23 years of heavy drinking. I am 41 and starting to feel like my memory and cognitive abilities are not what they used to be. I'm scared I have caused permanent brain damage. I'm only on day 4. Thanks for the encouragement to keep going.
I was an 18-year-old Marine in Korea when the truce was signed, after which I learned to drink beer. My beer-drinking-habits didn't work all that well back in the states, I was sort of a binge drinker, afraid of drinking too regularly, afraid it would interfere with my hiking, sailing, free-diving, etc. I didn't avoid trouble. I quit drinking during Watergate and am now 10 months away from being 90. The downside of being this old and being a serious reader is that my eyesight is no longer very good, and I have to use various forms of Kindle, but I I'm happy I quit drinking, and just as happy I work out regularly. Friends and relatives have mostly died off, but my kids are all living -- just not nearby. I'm living in a large house with a large library, and an Irish Terrier named Jessica and feeling better than one might suspect.
@@parvindersinghishu4714 for me it was as simple as trading one addiction for another. A healthy addiction though. I found something I was passionate about and alcohol and that activity didn’t mix. So after several weeks of not drinking I lost the craving for it. Have been sober since last August
Olly, my dad was an alcoholic. He could not stop, and it ended up killing him at 58. He could never admit he had a problem. The last years of his life I never saw him sober. I am happy that you have been able to stop. Congratulations! Keep it going….
I started drinking alcohol since my teenage. Got addicted for over 23 years. Also suffered severe depression and mental disorder. It's just amazing how psilocybin mushrooms treatment saved my life honestly. 6 years totally clean. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms.
Amen God bless people. Save your health save your mind. Life is better without alcohol and cigarettes.And you have more money in your pocket. God bless everyone who has rejected the devils intentions to be addicted to alcohol and cigarettes etc that can cause so much damage to health.
Can you help with the reliable source I would really appreciate it. Many people talk about mushrooms and psychedelics but nobody talks about where to get them. Very hard to get a reliable source here in Netherland. Really need!
Hey! Yes very sure of Dr.medshrooms. a single dose of shrooms saved me from Alcohol addiction. 6 years clean. no cravings. this doesn't sound weird to me in any way shape or form.
I've done microdosing for help and it works does cut depression out its been the best remedy I've ever had psilocybin been illegal is actually a crime against humanity
I drank heavily for 42 years. Tried to quit so many times and failed. Ruined the best years of my life. One day while at my job laying wood floors I had a focal seizure, woke up in the hospital. All tests came back clear, MRI blood work ect. I feel it was related to my drinking, I have not drank in two months and I never will again. I took a serious medical crisis to wake me up, it worked. Great day to all.
I'm 41 days sober, unfortunately I didn't stop drinking until it had some serious consequences for myself and my family. I hope I can, in time repair some of the damage but not sure. Thank you for sharing your story with us all. I am really enjoying listening to people and their stories, and I am constantly thinking about things past and present in relation to my addiction and life in general... when I began drinking alcohol in my teens it was to be social, to be included and be around people as often as possible... by the end of my drinking my use of alcohol was completely withdrawing myself from everyone and everything!! Best wishes!
Congratulations!! I was drinking about 200 units a week. I’ve done the Allen care course, been in rehab, been in AA, managed at best a few months. Im six months sober. It feels like a miracle. I didn’t read anything or go anywhere this time. I just made a firm decision but didn’t tell anyone initially. Alcohol has taken so much from me. I make a daily pledge not to drink today and so far I haven’t had bi g cravings. I’ve also drank for just over 30 years. Thanks for the video 😊
@@dg9015 For me, yes. The further I got from my last drink, the more my cravings went away. I think having a sober community/friends helps a lot. It's something you really can't go at alone, you need people who understand how tough it is to get sober and people you can hang out with who don't drink.
I'm definitely not a functional alcoholic. In a way its a blessing because it is actually making me terrified enough to wanna stop. Lost my marriage, and she left with my son, my parents died all in that same year and after years of being somewhat functional and working and drinking but doing well I gave up trying to control it and ended up homeless. And yeah that's no fun. It's quite scary and dangerous at times. So yeah, no longer. Got a room now but yeah, every time I get a place I get too drunk, black out and go mental eventually (although I do actually have Schizophrenia). So there's that too but I have found that everything is worse for my drinking no matter how long I do well for and no matter how much control I seem to have. Eventually I always find a new rock bottom. Even when it's all going great. Like it was for so long. Been sober 5 days now. Feeling a bit on edge and well, been here so many times. Three weeks sober. Two weeks sober. Then my anxiety kicks in. I just gotta push passed it this time. And get past the 3 week mark and keep going.
