It’s important to take pride in your new identity as someone who doesn’t need alcohol.
All the TV ads are designed to make alcohol a mood enhancer. “This is fun, but anything fun can be EVEN MORE FUN if you invite alcohol to the party!
But once you have practice being around drunk people when you are sober, you start to notice that they aren’t having as much fun as they do in the Budweiser ads. They fight and argue and make multiple trips to the bathroom and end the night swearing at everyone.
Make a list of the things you like about drinking, and the things you don’t like. Then read the list. That helps put things in perspective.
One thing I DO brag about is my ADDICTION to not being ADDICTED to anything.. it's something I have always been aware of, watching what I make into a habit. And going hard on myself when I find I am 'needing" something, or reasoning with myself why I should or shouldn't..
Anyway, I did a review on a book called Legacy.. addiction is not psychosomatic.. It is SOMATOPSYCO... meaning that something physical is the driving force that creates a psychological dependency.
you said: And of course, there are the people who really like drugs.
As with ALL of it, deep down it's not about liking any of it.. truly. most drug addicts are miserable. and I bet if THEY really could break the cycle of what is behind their addiction they would.. I know some just tell themselves they like it.
“As with ALL of it, deep down it's not about liking any of it.. truly. most drug addicts are miserable. and I bet if THEY really could break the cycle of what is behind their addiction they would..”
That’s a really good point. I think some people do have a stronger reaction to drugs than others based on their brain’s ‘wiring,’ but it is still a trap.
I admire you for this, and am excited to read your article. I hope this can become my addiction moving forward, too!
I should clarify.. I certainly do find myself addicted to things, coffee in the morning, wine at night, and I certainly have gone on many months and years quitting things. and then eventually starting up again, and feeling guilty when I do.
Yes some have a stronger reaction, not because of how the brain is wired, but because of an injury in the physical body... which leads to an issue and often injury in the BRAIN which leads to a deficit in communication with the body
primarily toxins/poisons/parasitic infestations that damage/destroy the mitochondria in the cells which lead to a system break down. If your cells are not functioning properly, it causes a continuum of breakdown and disease throughout the body. The book Legacy explains this. One thing I found interesting that is covered in the book:
Stryer’s Biochemistry, a common University textbook, written in 1975, with editions being added continuously, established at that time the Four basic food groups: Protein, Fat, Carbohydrate, and Alcohol.
ALCOHOL.... it's pretty EYE OPENING, to find that Alcohol was considered an important food group, and Legacy explains why this could possibly be.
Alcohol,tobacco, coffee, reading, boating, spelunking, mountain climbing, chasing wild women. All addictions I've enjoyed or enjoy.
However I guess I gotta give up or at least cut back on the last three.
I've noticed, for example,, chasing wild women a isn't quite the same game it was when I was a bit younger. The chase just isn't the same when they can walk away, let alone run far faster than I can totter after on my 85 year old legs. ;-)
None the less Melissa, if you want to swing by for a mug of home brewed White Nights Stout before you start abstaining feel free. You can even bring John along over.
Here's the directions; Hop the 7th Ave express heading uptown. Get off at the last stop, walk 3,369.054 miles (Expect to get your feet wet in places and have a few hills to climb over.) along a compass heading of 321.5 degrees & you'll be here. 24 hours of daylight right here, right now so I don't need to leave the light on for you guys.
Haha, those are some dangerous habits!! 3,369.054 miles is quite the hike (especially since I’s be carrying my beer belly along with me), but a home brewed stout does sound great.
Many people, when they find out I am alcohol-free, assume that it is a religious decision. I am overtly Christian and they figure that being dry must be some part of that. Frankly, before I ever became a Christian, I was fully aware of the destructive effects of drinking alcohol excessively. I am unable to drink responsibly and it seems to steal my rationality. I get stupid. To stop the stupid, I do not drink. Is that religious? Perhaps, but it is certainly utilitarian.
Ian, I think this is the clearest, most straightforward reason for not drinking that I’ve ever encountered, and I think it applies to just about everyone that’s ever decided to give up alcohol!
I could see how it might be a religious decision to some people. I definitely notice that when I abstain for extended periods of time I feel more grounded in-tune with god.
It’ll likely be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. It was for me. I dropped booze and Copenhagen all at once about 8 years ago. Not the first time I’ve had to make a change either. All choices. I still have my crutches like everyone, but I’m in the best shape of my life both physically and mentally
Good for you!! 8 years is no joke. It’s not easy to do a complete 180 all at once like that, but l guess that’s life. I haven’t gone more than a month without drinking since I’m 18. Excited to see what happens!
