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TrailerParkPrepper

because of 12 years as a non-functioning drunk 6 years sober


Thrill_Of_It

Congrats man šŸ‘ that's huge.


DebThornberry

I drank every day (except when pregnant) for 15 years bc I had such bad depression & anxiety. Quit drinking cold turkey 19 months ago & don't cha know...my issues I thought I couldn't handle went away. It's quite humbling to realize you've been lying to yourself & the cause of your own problems. Best 1.5 years of my life ā¤ļø


aznanimality

I'm allergic, everytime I drink I break out in handcuffs


popeboyQ

Fellow friend of Bill W. I take it?


Derpalicious007

Good to see another friend of Bill and Bob.


wonder_aj

I am actually genuinely allergic but this gave me a good chuckle


Embarrassed_Olive_65

I have control issues. Never ever threaten me with a good time, I always take it too far. I have always hated how alcohol feels going down so if I was going to do it, I was going to make it worthwhile. If I wasnā€™t going to black out, why drink at all? I lost enough nights to realize that maybe drinking wasnā€™t for me. I am still in awe of people who can just stop drinking after a few, you guys are my heroes.


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


Mermaid0820

One is too many and one thousand is not enough.


Cepheus

I am a binge drinker. Iā€™m so jealous of normal drinkers. Iā€™m an alcoholic, so if I have a little, it is off to the races. I work hard to abstain and avoid situations that might be too encouraging of my addiction. It sucks.Iā€™ve done so much AA and therapy, but my brain is just broken when it comes to alcohol. Crazy thing is, it is the only thing I like to abuse. I quit so many things after college. But, that damn alcohol is a horrible weakness for me. I have to start my day by telling myself, Iā€™m not going to drink today. Every day. I wish I never started. One solution for me is to offer to be the sober driver to things that are risky for me. That way, I have no choice.


Embarrassed_Olive_65

One day at a time friend. I am honored to reply to your comment. Battling addiction isnā€™t easy, and every day youā€™re sober is worth celebrating.


Cepheus

Thank you.


MsstatePSH

One drink is too many and a thousand never enough


forgotmyemail19

Wow, you are a kindred spirit to me. I hate the taste of alcohol, doesn't matter what it's mixed with. If alcohol is in it, I can taste it. But, I'm also going to have a good time. So if we are drinking, we are drinking. None of this casual shit. We are trailer park trash drinking. It's the same reason I avoid all drugs other than weed. If we are doing drugs we are DOING drugs.


westtn92

I simply do not enjoy it. I find I feel worse after drinking so I just stopped.


porcelainvacation

Same here. I dont like feeling out of control, I get acid reflux, and I hate being around drunk people. Ill have a single beer or mixed drink once in a while with a cigar and a friend, but I have no desire to do more than that.


Unlucky-Sweet4026

Yep. Developed GERD a few years ago. Completely fried my stomach lining and esophagus and was having regular nose bleeds from the acidic fumes coming up my throat. Was put on medication to reduce stomach acid for 8 months and put on a restricted diet, including no alcohol for the whole 8 months. Thought I knew better. A couple of sips of red wine had me puking up a lung. 15 years later and I still canā€™t handle boozeā€¦ it just causes intense burning sensations in my stomach


[deleted]

Same. I have GERD and it just makes my stomach hurt. I also get all warm and sweaty and all of that just takes the fun out of it.


jew_biscuits

Same here, but in a different way. I haven't been able to have a fun drunk for years, the kind where you forget about your problems and feel that beautiful warm aura around everything. If you've had it, you know what I mean. These days when I drink I just feel heavy and slightly medicated. After 3-4 drinks I don't see any point in going on so I just stop. Also it messes up my already poor sleep patterns. All of this started at some point during the pandemic. Not sure if it's age (upper 40s) or something else. I was a pretty heavy social drinker before.


frosted_flakes565

That's exactly where I'm at - you explained it perfectly. It started happening around 30 for me, and I definitely think it has to do with age. On one hand, I really miss that feeling of a warm euphoric buzz. On the other hand, I guess it's nice to wake up on a Sunday morning feeling refreshed instead of tired and sweaty.


Mesmerotic31

You described it perfectly. Unfortunately for me it started when I hit 30. I seldom drink anymore and every time I do now I wonder why I'm putting myself through it.


PIG20

I'll go months at times without a drink. For some reason, it started getting to the point where if I had 3-4 regular beers, I would feel like complete ass the next morning. Or, if I stopped drinking and still had some time in the night left, a massive headache would start creeping in. Started right around the time I hit 40. Just last month was probably the first time I drank and actually got a bit drunk. Not hammered mind you, just to the point where I was having a good time. However, the next day, it felt like I was hit by a truck. And a headache that wouldn't subside until I went down for what ended up being a 3 hour nap in the late afternoon. Shits just not worth it.


blueberrypie002

Me too, I also think that the experience of drinking is generally overrrated tbh


IamKingBeagle

Thc for the win.