Drinking is like adding gasoline to a fire; it just blows everything up. I know that AA isn’t for everyone but it saved my life. At least give it a try.
I am so glad you made this video. Our culture has normalized drinking, and other forms of addiction to a great extent. When we have a bad day we say “I could sure use a drink!” A “girls night” or “going out with the boys” means a night of drinking. I was blessed with intolerance to alcohol. I vomit and feel miserable after a couple of drinks. Unfortunately my daughter did not inherit that gene. I lost her six years ago at 38 to complications from chronic alcoholism and anorexia. I found her when her boyfriend asked me to check on her because she wasn’t answering her phone. She had actually quit drinking but she didn’t seek medical support and, due to heart damage from the anorexia, she went into cardiac arrest. Watching my beautiful, talented girl descend into a shell of a human was torture, but finding her dead was my nightmare come to life. The door that led to hope slammed shut that day. I don’t know your personal situation but if I were your mom I would be so stinking proud of you and I would want to give you a big bear hug every day! Thank you for courageously stepping out of your comfort zone to make this video. If one person sees your video and quits drinking then you have saved a life, and a family. God bless. ❤️
Bless your heart for sharing the perils of alcoholism. So sorry for the loss of a child! I understand the shock as we lost our grandson at 22! I hope you take care of yourself and find new purpose and hope. ❤️
I'm always impressed by people who have a problem like addiction and are able to get past it. It must be one of the most difficult things to do, and from what I have heard alcohol is one of the most problematic ones. So well done my dude! I think you've proven a lot about yourself.
I have been clean and sober for 8 months...drinking over 50 years...being sober is something I wish I would have done years before...drinking was such a part of my life...and after retiring ...it got to be..."you cant drink all day if you dont start in the morning" Its been life changing..so all who quit ...CONGRATULATIONS AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK...
My love of reading helped me stop drinking. I drank heavily for about 14 years and I hated it. I cut down in the two years leading up to cutting it out altogether, it was difficult but I'm four and a half years sober now and I'm so grateful for every day I have. There were other factors in how I managed to quit ie; health problems but mostly reading. When I drank I didn't read as I found it hard to focus on the page, so I pretty much gave up reading. When I was ill I read constantly, in the end Dr Sleep was the nail in the coffin. Since then I've read every day instead of drinking. Glad to hear you beat it too, it's not easy. PS love your channel, thanks.
Good work! I was sober from about 34 years until 48, and then I went back after some petty disappointment. I had put my life back together quite well, but the next seven years of drinking killed my finances, my relationships, my self-esteem, and did horrible damage to my body and brain. I’m approaching three years back off the bottle, but God I wish I had never picked up again. It is so much easier to stay quit then it is to quit again. Stay well, and cheers from Seattle!
Thank you for flagging this topic Olly for alcohol has blighted my life to a large extent. Still a struggle tbh but 3 months sober now and feeling much better for it. 🙂
Happy 2 yr sober bday Ollie. I just lost my mom of 60yrs old to alcoholism last month. She had liver failure, heart failure & and internal bleed due to the alcohol. Both my parents were addicts & it caused so many detrimental effects on us all. Extremely painful! I lost 4 family members to alcohol aside from my mom. Proud of you! I know your family is proud & so grateful to have you around! Take one day at a time! Have a good support system to talk to when you’re struggling! Congrats & thank you for sharing this book & your story in hopes this vid might reach/help someone else. I wish it had found my mom. Take care!
Thanks for talking about this. I often like a drink on an evening. Its strange i can go the whole day without even thinking about drinking but when it gets to 8pm it becomes very inviting. I think alot of people have this problem. I will be checking this book out.
I turned 60 this year and was a problem drinker for years and should tell my story. I would say I was an alcoholic but I sure went about it in a crazy way. I could go for weeks without drinking as long as I didn't buy any or have it around the house. But if we went to a party or wedding, etc. where there was alcohol I would binge drink. Then for about 5 years I only drank around the holidays. Like now, this time of year.....I would go thru several bottles of bourbon or crown or Seagrams 7. Anyway it was enough that 2 years ago I started getting bad blood tests. High liver enzymes. My doctor sent me for a scan of my liver and I had fatty liver. That scared me enough to quit but I haven't really totally quit and I don't know why. That's why I am here watching these videos. I have cut down to 1 maybe 2 beers a month when we go to eat at the Mexican place close to our house. I have also drank at parties but limited it to 2 beers only. Anyway I am ready to take the leap and just tell everyone I quit drinking. My plan is to go 30 days without drinking any alcohol first and see how that goes. Hopefully it sticks and I can just continue on with no alcohol. BTW- my health has improved substantially the last 2 years and my blood tests are normal now. Oh thanks for the recommending the book. I just ordered it.