I cut out coffee last year and it’s crazy what a difference it made. It actually zaps your energy and gives a decent amount of brain fog. That said, it didn’t stick (I love it more than beer). Best of luck!
I quit alcohol 18 months ago. Best decision! I was drinking as a crutch to deal with my divorce and it was draining my vitality. I’ve been a healthy person for years physically and had spent a few years meditating prior to quitting. Once I quit my energy went up tenfold, workouts became how I always wanted them to be, and I really could tap much deeper into my pineal gland. I’m in my late 40s but feel like I’m in my 20s. About 6 months in, I started shadow work. Definitely imperative to know the why, root cause. Instead of the thought of never having another beer, take what I say here instead, “Enjoy getting that energy back!” A great book I read when I started was “The Unexpected Joy of being Sober,” by Catherine Gray. Feel free to DM me if you ever have a question or whatever. Many blessings to you.
That’s awesome, it definitely seems like it worked for you! I’m looking forward to the increased energy.
Interesting that you bring up the pineal gland. I quit all drugs (including coffee) last august and it was the most in-touch with god/intuition that I’ve ever been.
I’ll check out the book, and thank you so much for the words of support!! :)
Great article with many insightful points, Melissa. I will have to take some time to ponder and let it soak in. I have always struggled with being addicted to something (sometimes multiple things); and you're right, almost all of us are addicted to something.
Always being addicted to something—I certainly know the feeling! A tip that’s stuck with me is to find some kind of passion or ambition that you care about, and to become “addicted” to that instead. Easier said than done, of course, but it’s something to think about.
Wonderful article Melissa. Later I will share something I wrote a few months ago on this subject which may help you. Good bread and good sweets are my problems. Better than drugs or alcohol but still has their negative affects.
Congratulations. You can do this. I drink beer but have never had an issue with addiction. This comes from a guy with a beer fridge in his garage, which maintains an average quantity of 100 or more bottles and cans of beer throughout the year. I enjoy the variety, like to offer a beer to guests, and probably go overboard because I am a collector at heart. I wouldn't miss the beer fridge much, but it's almost a part of me now.
Melissa, all the best on your quest to stop using etoh.
I stopped smoking on 1/7/10. Cold turkey. I occasionally have some etoh, scotch or a margarita maybe a cup of wine.
I’ve been an addictions counselor since the early 1990s. And quitting tobacco gave me some actual experience in stopping. I would imagine that my clientele benefitted from my experience.
Quitting smoking offers you a lot of insight into the experience of addiction. Stopping is SO hard, and it usually takes a lot of tries before it sticks.
I wish you all the success in your quest. The real test on whether you are truly addicted will be in how you handle the next two weeks. If it is business as usual and you continue to partake in alcohol as before, easy peasy . If, however, you spend the next two weeks soaking up every last drop in anticipation of the total abstinence to come, it may be more challenging than you think. I hope you write a follow-up on your journey.
That's a really good point, and you're spot-on. So far (and it's only been two days since I've decided this) it's been business as usual, but I've been very conscious of the fact that the time is ticking. I'll definitely post an update!
The Reality of Alcohol Part I (You may not like it or me after reading it but I'll take that risk to bring you what I know to be True)
Dear Friends,
I doubt anything I write in this email will change anyone. It's not my objective though it would be a great result. My objective is to get you to break the cube around you a bit and seek Truth (I had to too). Most hardly do as they are heavily programmed and many of their thoughts and actions are programmed. Some actually get mad at Truth and the Truth teller. Further I'm not for making alcohol illegal, consider how that backfired during prohibition in many countries (that was the Plan) just like The War On Drugs made it worse and was/is a disaster. Legal/Illegal is a trap set by the Predator/Parasites for humanity. Promote drinking and then punish those who drink too much. The Predator/Parasites win on all sides.
Also if I did not care about you, yours and humanity I would not waste my time and energy writing to you what I believe is the Truth. What you do with it is up to you and I don't coerce anyone. I gain nothing from it personally and occasionally I'm belittled for it. Having the Courage to call out the Predator/Parasites, their agents and their Traps in these writings and some blogs I write in as fearlessly in the past 6 months is risky but I accept and I'm aware of these risks. I know some pass on these writings to the Predator/Parasites agents. The most they can do is kill me and I'm not afraid and I can fight back against the COWARDS.
