ROFL ROFL ROFL So true, and so ****ing funny.

If not for my weight, you and I would be peas in a pod. I go to work every day, perform through the infrequent hangover, and have no problems outside of the fact I have to wear every ****ing ounce of it I consume.

Oh, and go to meetings. They help. A lot. Especially when you relapse. Guilt over not being perfect can really hinder a person's sobriety.

Are you following me around? I have a personal stalker? Do I need a restraining order or you are going to come and beat me up?

I know. It's that way for a lot of people. I quit smoking the first time I tried but, I'm a fat ass so obviously my willpower comes and goes ;) Good luck and hope it works out for ya.

Congrats dude!

Yeah, I've had friends that just had a beer and thats it, they are drinking again. For whatever reason, some people just taste alcohol and they cant think of anything but the next drink. Must be hard as hell to avoid temptation. Cudos to you, and everyone else successfully battling this daily.

Yeah I manage alcoholism about as well as one can. Perfect example of a functional alcoholic. Not proud of it, as I know I've gotten by on luck more times than a fella deserves. Only thing keeping it going is how overly cautious I am about it. I can still completely refrain when I have to. When I'm driving or when I'm with my daughter. But when I have no responsibility, I drink like I have no responsibility....

Sadly, about 1/2 of my caloric intake is beer and I lessen my intake of food because I drink so many calories. It's pathetic, But I manage it well. I know I should and could change my ways....

Good job Bogey!

If You can do that .... your cured. Period.

Until next season of DOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!


Nope your never cured. PERIOD.


Even if we ever win a playoff game again that leads to a Championship & win that. Then all bets are off about drinking. So there is no "cure". Just another day is what we got.

Yea, I was a functioning alcoholic as well. I got tired of living a secret life. Huge monkey off of my back.

Thanks Bwana.

That's exactly right... sick and tired of being sick and tired. I tried a meeting several months ago. Little to religion oriented for me. But really glad it's worked for you. You must be an old fart like me if you quit 24 years ago.

Thanks SR, words to live by. Gotta tell you, there's some great support on this site. And yes sir, if I have a weak moment, you can count on a PM. My wife is fabulous, more understanding than I deserve really. We got an invitation to one of my favorite restaurants for this Friday. They make the best Bombay martinis in town (big glass). It's going to be an interesting test... but I'm sure I'll be fine. Love CP! Lovin' life right now. My diets pretty good, my wife sees to that. Think my next step is exercise.

Yea, no AA for me, NTTAWWT

:clap: Right on Brother!

How old are you Fish? I'm 55, I could really tell it was having negative affects on my health. I don't have tons of years left, and because I was hiding it, that added a new level of horrible stress. Used to, I would get home 30 minutes later because I'd stop at the side of the road and have a few snorts. That last two days, I came straight home from work with no worries of smell, no guilt from sitting on the side of the road like a drunk or getting home later than necessary. A couple of little things that made me smile.

Thanks Marcellus

Nice Job Bogey!

For myself when I started to notice I was drinking everyday I turned my want for whiskey/beer into a need for working out and running a couple miles. I started to replace the alcohol with working out and it's worked for me. Went from drinking 5-6 nights a week, to about 2. And I used to binge drink. Now I'm happy with just 2 or 3 beers.

Weighed 182 at the beginning of March, and now I weigh 160, and got as low as 156lbs. The fat came off fast.

Played ball tonight. Didn't have a drop. Didn't give it a second thought. Play with a couple of guys who have been struggling with alcoholism in their lives on tomorrow's team so I think I'm going to be sober in support of them as well.

Nicely done, sir.

Sweet

It's good to be mature enough to recognize when it's becoming problematic. Time to take control of that aspect of my life before it gets out of control. I keep beer in my fridge and sometimes it will sit for weeks or months before I touch it but I'll drink a ton of busch light over 4 or 5 hours at softball games and even more at an all-day saturday tournament. It's not even incredibly enjoyable for me because I'm a beer snob. I can easily replace it with water or sports drinks. Not trying to take anything from bogey, just representing in case somebody else needs to feel like they're not alone with their struggles.

I never thought I could go fishing with out drinking. Going fishing use to be code word for going to the lake or river to get ****ed up drunk.