Thank you for sharing that. I am also on recover from both hard drugs and heavy alcoholism. Currently sitting at about 16 months sober. Keep on fighting the good fight. We don’t need that nasty stuff anymore.
First of all, I'm so proud of you. The more of us talk about this, the easier it is. The middle of the night wake up is so familiar. Except for me, because I was closing the bars or drinking after work on the night shift, I would wake up at 6 or 7 am and be wide awake, having only been asleep for 2 - 3 hours. The worst place I woke up was on one of those school yard merry go rounds from the 70s. There were kids literally poking me with sticks. Surprisingly *that* didn't tell me that I had a problem, it was a funny story to tell. Party Sheila was my personality, and I absolutely used alcohol as a crutch to not deal with trauma and untreated mental illness. It wasn't until I was basically on self destruct 4 years ago that I finally just hurt too many people playing this hard partying persona. I never could have done it without the support of my wife, and I never could have taken her help until I was all out of options. I am hardheaded when it comes to some lessons, but once I make up my mind, it's done. It's been easy for me to stick with ever since. I don't mind being around booze, and I still love making cocktails and beer recommendations for my friends (and anyone else who will listen). The only time alcohol bothers me is the smell of some hand sanitizers (the one that smells like tequila is bad), and if I have a nightmare that I am drinking. You're an incredible guy, Olly. I'm so glad that I've made your acquaintance in this universe of 1s and 0s.
So happy to hear this from you! I am an old(er) woman who got sober 38 years ago through a book (ADDICTIVE DRINKING probably oop now) so we can both say our lives were saved by reading!📚❤️. I am happy for you now and you won't believe how wonderfully life gets through the years, compared to what it would have been....and so many more books read!🥳🥳❤️📚
Congrats, brother! I've got 6 months sober at 42 after a 20+ year drinking binge. The pandemic did me in as well- got shakes, panic through the roof, and blood tests showed liver deterioration. My only regret is not quitting earlier, thinking about all the time and opportunities wasted, but onward and upward. Now I look forward to the mornings instead of dreading them. Am going to read this book, drinking would energize me instead of sedating- I'd want to keep drinking all night as well. Love the channel, keep up the great work. Happy anniversary!
Two years is a long time. I'm glad you posted this, and congratulations. I gave up drinking in 2014, so I'm working on my tenth year sober. It's a better life. I can relate to being unable to handle projects like Booktube while you're drinking. I couldn't even keep up with guitar lessons when I was drinking.
I relate 100%. I knew as soon as you mentioned a book it would be Alcohol Explained or This Naked Mind. I’m still fighting the demon. Trying every day to stop. Listen to Porter’s book and others every day as well as videos like yours. Appreciate you. Stay the course.
I don’t drink myself, but I can see what alcohol is doing to a few of my close family members and I sometimes feel hopeless about how to help them. Your video gives me hope! Thanks for opening up about it. It was very timely, at least for me.
Congratulations on 2 years. I was never much of a drinker but was an almost pack a day smoker, so I understand the addiction. I quit February 2022. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
I've ordered this book now for someone I know, so thank you! I find the description of how the first 'one' of the day leads to more and the rate increases as the night goes on so accurate for so many people. Some treat smoking the same way so this book may even help for that. I've been mostly straight-edge for years and feel so much for people struggling with alcohol and any addiction. Even though I can have a drink annually or so, I still wish it was not as normalized. I find it a pain explaining over and over to people that you don't drink. Great episode, Olly!
Quit drinking 2 summers ago. Worst time with all the bbqs, hot days, yard work, the beach, a beer or glass of wine would've been great to reward myself. Or even to start the day. Anyway year and a half without a drink, over 500 days, nights. 3 glass a day , that 1500 glasses of wine that didnt pass through my liver or soaked in my brain
Congratulations on your milestone, Olly! My dad stopped drinking when I was a kid, and though it had never made him cruel or abusive, once he stopped he became so much more present in my life. I owe the great relationship we have now to his ability to quit. I also never started drinking because of this and I think my life is easier for it. It's a very brave thing to do and to talk about, you should be quite proud.
Congratulations, Olly! I lost a cousin to alcohol related disease a few short years ago. He was heavily into the whole liquid business lunches thing in the 1980s and it all finally caught up with him. He was only 55.