To me using alcohol is a personal choice just like most everything should be. However almost no one investigates it or understands it. They get stuck in the Intense Alcohol IS GREAT, FUN, MAKES YOU KOOL, ONE OF THE BOYS, ONE OF THE GALS, IS THE IN THING, IS SOPHISTICATED, IF YOU CAN DRINK MORE YOU ARE MORE OF A MAN/WOMEN Programming by the Media, TV, Movies, Family, Ethnicity, Culture, Success etc and few ever dig into the Truth of alcohol. Often if someone in a group of friends or at a party does not drink they are shunned or at least seen as strange and a bit off unless, oddly enough, they are a recovering alcoholic.
Imbibing Alcohol
Alcohol has many negative effects on the body, mind, emotions and spirit of an individual. We'll just take one example of a middle aged man called Bob. Bob is a 3rd generation American and comes from an English/Irish/Polish (It could be French, Italian etc) background and drinking was a very important element to both sides of his family and was celebrated and smiled upon. If there was good news, bad news, tragedy, after work, Religious and holiday celebrations, the weekends, for dinner, the game was on, after playing in a sports game, to relax after a long day, after an argument with your wife or girlfriend you drank, when you made up with her you celebrated by drinking. JEEZ almost seems like Bob was drinking much of the time.
Over time the negative effects of this can be one, many or all of the following for many people:
* Drunk Driving Charges and all the punishment which comes with this.
* Car Crash(s) and all the pain and possible punishment which comes from that.
* Health issues especially: Liver, High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, Stroke, Cancer etc.
* Mental issues.
* Family issues.
* Emotional issues.
* Spiritual issues. Most Important because even a little alcohol blocks you from connection to the Divine.
* Financial issues. Hard earned money is often thrown around carelessly.
* Work or Business issues.
* Drinking and hanging in bars can lead to drugs, fights, prostitution, gambling, drunk driving and incarceration. Drinking at home could lead to many of these as now that they come to you in this digital age. Screwing some skank, or if female some slob, because your inhibitions and control were lowered. If they screwed you after a few hours at a bar, just like with you, it is likely a normal thing for them/you and all the S*** which comes with that. See what they look like at 8 am when you're not drunk.
* Oh, by the way your making the Bronfman Family and or Black Rock and their pals richer with each sip. They are not the good guys.
Wow, seems like a winner to me. Let's pop a beer or champagne and toast.
For original people like Native Americans and Africans alcohol is an even Bigger Disaster! Because over thousands of years they had no or minimal alcohol so their bodies are very negatively affected by it.
Sure, some will say "Oh but there are benefits to drinking alcohol". Well, there may be a few small ones but much of the benefits are contrived studies by the Alcohol industry itself and promoted on a mass basis. The few if any true minimal benefits are nothing compared with the negative benefits noted.
Recently I thought of every movie or tv series I could remember which I watched in the past months and in all of them alcohol was a very big element for celebrations, tough times, tragedy, a fun night out, to be kool, to be a real man or woman, to be sophisticated etc. SURELY SEEMS THE ALCOHOL INDUSTRY PAYS OFF HOLLYWOOD FOR THIS.
Do you realize that in America, and likely most of the Western world, alcoholic beverages are the only drink or food, including water, which does not have to show its ingredients on the bottle by law? I wonder why that would be? DUH! Because they put so many chemicals in there to keep you addicted (like cigarettes) and for taste, etc and there are many disgusting fillers used and the US Government Protects them! Like what you might ask?
When I sold auto parts to fleets in the NYC Metro area, 30 plus years ago, I sold to a large brewery about 3 miles from our warehouse. The area always smelled like yeast but once a month it would smell like rotten raw chicken. One day I went to a scheduled meeting there and talked with the fleet manager at the time of the month they got their chicken processed into the beer. I could barely stand the smell through the meeting. Finally I asked him why does it smell so horribly of rotten raw chicken in a brewery? His answer was: Today we are utilizing all the leftover chicken parts from the big poultry companies (the worst parts imaginable you don't eat when eating chicken). Utilizing for what? In the beer as a filler. So much for the Hops, Barley, Corn and Water Pure BS! Which by the way is just marketing talk not the ingredients required by law (which I noted is not required by law for alcohol beverages), though most people thought that was what they were getting when they bought the beer. This was before the internet but I researched it and learned alcoholic beverages are exempted from stating their ingredients. WOW THE ALCOHOL LOBBY MUST BE REALLY STRONG!!! Imagine the S*** they put in the alcohol nowadays.
