Can stopping drinking be a bad thing?

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

I've completely stopped drinking two months ago - not because I was 24/7 drunk, but I didn't like the direction my alcohol consumption was going so I put a halt to it.

I've received a lot of support but my mother thinks I'm overdoing it, and my wife too said I'm a bit too much uptight and says she misses how I loosened up and made her laugh when I drank (I am mainly a happy drunk). She says she can't wait for us to have a beer together once she gives birth and she won't take no for an answer.

She also says that my EHS (Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity) manifested right after I quit cold turkey, suggesting it's correlated.

[Alli39]

I'd take a look at your EHS separately. I'm not sure what that is but a lack of alcohol theoretically shouldn't cause a health problem.

But as for your actual question, if you aren't at any risk, drinking really was a safe and enjoyable activity, and you want to, then it probably wouldn't be a bad thing to pick back up a little. I'd set very clear rules for yourself and ask the people around you to hold you accountable so that you still have a high level of control over your behavior, but are able to enjoy the things you like.

But if you really don't want to drink anymore, don't do it. Be firm in your stance and kind in your explanations. If your loved ones are suggesting something that goes against your decisions, it's probably just that they don't understand and are trying to encourage what's best for you without realizing they're going about it wrong. Accept their good intentions, but don't think you have to do what they say to make them happy. They care about you and will come to terms with it if you never choose to drink again.

So give yourself the chance to evaluate where you're at with alcohol with your family's input under consideration (and know that you can re-evaluate again at any time in the future as well), but also know that this is a personal choice that you have every right to make and re-make as you see fit.

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

Thank you for your answer.
I want to stick to no alcohol for some months at least to detox.

My wife implied that the EHS is more a psychosomatic coping meccanism than anything else - ie. swapping a vice/quirk for another

[Nikki1989]

I have never stopped drinking, but I did stop getting drunk. I lose all control when I am drunk.

[exitseven]

I stopped drinking over 20 years ago. I wad not an alcoholic but by today's standards I would probably be in rehab. Back then I did not drink anymore than any of my friends. I would like to say that after I quit, everything that was messed up about my life got better but that was not the case. I just had to deal with all the crap without being drunk. I guess my workouts got better and I did not have to worry about getting lugged for DUI anymore.

[exitseven]

Thanks for the MHO

[Jamie05rhs]

Don't let her make you do anything. It's your life. If you don't want to drink, f everyone else's opinion.
(I'm serious! You shouldn't let them pressure you.)

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

Don't worry, I didn't let them.
My wife jokes about it more than actually wanting me to drink, it's my mom who poured me a glass and insisted.

[Jamie05rhs]

Oh, okay. That's good.

[Jamie05rhs]

Thanks for the MHO.

[NathanDavis]

not worse than becoming an alcoholic...

[annabananna]

I think it’s awesome to quit and a personal decision. It’s really toxic for your body.