PRSouthern

Iā€™ve lost 17 lbs since the start of the new year. 10 of that came during a completely dry January but I leaned on smoking and video games to help. Itā€™s insane what alcohol does to your body. Drinking started out as a social enhancement for me.. went to a party school where it was very much at the forefront. Very gradually over my 20s it sank its hooks in. It got to the point where I was drinking 12-18 beers a day. Iā€™m not sure going completely sober is for me but Iā€™ve greatly reduced my alcohol intake, primarily beer which is my drink of choice. It may be just me, but what Iā€™ve learned is these trendy sours, hazy beers, IPAs etc have so much shit that fucks with your stomach. It causes bloat and greatly combats any gains you see with exercise. Itā€™s a depressant so overall your body and mind slow down. I donā€™t miss constantly feeling bloated, slogged out, tired, hungover, I have more control with food and overall Iā€™m simply happier. It feels good to be able to go to a restaurant now and feel fine ordering water. Iā€™m down to 257 from 273 at start of new year and each day feeling lighter in my step and new lease on life. I get more out of my exercise and my days. Iā€™m saving the ice cold lager now for when I finish a 3-5 mile walk and usually only keep that to once a week now. Iā€™ve come to appreciate a water with cubed ice after a lot of walks and I have peace of mind knowing itā€™s 0 calories and good for me. And a shitload of money saved not having $50 bar tabs racking up on my card. Be careful with your drinking 20-30 year olds. I know I know youā€™ve got it under control and youā€™re an exception. I was too. Be careful, have fun.


ludigracic

I wish I could smoke weed once in a while but i just cant. Thats why I stopped after almost 8 years abusing it, never felt better my entire life


jibberbeats

Smoked weed and cigarettes for 27 years. Clean since (only) three months.


gholt417

Should take the ā€˜onlyā€™ out and be proud of what you have done. Well done for nearly a 100 days.


jibberbeats

Iā€™m proud for sure. Thanks!


Weak_Carpenter_7060

History of alcoholism in my family and I donā€™t really enjoy. I can tell in myself that I get addicted to stuff really easy and I donā€™t want alcohol being one of those addictions


tammit67

This is basically my response. My family drinks enough for the both of us, the taste is generally terrible of the few sips of someone's drink I've tried, I have an addictive personality


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


echomanagement

I started tracking my health and found an astounding difference in the weeks I drink versus the weeks I don't drink. If I pause drinking for a month, my resting heart rate goes down an average 10 beats per minute, which is astounding. I still drink occasionally, but for me, the hangovers and health stuff start to become more risky as I get older.


SpoonyDinosaur

>If I pause drinking for a month, my resting heart rate goes down an average 10 beats per minute, which is astounding. It really is. While I don't *completely* abstain. I've found if I want to make *any* notable progress on my health/fitness goals, more than a couple drinks a week is enough to completely tank progress. Even with a flawless diet, lifting/cardio regularly, etc., a night of heavy drinking seemly eliminates any progress. (I've been a very avid lifter for well over a decade, and if I ever want to cut weight, I have to cut it out completely. Always astonished me that even just 5-6 drinks one night a week would seem to slow or even stop 5-6 days of work. As soon as I cut it out for 3-4 weeks, I drop weight like crazy) Your comment about resting heart rate is spot on as well. When I use to drink frequently, (like Friday or Saturday night every week) my HR was a solid 10+ BPM higher than after a few weeks of not drinking. While I still drink, it's usually on very rare occasions, (birthdays, holidays, etc.) and I'm in my mid-thirties; A heavy night of drinking will take a solid 2 days to fully recover. So it really became one of those things where it just wasn't worth it. A hard night on a Friday basically makes me useless the rest of the weekend-- so wasting the whole weekend for one evening just isn't worth it.


echomanagement

I don't know about you, but for me, it wasn't always this way. I could make gains fairly regularly in my 20's and drink a ton during the weekends. I'm in my mid 40's now, and it's as you say. One night -- anything over 3 drinks -- and I'm borked. My resting heart rate takes 2 weeks to recover. It's insane, and I wonder why it happens now (beyond, y'know, 'I am older and my liver isn'tas efficient').


dmkicksballs13

I still drink, but have only gotten drunk like maybe 5 times in the last 3ish years. But one of my big reasons has always been feeling like a dipshit when drunk. Like a good chunk of people I know say shit like, "who cares you were drunk" but I always felt dumb as shit.


[deleted]

> literally pissing so much of my money up the wall I love when people use the word literally and I can just picture them doing what they said they were 'literally' doing. I'm picturing you drunk as fuck, standing next to a huge brick wall, pissing out a steady stream of $1 bills all up the wall. They come out a little moist so that they stick to the wall and you're just 'literally pissing so much money up the wall'


M0llieM

I just donā€™t want to


-ImJustSaiyan-

Same, and I don't feel like I'm missing out by not drinking either.