So our Congress, Senate, FDA and President signed into law that alcoholic beverages do not need to list its ingredients. Some guardians of the health of the people they are. Bought and controlled puppets directly harming Americans. I have discussed this with hundreds of people over the years and not one knew this! Do you think this law would give alcohol manufactures flexibility to use disgusting things as fillers etc? DUH! WOW THE ALCOHOL LOBBY MUST BE REALLY STRONG!!!
Please reflect on this from the perspective that THE GOVERNMENT AND BIG BUSINESS ARE DELIBERATELY HARMING YOU AND YOURS!
As Always I welcome feedback positive or negative. Be Fearless because soon you won't be able to say anything about the Predator/Parasites, their agents or their tricks!
Wow, thank you so much for this!! I would never dislike you for stating the absolute truth, but I suppose honesty is inconvenient to people who want to keep kidding themselves.
Alcohol is absolutely used as an instrument of control (I remember learning in a college history class that the Soviet Union controlled their population by getting them all hooked on vodka, and thinking it was ironic that there was no mention of the United States doing the exact same thing).
Media programming is definitely involved in the normalization of this. I was surprised by the reaction to this post, and how many people related to my experience with drinking. I mentioned this response to John last night, and his response was "Of course. Everyone goes through this."
It's not literally everyone, of course—there are people who just don't like it very much. But to think that the vast majority of drinkers have some degree of an addiction to this substance, but most just go around pretending that they don't because you're not cool/sophisticated/one of the boys if you can't drink—that's mind-blowing!
It never occurred to me that alcoholic beverages didn't state their ingredients. Of course they'd be adding chemicals like cigarette companies do—why hadn't I ever thought . And leftover chicken parts as filler??? My mind is completely blown.
John and I commented on an ad the other day that was advertising beer using Marvel characters. Children like superheroes. This stuff is insidious.
Thank you Melissa. Its awful and the users and their families pay the price..
In Italy wine was often seen as a "food" by the working people and was made yourself or your Uncle Nino or such. You knew what went into it. That's mostly all changed. I started doing business in Italy 35 years ago and at one point about 25 years ago they would say: "Wine from Grapes" (and I would think we'll we are in Italy and sure you can make wine from various fruits but why do they keep saying this?). It turned out there was a scandal where the Big Corporate Wineries were using little if any grapes and much was chemicals and fillers. People then gravitated to homemade wine or locally produced. Its changed again. Its all still alcohol.
Why not just chill and enjoy life rather than overthink everything? According to your theory everything is an addiction (you stop drinking and pick up running and then that’s your new addiction) so I find it weird making an effort to quit something that’s social and fun. I mean I’d understand an alcoholic choosing not to drink but I’ll never get a casual drinker deciding to stop.
Because I DO overthink everything, including alcohol (which is, incidentally, probably why I like to drink so much).
I have the impulse to overdo it, so keeping it casual, while possible, requires more effort than just abstaining altogether. I have more fun, and can relax more, when it’s just not an option for me, compared to the hard work of moderating. (So all of this is really an attempt to chill and enjoy life the best way I can.)
A lot of people are truly casual drinkers who sat no when they have to get up early in the morning and stop when they feel a buzz without a second thought. For them, there’s no need to stop.
Beautiful piece and boy can I relate! What a lovely way to take care of yourself. Trust me, the rewards are far greater than the sacrifice!
Thanks so much, Darren! I hope so, haha.
I myself needed 12 step support. Not everyone does. Anyway any questions feel free to ask via PM. It can be done.
I can see why 12 step treatment would be helpful. That’s great, I’m glad you made the jump! I really appreciate it. Thanks for the support :)
It’s important to take pride in your new identity as someone who doesn’t need alcohol.
All the TV ads are designed to make alcohol a mood enhancer. “This is fun, but anything fun can be EVEN MORE FUN if you invite alcohol to the party!
But once you have practice being around drunk people when you are sober, you start to notice that they aren’t having as much fun as they do in the Budweiser ads. They fight and argue and make multiple trips to the bathroom and end the night swearing at everyone.
Make a list of the things you like about drinking, and the things you don’t like. Then read the list. That helps put things in perspective.
Another great article, and important topic.
One thing I DO brag about is my ADDICTION to not being ADDICTED to anything.. it's something I have always been aware of, watching what I make into a habit. And going hard on myself when I find I am 'needing" something, or reasoning with myself why I should or shouldn't..
