Dry January 2025 (The Sober Thread)

15 years sober today and to commemorate the milestone year I did my first half ironman yesterday on the 15 year anniversary of hitting my rock bottom
Awesome, I'm only a tenth of your progress, but with all that life is throwing at me at the moment, the last thing I need is a hangover to deal with. Best decision I've ever made for myself. Tbh, I've cheated with a social beer or tasted someone's bourbon from time to time but I no longer want "another one". Keep going for all on the wagon, we're here with you!
 
I think my last drink was at, or around, Christmas 2022 and haven't touched a drop since. I haven't been too tempted yet, but I have a true test coming up next month in Key West. I'll be there for my friends' 25-year anniversary and my birthday. They got married on my birthday and at their wedding reception they had 2 cakes, their wedding cake and a surprise birthday cake for me. So naturally I cannot turn down this invitation and my friends are drinkers.

Pray for me.
 
I think my last drink was at, or around, Christmas 2022 and haven't touched a drop since. I haven't been too tempted yet, but I have a true test coming up next month in Key West. I'll be there for my friends' 25-year anniversary and my birthday. They got married on my birthday and at their wedding reception they had 2 cakes, their wedding cake and a surprise birthday cake for me. So naturally I cannot turn down this invitation and my friends are drinkers.

Pray for me.
You got this!!
 
I think my last drink was at, or around, Christmas 2022 and haven't touched a drop since. I haven't been too tempted yet, but I have a true test coming up next month in Key West. I'll be there for my friends' 25-year anniversary and my birthday. They got married on my birthday and at their wedding reception they had 2 cakes, their wedding cake and a surprise birthday cake for me. So naturally I cannot turn down this invitation and my friends are drinkers.

Pray for me.

It might feel a bit awkward but the biggest bang for the buck is to tell them _now_ that you don’t drink anymore and have been doing so for three years. Drinky folks are fine as long as you’re not asking them to cool it. Telling them a month from now is high risk and high stress.
 
It might feel a bit awkward but the biggest bang for the buck is to tell them _now_ that you don’t drink anymore and have been doing so for three years. Drinky folks are fine as long as you’re not asking them to cool it. Telling them a month from now is high risk and high stress.
I hear ya and they know I don't drink anymore. I'm not worried about them. I'm worried about me. This celebration at Key West is where those two met and I was there 26+ years ago. He was from Missouri, and she was from NJ. We've been back there many times since (engagement party, birthday parties, just to get away, etc.). For his 50th birthday he talked me and one other guy into doing a century ride with him from Key Largo to Key West. We had a lot of great times down there and it all involved alcohol. I also had a friend from NJ who moved down to Key West and bartended at Margaritaville. I've visited her multiple times and during spring break and she introduced me to a lot of great people down there that I'm still in contact with and showed me where all the locals hang out. They took me in as one of their own. So I have a lot of history there and until now alcohol was always involved. I'm certainly not going to shame my friends for drinking or discourage them from it and I don't think they'll try to encourage me to have "just one drink". I just fear I may feel like I'm missing out from the good old days by not drinking. I guess we'll see.
 
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I hear ya and they know I don't drink anymore. I'm not worried about them. I'm worried about me. This celebration at Key West is where those two met and it was there 26+ years ago. He was from Missouri, and she was from NJ. We've been back there many times since (engagement party, birthday parties, just to get away, etc.). For his 50th birthday he talked me and one other guy into doing a century ride with him from Key Largo to Key West. We had a lot a great times down there and it all involved alcohol. I also had a friend from NJ who moved down to Key West and bartended at Margaritaville. I've visited her multiple times and during spring break and she introduced me to a lot of great people down there that I'm still in contact with and showed me where all the locals hang out. They took me in as one of their own. So I have a lot of history there and until now alcohol was always involved. I'm certainly not going to shame my friends for drinking or discourage them from it and I don't think they'll try to encourage me to have "just one drink". I just fear I may feel like I'm missing out from the good old days by not drinking. I guess we'll see.
Have a plan. If you feel uncomfortable and need to leave, make sure you can. Also it helps to go with someone who has your back.
 
Just got back from my Key West trip. I managed to not have a single drop of alcohol and my friends were very supportive of that. I drank Coke, Sprite, and water the entire time. Had a great trip.
 

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Alcohol affects long-term damage to organs like the heart, liver, and pancreas, and increase the risk of various cancers. Heavy or prolonged use can lead to mental health conditions, a weaker immune system, and other serious health risks.

This alone should deter anyone but culture has hoodwinked the population. Newest research shows how alcohol accelerate cancer cell growth. It's only a guestimate but wife works in hospital and almost all the critically ill have some sort of alcohol or drug addiction.

I'm grateful to rid the obsession, not here to shame anyone but to help anyone who struggles.

Off my soapbox 😁
 
Not waiting until January... Let's start DRY DECEMBER.

Need to stop tapping into the whiskey bottle every night. I justify myself by saying, "It's just a snooch." but multiply that by 5-6 nights, plus a little more on the weekend. 😒
Day one. No alcohol in the house. Lets go!
Booze is a time suck.. It kills the best laid plans. Quitting buys you time and likely a longer life. Good riddance!!

My advice is to spend time with other who don't drink and avoid social gatherings that focus on drinking.

15+ years for me and no going back.
 
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