make this decision everyone I know drinks and drinks are a religious practice in my industry. Interns get pounded with booze 5 nights a week during corporate training to see how their drinking skills are...

I've joined AA but I'm not religious and the God talk is very distracting so I'm wondering if anyone else on here has quit drinking and if so would welcome a PM.

My main concern and distraction about what they preach at AA at the moment is no relationships for a year. Well news flash- I'm not a Nun or a whore so something's got to give...

Just wondering if and how other handled this during the first steps of no booze? I'm thinking anyone with less than 1 year sober is a no go for me but other than that I can handle the break up with out running back to the bottle... thoughts?

[LibraPisces66]

Good for you, and yes, there are sober men out here on GAG.

I was just enjoying reading some of your questions, and commenting here and there, when I saw this post and thought wow, this woman is really cool, intelligent, and refreshing. I see you, too, enjoy yoga and running. Nice!

I know what you mean about God talk being distracting. Ugh.

I would love and welcome a PM, by the way.

[DaddyRollingStone]

I decided to not touch alcohol after so many times of hearing how people were taken advantage of while they were drunk, either sexually ot what else.

What really made me choose that after seeing that a good portion of the men in my family are angry drunks, and I already have an anger problem as is. I don't want to be the guy who people are afraid of because he's had too much to drink.

[sjoes006]

Good for your and congratulations on the maturity and foresight to recognize the problem and act on it at an early age. Keep that in mind when choosing friends in college and do your best to avoid the guys inviting you to kegs, its easy to get caught up in that excitement.

Thanks for the reply and nice to hear from a young person determined to break the pattern.

[DaddyRollingStone]

There are a million logical, fact based reasons not to do it. Only a couple as to why you should.

[Kaylove96]

I don't drink or do drugs but it's always good to have the desire to stop and seek help.

[CincinnatiRedsfan]

Well I've never drank in my life. It has nothing to do with the problems it causes or morals, I literally hate the taste (I've taken sips of different alcoholic beverages and it tastes nasty every time.)

That's a good thing you're quitting! Many people your age try to justify their substance use problems with the "mid-life" crisis

[Little-Hippie]

I've never had a drink in m life.

So I'm probably not a good source of advice.

But the best i can say is just put something else in your glass.

Take your life straight with no chaser.

[sjoes006]

I see you work in healthcare, you were probably too busy studying to pick up the booze, good for you and thanks for the encouragement.

Don't worry I'm stalking to the teeth with everything from rootbeer floats, juices, sparkling water. Makes meal time easier. Yoga/ run as per always. I figured there would be a few quitters here but this is a young crowd so I guess the problem drinkers are still doing what we do. I just don't care to anymore.

[Little-Hippie]

Push yourself forward by reminding yourself of how much control you have over yourself and how good a thing that is.

[sjoes006]

Thanks! As a marathon runner and person who gets their competitive drive from within not based on what others are doing that certainly is my approach.

AA has some great people but the first steps are about being powerless and turning lives over to god... can't Tony Robbins just write a quick little self-help bible for drinkers then we can all meet around that? LOL

Seriously though alcohol abuse is on the rise in this country and the effects are costly for the government. Can the next first lady make her campaign about early intervention for alcohol in female teens? White women are the fastest growing demographic in alcohol abuse which we are now seeing is often accompanied with sexual assault for university students.

[sjoes006]

hmmm. LOL, that is assuming Hillary doesn't win the general... I don't think Bill would be the best spokesperson for combating the problem of sexual assault on female students... there's my moment of Zen.

[Little-Hippie]

*Unintentional Shade, lolololol

[Galden]

Hmmm,
I am drinking now :-D
However i have gone over 15 years with out drinking before.
It realy is up to you. If you do not want to drink then stop. Realy is easy...

[Peter0]

Congrats on what you're doing!

I don't have much more to offer than that :)

[dricky2011]

non drinker here, the biggest shocker is I'm Irish

[ButtHoleSandwich]

I don't drink or do drugs

[ButtHoleSandwich]

Also have to tried just quitting on your life and working with a personal life coach or psychologist rather than AA? They won't get all preachy with you and glad you are taking steps to change. My dad is an alcoholic but he refuses to quit

[ButtHoleSandwich]

"Quitting on your own"

[Anonymous]

I am two durnk to tpye