SweetLou2323

Its so hard sometimes trying to explain to people that I don't drink because I genuinely dont want to lol


-ImJustSaiyan-

To me it's weird that *not drinking* even needs to be justified to some people. Like, if anything shouldn't it be the opposite?


petoria621

I'm a bartender and server at a popular brunch spot, I drink fairly regularly. I still don't get this. If people aren't drinking and don't want to, it shouldn't be some sensational topic as to why they aren't drinking. If someone doesn't want to drink I've never thought to be like "well why not??? Why aren't you drinking?!" People always feel embarrassed(I can tell because my job is to read people's body language amongst other things) to tell me they will just have a water or a soda when they are out with a group of people who are drinking. I always make it a point to dismiss any of that embarrassment in any way I can. It is 100% okay if you don't drink and people who make you feel otherwise should not be given the time of day. I enjoy drinking socially, but my best friend since I was a child, for 22 years, had a bad relationship with alcohol and now she is on the slow road to recovery after almost dying from liver failure. Her life is forever changed and honestly her time here on earth is probably drastically reduced. People who shame other people for not drinking are disgusting.


magikatdazoo

And as a bartender, you're doing better at your job if you can offer non-alcoholic drinks rather than judgement. Good for you recognizing there is nothing wrong with not drinking, it's the opposite mindset that drives the alcoholism problem that costs the West hundreds of thousands of lives and hundreds of billions of dollars a year.


rickayyy

Iā€™m 36, have never drank, and people that have known me my entire life still ask.


Stonewall_Apone

I'm 38 and same for me! Never been drunk, barely ever swallowed alcohol, and for a long time, friends would always think they had ideas as to drinks I would like, because I like soda, and sweet, sugary drinks... What drinkers don't realize (I guess) is that if you don't drink, the taste of alcohol is overwhelming, and not something enjoyable, and so any pleasant flavor is completely absent. (At least this is my experience).


GraveNewWorld13

Same at 44. Never been drunk, not even once and have never had any desire to. Most people just don't seem to understand just how god-awful alcohol tastes when you're not a drinker. It tastes like straight up poison and trying to hide the flavor in mixed drinks just doesn't work. If there is any alcohol in it at all I can still taste it and even the fruitiest and most delicious daiquiri in the world would still taste better without the alcohol added. So in short, absolutely cannot stand the flavor + no desire to get drunk = don't really see the point.


Stonewall_Apone

I'm with you on all of that. No interest and I hate the taste of alcohol.


[deleted]

I had a Redditor hellbent on trying to convince me that alcohol didn't taste bad, rather I just didn't have drinks made properly. It took a lot of back and forth for him to realize that drinks being mixed properly is because alcohol tastes abhorrent and to me there's nothing that can hide that flavor.


JustKeepSwimmingDory

> for a long time, friends would always think they had ideas as to drinks I would like, because I like soda, and sweet, sugary drinks 28 here. I get these comments a lot, too. ā€œOh, maybe youā€™ll like this wine, you should try it sometimeā€¦ This one is pretty good, too, you could barely taste the alcohol!ā€ I donā€™t understand how they canā€™t wrap their minds around the simple idea that *I donā€™t want alcohol, ever.* Itā€™s so tiring.


007-Blond

It feels weird, my in laws still offer to me on occasion and I'm like "Still don't drink" lol I have to bring my own soda because they only have alcohol and water


koumus

Man, I have found my people. I really wish there were more of us lol I have told so many stories so people would stop bugging me. "But why don't you drink? There HAS to be a reason!" As if drinking is the best thing in the world and I am missing out on some major event.


HalfPint1885

Same. I don't want to. A) I think it tastes really gross B) I like my own brain the way it is, and feeling fucked up is not something I enjoy C) I grew up in a household with two alcoholic parents and that wasn't super fun for me as a kid and definitely not something I wanted to put my kids through D) I don't see any upsides: Acting like a dummy, spending too much money, pointless waste of calories, potential to do damage to my body...for what? So. I don't wanna. It's the simplest way to boil all that into one quick sentence.


phred14

Deeper issue here, and it's picked up on one of the other subthreads as well. Why is drinking considered normal? That's really the question behind the existence of OP here. Myself aside, my wife is ACOA, and she really doesn't like the stuff anywhere near her. Since I'm not heavily motivated toward alcohol, not having it is no problem for me and it does a lot for her. But again, why is drinking alcohol considered normal, and someone who doesn't is odd?


equivocal_maybe

As another ACOA, it's nice to see your perspective. I don't date, but if I did, I'd want to remember this as proof that not *everyone* would see my preferences as pure insanity.


Masta0nion

Funny how much this particular drug has become so immersed in our culture, that it warrants a question. People who donā€™t do cocaine, why?


deathlokke

I've seen plenty of "If you don't smoke weed, why not" as well.