I am happy to hear that you left drinking behind. A lifetime of heavy drinking killed my uncle in 1996 and I have missed him every day since. It isn't easy what you did and it could not have been easy making this video. I am very happy, along with so many others, that you were able to give it up and that you started this channel. Three hip-hips for your vanquishing the addiction.
I held my breath when I heard you say early on that you were going to recommend a book, because there are some very popular books out there that fall short, and I've read most of them. But you hit it spot on and recommended THE book that is above all books, because it explains why we drink and the effects that alcohol has on all of us, without exception. I no longer felt like I was in a small minority of problem drinkers after I read it, and instead came to realize that I had just followed the progression of heavy drinking. Most importantly, this book (Alcohol Explained, by William Porter) explains the futility of just trying to cut down and "just have one or two" after the rubicon of heavy drinking has been crossed. THANK YOU for sharing this book!!
Well done Olly. Folks will listen to your words and will feel human comfort from your words. The universe rewards the Brave. Our Parents were heavy drinkers and both smoked 60/80 cigarettes per day. My Brother and I have never smoked or touched alcohol. However at University I was addicted to heroin. Which lasted 3 years to the day. I awoke on the street between two parked vehicles. I have been clean for 15 years. Australia
Great video! I come from a family of alcoholics and even lost my uncle (age 39) to alcoholism, so I know first hand the impacts. I’m glad you overcame your battle with it. It’s amazing to see the power of books in action.
Honesty and integrity, thank you. I'm 2 weeks in and am feeling the benefits already, 20 years of abuse and i cant see myself drinking again, so many books to get through... inspiring, thank you olly
Well done Olly. I was an alcoholic and drug addict for about 15 years and a problem drinker for the 15 years prior. Luckily i hit rock bottom and realised something needed to change. Be proud of yourself everyday. 💜
Glad to have found this, thanks for sharing! I'm on day 4 (no drinking, no smoking), still very early but looking forward to being sober. I totally relate to the 'i can be fine if i don't drink, but if i start drinking i'm going to be drinking until bed' thing. Lots of love, and congrats!
9 days sober. Now. Symptoms I have had are swollen feet the obvious beer belly and pseudogynecomastia. I also had bloodworm done recently and I have high AST levels which is an indicator of beginning stages of liver damage. Not to mention the legal problems I have had in the past. It's crazy to think you can beat this by just drinking in moderation. Sure u can have those days where u have one beer but many are the days where one quickly turns into 12.
same here- “Alcohol Explained” was the turning point for me as well. something just made sense and really landed the way William takes a no nonsense approach explaining the mechanics. It very much acknowledges its dept to Alan Carr, but then takes it further to make it much more relatable. so much better now sober- really glad you took the time to explain it on your channel thank you!
This is exactly what I needed to see. Love your channel and had no idea. Im in recovery now. Been struggling, had a month sober then slipped up for a few days and back to 7 days clean. Love hearing others recovery stories
Congrats Ollie! I stopped drinking when I was carrying my first 6 years ago, and realised I was happier not starting again, although I have the odd wine with friends maybe one every 3 months or so.
Just stumbled across your channel after trying to find a UK book reviewer who reviews horrors/dark books! Was scrolling and saw this video. Firstly, thank you for your honesty and openness and well done in being so self aware that your drinking was becoming a problem and doing something about it. I unfortunately have a close family member who has not had this realisation and I don’t think ever will. Secondly, this video makes me further appreciate the power of books and reading and the huge impact books can have on your life which makes me so happy. Love the videos I’ve watched so far and can’t wait to binge your old videos!
my nearly 30 yr relationship with alcohol has been very similar. (90 days sober at the moment.) thank you so much, Ollie, for opening yourself sharing this very encouraging video. and congrats on the sobriety!
So much of this rings true to me, thank you for posting this video. Drinking for me is my biggest issue. Im taking today as the first day of sobriety. Ive quit before and i need to quit again and get some days, weeks and years behind me. Time builds strength and thats what i need. Good luck to all you fantastic quiters out there!!!! :)
Congrats on 2 years! I haven't drunk alcohol for 16 years (16th anniversary this month). With me the impetus to stop was realising what it was doing to me/my life and that it was in reality giving me nothing in return. You can do it!
Thanks for this, im 44 and have stopped as i realised it's not for me. Glad you managed it too. Didn't know you'd gone through this as well. It's good to share as you'll help others too.
