Addiction & Recovery

walkingman

(8,789 posts)

31. My story - I drank quite a bit when I worked (not on the job)

Fri Dec 6, 2024, 05:53 PM

Dec 6

it was not unusual for me to have 3-4 drinks an afternoon after getting home from work. I was a regional manager which consisted of 10 states (including Texas - which has a lot of large cities) and traveled almost weekly. This meant a lot of meet and greet/dinners, service anniversaries, etc. and that meant drinks after hours at the hotel bar.

I retired early (52) and continued to drink until I was 60. I then quit. I actually quit with the use of marijuana - when I craved a drink I would smoke. After about 6 months I stopped the daily smoking simply because I got tired of it. I stayed totally sober for the next 8 years.

Then I got cancer - two kinds. The first I had immunotherapy for 3 years and then got NHL and had the traditional chemo/radiation treatment. I am in remission 8 and 5 years from each. After "ringing the bell" I decided to have a drink a day. I discussed with my Oncologists. He/She said don't drink them all in one day. I now (for the last 4 years) have 1 drink, which I measure 1.5oz(jigger) and a coke. I have never deviated from that. I get a good "buzz" from just that one drink and actually don't see how I ever drank so much.

I know that no amount of alcohol is good for you, but I am now 74 and figured, what the heck, I don't have a lot of years left if I am honest, so I thought "Why not".

I know that this doesn't work for everyone and by no means recommend it to anyone - it is just me.

It makes me think that maybe some people have more of a tendency to become addicted than others? I really have no idea but I know that during my work life I sent a lot of people to rehab for alcohol dependency and to be honest not many were able to stay sober. It caused some loss of employment and major family issues. ☮

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iscooterliberally wolfie001

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My brother asked me what quitting drinking was like. [View all] bif Dec 6 OP

So, do you think Pete Hegseth will instantly stop drinking if he gets the DoD job? Ocelot II Dec 6 #1

Right, and will he stop raping? The man obviously hates women. Walleye Dec 6 #3

No he looooves women. Just like the Orange Pussy Grabber. I will protect you whether you like it or not. Evolve Dammit Dec 6 #8

... Leghorn21 Dec 6 #29

Republicans have a long history of just being able to quit underpants Dec 6 #4

Rush Limbaugh has in fact stopped his oxy intake. Lucky Luciano Dec 6 #10

😎 underpants Dec 6 #13

I'm SO glad. ChazInAz Dec 6 #14

He's pushing daisies instead of lies now. (nt) Pinback Dec 6 #21

Or so they say. 😉 ShazzieB Dec 6 #19

Exactly underpants Dec 6 #25

Didn't know that about Cindy McCain Mike 03 Dec 6 #30

What yiz are ignoring, Pete probably has Jesus on his side to help him through what would be a difficult time for 3Hotdogs Dec 6 #6

Hegseth is a flawed man and a drunk. whfinlay Dec 6 #20

No I do not think so BubbaJoe Dec 6 #22

I believe Hegseth when he says he won't drink anymore if installed at the DoD . . . Journeyman Dec 17 #46

I know what you mean, I quit drinking 30 years ago and the first few years were very tough. I never think about it now Walleye Dec 6 #2

I thought about it every day for almost 5 years bif Dec 6 #9

I quit smoking in '87. boonecreek Dec 6 #5

I worked with a guy that quit decades ago Swede Dec 7 #40

Is it ever! boonecreek Dec 7 #41

I quit smoking 39 years ago, two years before I quit drinking . . . Journeyman Dec 17 #47

Congratulations on your sobriety Sun-Moon Dec 6 #7

Don't think I could stop. Lucky Luciano Dec 6 #11

Congrats! Elessar Zappa Dec 6 #12

I quit alcohol after Labor Day 2023. iscooterliberally Dec 6 #15

After a while the alcohol-free versions of beer and wine taste better than the real stuff. COL Mustard Dec 7 #36

I quit 500 days ago. Devilsun Dec 6 #16

10 years for me orangecrush Dec 6 #17

My father was an alcoholic and he never tried to quit, as far as I know FakeNoose Dec 6 #18

Freedom WmChris Dec 6 #23

Sucks at first, then it's great forever. Iggo Dec 6 #24

I don't even like the buzz.... I just like the taste. viva la Dec 6 #26

There are a ton of different non-alcohol wines (dealcoholized actually) COL Mustard Dec 7 #37

I'll try those. I'm a red drinker, and most of the reds I've had are thin.... viva la Dec 7 #38

I haven't tried any of the reds... COL Mustard Dec 7 #42

Here's a couple... COL Mustard Dec 7 #43

Thanks-- I'll try the Cabs! viva la Dec 7 #44

I quit six months ago. My situation was a bit different. Mr.Bill Dec 6 #27

In treatment in 1985 they said, "eventually all you will miss rzemanfl Dec 6 #28

My story - I drank quite a bit when I worked (not on the job) walkingman Dec 6 #31

I'm a wee bit suspect about the "glass of bourbon every morning" boasting from a 110-year old wolfie001 Dec 6 #32

Motivation to quit. BidenRocks Dec 6 #33

Good for you and thank you for sharing your journey Rhiannon12866 Dec 7 #34

do u find u have more time? mopinko Dec 7 #35

In my experience with alcoholism (personal experience) k55f5r Dec 7 #39

I quit drinking for my 75th birthday..knocking on 78 and I feel so much better Deuxcents Dec 7 #45