Newby, saying hello
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Houma, LA
Posts: 35
Newby, saying hello
I’m 59 and drank half a fifth with a six pack of beer most nights until May 2013, when due to military promotion, transfer and added responsibility I went sober. I retired from USCG in 2015 and settled in LA w/ my wife of 38 years. Then in mid-2017 I made the mistake of sneaking some wine brought into the home by a rarely visiting family member. That was a mistake... in six months I went from hiding a box of wine in the garage to a half pint of vodka then a pint. By 2019 I was up to 400-500 ml of vodka most days and all through 2020 I drank 600-700 ml vodka most every day. Then in Oct 2020 had a routine physical and found high BP. So started BP meds. Also kept feeling some weird chest pains (maybe ribs or muscle strain?). So Doc sent me to cardiologist and after two stress tests and two ultra sounds, they can’t find anything wrong with heart, I’m just over weight and out of shape and now I’m on two BP meds a cholesterol med and low dose aspirin. I was honest w/cardiologist and told him about my excessive drinking and he said that is preventing my liver from processing the meds and why the meds didn’t seem to be lowering my blood pressure. My next follow-up in Jan 27th and so I decided to go sober again. I really want to stay sober and have been reading web pages and blogs about alcoholic liver disease, treatments and maintaining sobriety. I look forward to reading and interacting with others attempting this same cold turkey approach. Thanks
BayouMan
BayouMan
Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Western US
Posts: 8,998
Welcome Bayouman. I'm glad you found us. I hope you find this a supportive place.
I quit drinking 2.5 years ago and appreciate you all who say what it is like to go back to drinking. It could be any of us.
There are a kind of "class" for each month if you want to join. It is just a group of users who post on the same thread for a month. Absolutely no requirements to joining just go to the January class and say hello and how you got to where you are today.
Let us know how you get on.
I quit drinking 2.5 years ago and appreciate you all who say what it is like to go back to drinking. It could be any of us.
There are a kind of "class" for each month if you want to join. It is just a group of users who post on the same thread for a month. Absolutely no requirements to joining just go to the January class and say hello and how you got to where you are today.
Let us know how you get on.
Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 3,748
Welcome to SR! I think you have made a very wise decision to stop drinking. You can do this and you don't have to do it alone! Post as much as you would like. People join daily threads or subsections of this forum. The January thread is filled with others who have quit this month. So glad that you found this forum and I look forward to hearing about your journey.
Thank You for your Service!
Be Well, BayouMan!
Thank You for your Service!
Be Well, BayouMan!
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,772
Welcome to the family. 
If you're going to go cold turkey, be aware of your condition and get medical help if you are having problems. Alcohol detox can be dangerous. Be safe. 
There's lots of support and useful info here. Read and post as you like. And do join the January class. People starting their recovery journey this month support each other. All you have to do to 'join' is to post in the thread. It's in this Newcomers forum.
If you're going to go cold turkey, be aware of your condition and get medical help if you are having problems. Alcohol detox can be dangerous. Be safe. There's lots of support and useful info here. Read and post as you like. And do join the January class. People starting their recovery journey this month support each other.
All you have to do to 'join' is to post in the thread. It's in this Newcomers forum.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 15,237
Temptation is always lurking trying to trick us into
thinking that it's okay to have one drink, which we
know will never ever be enough.
Continue learning new helpful ways to remain
sober building a strong recovery foundation to
live your life upon for yrs to come in our wonderful
state of Louisiana.
thinking that it's okay to have one drink, which we
know will never ever be enough.
Continue learning new helpful ways to remain
sober building a strong recovery foundation to
live your life upon for yrs to come in our wonderful
state of Louisiana.
Blue Belt
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Soberville, USA
Posts: 4,174
I am retired military as well. Congrats and welcome!
This place saved my life. I was motivated to quit drinking, but not educated.
Now I understand the science of my addiction. It is all about dopamine etc. and permanent brain damage.
At 80 days clean I was going insane. I Googled and found SR.
Suffering and time were my way out.
Exercise and other natural feel good techniques are my daily ritual. Sweets trick the brain. Now is not the time to go on a diet....I'd give it a couple of years.
Trying to help folks/projects etc are good for healing. e.g. SR, AA, volunteer work, feeding the pets, tinkering etc.
Thanks for the therapy.
This place saved my life. I was motivated to quit drinking, but not educated.
Now I understand the science of my addiction. It is all about dopamine etc. and permanent brain damage.
At 80 days clean I was going insane. I Googled and found SR.
Suffering and time were my way out.
Exercise and other natural feel good techniques are my daily ritual. Sweets trick the brain. Now is not the time to go on a diet....I'd give it a couple of years.
Trying to help folks/projects etc are good for healing. e.g. SR, AA, volunteer work, feeding the pets, tinkering etc.
Thanks for the therapy.
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,554
Hi BayouMan! Thank you for serving with the Coast Guard. I'm so glad you decided to get free of alcohol & lead a better life.
I'm sure if I tried to have 'a few' I'd go right back to hell. It's good that you've recognized you can't be a social drinker. It was a hard earned lesson for me, with much destruction & despair.
You've found an encouraging & friendly place to talk about how you're feeling, & to get some great input from those who understand & care.
I'm sure if I tried to have 'a few' I'd go right back to hell. It's good that you've recognized you can't be a social drinker. It was a hard earned lesson for me, with much destruction & despair.
You've found an encouraging & friendly place to talk about how you're feeling, & to get some great input from those who understand & care.
01-14-2019
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Midwest
Posts: 1,217
Good choice Bayouman! I was on bp meds and after I got sober, I was eventually off bp meds! This was under a doctors care of coarse but going sober did wonders for my bp. Sobriety has many benefits. Stick around!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Houma, LA
Posts: 35
Thanks everyone for the warm welcome and the words of encouragement. This is EXACTLY what I was hoping to find. I can only read thru “AddictionResourse.com” so many times, although that is a great start. As far as the danger of cold turkey, I’m on day 20 and I think it’ll be okay. I had a couple restless nights, some body soreness and a headache for 2 or 3 days. And yes... social drinker I am not! With my hi energy, hi speed tempo it’s all or none. Did 14 years sea time of the 28 in the service and I was known as quite the liberty monster. I’ll be 60 in Sep and need to stay sober and get healthy. Thanks again and I look forward to taking part.
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,772
Oh yes, if you're already at 3 weeks, you should be well past the danger zone of withdrawal. But monitor yourself nonetheless.
I've been sober for 11 yrs now and they've been the best 11 years ever. I feel at peace and contented.
You're right that SR is a great place. I've made a lot of friends here and value our friendships. 
And the support and encouragement is wonderful.
I've been sober for 11 yrs now and they've been the best 11 years ever.
I feel at peace and contented. You're right that SR is a great place.
I've made a lot of friends here and value our friendships. And the support and encouragement is wonderful. Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: NSW - Australia
Posts: 14,572
Welcome BayouMan, and thanks...
You've helped me already in describing how rapid is the slide into excess when we pick up again. I've done it numerous times. It's good to be reminded. Too easy to con ourselves, that 'this time' it'll work. It doesn't, from my experience.
You've found a good place to talk and share your experience BayouMan. Hope you stick around.
Twelve months for me now, and it is so much better.
You've helped me already in describing how rapid is the slide into excess when we pick up again. I've done it numerous times. It's good to be reminded. Too easy to con ourselves, that 'this time' it'll work. It doesn't, from my experience.
You've found a good place to talk and share your experience BayouMan. Hope you stick around.
Twelve months for me now, and it is so much better.
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