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Smoke

Smoke

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Ok, today is the 31st anniversary of my "sobriety date", I have been continuously clean and sober since December 14 1982.

It's supposed to be a big deal but I'm feeling kind of ambivalent about that because it's been so long since I've had a drink anyway that to me it's a non event. I went through a period a few years back where I really questioned whether or not I actually was an alcoholic since I stopped drinking at a very young age ( I have never taken a legal drink) but I came to the conclusion that even if I wasn't I've gone so long without it that even if I knew conclusively that I wasn't an alcoholic I really can't see the point of drinking now anyway.

So come on and help me celebrate 31 years of not doing something I really have no desire to do anyway
 
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Congratulations! Sounds to me like you are in a great place in life; truly in control of yourself, and your life. I'm sure this is a bit controversial to say, but I've never really seen alcohol (and/or drugs) do anyone any good. And, I've seen it do a whole bunch of harm. I think I'll just stop with that thought...

I have a lot of respect for folks that can do what you've done; takes a lot of will. Plus, look at all the money you saved, and can put toward S&Ws!

Anyway, congratulations again!
 
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You need to be proud of your self for what you haven't been doing, In today's world willpower seems to be a thing of the past! Setting yourself apart from the rest will always make for a winner.
 
I think......

I think that is a great place to be. Like you I don't want to spend any more time drinking, because I've already spent enough time on it. The thrill is gone and I see myself in a clearer light. I have other things that give me thrills and happiness without hangovers and legal consequences.

Congratulations to those who have no desire to be where they were before.
 
I don't know how many days it's been,but I quit 31 years ago. What made me quit? Blackouts and hangovers that interfered with my hunting and fishing. Ain't missed it! When you get right down to it,what is the point?
f.t.
 
That is great----HURRRRAH !
I was a hard drinker---everybody was when I grew up. Then one day I stopped. Hummmmm---well I did have a beer this summer---so---maybe I didn't stop :D.
Anywho----HOOOORAAAH.
Blessings
 
Congratulations! I never cared for drinking but I loved tobacco. I quit using tobacco (Lucky Strikes and Black Maria) at Christmas 1986. I quit cold turkey and said I would die before I would use it again and some days I thought I would die but I didn't. Larry
 
Congratulations! You saved yourself (and those who love you) a lot of heartache by quitting when you did.

I will not drink today.
 
A big Texas Salute to you. One of the smartest things you ever did!
 
galena said:
...eleven years last month.............and so far today. KCB
Click to expand...

Well put. It's been a long time for me, but that's in the past. All I have is right now, and realizing that is why there are a lot of sober days in the past. Right now suits me just fine.

Congratulations, Smoke. I know you know we don't do this alone on our own willpower.
 
Congrats!

While I have no desire to stop drinking I did quit smoking about 2 months ago. Cold turkey. It's one of those things you have to want. And i understand that now. I tried before but failed and it'd because I "didn't really want to". A few months ago I scared the excrement out of myself when I felt something weird in what felt like my lungs. Did a few tests, including a lung xray. Everything came back clean and 100% and I no longer need a smoke although I sometimes want for one

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
 
I don't want any one to think that I think I did this on my own. I am sober today by the Grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. I'm sorry if saying that is against the board's rule but it is what I honestly believe.

I don't believe in any sense that I am "cured" (all though I have no doubt that is well with in God's power). I still don't see any reason to ingest alcohol except to get drunk and I am well aware that isn't normal thinking but at some point God changed my nature and took away the desire and that's really the reason I'm posting this.

If you are "white knuckling" it or wondering "Am I going to have to fight this desire for the rest of my life?" I can tell you that God can remove the desire; there will be a day where you look around and realize that it just doesn't hold any attraction for you anymore.

And that IMO is the real miracle
 
Arik said:
Congrats!

While I have no desire to stop drinking I did quit smoking about 2 months ago. Cold turkey. It's one of those things you have to want. And i understand that now. I tried before but failed and it'd because I "didn't really want to". A few months ago I scared the excrement out of myself when I felt something weird in what felt like my lungs. Did a few tests, including a lung xray. Everything came back clean and 100% and I no longer need a smoke although I sometimes want for one

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

You hit the nail on the head.
It's not "will power". That's just imposing mind over matter, you can't "will" yourself to do anything, doesn't work.
It's not "wont' power". That's just I won't drink no matter what gosh darn it, I'm that strong, doesn't work.
It's "want power". If you want to be sober more than you want to be drunk, you will win. :)
 
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Smoke said:
Ok, today is the 31st anniversary of my "sobriety date", I have been continuously clean and sober since December 14 1982.

It's supposed to be a big deal but I'm feeling kind of ambivalent about that because it's been so long since I've had a drink anyway that to me it's a non event. I went through a period a few years back where I really questioned whether or not I actually was an alcoholic since I stopped drinking at a very young age ( I have never taken a legal drink) but I came to the conclusion that even if I wasn't I've gone so long without it that even if I knew conclusively that I wasn't an alcoholic I really can't see the point of drinking now anyway.

So come on and help me celebrate 31 years of not doing something I really have no desire to do anyway
Click to expand...

With enthusiasm I applaud you!
 
diamonback68 said:
You hit the nail on the head.
It's not "will power". That's just imposing mind over matter, you can't "will" yourself to do anything, doesn't work.
It's not "wont' power". That's just I won't drink no matter what gosh darn it, I'm that strong, doesn't work.
It's "want power". If you want to be sober more than you want to be drunk, you will win. :)
Click to expand...

One of the most profound statements I ever heard on Will Power was from Gregory Boyington in his book Baa Baa Black Sheep.

He said that Will Power was only doing whatever it is that you most wanted to do at that moment. If you wanted to drink more than you wanted to stay sober you would and if you wanted to stay sober more than you wanted to drink you would and that it really wasn't anything to be proud of because all you were really doing was what you wanted to do anyway.
 
So come on and help me celebrate 31 years

well then... here's to you...
i tip my coffee cup to you sir...
SISU will see you thru....

to another 30
Don
 
But think of all the "fun" yall missed........................:cool:


I congratulate and respect all who choose life one day at a time.

For me, that applies to everything I say or do.

Our time is very brief............kindness is worth the effort
 
Congratulations, Sir, and thanks for sharing that with us. Maybe your story will help someone else.
I have a good friend who was a hard drinker most of his life. He was a Viet Nam vet, and never expected to live through that. About 13 years ago he got stopped for drunk driving. After he pled guilty he decided to quit. Wrote the cop who stopped him a thank you letter.:cool: He's been sober since.
I never had a drinking problem. When I was a teenager a friend and I would go out and get drunk occasionally. Drove home that way a few times, which in retrospect scares me. I remember I had two drinks in a bar on December 31st, 1984, when I was 19. I realized that drinking really wasn't such a good idea, and maybe I should stop. Made it my New Years Resolution. Kept it since then.:cool:
Well, maybe I should correct that. No I didn't. A few years ago I had a Bodyguard client. She was very afraid, and we were at her house on night. I took a drink out of her Pepsi can, and it about knocked my head off. It was about half Crown Royal Whiskey.:cool:
I'm more careful now.:D
Congratulations.
Jim
 
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