Originally Posted by goose333

Today marks 1 year for me. For some reason, it doesn't feel that long. I recall about 18 months ago feeling lost and afraid as I could not stop. I remember thinking, 'What am I gonna do?' A year ago I decided what I needed to do and somehow, and with lots of help from everyone here, I did it. I find that I don't think about booze the way I used to when I first started. I really don't think about it too much at all. When I do, it is to reflect how different I am now compared to how I was. There is some personal stress in my life right now and in the past I would have used it as an excuse to drink to relieve stress. Not now. Recently, there is a time that has presented itself weekdays where I would have used the opportunity to have a daily drink and no one would know. Not now. I spent a little time a few weeks ago coming up with a list of things I don't miss. They are reminders why I never will go back to drinking. I'm sure they'll ring true with many of you. Before I get to that list, I just want to say thanks to everyone here for saving my life. I am so, so grateful... Thank you and God bless you. So I'll begin the second year with a simple request... May I have another 24 please? 5:45 AM EDT. Here is the list of things I don't miss.[*]Falling asleep way too early every evening[*]Forgetting stuff my wife told me and getting stressed out trying to cover up the memory loss[*]Spending a fortune at the liquor store[*]Spending a bigger fortune at the bar[*]Leaving work an hour early so I could indulge on the way home and still arrive home on schedule[*]Feeling like total crap every day[*]Getting the shakes so bad I couldn’t hold a glass steady enough to take that first sip without spilling[*]Hiding booze all over the house and forgetting where you left it[*]Discarding the empties in stealth mode[*]Constant lying[*]Going to ‘Home Depot’[*]Having to go back to ‘Home Depot’[*]Going downstairs to 'Watch a movie'[*]Going out with the wife to dinner or someone’s house and having to pre-game because I wouldn’t get enough at the dinner.[*]Hiding my shaking hands at the dinner table[*]Breathing away from my wife so she wouldn’t smell anything[*]Stressing about getting caught[*]Sneaking a swig from the liquor cabinet