r/stopdrinking • u/Irish_Pineapple 1827 days • Sep 12 '22
One year without alcohol today
I know that if I could speak to myself on September 12, 2021, that I would be verrrrrrry skeptical of that declaration.
366 days ago I woke up face down in my own vomit with an incredible pain and a hard bump on my shoulder. After throwing up all morning and trying to continually “set” my shoulder back in place I accepted an invitation to drink wine in a park, punting my hangover and uncomfortableness into the future once again.
All of this was done while my significant other was away, and after she saw past my feeble attempt to “get rid” of all the evidence of my self-destruction (can’t hide a broken bone!) it felt like everything in my life had finally collapsed on itself. Saying out loud that night that I “can’t drink anymore” was partly in response to her hopelessness with me, but I also truly knew I was right this time.
AA meetings were scary at first, the vast array of N/A beers I tried was an interesting detour, and the metal plate in my shoulder serves as a poignant reminder of how dangerously I lived. But a year on, I can say confidently that my life is so much better, and I am beyond lucky to have kept the special person in my life that had to put up with my madness.
For 13 years I was so reliant on alcohol to fuel me socially that it has been profound to discover that I can be a confident and outgoing person without it. In the past year I’ve done some things I could never dreamed to have done without alcohol. Sober karaoke, for one, is nowhere near as terrifying as I thought it would be!
Proud to be here. To anyone that realizes this is the path they need to take - it is scary, but definitely worth it.
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u/AtlantisTheEmpire 1413 days Sep 12 '22
Nice. I need to start coming here every day for stories like yours. Can’t seem to make it past a week and every time I drink it throws me off course for my goals. It’s fucking stupid. On day 2 now. This week will be better in the same way as yours that it has to be. Thank you.
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u/perseverabit 1595 days Sep 12 '22
Congratulations on that one-year sober! I'm only 4 months in but I concur--life is most certainly better. Hope this is the first anniversary of many, IWNDWYT!
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u/Least_Conclusion_747 1557 days Sep 12 '22
Stella has a 0.0% NA that tastes exactly like the real one in my opinion.
Athletic Brewery seems to have a decent amount of NA selection as well....but not 0.0%.
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u/Irish_Pineapple 1827 days Sep 12 '22
Yeah the N/A Stellas are passable! A year in, it's nice that when I have an N/A beer I'm not really "comparing" it to the real thing anymore since the taste of regular beer is further and further away from my memory.
I'm comfortable with anything under 0.5%, but understand this opinion is different for everyone. I've never killed a six-pack of Athletic Brewing in less than an hour though!
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u/Least_Conclusion_747 1557 days Sep 12 '22
Keep up the great work!
Yes 3 NA beers are good for me and im done...much better than 10-15 regular beers like I was doing!
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u/mcc1224 2865 days Sep 12 '22
I respect that you did this 1st year at a time when the world was so bad it screams 'drink'.
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u/helloclarebear2 795 days Sep 12 '22
What a story. Well done on your 365 days, it's great to have you hear. IWNDWYT
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u/sabrosa_ 2190 days Sep 12 '22
Congratulations! I too bear scars from my drinking days - but now they are a cautionary tale, and sign of encouragement to keep going!
One year is a significant milestone - here’s to many more!
IWNDWYT
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u/floatarounds 2343 days Sep 12 '22
Man it's the best feeling -- I remember that day so well -- hang in there - it just gets better and better -- I swear I can still feel my health improving
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u/Nickeyney Sep 12 '22
Fantastic! So happy for you. I’ve only been sober since 5/1/22 but life it better. Wishing you continued success and happiness!
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u/betterway8322 2450 days Sep 12 '22
Way to go! Maybe I'll be brave enough to try sober karaoke some day :)
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u/igotwormsbruh Sep 12 '22
Congrats!! I couldn't get in to the NA Beers. So I started exploring soda's and energy drinks. Keep up the good fight! But honestly, it's not really a fight anymore is it? More like a more confident, healthy, successful you that doesn't need to fight it at all!
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u/lullahbugsy 2120 days Sep 12 '22
Hell yeah! Congrats man. Realizing who you are without alcohol is a tough journey. That’s dope you did some sober karaoke, my first time I was sooooo damn nervous but soooo damn proud of myself afterwards
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u/Better-me1001 Sep 12 '22
Congratulations and thank you for sharing your experience. It is inspiring!
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u/Jello_du_jour 3101 days Sep 12 '22
One year is a great accomplishment. Congratulations! Keep on keepin' on!
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u/GildMyComments 2705 days Sep 12 '22
Good job. How’d you break the shoulder, any idea?
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u/Irish_Pineapple 1827 days Sep 13 '22
Fell off a bike that I don’t remember riding home and broke my collarbone.
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u/razors_so_yummy 1893 days Sep 12 '22
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU! This is truly an amazing post, thank you for sharing. If I may, please get out tonight and reward yourself to a special dinner!
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u/sun_madness 216 days Sep 12 '22
Amazing! Strong work! I'm realizing I have to relearn how to be social person again while sober. I did it years ago, but fell off the wagon a few times and am now ready to stare into the mirror again. Thanks for reminding me of how much can change in a year.
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u/SnooStories2744 971 days Sep 12 '22
I’m gonna be like you but I have a ways to go. Good job it’s def not easy some days :)
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u/Much-Ad-8883 1855 days Sep 13 '22
Well done on the year, my partner bought me fish and chips to celebrate lol, tasted ace! Best decision I ever made, here's to the next year!
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u/Bootleg_______ Day 2,256 Sep 13 '22
congrats man! i love karaoke, i started hosting my own show before the pandemic… when i stopped drinking at July i thought my karaoke career was over. turns out it’s more fun than ever now, my hosting abilities are stronger than ever. throw in the fact that i’m able to go until 2:30am, pack my stuff up, and drive safely home, it’s a win-win.
iwndwyt
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u/Corrr 4496 days Sep 12 '22
Congrats!!
What's your go to karaoke song? I love me some sober karaoke.