Booze Brain- poor alcohol attitude
Chances
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Gosford, NSW
Posts: 110
Booze Brain- poor alcohol attitude
I'm posting this more for a laugh @ myself than anything.
I went out with a few colleagues after work last week. Headed to a pub for a steak and after to the casino. I didn't drink and whilst it felt like it would be nice I had no massive craving.
However,
I was amazed at my disgraceful attitude towards drinking. I really can see why I have a problem.
On arrival at the pub I grab a soft drink and sit down to the usual question - Why aren't you drinking. Usually lie - I'm on a health kick.
BUT
2 of the others aren't drinking including the questioner - I ask why.
Oh, Happy hour (cheap drinks) starts in 20 minutes so I'll wait.
I immediately thought how **** weak. Have a go, your wasting drinking time. You could have 1 or 2 in by then. (I didn't say anything only because I didn't want to be questioned).
All of them ended up having a couple of beers - but nothing spectacular.
We head to the casino and I tell them I'll catch up as I'm getting a coffee from the arcade. They all think coffee is a great idea! I couldn't believe it. I'd have been running for the bar but now, after 2 or 3 beers they think coffee is a good idea???
I head to the café intending on getting a takeaway, just assuming this is a quick interruption to the business of drinking. No these clowns are sitting down as one of the best cake stores in Sydney is next store so they have to get a cake as well.
I didn't get cake. I would have liked one, but in my mind it seemed so wrong. Grown men having bloody coffee and cake when on a night out. I felt half embarrassed for them not having a go. I can't drink cause I'm an alcoholic but my diseased brain was still telling me they were a disgrace.
Clearly, the concept of responsible drinking and me never have, would have or did agree!
(& no after that a couple of them had one more beer and that was apparently enough)
The only positive here is I didn't disgrace myself because if I were still drinking there was no way in hell anyone would have been going to a café without me mouthing my opinion of that.
I went out with a few colleagues after work last week. Headed to a pub for a steak and after to the casino. I didn't drink and whilst it felt like it would be nice I had no massive craving.
However,
I was amazed at my disgraceful attitude towards drinking. I really can see why I have a problem.
On arrival at the pub I grab a soft drink and sit down to the usual question - Why aren't you drinking. Usually lie - I'm on a health kick.
BUT
2 of the others aren't drinking including the questioner - I ask why.
Oh, Happy hour (cheap drinks) starts in 20 minutes so I'll wait.
I immediately thought how **** weak. Have a go, your wasting drinking time. You could have 1 or 2 in by then. (I didn't say anything only because I didn't want to be questioned).
All of them ended up having a couple of beers - but nothing spectacular.
We head to the casino and I tell them I'll catch up as I'm getting a coffee from the arcade. They all think coffee is a great idea! I couldn't believe it. I'd have been running for the bar but now, after 2 or 3 beers they think coffee is a good idea???
I head to the café intending on getting a takeaway, just assuming this is a quick interruption to the business of drinking. No these clowns are sitting down as one of the best cake stores in Sydney is next store so they have to get a cake as well.
I didn't get cake. I would have liked one, but in my mind it seemed so wrong. Grown men having bloody coffee and cake when on a night out. I felt half embarrassed for them not having a go. I can't drink cause I'm an alcoholic but my diseased brain was still telling me they were a disgrace.
Clearly, the concept of responsible drinking and me never have, would have or did agree!
(& no after that a couple of them had one more beer and that was apparently enough)
The only positive here is I didn't disgrace myself because if I were still drinking there was no way in hell anyone would have been going to a café without me mouthing my opinion of that.
...holds the key
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Texas
Posts: 7,065
I've thought the same thing several times since quitting!.... 'You people call this a night out??....what a disgrace to real drunks everywhere!' Helps me see just how twisted my thinking had become. Very eye opening, indeed!
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 9,029
Good observations. I used to not drink on New Year's Eve because of the appalling behavior of the "amateurs." I waited until I got home. Or better yet, I'd not go out at all and ring in the new year alone and drunk.
No, I never understood normal drinkers who could have fun with moderate consumption and stop. Never got out of hand. Never slurred or stumbled.
Glad you didn't drink.
No, I never understood normal drinkers who could have fun with moderate consumption and stop. Never got out of hand. Never slurred or stumbled.
Glad you didn't drink.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: West Midlands, UK
Posts: 4
This made me smile.
I wonder, OP, if you have ever read or heard of Eckharte Tolle? He is the author of The Power Of Now and A New Earth. It's fascinating stuff.
Anywho, he speaks of the moment he 'awakened' (in a spiritual sense). He was so utterly depressed...one night he said outloud "that's it, I'm done, I can't live with myself any longer". Then something bizarre happened...and it reminds me of your post. He pondered on something truly life changing. "If I cannot live with myself..." (and let's face it, us drinkers have all felt this)..."then who am I...and who is myself?"
After much soul searching he realised that this was a form of 'awakening'. He had split from the egoic self that he could no longer with. He realigned to the awareness behind those thoughts...which it was I believe you have done OP.
You sat there, as a non-drinker, aware that you were thinking these crazy/funny thoughts. What you didn't do...as would the majority of people (especially drinkers)...is act on them. That's an amazing insight into yourself, and one that many people long for.
It's a practical example of the concept "you are not your thoughts". A nice metaphor is that "thoughts are ripples on the sea that soon create huge waves. You are the ocean beneath, aware of the chaotic motions above...but not controlled by them."
Kudos on your awareness my friend. It will serve you well :-)
I wonder, OP, if you have ever read or heard of Eckharte Tolle? He is the author of The Power Of Now and A New Earth. It's fascinating stuff.
Anywho, he speaks of the moment he 'awakened' (in a spiritual sense). He was so utterly depressed...one night he said outloud "that's it, I'm done, I can't live with myself any longer". Then something bizarre happened...and it reminds me of your post. He pondered on something truly life changing. "If I cannot live with myself..." (and let's face it, us drinkers have all felt this)..."then who am I...and who is myself?"
After much soul searching he realised that this was a form of 'awakening'. He had split from the egoic self that he could no longer with. He realigned to the awareness behind those thoughts...which it was I believe you have done OP.
You sat there, as a non-drinker, aware that you were thinking these crazy/funny thoughts. What you didn't do...as would the majority of people (especially drinkers)...is act on them. That's an amazing insight into yourself, and one that many people long for.
It's a practical example of the concept "you are not your thoughts". A nice metaphor is that "thoughts are ripples on the sea that soon create huge waves. You are the ocean beneath, aware of the chaotic motions above...but not controlled by them."
Kudos on your awareness my friend. It will serve you well :-)
Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Cleveland
Posts: 320
Great story. I am from a steel producing, industrial town in the USA and around here getting drunk is just what good men and women do when they go out. Cake and coffee is so LA (Los Angeles).
It is still a little embarrassing to not drink because of the macho code.
It is still a little embarrassing to not drink because of the macho code.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
