On alcohol
Alcohol and I have never been the best of friends. Once I get the taste of it, I will generally drink until I pass out, vomit or get thrown out of the drinking establishment. Not a good relationship.
I think the main problem is my impulsivity, which causes me enough problems when sober (excessive spending etc – for another time), but once I have a drink, there is no stopping me and I can get into some serious trouble.
The last straw came about 4 months ago after I had been at a party, drinking heavily and having a lovely time. When I got home my mood plummeted and the world went bleak. Because of the alcohol I was unable to control what was going on inside my head and I did something I really regret: I slit my wrist. Luckily I was ok (after 7 stitches), but it could have easily gone horribly wrong.
Now I don’t drink at all. Sometimes it’s hard, especially when everyone is drinking and having a laugh. I really wish that I could just go out for a few drinks and have a nice time, just like everybody else, but not drinking at all is the only way I can be sure that I wont end up in an extremely dangerous position again.
When people ask me why I don’t drink any more, it can be difficult to explain. Most of my friends are aware of my problems and tend to adopt a ‘don’t ask’ policy. However, when you tell someone who you don’t know that well that you don’t drink, they tend to think that you are either extremely boring, or an alcoholic; of which I am neither. I really don’t have a ‘get out’ for this situation, but I guess its better to be considered boring than to risk your life for the sake of fitting in.
Most of the time I don’t miss alcohol, but there are still times when I would love a nice pint of lager and a little voice in my head says “it’ll be OK, no-one will know”, but I have to resist, for the sake of my health and sanity.
Hi Izzi,
You are so brave to have made the decision not to drink for the time being. Let me tell you, you are not alone. I don’t drink alcohol either.
I find I don’t like the taste, it’s expensive, it makes people lose control and do stupid things, and generally feel like rubbish!
Congrats on such an honst blog – keep blogging!
Best of luck to you,
Jo
Thanks for your support Jo
Izzi
hi Izzi,
It was a good decision of yours to quit drinking. I can relate to you on many things which you said above. I was a daily drinker and used to drink till I had blackouts. I did many things after drinking which I am embarassed of.
Suddenly I got up one morning after a similar night and thought I will not drink anymore.
It has been one month and I am feeling great ever since. Starting days were very difficult but I convinced myself. Even now sometimes It is difficult to resist when all friends are together and drinking.
Even then I am sure of one thing. It was a good decision to quit. ALcohol has never done any good to anyone. My sincere advice to you is: Never ever start again.
Best Wishes
I have summed up my experiences after quitting on this blog: http://alcoholdiary.wordpress.com/
I too had to give up alcohol due to my inability to quit once i had started. When asked why I don’t my most common answer is I am taking some medications which have very bad interaction. Of course, most people not knowing I am on psych meds don’t know how true this really is. Seems to satisfy the casual inquiry. Those who know my bipolar diagnosis don’t ask these things for the most part
Hi Kyle
Its true that I’m not supposed to drink on my meds anyway so I guess that would be as good an excuse as any.
Alcohol means cut shorting your life slowly! It is very bad if intake is more. People have lost many things due to alcohol.