Comments on: What a Month of Not Drinking Alcohol Taught Me About My Habits

By: Taylor

Taylor — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 22:54:23 +0000

About that other people can have this problem – Are there are any other family members you can talk to who “get” your experience and can validate it? A cousin, aunt or uncle, even close family friend? I know a history of a son, who had an aunt who was far more balanced than his own mother, and he and his aunt developed a fairly close rapport. The aunt validated his experience as real, which was an important aspect of his coming to terms with his experience and moving forward. If not, I would advice to read this book – net-bossorg/how-to-help-an-alcoholic-you-love – very helpful

By: Lee Ann

Lee Ann — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 21:09:17 +0000

My husband and I, both come from parents with drinking problems. Our parents, thought they were social drinkers, they were not. They had a happy hour every single night, that went beyond an hour! When our first child was born, we made a decision to try and break the chain of alcoholism in our family DNA, and we both quit drinking. Done. We wanted our children to have a different exposure to alcohol then we did growing up. Our children are now in their 30’s and we still don’t drink. They have a drink when out with their friends, but they don’t drink much if at all in their homes. We don’t drink, but if we have friends coming over for dinner, or a day at the lake I will buy some beer and or wine for our guest. I find it very interesting how often the beer or wine never gets opened. Drinking has changed during my lifetime. You no longer have to drink to be social.

By: MC

MC — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 15:59:47 +0000

In reply to Charles. Yes, alcohol is a very dangerous substance for all. It is an addictive substance that with enough use, any human would become addicted to (not just some, it’s science.) But not everyone has an alcohol problem and it’s not helpful to sling harsh words at someone who has just opened up about questioning their own relationship with booze.

By: Frances D Benjamin-James

Frances D Benjamin-James — Sat, 27 Feb 2021 17:21:55 +0000

In reply to Karen. Thank you Karen.

By: Fernando welcome

Fernando welcome — Sat, 27 Feb 2021 14:09:52 +0000

Hi Meggie am so please I got ti read about tour expirience with dry Jan,fondo Joe Dispenza on Youtube it realy work for me.

By: Bernadette

Bernadette — Sat, 27 Feb 2021 12:26:48 +0000

Hi Meggie I too had a similar experience that began in Jan but my reasons were a bit different one my mother was an alcoholic and being a child of an alcoholic parent is rather well just not pleasant. She died when I was 14 and I started drinking in the military years later especially wines due to being stationed mostly in Europe. I am now in private practice as a clinical mental health therapist and the pandemic increased my clients with many concerns of bad habits and self destruction. Before suggesting an idea I try it out first so I did a self hypnosis sleep meditation I found on YouTube to stop drinking alcohol. I have not had a taste for any alcohol the smell sickens me but as you stated I’m reaping all the good benefits more energy focus productivity self care and I’m a 50 year old mom of two sons one I’m college and one in elementary school. My liver loves me I’m
Sure. Thanks for the story I plan to be dry in that sense for the remainder of my future.

By: patti E dort

patti E dort — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 14:42:16 +0000

That sounds like a great thing to do. I drink slot every day and have concerned about my health deteriorating.

You’ve inspired me to go dry march.

By: Kenyatta M

Kenyatta M — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 10:38:39 +0000

I really enjoyed reading this article. Ive been trying to cold turkey it and getting frustrations about how easy its been all this time

By: Kenyatta M

Kenyatta M — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 10:37:15 +0000

This was very much needed.

By: Robin Folden

Robin Folden — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 16:34:43 +0000

It has been almost 3 years since I’ve had a drink, or a cigarette for that matter. Been doing both for 30 yrs. Had to quit cold turkey for the liver transplant I needed. Think about wanting (or needing) that one or two more drinks…it may save your life. RFH

By: Robin Folden

Robin Folden — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 15:10:47 +0000

Hi! I’m trying to find the words Meggie wrote that ended with “Is there drinking on the moon?” (I think those were the words. Thanx! RFH

By: Judy A Beilhartz

Judy A Beilhartz — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 13:11:12 +0000

In reply to Charles. I pray for people like you. Our world is up against so much negativity. Compassion and support is the key.

By: Judy A Beilhartz

Judy A Beilhartz — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 13:04:31 +0000

I really liked your share. I too have quit drinking. I used to drink everyday all my life.
I knew it was taking a toll and I really wanted to change things in my life. I felt alot of what you were saying. I’ve done a complete turn around in my thinking and emotional wellbeing. I even got a full time job recently. I sometimes still crave, but it’s all in my mind,I recognize it and remember how crappy I feel the next day. Unfortunately a couple of friends say I avoid them. I don’t mean to. I TRIED to explain.There days consent of my old days, and that’s ok. For me, it’s not anymore. I’m not trying to dictate or change anyone, only myself.They can either accept and support or lose a friend. I know deep down this is right in my life. Thank you for your story. I did this alone. It’s nice to connect. 🤗
Judy Tempe, Az.

