Arbor

Drinking doesn't equal relaxation.

That is all.

Seneca7

In my experience, getting drunk is basically borrowing relaxation from tomorrow. The deeper into debt you go, the more interest is collected when you've "capped out."

I've never identified as an alcoholic, but I lived in a fraternity house and would get the shakes after drinking too often. I took my sweet time in realizing I couldn't keep up without consequences. Even without addiction, the rebound from one or two nights of heavy drinking can be horrible for someone predisposed to anxiety.

PurpleKnight

I think we can deceive ourselves that it is very easily, we romanticise about having that drink after work, or in the sun, or on holiday.

But it was never that one drink for me, nice post!!

Aellyce

In my view true relaxation has nothing to do with any one thing, activity, or possession, especially not a substance. It has to do with an inner state of peace, acceptance, serenity, and involvement in life that we can achieve in sobriety through continued work on various aspects of our life with and open end and open mind. It's not an end goal, a destination we can or will arrive at - it is the journey, the process of living a meaningful life with the source of happiness coming from within but in interaction with the environment and rest of the world.

RolyPoly

No, it definitely does not.

airwick

Drinking = destruction

*That is all

SonomaGal

Unquestionably the after effects of drinking are NOT relaxing!!! Someone here posted about a few hours of drinking = many more hours of awful. Drinking did temporarily calm my mind, but really amped me up physically. The next day I was ALWAYS drained and ill. Not relaxing in the least. Good post!

Seneca7

Alcohol has a way of revving me up as soon as it takes effect. Ironically, low-alcohol beverages are the most likely to do that. I can handle liquor and wine, but beer makes me grind my teeth and want more. Go figure.

Hevyn

Sends my anxiety through the roof. Who knew?

Raider

Only if relaxation means blackout, then I can't remember if I was relaxed or not.

ScottFromWI

Towards the end for me, drinking was required just to keep me from going into withdrawals. I had ceased to want to drink for quite a while.

AlcoholFree66

Couldn't agree with you more Arbor! It is so good to experience true relaxation sober - for me this is one of the greatest joys of sobriety.