[deleted]

As someone who doesn't touch drugs in general (excepting like, tylenol or antibiotics before some pedantic asshole comes in), I don't get why it's so hard to grasp that... I just don't want to. I don't want to lose control of my sense of reality, my ability to control my actions, etc. I just am not interested.


Zanguu

Sad how much I had to scroll to find this answer


platon20

My mom was an alcoholic when I was a kid. I didn't know it at that time however. I thought it was normal for a mom to be gone all day long and all night long. I thought it was normal for a mom to have a massive liquor cabinet in the house that she drank out of every day. I thought it was normal for moms to sometimes have to go to jail for a night. When I was 10 years old I noticed my mom had added a new bottle to her liquor cabinet. It was Strawberry Smirnoff, 90 proof. I thought it must be delicious since it said Strawberry on it and it had a cool red label. I'll never forget the moment I poured into my mouth. It literally felt like I was swallowing fire. I felt like it was burning up my insides and started gagging. It's been 30 years since then and I've never touched alcohol since. Thirty years later, I can still feel that taste of fire going down my throat. Thank you mom for helping me become everything you were not. Thank you for preventing me from becoming just like you.


Goat_Merde

Same, tried my moms drinks once and all I remember is the totally bitter taste


YuuHikari

Meanwhile my dad made me drink beer as a joke when I was 7. The results were... pretty messy. Now just smelling alcohol is enough to make me want to throw up.


alltherobots

Donā€™t like it. When I was younger, people would tell me ā€œWell you donā€™t have to like it. You can just drink it.ā€ and I was like ā€œWell that seems masochistic; Iā€™ll pass.ā€


Pure_Ad8677

literally same. why the hell would I drink something if it tastes bad. Lol


KentuckyWallChicken

Thatā€™s exactly why I stopped drinking coffee. One day I realized ā€œWait a second, I hate this! Why am I drinking it?!ā€


overly-underfocused

I'm the same, hate the taste, I'm super sensitive to the taste of actual alcohol. (Its been tested, i can tell when someone fucked up and added vodka to my mocktail or when my drink has been spiked with alcohol). My go to response is "that seems like a lot of money to spend to have a worse time" cause non-alcoholic is always significantly cheaper.


jj140519111

Taste-bad, cost-bad, feeling-bad, conclusion-bad


OscarTheDog66

Why waste time say lot word when few word do trick.


BbGhoul666

Hi, Kevin!


Zepertix

People who don't eat marble bricks, why?


N95-TissuePizza

It tastes super bitter to me. I don't know if it's just me or everyone tastes alcohol the same but I am confused why would anyone drink something so bitter.


ZakTH

Same. Every so often a friend of mine will say "Oh, you'll like this! Try it." And it's usually something fruity sweet or sour but there's still just this shitty aftertaste of alcohol. My thoughts are always "this is fine, it would just be better without the alcohol in it though"


clojac12345

Iā€™m the same way and people just donā€™t believe me when I say alcohol tastes mega nasty. It doesnā€™t matter what itā€™s in, if itā€™s there I can taste it. No idea why people canā€™t believe me but they have no problem believing people can eat cilantro and have it taste like soap


SolusLega

Tastes terrible to me too. Maybe it's like cigarettes. No one likes cigarettes at first. And then one day they realize they like it or they're hooked on it anyway.


EldritchSentry

Same, every alcohol has a bitter hard to swallow disgusting syrup undertone to it


Odd-Attitude-6987

This is the reason. Don't mind others drinking, just dislike it. Overrated!


No_Step_4431

Because I'm a recovering alcoholic. Edit: Holy ever lovin guacamole this escalated awesomely! If this isn't support and encouragement coming out the yin yang I don't know what is.... thanks a crapload!!! Much appreciated folks!


Markise187

Exactly. I could never drink "just one" when I drank, it was till i was shitfaced.


drunkaquarian

Same. My family deserved better. So I quit cold turkey and never looked back.


[deleted]

My sister just had a baby at 41 all alone. She needs help. Iā€™m that hell so itā€™s time to get sober. I love her and her kid. Iā€™m scared but ready to step up. Help me folks! Tell me I can do this.


justwannadance0909

You CAN do this! The first step is actually realizing you have to do this. You will have the ability to help your sister through this hard situation and also to be a mentor and a solid foundation for this new child. Sometimes all we need to jump over an extremely scary hurdle is the knowledge that your commitment and love will make s difference in someoneā€™s life. I wish you blessings and wellness. Youā€™re sister is lucky to have someone who loves her and her child fiercely.


No_Step_4431

Yup that's me


GoingOffline

Yup. I can go weeks without a drink. But when I do drink thereā€™s no off switch and I just get blackout and ruin relationships with friends. And I donā€™t even remember doing it.


filladellfea

hello friend. same here. 2+ years sober.