By: Melanie

Melanie — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 14:08:22 +0000

In reply to Rachelle France. I love this idea. I rarely drink during the week (2 small kids, not alot of sleep, full time job and exercise are reasons to not imbibe) but Friday's my husband makes a fun cocktail for dinner (and makes mine weak) and then we *might* open a bottle of wine and I *might* have some. It's a perfect balance. Coffee is my new true drug and i'm fine with that.

By: Rachelle France

Rachelle France — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 15:26:54 +0000

Through years of doing dry January, and looking at when and why we drink, we have come to only drink on Fridays and Saturdays. One cocktail at 4:00ish and then share a bottle of wine with dinner. We look forward to it all week. Discuss and research what our cocktail will be that week and which bottle of wine we want to open. Instead of a habit it is a special treat and ritual.

By: Karen

Karen — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 13:23:20 +0000

In reply to Charles.

Edit please: “Alcohol is an extremely dangerous substance FOR SOME.”

There are plenty of people who CAN (and do) manage alcohol consumption, and do it responsibly and casually.

By: Charles

Charles — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 14:48:00 +0000

Alcohol is an extremely dangerous substance. You’re just kidding yourself if you know you like to drink but think you can “drink responsibly”. That’s a slippery ass slope and it won’t be long till you find yourself at the bottom of it again

By: James Mac

James Mac — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 06:59:17 +0000

Totally jumped on this article because I had to stop drinking right after Christmas due to ER visit over ulcers as I had never had them before. I had to completely change my diet. No more alcohol, coffee, red meats, sugars, chips, spicy foods, fast food, red bulls (daily fav), and all the other food I thought were meals. Stupid “bland diet” is what I thought. I even stopped smoking “herbal remedies” out of personal precaution. Water, certain juices, and certain teas were all I was drinking. I always liked healthy foods like salads, fruits, juices, and teas but still ate everything else but was limited to selected ones now. Not going lie the first at least 3 weeks were tough. The first week I thought I was getting a divorce. I thought I used to be phycologically stable. Now most of the way through February I’m doing better than ever. I sleep all night now and wake up with more energy. My ulcers seem to have healed as I don’t feel like I’m having a heart attack anymore. I am going to stay not drinking alcohol, sugar drinks, caffeine drinks including red bulls and just stay with water and juices. I now read labels whereas before I never cared. I say this all to say this… I accidentally drank a protein drink like muscle milk that had 120mg of caffeine and didn’t realize until about an hour later. I thought something was seriously wrong with me(again) until I dig it out of the trashcan. I used to drink multiple redbulls and coffee drinks a day. I did not realize the effect of what I was putting into my body was actually doing to my body. I now teach my younger kids what I have learned and they were able to see what detoxing did to me. I have older children that are living on their own and I’m attempting to preach to them but we all know kids know everything. I do suggest a full detox of all chemicals just to see how you feel and react. These do effect you negatively in some manner or another. I find that low sugar veggie juice mixes make me feel the best in the mornings and give me the most energy, especially the ones with kale. I’m prior military service and have always exercised this will never change, but what I put into my body will. Thank you for the article and your experience with Dry Jan. I feel almost alone in this endeavor.

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 03:09:30 +0000

Thank you for sharing your story! I love it and I can totally relate. I stopped drinking in October 2020 and I have never felt better. I had allowed alcohol to become a distraction for me which prevented me from discovering, embracing, and executing my true passion and my purpose. I am now on my purposeful pursuit and loving it all. Self care without alcohol has never felt so good!

By: Annette Hachey

Annette Hachey — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 17:40:56 +0000

Meggie, your last name sounds Dutch. I’m related to a Maas, Blokhuizen, faas, and others. I really liked your article, it gives a different perspective on drinking in a positive fashion. I used to drink but due to severe inflammatory arthritis and rheumatoid, I can no longer drink because it doesn’t sit well with the medications. When I stopped drinking, there would be the odd hot summer day where I would find myself craving a sleemans clear. There are times that I’d love a Pina colada. I found out quickly that I would rather be doing so many other things inwhich the effects of alcohol are not desirable. So for me it’s a permanent dry January and I don’t miss it. The desires for a small snootfull are fleeting.
Thanks for the article.
Annette Hachey

By: Natalie

Natalie — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 00:13:18 +0000

Meggie! This is one of the best, most relative articles on drinking alcohol that I’ve ever read. It really resonated with me. I, too, did dry January and found myself thinking things like “wow, everyday life stuff is not hard?”. “i actually like hanging out with myself?”, “i want to exercise?”. Confusing in a good way. It felt so good that i’ve continued into February and don’t have a real plan to help navigate the future. I like that you’re listening to yourself and trusting yourself when it comes to imbibing. Thanks for sharing! 🙂