When I did catch a fish sober for the first time was one of the coolest things ever. I felt great and alive for the first time in a long time. It was great the fish put up a good fight but I rung him in for a good size fish. Tasted great after cooking him on the grill.

Can have fun being sober & can remember things for good memories that last with out the regret of being stupid from being drunk.

You're a good dude, SR.

The funny thing is that I'm the very same guy when sober or drinking at ball. Loud, obnoxious, talking shit with a smile... I'm probably just drinking heavily because everybody else was.

You're right. I'm not. But playing ball 3-4x a week combined with pounding swill as fast as I can choke it down certainly leads down that road. I have to be smarter.

You know what is really strange and somewhat frightening? I pound water before I go to bed and I never get a hangover unless I've gone absolutely crazy drinking hard liquor. That has happened maybe once in the past decade. I play ball with a couple of guys who drink until 3:00 AM Friday, get up at 6:30 AM and start drinking again. I'm not that guy but I go beer for beer with them all day Saturday. If I don't nip it, I'll probably have to find a different team and I really don't want to do that.

Be sure to be drinking plenty of water. Drinking alcohol is a dehydrant (sp) so you need to be extra careful playing ball in the heat. I don't care how bad ass a person is alcohol + hot day & extra exertion is not a good mix. Be sure to hydrate the body & take care of yourself. That goes for everybody & those that think they are immune to heat stroke are fooling themselves.

my wifes good friends daughter...sheesh that sounds weird....is selling advocare products. she wanted to try it and talked me into it. I figure...what's the worst that could happen!

not sure the bolded means what I think it means...but....
my mother in law...God rest her soul....was an alcoholic. she could drink like two beers and just be wasted. I've been told that an alcoholic always has alcohol in their blood stream from previous drinking episodes. so when they grab a few cold ones, this combined with what is already in their system gets them wasted much easier than say a non-alcoholic person.

seems legit. not sure if true.

seems to me you will not be so thrilled playing with this team of swillers while you are sober. been there, did this, wound up running with a different crowd.

I play on a company slow pitch. First sober game is tonight. Very curious about my sober game.

Man I'd like to party with you.

Speaking for myself, it is truly helpful to know that I'm not alone with my struggle. I appreciate it Phobia.

Ah, memory loss. That's another thing I won't miss. Used to have conversations with people and the next day have the same conversation. They would say, "we talked about this yesterday" very embarrassing.

This thread has been more helpful to me than any of you can possibly imagine... seriously, Thank you!

Good luck dude. Know what you mean. I'm in the middle of a bad one. Afraid I might die today. Don't know how to beat this. Have all the money in the world and it doesn't mean a thing.

What do you need vailpass?

It's too much to go into, should never have said that. Good luck to you.

I sent you a message.

Hang in there, bud. Whatever it is. You're a good dude.

Repost.

That's tough to do. Well, for me anyway.

:clap::clap: Now that's funny.

Damn man, how many softball teams are you on?

LMAO

I play Sundays on a rec team. Play with my tournament team on Thursdays to get warmed up for Saturdays. Play at least 3 Saturdays a month but usually 4. I'll also fill in for friends who are short on Tuesdays and Wednesdays sometimes. I enjoy playing a lot. Gets me out of the house and I blow off steam. The wife likes me better when I'm out of the house taking out my frustrations on a little ball. Cheaper than golf and more exercise too. I essentially traded my expensive golf habit for softball. Used to golf 2-3x a week and now that's been reduced to 2-3x a year.

So, how's it going Bogey? Let's make this a support thread. I had a few last night, but am off today. In the last couple of weeks my production at work has been ****ing incredible. Working in a commission sales job I can say I've learned how important it is to be alert, alive, and ready for the mission at hand every day when I go in.

Not only have I saved money on the booze, I've made a ridiculous amount of money in the last couple of weeks. I'm not trying to brag, just saying that the difference between the way I conducted my business up to the last couple of weeks cost me thousands upon thousands of dollars. I've literally made in the last 2 weeks what I made in the last 2 months. I've never been happier with a decision in my life. Hope it continues...