Thank you so much for making this video and congrats on two years! I really appreciate your candor, thoughtfulness, and openness in all your videos. I was able to quit after 22 years and I will be celebrating 6 years sober in October. Hearing other people's stories of sobriety let me know it was possible. Perhaps this video will inspire other to take that step if they feel they its time. Cheers to you Ollie! (clinks water glass)
Thank you so much for this book recommendation. I just started it today and it really explains so much! And I need this! My wine habit has increased over the years and I’ve been worried about it for so long!! It’s become a real problem and so I made the decision to stop all alcohol. It’s only been a few days but I feel stronger with this book explaining so much! Congratulations on your sobriety and thank you so so much for this video! ❤
Congratulations on your anniversary and thank you for sharing this. I haven't read the book, but it seems like our situations were very similar. I quit drinking March of 2021 and I definitely don't miss waking up at 3am anxious after a day of drinking.
Congratulations and thank you for the book suggestion. I will pass this on to my husband, who struggles with the same middle of the night anxiety. His pattern is similar to what yours was. I wish you all the best! 😊
One can never rest. I’ve had over 2 years sober. 3 different times. Now I have 14 years and though I intensely hate alcohol , I could find myself back in that misery given the right conditions.
Congratulations on your sobriety anniversary! And thank your for the book recommendation. I'm not a big drinker, but I know a number of people who might read it and find it useful.
I must say, I'm impressed. If BookTube has "Stars" (think Hollywood), you are certainly one of them. One of the very best! For you to publicly speak of something so intimately defeating, painful as alcoholism, with no other possible motive than to reach out and help people!!!!!! Many channels get big, and their owners get sort of a diva syndrome. I was already a fan of your show. Now, indeed, I am a fan of you, the man. Who knows how many hundreds of people you just helped? Bravo! Congratulations on your sobriety!!! Well done, Sir!
Almost 8 weeks here. Gave it up for weight loss and health. Just taking a little break. But man, the benefits are undeniable! Just the sleep alone all worth it!
Congrats on 2 years! Thanks for making this video. I think as a community, booktube has the opportunity to be a safe space to discuss many things (not just books!) that our members might be facing, thinking about, or dealing with, openly and acceptingly!
Three months sober in December! AA has been a blessing and doing that and working with sponsor has helped me get through. I didn’t realize how bad I felt until I stopped. Thank u
Congrats on your two years Olly! Always appreciate people taking the chance and being open about personal things. I am even more impressed that you seemed to have not traded it in to another vice, my father quit drinking in my childhood and due to an unfortunate amount of circumstances he ended up replacing it with food (it is more complicated but yeah it is a tough go of of it).
For those who find a window of escape from the addiction of alcohol, Godspeed and may you find purpose and meaning each step of the way helping other folk.
First of all, congrats, and happy anniversary! Good for you. Thanks for this… valuable video. I probably drink less, but I definitely recognize some of this behavior. I remember being interested in this book when you first talked about it, and now even more so.
When I quit I was drinking moderately and occasionally. As I got older, I found any amount would raise my blood pressure and give me rebound insomnia. I'd wake up after two hours and wouldn't fall back asleep even though I felt exhausted. It's Groundhog's Eve today and it's the fourth anniversary of my last drink. I've lost weight, my blood pressure is much lower, and I sleep well. Alcohol is like self flagellation - it feels so good when you stop.
23 years of heavy drinking. I am 41 and starting to feel like my memory and cognitive abilities are not what they used to be. I'm scared I have caused permanent brain damage. I'm only on day 4. Thanks for the encouragement to keep going.
I was an 18-year-old Marine in Korea when the truce was signed, after which I learned to drink beer. My beer-drinking-habits didn't work all that well back in the states, I was sort of a binge drinker, afraid of drinking too regularly, afraid it would interfere with my hiking, sailing, free-diving, etc. I didn't avoid trouble. I quit drinking during Watergate and am now 10 months away from being 90. The downside of being this old and being a serious reader is that my eyesight is no longer very good, and I have to use various forms of Kindle, but I I'm happy I quit drinking, and just as happy I work out regularly. Friends and relatives have mostly died off, but my kids are all living -- just not nearby. I'm living in a large house with a large library, and an Irish Terrier named Jessica and feeling better than one might suspect.
Can you share your symptoms after you quilt thanks
Well done
I've been alcoholic for 10 years. I'm on month 2 of sobriety. Thanks for the encouraging video
Edit: Still Sober!
Well done for getting to 2 months! Keep it up, it’s so worth it.
Stay strong. Keep busy. You can do this.