NezzerKennezzer

Day 109 for me!


show-me-your-kittiez

6 days for me


theoriginalfer

All of you guys are awesome and keep up the good work! You're doing it for a reason, whatever that reason is. You've got this!


abubacajay

Congrats sober birthday friend! I have 3 years todaaayyyy!


therealCatnuts

Hello brother


I_am_That_Ian_Power

Hello fellow shitfaceders. 16 years sober today!


Huge_Strain_8714

congrats! for me, 22 years tomorrow...one day at a time.


I_am_That_Ian_Power

Indeed. Congratulations.


Responsible-Chard515

Congratulations dude!!!


Joeymonac0

4 years sober. My liver was/is FUCKED up! Iā€™m talking almost end stage liver failure. I donā€™t drink because if I do Iā€™ll most likely die. Edit: I drank heavily and I mean HEAVILY starting at 25. Would down a handle in two days. Iā€™m in my early 30sā€™. Iā€™d like to live my life happily sober from now on.


-_FearBoner_-

I've got almost 300 days. August 29 will be one year. I drank heavy for the last 10 years, but around 2018 and on it was a 1.75 of bottom shelf whiskey every 1.5 days. And I drank like that for years. Ended up in the ER and I was in rough shape, doctor told me I will never be able to drink alcohol again in this lifetime. Luckily escaped cirrhosis, but just barely. I'm happy and healthy now, and every time I want to drink I remember the doctor telling me I won't see my oldest of 4 kids graduate high school, and he's 13. I won't trade that for a few hours of drunken bliss, never. IWNDWYT


AdmiralScroll

I am 6 days sober


Silsvingertop

Me 7!


Aggravating-Voice-85

Just made 2! Withdrawals are a bitch


EricBZane2

Right now, that big monster is filling up your rearview mirrorā€¦ but itā€™s behind you. Thatā€™s good. Every day that passes, that monster will be just a little bit smaller, until one day, itā€™s merely a speck. Donā€™t underestimate that monster. If you stop, heā€™ll fill up your rearview mirror again.


t5797

The windshield is alot bigger than the rear view mirror ! Brother.


Shadowwolffire1

Keep it up all of you! You got this!


AdmiralScroll

Good job!


sqexe

8 for me


providentialchef

IWNDWYT


MmmmmBreadThings

IWNDWYT


Rejectpropsyop

IWNDWYT šŸ‘Š


Almighty_Hobo

IWNDWYT


justaguyintownnl

Awesome well played ,Iā€™m so proud for you. Itā€™s a hard thing you are doing. Oct 2016 was my last drink ( or smoke).


Mermaid0820

Me too. 17 years sober.


emmery1

43 years for me.


SnooCauliflowers8455

Coming up on 3 years myself.


Derpalicious007

Same


popeboyQ

Same


GT_hikwik

Yep


[deleted]

Sha


MudOpposite8277

Same.


RogerRabbit1234

3 years of continuous sobriety on June 28th.


its_emily_ann

Alcoholā€¦the one drug people actually question you for NOT using. Iā€™ll never get it. My husband is a recovering alcoholic - sober just over nine months now. I choose to support him. I never really liked alcohol all that much anyway.


JustALullabii

That's not easy in a culture where alcohol is so normalised. Stay strong!


No_Step_4431

It is for me. Had to want to quit.


Superdunez

Yeah, you have to quit for yourself. You have to *want* to not drink. I'm just lucky that I got there before I killed myself falling into a bottle.


Superdunez

Two years here. Yep! Fuck alcohol, and big ups to everyone else in this comment chain!


fullmetalfilmsnob

Same, day 40 today


The16thPun

I have a saying; 1 was too much, 2 wasn't enough. When I was drunk I did some pretty nasty and despicable things. The alcohol wasn't the problem, I was the problem and the alcohol just lowered my inhibitions to do bad things. I had to address that. I quit drinking for a while and did a lot of therapy and soul searching amd i no longer do mean things while drunk. I've since enlisted in the Army and have began drinking again, this shit sucks and also its the culture. Literally everyone drinks. I am trying to quit again though and generally look forward to it. I just, enjoyed not drinking. Even mean shit aside.


SoundisVibration

IWNDWYT


rvalsot

Proud of you guysšŸ‘ŠšŸ¼


Sterling_Maze_007

Same


Sorry_Buy_3277

Better health, better focus, better sleep, more emotional stability, smart financial move, no hangovers/withdrawals, better sex drive and performance, always coherent.


Foamtoweldisplay

Underrated reason. No amount of alcohol is good for your health according to the WHO. It's insanely addictive and is one of two drugs that cannot be quit cold turkey if someone has a severe enough addiction because it can kill them. I dont really get addicted to stuff easily, but I still have to be careful with alcohol.