Anyway, I did a review on a book called Legacy.. addiction is not psychosomatic.. It is SOMATOPSYCO... meaning that something physical is the driving force that creates a psychological dependency.
https://karafree.substack.com/p/why-do-you-cry-for-no-reason-at-all
and there is part 2
https://karafree.substack.com/p/part-2-why-do-you-cry-for-no-reason
you said: And of course, there are the people who really like drugs.
As with ALL of it, deep down it's not about liking any of it.. truly. most drug addicts are miserable. and I bet if THEY really could break the cycle of what is behind their addiction they would.. I know some just tell themselves they like it.
I appreciate your presentation.
“As with ALL of it, deep down it's not about liking any of it.. truly. most drug addicts are miserable. and I bet if THEY really could break the cycle of what is behind their addiction they would..”
That’s a really good point. I think some people do have a stronger reaction to drugs than others based on their brain’s ‘wiring,’ but it is still a trap.
I admire you for this, and am excited to read your article. I hope this can become my addiction moving forward, too!
I should clarify.. I certainly do find myself addicted to things, coffee in the morning, wine at night, and I certainly have gone on many months and years quitting things. and then eventually starting up again, and feeling guilty when I do.
Yes some have a stronger reaction, not because of how the brain is wired, but because of an injury in the physical body... which leads to an issue and often injury in the BRAIN which leads to a deficit in communication with the body
Oh wow, interesting! I’m curious to read more into this; I’ve always assumed it was something inborn. What kind of injury do you mean,
primarily toxins/poisons/parasitic infestations that damage/destroy the mitochondria in the cells which lead to a system break down. If your cells are not functioning properly, it causes a continuum of breakdown and disease throughout the body. The book Legacy explains this. One thing I found interesting that is covered in the book:
Stryer’s Biochemistry, a common University textbook, written in 1975, with editions being added continuously, established at that time the Four basic food groups: Protein, Fat, Carbohydrate, and Alcohol.
ALCOHOL.... it's pretty EYE OPENING, to find that Alcohol was considered an important food group, and Legacy explains why this could possibly be.
Alcohol was considered a food group? That’s insane! That’s not even that long ago! Who’s the author of the book? I’m trying to find it.
which book?
Legacy, by Patrick Jordan
he is on substack here
https://substack.com/profile/103725073-patrick-jordan
0ver 20 years of research into what is provided in Legacy.
the book review is on my stack, my review of his work. link above.
I cover the basics in the review if you take a look,
Alcohol,tobacco, coffee, reading, boating, spelunking, mountain climbing, chasing wild women. All addictions I've enjoyed or enjoy.
However I guess I gotta give up or at least cut back on the last three.
I've noticed, for example,, chasing wild women a isn't quite the same game it was when I was a bit younger. The chase just isn't the same when they can walk away, let alone run far faster than I can totter after on my 85 year old legs. ;-)
None the less Melissa, if you want to swing by for a mug of home brewed White Nights Stout before you start abstaining feel free. You can even bring John along over.
Here's the directions; Hop the 7th Ave express heading uptown. Get off at the last stop, walk 3,369.054 miles (Expect to get your feet wet in places and have a few hills to climb over.) along a compass heading of 321.5 degrees & you'll be here. 24 hours of daylight right here, right now so I don't need to leave the light on for you guys.
Haha, those are some dangerous habits!! 3,369.054 miles is quite the hike (especially since I’s be carrying my beer belly along with me), but a home brewed stout does sound great.
Thanks for the laugh, Jim :)
Many people, when they find out I am alcohol-free, assume that it is a religious decision. I am overtly Christian and they figure that being dry must be some part of that. Frankly, before I ever became a Christian, I was fully aware of the destructive effects of drinking alcohol excessively. I am unable to drink responsibly and it seems to steal my rationality. I get stupid. To stop the stupid, I do not drink. Is that religious? Perhaps, but it is certainly utilitarian.
Ian, I think this is the clearest, most straightforward reason for not drinking that I’ve ever encountered, and I think it applies to just about everyone that’s ever decided to give up alcohol!
I could see how it might be a religious decision to some people. I definitely notice that when I abstain for extended periods of time I feel more grounded in-tune with god.
Stop the stupid, though—that’s #1.
It’ll likely be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. It was for me. I dropped booze and Copenhagen all at once about 8 years ago. Not the first time I’ve had to make a change either. All choices. I still have my crutches like everyone, but I’m in the best shape of my life both physically and mentally
Good for you!! 8 years is no joke. It’s not easy to do a complete 180 all at once like that, but l guess that’s life. I haven’t gone more than a month without drinking since I’m 18. Excited to see what happens!