Well done
How can I get sober I have tried so many times bt fail
@@parvindersinghishu4714 for me it was as simple as trading one addiction for another. A healthy addiction though. I found something I was passionate about and alcohol and that activity didn’t mix. So after several weeks of not drinking I lost the craving for it. Have been sober since last August
Olly, my dad was an alcoholic. He could not stop, and it ended up killing him at 58. He could never admit he had a problem. The last years of his life I never saw him sober. I am happy that you have been able to stop. Congratulations! Keep it going….
Thank you Tom, and so sorry to hear that about your dad.
I started drinking alcohol since my teenage. Got addicted for over 23 years. Also suffered severe depression and mental disorder. It's just amazing how psilocybin mushrooms treatment saved my life honestly. 6 years totally clean. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms.
Amen God bless people. Save your health save your mind. Life is better without alcohol and cigarettes.And you have more money in your pocket. God bless everyone who has rejected the devils intentions to be addicted to alcohol and cigarettes etc that can cause so much damage to health.
Can you help with the reliable source I would really appreciate it. Many people talk about mushrooms and psychedelics but nobody talks about where to get them. Very hard to get a reliable source here in Netherland. Really need!
Hey! Yes very sure of Dr.medshrooms. a single dose of shrooms saved me from Alcohol addiction. 6 years clean. no cravings. this doesn't sound weird to me in any way shape or form.
Yes he's Dr.alishrooms.Lsd and psilocybin are amazing teachers along its dmt mah dudes have safe trips all. Shrooms are blessings from nature.
I've done microdosing for help and it works does cut depression out its been the best remedy I've ever had psilocybin been illegal is actually a crime against humanity
I drank heavily for 42 years. Tried to quit so many times and failed. Ruined the best years of my life. One day while at my job laying wood floors I had a focal seizure, woke up in the hospital. All tests came back clear, MRI blood work ect. I feel it was related to my drinking, I have not drank in two months and I never will again. I took a serious medical crisis to wake me up, it worked. Great day to all.
Congrats on two months! Sorry it took something so serious to make you realise you had to make a change, but great that you did
Congratulations on your sobriety.
Well dun have agopd life
How much of alcohol consumption over a few years is considered heavy drinking?
@@Glee_Tourist I used to drink a twelve pack. Then a bottle of Captain. Every night almost.
I'm 41 days sober, unfortunately I didn't stop drinking until it had some serious consequences for myself and my family. I hope I can, in time repair some of the damage but not sure.
Thank you for sharing your story with us all. I am really enjoying listening to people and their stories, and I am constantly thinking about things past and present in relation to my addiction and life in general... when I began drinking alcohol in my teens it was to be social, to be included and be around people as often as possible... by the end of my drinking my use of alcohol was completely withdrawing myself from everyone and everything!! Best wishes!
Congrats on 41 days! Hope it's over 50 now. I think sharing our stories is a really important way to help people in the same boat
Congratulations!! I was drinking about 200 units a week. I’ve done the Allen care course, been in rehab, been in AA, managed at best a few months. Im six months sober. It feels like a miracle. I didn’t read anything or go anywhere this time. I just made a firm decision but didn’t tell anyone initially. Alcohol has taken so much from me. I make a daily pledge not to drink today and so far I haven’t had bi g cravings. I’ve also drank for just over 30 years.
Thanks for the video 😊
Well done! It's weird isn't it, sometimes it's just the right time to quit and you can do it with just you and no other help
Well done amazing
Congrats on two years! I hit two years alcohol-free in May myself. So relieved to be out of that vicious cycle. Thanks for the book rec!
Fantastic! Congratulations 😊
How are you doing now
@@dg9015 Over three years now, and doing really well. Thanks for asking ;)
@@jennystout8600 that's awesome. Does it get easier
@@dg9015 For me, yes. The further I got from my last drink, the more my cravings went away. I think having a sober community/friends helps a lot. It's something you really can't go at alone, you need people who understand how tough it is to get sober and people you can hang out with who don't drink.
Your story and mine are similar…I drank for more than 30 years and quit in September, 2021. Congratulations! We did it!
We did!!!
I'm definitely not a functional alcoholic. In a way its a blessing because it is actually making me terrified enough to wanna stop. Lost my marriage, and she left with my son, my parents died all in that same year and after years of being somewhat functional and working and drinking but doing well I gave up trying to control it and ended up homeless. And yeah that's no fun. It's quite scary and dangerous at times. So yeah, no longer. Got a room now but yeah, every time I get a place I get too drunk, black out and go mental eventually (although I do actually have Schizophrenia). So there's that too but I have found that everything is worse for my drinking no matter how long I do well for and no matter how much control I seem to have. Eventually I always find a new rock bottom. Even when it's all going great. Like it was for so long. Been sober 5 days now. Feeling a bit on edge and well, been here so many times. Three weeks sober. Two weeks sober. Then my anxiety kicks in. I just gotta push passed it this time. And get past the 3 week mark and keep going.