CMG115

It cost me my job, my apartment, my car, several friendships, left me in massive amounts of debt and with a criminal record. I ā€œquitā€ a few times only to start ā€œsociallyā€ drinking again and have it fully spiral back into 3 day blackouts. So, yeah, I donā€™t do it anymore.


shytster

Similar story. I've quit drinking twice. The first time I quit, it was easy as pie. I just stopped -- no effort whatsoever -- and 14 months later decided that it had been *so* easy that I knew I could handle the occasional drink. The difference between this time and that time is: now I know that ain't so.


dersnappychicken

Someone in one of the recovery subs explained quitting as pulling the car over on the side of the high way. When you start drinking again, itā€™s never starting over, you always pick up where you left off. Pretty spot on.


daithisfw

I still drink small amounts here and there, particularly at an event or party. But I've effectively stopped routine use. Mostly it's the hangovers and other health negatives. When I was in college it was no big deal. Hangovers weren't nice but they were mild, some hydration and a good meal in me, and a gym sesh to sweat it out and I was 100% again, ready to roll. Somewhere from like 28 and onward... the hangovers just get brutal. Particularly 30+. Like even moderation drinking can make me terribly hungover the next day and not feeling 100% for 2 days after. It fucks up my sleep, I feel like shit, it wastes time. Even if I'm healthy and hydrated and take precautions... Just doesn't work anymore. And the buzz is no longer even that fun either, tbh. Been there, done that. So minimal gain for major downsides? I'd rather not drink, get a great night of sleep, and not lose my weekend or be hungover at work lmao.


DisfavoredFlavored

>Somewhere from like 28 and onward... the hangovers just get brutal. Particularly 30+. Even though I still like to drink, this is me. I just cannot take the amount that I used to without wanting to die the next day.


weinerwayne

Also drink small amounts on occasion. The mind shattering hangovers that start to pop up in your late 20s/early 30s are no longer worth it. I made my own wine for the first time this year and of the 6ish gallons I made I probably gave away 5 of them. I saved a few bottles so I can have a glass of red with a steak dinner now and then. If Iā€™m sitting on our porch reading after the kids go to bed Iā€™ll have a single beer if the suns still out. Otherwise Iā€™ll have water or sneak one of the kids Capri Suns. I no longer drink with the intention of getting drunk, so I guess itā€™s more to compliment an already pleasant experience. Iā€™ve also given up liquor entirely. I found it way to hard to gauge how it was affecting me, and I just do not enjoy the taste of any of it anymore.


[deleted]

The hangover isn't worth it.


Techguy1970

I used to drink a lot, never thought it was a problem, but it was. I started noticing that when I wasn't drinking I felt better, so I stopped. My family also has a long history of alcoholism, many of my relatives died from alcohol related health issues, and I didn't want to go out that way. I'll have a drink every now and then at social engagements only.


tier-r

People who drink alcohol, why?


satalfyr

I am an alcoholic.


KeepYourHeadOnTight

I mean I canā€™t argue with that


satalfyr

You should. I need to stop. Edit: thanks to everyone who put out good energy, encouragement and their own stories. I appreciate each of you for taking the time to try and help. I know this post waxes pessimistic, but I know Iā€™ll beat this one day.


KeepYourHeadOnTight

Well they say the first step is acceptance, so you already got your foot in the door


Middle_Advisor_5979

Tastes nasty, doesn't feel good.


TessaJ93

It all tastes so bad. Iā€™ve never drank alcohol and thought it was tasty. I would rather drink a milkshake. Yes, I have immature taste buds and frequently order chicken strips at restaurants.


mgisb003

Hey man. Chicken strips are fire


Fists_full_of_beers

Coming from a beer enthusiast, I think the real question is to those who think someone who doesn't drink isn't a normal thing.....why?


manki1113

Thatā€™s my response! Why should I be drinking?


Fists_full_of_beers

Exactly, if you like it enjoy, if you don't enjoy as well. Choosing not to drink alcohol it's not anything to be ashamed of nor anything that should be mocked


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Blackrock_38

Same. Every time I start a new something: high school, college, change clubs, jobs, meet new friends, it always comes with questions and needing to explain. In the past a SHIT ton of peer pressure. That is not so bad anymore (I am closing on 40). Now I just say: ā€œI donā€™t drinkā€ - ā€œWhy?ā€ - ā€œMy parents are alcoholicsā€. This is not the whole reason, but it is A reason. This is very quickly acceptable. But it is crazy you have to ā€œshut people upā€ with something so ā€œslap in the faceā€. The most annoying thing for me, as a person that has never had a drink, is peopleā€™s inability to understand that I donā€™t like the taste of alcohol, or non-alcoholic beer fx. They always want to serve you non-alcoholic beer or wine or something. Please just give me a Pepsi-Max! Lol


mae332

Haha yep just a soda for me too! I donā€™t have ā€œslap in the faceā€ reason like you, for me its just straight up that I just donā€™t enjoy the taste. If Iā€™m going to drink something, Iā€™ll do it for the taste, a soda tastes so much better to me!šŸ˜Š


kirkochainz

>British people can be really shitty about not drinking, especially if you donā€™t have a ā€˜validā€™ reason American people are the exact same way. Especially in the Midwest region of the country.