I haven’t had alcohol for 18 now. It was becoming too much of a habit. Having said that, I am drinking more coffee
That awesome, congrats! I’ll probably do the same, and I drink too much coffee as it is, haha.
Coffee is the “nectar of the gods”, I used to think that of malt whiskey but don’t miss that at all. I have new friends in my 2 Nespresso machines.
Since quitting the booze, I have lost the best part of 2 stone in weight, feel healthier and feel more mentally alert.
Lots and lots of coffee…..I just cut sugar(again) and getting reading to do a stimulant fast. It’s gonna hurt, I love coffee
I cut out coffee last year and it’s crazy what a difference it made. It actually zaps your energy and gives a decent amount of brain fog. That said, it didn’t stick (I love it more than beer). Best of luck!
I quit alcohol 18 months ago. Best decision! I was drinking as a crutch to deal with my divorce and it was draining my vitality. I’ve been a healthy person for years physically and had spent a few years meditating prior to quitting. Once I quit my energy went up tenfold, workouts became how I always wanted them to be, and I really could tap much deeper into my pineal gland. I’m in my late 40s but feel like I’m in my 20s. About 6 months in, I started shadow work. Definitely imperative to know the why, root cause. Instead of the thought of never having another beer, take what I say here instead, “Enjoy getting that energy back!” A great book I read when I started was “The Unexpected Joy of being Sober,” by Catherine Gray. Feel free to DM me if you ever have a question or whatever. Many blessings to you.
That’s awesome, it definitely seems like it worked for you! I’m looking forward to the increased energy.
Interesting that you bring up the pineal gland. I quit all drugs (including coffee) last august and it was the most in-touch with god/intuition that I’ve ever been.
I’ll check out the book, and thank you so much for the words of support!! :)
Great article with many insightful points, Melissa. I will have to take some time to ponder and let it soak in. I have always struggled with being addicted to something (sometimes multiple things); and you're right, almost all of us are addicted to something.
Always being addicted to something—I certainly know the feeling! A tip that’s stuck with me is to find some kind of passion or ambition that you care about, and to become “addicted” to that instead. Easier said than done, of course, but it’s something to think about.
Wise advice! Thanks, Melissa!
Wonderful article Melissa. Later I will share something I wrote a few months ago on this subject which may help you. Good bread and good sweets are my problems. Better than drugs or alcohol but still has their negative affects.
Thanks so much, looking forward to reading it!! Bread & sweets can be challenging. I ‘cold turkey-ed’ cake a while ago and haven’t looked back, haha!
That's great!
Congratulations. You can do this. I drink beer but have never had an issue with addiction. This comes from a guy with a beer fridge in his garage, which maintains an average quantity of 100 or more bottles and cans of beer throughout the year. I enjoy the variety, like to offer a beer to guests, and probably go overboard because I am a collector at heart. I wouldn't miss the beer fridge much, but it's almost a part of me now.
Wait, so you keep beer in the house and DON'T drink it until it's gone??
It works for me. I wouldn’t advise most people to try it.
Melissa, all the best on your quest to stop using etoh.
I stopped smoking on 1/7/10. Cold turkey. I occasionally have some etoh, scotch or a margarita maybe a cup of wine.
I’ve been an addictions counselor since the early 1990s. And quitting tobacco gave me some actual experience in stopping. I would imagine that my clientele benefitted from my experience.
Thanks so much, and congrats on quitting smoking!
Quitting smoking offers you a lot of insight into the experience of addiction. Stopping is SO hard, and it usually takes a lot of tries before it sticks.
I wish you all the success in your quest. The real test on whether you are truly addicted will be in how you handle the next two weeks. If it is business as usual and you continue to partake in alcohol as before, easy peasy . If, however, you spend the next two weeks soaking up every last drop in anticipation of the total abstinence to come, it may be more challenging than you think. I hope you write a follow-up on your journey.
That's a really good point, and you're spot-on. So far (and it's only been two days since I've decided this) it's been business as usual, but I've been very conscious of the fact that the time is ticking. I'll definitely post an update!
The Reality of Alcohol Part I (You may not like it or me after reading it but I'll take that risk to bring you what I know to be True)
Dear Friends,
I doubt anything I write in this email will change anyone. It's not my objective though it would be a great result. My objective is to get you to break the cube around you a bit and seek Truth (I had to too). Most hardly do as they are heavily programmed and many of their thoughts and actions are programmed. Some actually get mad at Truth and the Truth teller. Further I'm not for making alcohol illegal, consider how that backfired during prohibition in many countries (that was the Plan) just like The War On Drugs made it worse and was/is a disaster. Legal/Illegal is a trap set by the Predator/Parasites for humanity. Promote drinking and then punish those who drink too much. The Predator/Parasites win on all sides.