Drinking is like adding gasoline to a fire; it just blows everything up. I know that AA isn’t for everyone but it saved my life. At least give it a try.
What about Phlake Johnstoned????
@@JDeyerle Who is that?
Good luck and God bless you ❤
I am so glad you made this video. Our culture has normalized drinking, and other forms of addiction to a great extent. When we have a bad day we say “I could sure use a drink!” A “girls night” or “going out with the boys” means a night of drinking.
I was blessed with intolerance to alcohol. I vomit and feel miserable after a couple of drinks. Unfortunately my daughter did not inherit that gene. I lost her six years ago at 38 to complications from chronic alcoholism and anorexia. I found her when her boyfriend asked me to check on her because she wasn’t answering her phone.
She had actually quit drinking but she didn’t seek medical support and, due to heart damage from the anorexia, she went into cardiac arrest.
Watching my beautiful, talented girl descend into a shell of a human was torture, but finding her dead was my nightmare come to life. The door that led to hope slammed shut that day.
I don’t know your personal situation but if I were your mom I would be so stinking proud of you and I would want to give you a big bear hug every day!
Thank you for courageously stepping out of your comfort zone to make this video. If one person sees your video and quits drinking then you have saved a life, and a family. God bless. ❤️
I am so so sorry for your loss, that’s really tragic.
Bless your heart for sharing the perils of alcoholism. So sorry for the loss of a child! I understand the shock as we lost our grandson at 22! I hope you take care of yourself and find new purpose and hope. ❤️
So sad. Alcohol is poison. It should never be consumed by anyone. It's big business. Alcohol is essential to our sick society.
I'm always impressed by people who have a problem like addiction and are able to get past it. It must be one of the most difficult things to do, and from what I have heard alcohol is one of the most problematic ones. So well done my dude! I think you've proven a lot about yourself.
Thank you - I'd tried before and struggled, but that last time it just worked
I had 4 years and relapsed whiskey right down the street its hard just driving by sometimes can't even go to the grocery stores anymore
Tobacco is much harder to quit.
@@kingcormack8004ageee
And proven a lot to himself
I'm 3years sober myself. I was a heavy drinker myself
Congratulations!
I have been clean and sober for 8 months...drinking over 50 years...being sober is something I wish I would have done years before...drinking was such a part of my life...and after retiring ...it got to be..."you cant drink all day if you dont start in the morning" Its been life changing..so all who quit ...CONGRATULATIONS AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK...
Thank you! And big congrats on your 8 months!
How’s your liver?
had to have it surgically removed @@jeremyalcoser5742
My love of reading helped me stop drinking. I drank heavily for about 14 years and I hated it. I cut down in the two years leading up to cutting it out altogether, it was difficult but I'm four and a half years sober now and I'm so grateful for every day I have. There were other factors in how I managed to quit ie; health problems but mostly reading. When I drank I didn't read as I found it hard to focus on the page, so I pretty much gave up reading. When I was ill I read constantly, in the end Dr Sleep was the nail in the coffin. Since then I've read every day instead of drinking. Glad to hear you beat it too, it's not easy.
PS love your channel, thanks.
Thanks Dan - really glad to hear that you were able to beat it and are seeing the benefits!
Good work! I was sober from about 34 years until 48, and then I went back after some petty disappointment. I had put my life back together quite well, but the next seven years of drinking killed my finances, my relationships, my self-esteem, and did horrible damage to my body and brain. I’m approaching three years back off the bottle, but God I wish I had never picked up again. It is so much easier to stay quit then it is to quit again. Stay well, and cheers from Seattle!
So glad to hear your got sober again after sliding. I imagine that was even harder than first time around
Thank you for flagging this topic Olly for alcohol has blighted my life to a large extent. Still a struggle tbh but 3 months sober now and feeling much better for it. 🙂
3 months is great, Asif - I'm delighted for you!
Happy 2 yr sober bday Ollie. I just lost my mom of 60yrs old to alcoholism last month. She had liver failure, heart failure & and internal bleed due to the alcohol. Both my parents were addicts & it caused so many detrimental effects on us all. Extremely painful! I lost 4 family members to alcohol aside from my mom. Proud of you! I know your family is proud & so grateful to have you around! Take one day at a time! Have a good support system to talk to when you’re struggling! Congrats & thank you for sharing this book & your story in hopes this vid might reach/help someone else. I wish it had found my mom. Take care!