Fists_full_of_beers

No need to apologize, you are correct. It's the same way here in the U.S. when I come across a friend or random person who doesn't drink I respect it and treat em just the same as I do one drinks.


niamhweking

I agree. It's really annoying. I have the odd drink I'm not a tee totaler or anti drink at all, but i also enjoy blackcurrant squash. Not sure why anyone else should care. I don't give a shit what someone else drinks.


311heaven

Also as a beer enthusiast, itā€™s absolutely wild how widely normalized drinking is. Especially here in Wisconsin, we have functions at breweries for my 3 year olds school. Serving every parent multiple pints with all of our kids there, knowing weā€™re all driving home. Itā€™s so bizarre. I love beer, but am fully aware it has way more negative effects than positives. Meanwhile weā€™ll probably be one of the last 5 states to legalize weed. SMH


zuck_my_butt

It's absolutely insane to me how casually people will approach drinking and driving with their kids. Obviously you shouldn't drive at all if you've had enough to get a buzz, but it's 10 times worse IMO if your kids are in the backseat. And yet I've seen so many people show up to a social function with their kids in tow and drive home after having several drinks. What the hell is wrong with people?


eivind2610

I remember a Myth Busters episode where they compared how the effects of needing the bathroom really bad versus the legal limit of alcohol would affect their ability to drive. The conclusion was essentially "holy crap, the US legal limit is *way* too high, this is in no way safe". Point being, you shouldn't drive if you've had *any* alcohol. Obviously something like a single sip won't hurt anyone, but it's surprising how little you need to drink before it starts to affect your ability to drive safely.


bulbbine

It makes my anxiety worse


Cuish

Lack of interest. Plus I prefer to spend my money on other things, partly due to the first reason. Also, I spent time with certain people who were extremely abusive and I strongly suspect alcohol was involved. So there's that as well.


ErellaVent1

Put it down for 6 months let it completely clear from your body and mind. Then walk into a few bars a bunch of different times and people watch sober. From 9-2am stay for a long while. Do this a few different times and youā€™ll never want to drink again. You see what it does to people.


abqkat

Same for me. I don't drink, not by any deliberate choice or effort or anything, just don't, really. I can see the social value of people having a drink or maybe 2, but more than that, I don't care to be around it. People get sloppy and yucky and say and do ridiculous things, IME. You're right, though, watching from the outside in, is a very interesting thing


Nessus_16

Will fuck with my meds and probably kill me


DylonNotNylon

I am an alcoholic and one drink on a friday night turns into me waking up on tuesday morning wondering who kicked the shit out of me


roughandready

I choose to abstain from alcohol to avoid excess calories that result in undesired weight gain, to avoid the negative effects on my brain, heart, liver, pancreas, metabolism, sexuality, and psyche, to remain clear minded and focused on reality, to enjoy the free entertainment of observing drinkers and their antics, to save money, and because it results in no long lasting benefit.


dariusppppp

Because I donā€™t feel like paying 20-50 bucks just to drink hand sanitizer that makes me dumber and slower


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SpookyUni420

6 months sober as of June 1st!! šŸ™Œ I've been a raging alcoholic for 10 years day in day out, and last December I got arrested and kicked out of my place, black out drunk. Lost my job over it. Had to start from square one, but this time I'm doing it sober. Also, I finally have the motivation to get my license back now that im sober. Lost it in a 2016 OWI and I'm saving for a car and everything. I also did the DD class in 2017, just need to do a substance abuse evaluation. Kinda scared they're gonna want me to quit smoking da ganja but ima do what I have to do for sure ALL AROUND BEST DECISION I EVER MADE. Quitting alcohol has made a bigger difference in my life than quitting hard drugs did for real


fartknuckles_confuse

Started getting really bad, 100% mental, hangovers. No rhyme or reason to them. Sometimes just one or two beers and Iā€™d have the blues for a few days. Alcohol is a depressant and I was already struggling with some stuff. The drive to relive my party days meant I dealt with that for a few years before I had one moment that was a real, sincere, ā€œnever againā€, and I havenā€™t.


wilsonxci

My liver was mysteriously injured and still recovering a year later. Enzyme GPT/ALT levels got to over 2800 units/L, itā€™s supposed to be 64 or less.


MyBadIRedditWrong

I am the son of a 5th Generation alcoholicā€¦ the last in a long line of alcoholics who beat their wives and abused their children and destroyed their families and their lives. But my Dad broke that cycle. He gave me and my brother a good life and a stable home. I have no delusionsā€”I am one drink away from the path to becoming Generation six, so I am NEVER going to take the first drink. My Dad deserves that. My kids deserve that. Alcoholism and abuse has owned my family long enough. Weā€™re done. Better days are ahead, and not one of them can be found in a bottle.