Also if I did not care about you, yours and humanity I would not waste my time and energy writing to you what I believe is the Truth. What you do with it is up to you and I don't coerce anyone. I gain nothing from it personally and occasionally I'm belittled for it. Having the Courage to call out the Predator/Parasites, their agents and their Traps in these writings and some blogs I write in as fearlessly in the past 6 months is risky but I accept and I'm aware of these risks. I know some pass on these writings to the Predator/Parasites agents. The most they can do is kill me and I'm not afraid and I can fight back against the COWARDS.
To me using alcohol is a personal choice just like most everything should be. However almost no one investigates it or understands it. They get stuck in the Intense Alcohol IS GREAT, FUN, MAKES YOU KOOL, ONE OF THE BOYS, ONE OF THE GALS, IS THE IN THING, IS SOPHISTICATED, IF YOU CAN DRINK MORE YOU ARE MORE OF A MAN/WOMEN Programming by the Media, TV, Movies, Family, Ethnicity, Culture, Success etc and few ever dig into the Truth of alcohol. Often if someone in a group of friends or at a party does not drink they are shunned or at least seen as strange and a bit off unless, oddly enough, they are a recovering alcoholic.
Imbibing Alcohol
Alcohol has many negative effects on the body, mind, emotions and spirit of an individual. We'll just take one example of a middle aged man called Bob. Bob is a 3rd generation American and comes from an English/Irish/Polish (It could be French, Italian etc) background and drinking was a very important element to both sides of his family and was celebrated and smiled upon. If there was good news, bad news, tragedy, after work, Religious and holiday celebrations, the weekends, for dinner, the game was on, after playing in a sports game, to relax after a long day, after an argument with your wife or girlfriend you drank, when you made up with her you celebrated by drinking. JEEZ almost seems like Bob was drinking much of the time.
Over time the negative effects of this can be one, many or all of the following for many people:
* Drunk Driving Charges and all the punishment which comes with this.
* Car Crash(s) and all the pain and possible punishment which comes from that.
* Health issues especially: Liver, High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, Stroke, Cancer etc.
* Mental issues.
* Family issues.
* Emotional issues.
* Spiritual issues. Most Important because even a little alcohol blocks you from connection to the Divine.
* Financial issues. Hard earned money is often thrown around carelessly.
* Work or Business issues.
* Drinking and hanging in bars can lead to drugs, fights, prostitution, gambling, drunk driving and incarceration. Drinking at home could lead to many of these as now that they come to you in this digital age. Screwing some skank, or if female some slob, because your inhibitions and control were lowered. If they screwed you after a few hours at a bar, just like with you, it is likely a normal thing for them/you and all the S*** which comes with that. See what they look like at 8 am when you're not drunk.
* Oh, by the way your making the Bronfman Family and or Black Rock and their pals richer with each sip. They are not the good guys.
Wow, seems like a winner to me. Let's pop a beer or champagne and toast.
For original people like Native Americans and Africans alcohol is an even Bigger Disaster! Because over thousands of years they had no or minimal alcohol so their bodies are very negatively affected by it.
Sure, some will say "Oh but there are benefits to drinking alcohol". Well, there may be a few small ones but much of the benefits are contrived studies by the Alcohol industry itself and promoted on a mass basis. The few if any true minimal benefits are nothing compared with the negative benefits noted.
Recently I thought of every movie or tv series I could remember which I watched in the past months and in all of them alcohol was a very big element for celebrations, tough times, tragedy, a fun night out, to be kool, to be a real man or woman, to be sophisticated etc. SURELY SEEMS THE ALCOHOL INDUSTRY PAYS OFF HOLLYWOOD FOR THIS.
Do you realize that in America, and likely most of the Western world, alcoholic beverages are the only drink or food, including water, which does not have to show its ingredients on the bottle by law? I wonder why that would be? DUH! Because they put so many chemicals in there to keep you addicted (like cigarettes) and for taste, etc and there are many disgusting fillers used and the US Government Protects them! Like what you might ask?
