Grantious

Hey Guys

After watching a documentary about young people dying of liver disease I've decided to become sober..I really only drink once a week because hangovers make my life hell but it's been worse and at the peak 3 times a week.

I recently got my liver function blood test, moderate elevation.. after losing some weight it went down to more or less normal, but they've been going up and down for years. and after that documentary i've gone full hypochondriac (any positive stories here would be helpful haha) I'll probably go for a ultrasound after been sober for a while.. try to minimise the bad news. I always thought that i could wait till my 30's to worry about my liver becoming a useless rock

anywho I guess terror is a pretty good motivator to change :P so day 6 sober.. but day 7 will be the real test... you know how ritual can be a powerful force..
Wish me luck and a long life :P

Hawks

Just google search for the livers regeneration capacity.

It's our only organ capable of amazing regeneration.

Within about a year to two years (depending on age), it can be as good as new

Fluffer

Well, we're not supposed to give medical advice here and I hate to talk anyone out of sobriety, but if it makes you feel better I thought that cirrhosis usually occurs to long time daily drinkers, not young weekend warriors. And yes, the liver is good at regenerating, but not once you reach the point of cirrhosis/no return.

Grantious

Same! well I had a year or two when I drank a bit more.. but no more than 2 or 3 days a week.. I mean if I could handle it I probably would have drank more.. but my hangovers are pretty bad. So i downgraded to once a week with company so i would feel less like an alcoholic. I'm like.. if i was doing damage it'd b slow and it probobly is. i mean liver enzymes raised just means some inflamation dosn't mean fibrosis or scaring.. n i keep telling myself that. but the documentary had a guy drinking every day for only a few years n died at 28.

To be honest.. i don't think drinking is worth ever feeling like this again.

SoberLeigh

Never take your liver for granted; treat it with respect, just like the rest of your body.

Dee74

Welcome back Grantious

D

Gardennerd

I've read milk thistle pills help the liver. I had no liver problems and drank heavily every weekend since college. Blood pressure was another story. It got into dangerous territory. 190/100. Now I'm back down to 110/60, no drugs for hypertension, just alcohol free.

Grantious

Sound advice.. but tbh i've never been amazing too my body. been a bit overweight now lost some.. intentionally which improved my liver function. used to smoke etc haha

when i lived at my friends during a bout of homelessness i was smoking a pack and a bit and drinking thoes horrid wine casks... not my best moment.
I've got some anxiety stuff... and sometimes i fixate on something like this and convince myself im at deaths door haha should wait it out.. althought i dont want to go back on my drinking thing. it really hasn't done me any favors anyway. back in the day it used to make me more sociable and happy barely does that haha.. is it worth death.. i think not haha

Fluffer

If you're really worried about it, you can google the websites of reputable medical associations for trustworthy information. But honestly from what you are saying I don't see the reason for your level of concern. I guess people can get cirrhosis in a few years from really bad abuse, but those are probably outliers. People can get lung or esophogal cancer and die in their twenties as well, but it's statistically a very remote possibility.

Grantious

That's very true! Just panicking for next to no reason I guess. least someone else saying that is helping a bit. thanks still go back to the dr and follow up.. keep an eye tho of course

SoberLeigh

Be good to yourself, Grantious. You are young and have your whole beautiful life in front of you. Make it a great one.

Fluffer

Exactly. You should take care of yourself and get checked out - but don't freak yourself out with unnecessary worrying. That's not healthy either.

Grantious

also another question.. about actual sobriety. Do you guys ever think "How will i have fun and interact with people sober" if so how did that pan out for you.. after quitting?
I have drunk friends and sober/drunk friends haha which makes this .. and i hate this word "journey" quite a difficult undertaking.

SoberLeigh

Funny thing, I now have a much better time sober than I did when I was drinking. I enjoy my friends so much more. I am listening to what my friends have to say instead of worrying where the bottle of wine went.

Grantious

Really?! i mean i use alcahol as a tool to speak my mind.. and become interested in what other people are saying.. i can be pretty self absorbed otherwise..i kno it's all just rationalisations.. but cutting something out of your life. is scary, you can't help but ponder the implications

SoberLeigh

Absolutely.

I was scared when I stopped drinking, too, but I had reached a point where a life with alcohol was more frightening than a life without it. I knew it was time.

Grantious

Thank you. it's nice to get some perspective from people who are going though some simular stuff

SoberLeigh

Nice talking with you, Grantious.

Hope to see you around the threads!!!

Grantious

Welcome. Same

SoberLife90

Relaxxxxxxx. Your probably not dying...I meet people all the time with years and years of alcohol abuse and they are doing just fine. Try not to worry too much.