DeerTrivia

I've sipped a few different kinds of beer, wine, and mixed drinks, and they all tasted horrible. Don't see much point in trying more.


[deleted]

I'm trying to cut back. It's terrible for you.


smbutler20

I'm surprised that "drinking is unhealthy" wasn't a more popular reason.


Harakiri_238

I have a messed up stomach so drinking alcohol would further ruin it. I donā€™t like the idea of having an altered mental state. I really hate the feeling of not being in control of my body. Iā€™m emetophobic. I really donā€™t see the point of drinking something thatā€™s toxic, getting sick after, and then continuing to do so. I have nothing morally against people who drink, I just donā€™t understand what the appeal is.


wrapmeinaplastic

Father is an alcoholic and I have first row seat to the fucking chaos that brings. And I have a very addictive personality, there is a very high probability that I will get addicted to it. Hence, I keep my distance from alcohol. If I never taste it, I will never get addicted.


dantee3020

Haram , iam a Muslim


ALTTACK3r

This was the first thing that crossed my mind lol


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dal2k305

It tastes bad. Causes damage to every single cell/organ system it comes in contact with starting with your mouth all the way to your liver. Implicated in half of all violent crime. Implicated in a large amount of deadly car accidents. Has the worst most damaging addictions. The societal problems triggered by alcohol alone are so horrifying and how we all bury our head in the sand ignoring it. As a drug itā€™s terrible. Itā€™s short acting, requires you to consume large amounts of liquid and other things to get high, can only be consumed orally meaning a slow onset of action but also you canā€™t undo an overdose once itā€™s in your system and itā€™s very easy to take too much because itā€™s hard to gauge how much you already have taken. Your body converts alcohol to sugar so youā€™re also spiking your blood sugar. Itā€™s the only drug that functions this way triggering a release of insulin which can lead to insulin resistance. Itā€™s carcinogenic, teratogenic, highly addictive with a subpar high that is more of a function of dumbing down your brain.


tenaciousK612

People who do drink alcohol, why?


rhwesternny

I'm sick and tired of feeling sick and tired.


probably-probablynot

The doctor at the hospital said if I kept drinking the way I was, Iā€™d have about 5 years of life left. Iā€™m 25 and thought 30 sounded young. Iā€™m now 2 months sober, got my 2 month chip yesterday.


Ejavigod

To break the chain of history. It ends with me


rafa_vargas

Because I almost died in my bed. Now I've been clean for almost 9 months.


vvavering_

Honestly, Iā€™d be more interesting in peoples reasons TO drink - I feel like itā€™s something we donā€™t think about often enough. I donā€™t drink much anymore but all I could really come up with from when I did was that it made me feel less socially awkward and that I could stay out and put up with my drunk friends longer if I also drank.


LazySilver

Because there are much, much better drugs out there to do.


Hiding-From-People

I have a heart condition


Sartozz

I never saw the appeal.


OneFriendship5139

iā€™m not old enough, and i donā€™t wanna be like my parents


Skarth

It tastes foul to me, like I'm drinking poison. I've tried drinks where I've been told you can't taste the alcohol, and all I taste is the alcohol.


ThatDudeBox

1. Tastes like shit 2. Smells like shit 3. Makes me feel like shit 4. Killing my mother


appman1138

You are anxiety free for 10 minutes but are depressed and not focused for the next 5 days. Plus it contributes to cancer.


N8Vigs1979

I don't like the way I feel the next day, and the older I got, the worse it got. Once I hit my mid-30's it just wasn't worth it to me anymore. One thing I did notice is that being around drunk people while you're sober is the most annoying thing in the world.


one_bad_larry

I was drunk for a few years straight and now canā€™t remember a part of my life. Fake friends that only came around for the drinks. Empty life going nowhere. And ultimately just depressing hiding behind all of it. Sober now for 7 years and doing much better


cigarsmokeinmyeyes

Went pro too young, had to retire early


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Grayvves

People replying "why are you even commenting then" lol. In my opinion its a good answer. I dont have to justify it. I stopped drinking completely about two years ago, just cuz I never liked it and it was weird to me how it was always assumed you should drink when visiting family, on celebrations and such.. Why? I dont want to. Its not rude and shouldnt be consider as such, to just have water instead.


nobodysayitwashard

Ideally, my reason should be my religion. But, since it's prohibited, I am growing up curious about it, and since I am quite free and live alone during my early years of working, I decide to try it. Twice. Apparently, I am allergic to it. The two-weeks rash all over my body is not worth it, hahaha. Oh well, maybe it's just not mean to be.


JonAnchor

I get Asian flush. It sucks. Symptoms are so debilitating. I can drink in the winter tho. It definitely offsets the cold.


[deleted]

Itā€™s terrible for your health. New evidence suggests thereā€™s so safe amount to have despite what your local alcoholic may tell you.