The WORST thing you can do is think you've won.
You haven't won shit Yet so don't go back patting yourself.
Your opponent is stronger and smarter than you think.
Be strong. Dont forget about the damage it does and will do.
For her, for yourself
Goodluck.

I liked Pacino in the movie version of Glengary.

Congrats man!

This.


I find myself needing balance in my life, never get too emotionally high and never get too emotionally down on myself. Both levels of high excitement or set backs can be very damaging. If I get too excited then the rug gets pulled out from under me and I fall flat on my face drunk. If I get down then I fall in the depression trap and fall flat on my face drunk or get suicidal. That is just the way it is for me. I want to be happy in life but enjoy it as it comes one day at a time.

Alcohol is the quickest way to set myself up for failure. I was a happy drunk or when I got drunk but the carnage it left me miserable and I have a long road of recovery one day at a time. It isn't easy & wont be easy. It shouldn't be easy it is what makes you a stronger, better person.

I've always considered myself a functional alcoholic. I discovered this week-end that there are different levels of functional. Normally, by 10AM on Saturday, I was buzzed enough to find a nice easy chair for the rest of the week-end. I told myself (and my family) I had the right to do that because I work my ass off during the week. In reality, I did it because my energy level was so low (mentally and physically) that I couldn't get myself motivated to do anything. This week-end, I cleaned out my workshop (this was no easy task) but WOW was it satisfying!! I laid out plans to put up floating shelves in our kitchen (that will happen next week-end). I used to be very handy around the house, somewhere I lost interest in being handy. My handiness is coming back. Oh, and in the last 6 days, my wife and I have had sex twice :) Let the good time roll!

I appreciate it beach tribe. I'll keep my feet on the ground. So far, so good!

I don't want to in any way lead anyone to believe that I am not fully aware of the challenge that is ahead of me. The most difficult battles I have ever fought are the battles against myself. I am a very "gray area" person and don't do very well with black and white, so I avoid black and white scenarios. I have been given a second chance at life with a black and white question. Which is more important to me, my marriage or alcohol? The question is that simple. I will NOT drink alcohol again.

And again, I've gotten laid twice in 6 days!!

yeah, yeah...we heard you the first time, ya bragger.
hang in there, bogey.
sec

bumping this up in case any other fellows want to chime in.

Stay clean.. stay sober.

Pulling for you

I'm on a cleanse as well.

Went cold turkey on the alcohol, caffeine, meats, dairy, sugars and processed foods approximately four months ago.

Got really sick, nearly incapacitated myself and decided that it was time to do the whole body cleanse. Was drinking a lot and dumping a lot of energy drinks into the system the morning after in an attempt to do a quick recovery. Was starting to feel like shit all the time. Used to work out all the time and realized I hadn't been to the gym in nearly three years. Watched a bunch of food documentaries (Supersize Me, Food Inc., Forks Over Knives, etc.) when I was sick as hell laying on the couch and decided to do the whole enchilada right then and there.

Went from 225 to 175 in three and a half months.

And while cutting out the energy drinks and booze saved a lot of money, it's amazing how much you save at the grocery store when you don't have any meats, dairy and junk food in the basket.

Feel great and haven't had a single craving for anything other than rootbeer. God I love rootbeer.

It's nice to see how many people on this board were able to get off the booze. Horrible stuff, especially when you can't control the consumption of it.

I've never had a want to be completely sober.

I've been sucking at my little plan to reduce my consumption at softball. In fact, I've bought a 30 pack of beer the last two times I went to the park. Obviously, the easiest way not to binge drink is to not fork out the money for it. So my new plan is to simply not buy it and not bring more than a few bucks for a couple brews and gatorades. I know I'm not an alcoholic because I don't really feel any desire to drink heavily outside of the ballpark so I'm just addressing that aspect of my life... and doing it poorly so far.

Neither have I. I always think, "except this or that" In the end, I find a reason to drink most any night. I take care of everything... get the important shit done. I show up and do well at my job. So, I'm "functional". The fact is, I just get BORED.

But recently I've been thinking about my age, and if this continues... odds are I'm gonna die pretty young. So, yeah.. I need to make a change.

Glad to hear things are well Bogey. Keep up the good fight!