Is it Possible? Life with No Vices.

[SlushboxTeggy]

As of recently I've decided to get back on the wagon. Nothing terrible happened, just weighed the pros and cons.

Pro- I have a good time for the night and may have a slightly elevated level of confidence. But I can have just as much fun not drinking. I've done it before. Occasionally though I do like to have a drink or two to take the edge off a long day.

Con- It seems my hangovers just keep getting worse. I drank Saturday and was still slightly affected today(Monday). When I get drunk, if one is good five must be better. By that I mean when I get too drunk, I do get REALLY drunk. I'm never one to throw up or fall all over but I blackout. Only my closest friends can tell the difference between drunk me and blackout me. They say I simply push the threshold, even for me. I love pushing the threshold, but I need to remember dumb shit I do. Plus, booze isn't helping my six-pack return any faster. Whatever, back to the point of the thread...

Stopping cold turkey is not a problem. I have stopped before and don't have a urge to drink when I'm dry. However, the last time I stopped I still smoked and my marijuana use also went up. Since then I have stopped smoking anything. If I stop drinking completely, I will literally be without a vice. Without something to take the edge off when I need to, etc. etc. I guess I'm just looking for opinions, experiences, and maybe a little advice.

 

[Briansol]

life is all about moderation.

drinking to get retarded is, well, retarded

 

[AHHVTEC]

im not sure ill be much help in this area ive never drank smoked or anything my entire life never even tried it and ive had a great life thats been plenty of fun

 

[SlushboxTeggy]

life is all about moderation.

drinking to get retarded is, well, retarded

That's never how the night starts. And most of the time I do moderate, but ATM I just don't think the good out weighs the bad even in those situations.

For the record, Alcohol is really my only vice. I don't even take in caffeine(don't drink soda and coffee is too harsh for my ulcers). I get occasional nicotine from dip but I only dip when drinking. Other than that I really don't even take aspirin unless it's real bad(again, ulcers).

I may just be stressing because I graduated in May, don't have a real job or any solid prospects, I'm working at the local Friday's, and I don't have health insurance.

 

[SlushboxTeggy]

I do plan on doing more. Mountain biking, sky diving, adrenaline junkie shit really. Plus I FINALLY want to get a project car. Let's face it, rushing home to cut, grind, and weld is much better than rushing home to the bottle of Jager.

 

[oneofakinduserid]

drop the booze, get a girl, although the hangovers/headaches don't really improve much lol. ok maybe not a girl but definately get something that, when you put the time/money into that you would have had you went out drinking, you'll have something to show for it.

 

[TurboMirage]

a girl isnt going to improve your headaches but gives you a chance to get your wick wet.

 

[TommyTheCat]

Um...is there any history of addiction in your family? "Blacking out" is a pretty good sign you have the gene. Also, the fact that you've tried to quit before and had to compensate by smoking more also is a good indicator that you are an alcoholic. That or you're self-medicating...I wonder if you've quit smoking and had a period of depression afterwards.

Something must have happened for you to realize that you cannot continue drinking the way you do. If it was a moment of clarity and you see you might be jeopordizing the future - that counts. I don't love jumping to conclusions (but based on what you've said) you might want to think about a therapist or joining AlAnon/Alateen. Just be aware of your options if you feel its serious.

 

[Battle Pope]

I don't smoke and don't drink and I do fine.

Possible? Entirely.

 

[DarkHand]

im not sure ill be much help in this area ive never drank smoked or anything my entire life never even tried it and ive had a great life thats been plenty of fun

I don't smoke and don't drink and I do fine.

Possible? Entirely.

Same here, never drank or smoked once, and life isn't exactly boring.

My friends know my catchphrase when I've had a bad day: "I need to go watch you get drunk". Then we go to the bar and I have my signature cherry cokes. I've had friends try to get me to drink lots of times (even tried to bribe me, turned down a combined pool of about a grand once) and generally taken slack for it my whole life, but I didn't make it to 26 without drinking without some decent willpower.

It may take some effort in our society, but it's totally doable.

 

[dacheat]

i have a dad that's addicted to everything you can think of. i get pangs of need sometimes for stuff -- like if i don't have it right now there will be dire consequences--and then i take in a breath and as i exhale i drop the steel panic door in my mind on that shit and carry on with my day. and i feel good about it on an almost evolutionary level: my genes say i should be one way, but *i* say i'll do it my way.

ps the HS guys rock - props for the willpower and diversity! that is all

 

[nootrac22]

could have a kid. You'll be too broke and busy to worry 'bout this shit. Worked for me.

 

[Battle Pope]

Worst logic ever.

EVER.

 

[dacheat]

 

[newb]

If you decide to stop, my only advice is dont give into to that first urge, or temtation. After you quit, when you get that first thought that you need a drink, dont drink. That was always the hardest point for me, getting past that first need. After that everything carrys on as always, just sober. Another plus is after long periods of not drinkin, it takes less to feel it. Another thought, no matter how much trouble you can get in, its always worse when drugs or alcohol are involved.

 

[Briansol]

you joined a frat. what did you expect, to come out of college NOT an alcoholic?

 

[Jeef]

Find a girl that doesn't drink. I was never near an alcky but I hardly drink now. I think I went like 2-3 months without a drink. I average 1-2 beers a week now. Another thing is to not hang out with the guys who are drunks.
Now if I could just quit smoking, but then I won't have any vices.

 

[phyregod]

Face it, you're an alcoholic. Read your first post over and over until that clicks. You don't need a "Vice". Drinking until you pass out is rediculous. Drink 3, 4, 5, whatever it takes to get your buz on, and then drink something like 1 an hour after that. Being buzzed is fun, being passed out or fall down drunk makes you look like shit.

You only get one body. You fuck it up in your younger years, your older years are going to suck hard core. Use moderation. Not because me or your mom or god or whoever told you to, but because you're kicking your own ass.

PS.. Drink shit tons of water, even while drinking, especially after drinking. That'll stop 90% of the hangover.

 

[sufikation]

You guys do realize that alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs aren't the only vices, right? Gambling, sex, and shopping are three others that are really big. For other people it's the internet or World of Warcraft. If you aren't aware of this, you'll just replace one vice with another.

ya...damn that WoW, its as addictive as any drug.

 

[TommyTheCat]

Face it, you're an alcoholic. Read your first post over and over until that clicks...Drinking until you pass out is rediculous.

Wow, take some of your own advise. He said "Black out" not "Pass out". Those are two different things - and what he does is the worse of the two.

And to those who say "I never drank or smoke and I'm cool!" - that shit doesn't fly against inheriting the addiction gene. This has nothing to do with willpower (as you'll define it), society or culture. If your parents handed down a medical problem through genetics you'd see a doctor, but plenty of people wont go to therapy when handed physiological/psycological disorders.