When I sold auto parts to fleets in the NYC Metro area, 30 plus years ago, I sold to a large brewery about 3 miles from our warehouse. The area always smelled like yeast but once a month it would smell like rotten raw chicken. One day I went to a scheduled meeting there and talked with the fleet manager at the time of the month they got their chicken processed into the beer. I could barely stand the smell through the meeting. Finally I asked him why does it smell so horribly of rotten raw chicken in a brewery? His answer was: Today we are utilizing all the leftover chicken parts from the big poultry companies (the worst parts imaginable you don't eat when eating chicken). Utilizing for what? In the beer as a filler. So much for the Hops, Barley, Corn and Water Pure BS! Which by the way is just marketing talk not the ingredients required by law (which I noted is not required by law for alcohol beverages), though most people thought that was what they were getting when they bought the beer. This was before the internet but I researched it and learned alcoholic beverages are exempted from stating their ingredients. WOW THE ALCOHOL LOBBY MUST BE REALLY STRONG!!! Imagine the S*** they put in the alcohol nowadays.
So our Congress, Senate, FDA and President signed into law that alcoholic beverages do not need to list its ingredients. Some guardians of the health of the people they are. Bought and controlled puppets directly harming Americans. I have discussed this with hundreds of people over the years and not one knew this! Do you think this law would give alcohol manufactures flexibility to use disgusting things as fillers etc? DUH! WOW THE ALCOHOL LOBBY MUST BE REALLY STRONG!!!
Please reflect on this from the perspective that THE GOVERNMENT AND BIG BUSINESS ARE DELIBERATELY HARMING YOU AND YOURS!
As Always I welcome feedback positive or negative. Be Fearless because soon you won't be able to say anything about the Predator/Parasites, their agents or their tricks!
Wow, thank you so much for this!! I would never dislike you for stating the absolute truth, but I suppose honesty is inconvenient to people who want to keep kidding themselves.
Alcohol is absolutely used as an instrument of control (I remember learning in a college history class that the Soviet Union controlled their population by getting them all hooked on vodka, and thinking it was ironic that there was no mention of the United States doing the exact same thing).
Media programming is definitely involved in the normalization of this. I was surprised by the reaction to this post, and how many people related to my experience with drinking. I mentioned this response to John last night, and his response was "Of course. Everyone goes through this."
It's not literally everyone, of course—there are people who just don't like it very much. But to think that the vast majority of drinkers have some degree of an addiction to this substance, but most just go around pretending that they don't because you're not cool/sophisticated/one of the boys if you can't drink—that's mind-blowing!
It never occurred to me that alcoholic beverages didn't state their ingredients. Of course they'd be adding chemicals like cigarette companies do—why hadn't I ever thought . And leftover chicken parts as filler??? My mind is completely blown.
John and I commented on an ad the other day that was advertising beer using Marvel characters. Children like superheroes. This stuff is insidious.
Thank you Melissa. Its awful and the users and their families pay the price..
In Italy wine was often seen as a "food" by the working people and was made yourself or your Uncle Nino or such. You knew what went into it. That's mostly all changed. I started doing business in Italy 35 years ago and at one point about 25 years ago they would say: "Wine from Grapes" (and I would think we'll we are in Italy and sure you can make wine from various fruits but why do they keep saying this?). It turned out there was a scandal where the Big Corporate Wineries were using little if any grapes and much was chemicals and fillers. People then gravitated to homemade wine or locally produced. Its changed again. Its all still alcohol.
Former booze hound here, and I'll tell you life is much better without it. Reach out through DMs if you ever need support.
Thnak you so much Alison!
Why not just chill and enjoy life rather than overthink everything? According to your theory everything is an addiction (you stop drinking and pick up running and then that’s your new addiction) so I find it weird making an effort to quit something that’s social and fun. I mean I’d understand an alcoholic choosing not to drink but I’ll never get a casual drinker deciding to stop.
Because I DO overthink everything, including alcohol (which is, incidentally, probably why I like to drink so much).
I have the impulse to overdo it, so keeping it casual, while possible, requires more effort than just abstaining altogether. I have more fun, and can relax more, when it’s just not an option for me, compared to the hard work of moderating. (So all of this is really an attempt to chill and enjoy life the best way I can.)
A lot of people are truly casual drinkers who sat no when they have to get up early in the morning and stop when they feel a buzz without a second thought. For them, there’s no need to stop.
That makes sense
I was a heavy party player back in the day. I could outdrink most guys..
But as I got older the hangovers and guilt were severe..
I’m just decided I didn’t like it anymore..
I may drink again one day- a wedding, a concert, who knows but I have zero desire for it.
I wouldn’t necessarily make a plan to not drink, but instead, create a desire to feel good.