Thank you. I’m so sorry to hear about your mum.
Thanks for talking about this. I often like a drink on an evening. Its strange i can go the whole day without even thinking about drinking but when it gets to 8pm it becomes very inviting. I think alot of people have this problem. I will be checking this book out.
Hope you find it useful
I turned 60 this year and was a problem drinker for years and should tell my story. I would say I was an alcoholic but I sure went about it in a crazy way. I could go for weeks without drinking as long as I didn't buy any or have it around the house. But if we went to a party or wedding, etc. where there was alcohol I would binge drink. Then for about 5 years I only drank around the holidays. Like now, this time of year.....I would go thru several bottles of bourbon or crown or Seagrams 7. Anyway it was enough that 2 years ago I started getting bad blood tests. High liver enzymes. My doctor sent me for a scan of my liver and I had fatty liver. That scared me enough to quit but I haven't really totally quit and I don't know why. That's why I am here watching these videos. I have cut down to 1 maybe 2 beers a month when we go to eat at the Mexican place close to our house. I have also drank at parties but limited it to 2 beers only. Anyway I am ready to take the leap and just tell everyone I quit drinking. My plan is to go 30 days without drinking any alcohol first and see how that goes. Hopefully it sticks and I can just continue on with no alcohol. BTW- my health has improved substantially the last 2 years and my blood tests are normal now. Oh thanks for the recommending the book. I just ordered it.
Thank you for sharing that. I am also on recover from both hard drugs and heavy alcoholism. Currently sitting at about 16 months sober. Keep on fighting the good fight. We don’t need that nasty stuff anymore.
Well done! 16 months is great. I totally agree that we don’t need it.
Wow
Well done
First of all, I'm so proud of you. The more of us talk about this, the easier it is. The middle of the night wake up is so familiar. Except for me, because I was closing the bars or drinking after work on the night shift, I would wake up at 6 or 7 am and be wide awake, having only been asleep for 2 - 3 hours.
The worst place I woke up was on one of those school yard merry go rounds from the 70s. There were kids literally poking me with sticks. Surprisingly *that* didn't tell me that I had a problem, it was a funny story to tell. Party Sheila was my personality, and I absolutely used alcohol as a crutch to not deal with trauma and untreated mental illness. It wasn't until I was basically on self destruct 4 years ago that I finally just hurt too many people playing this hard partying persona.
I never could have done it without the support of my wife, and I never could have taken her help until I was all out of options. I am hardheaded when it comes to some lessons, but once I make up my mind, it's done. It's been easy for me to stick with ever since.
I don't mind being around booze, and I still love making cocktails and beer recommendations for my friends (and anyone else who will listen). The only time alcohol bothers me is the smell of some hand sanitizers (the one that smells like tequila is bad), and if I have a nightmare that I am drinking.
You're an incredible guy, Olly. I'm so glad that I've made your acquaintance in this universe of 1s and 0s.
Thanks Sheila! So glad to have met you too, and that you were able to get sober yourself.
So happy to hear this from you! I am an old(er) woman who got sober 38 years ago through a book (ADDICTIVE DRINKING probably oop now) so we can both say our lives were saved by reading!📚❤️. I am happy for you now and you won't believe how wonderfully life gets through the years, compared to what it would have been....and so many more books read!🥳🥳❤️📚
Wow 38 years is an amazing achievement! Well done! And yes. Books have saved us both!
Congrats, brother! I've got 6 months sober at 42 after a 20+ year drinking binge. The pandemic did me in as well- got shakes, panic through the roof, and blood tests showed liver deterioration. My only regret is not quitting earlier, thinking about all the time and opportunities wasted, but onward and upward. Now I look forward to the mornings instead of dreading them. Am going to read this book, drinking would energize me instead of sedating- I'd want to keep drinking all night as well. Love the channel, keep up the great work. Happy anniversary!
Thanks so much and congratulations on 6 months! Definitely read the book. It will keep you strong!
Two years is a long time. I'm glad you posted this, and congratulations. I gave up drinking in 2014, so I'm working on my tenth year sober. It's a better life. I can relate to being unable to handle projects like Booktube while you're drinking. I couldn't even keep up with guitar lessons when I was drinking.
10 years is amazing! Well done! And yeah booze steels so much time and brain power
I'm Class of 2014 too, best decision I ever made 👍
@@royreadsanything Best decision I've ever made, too. This sober life is the only good life I've ever known.
✊🏆
Me too. I’d be long dead if I didn’t quit then.
I relate 100%. I knew as soon as you mentioned a book it would be Alcohol Explained or This Naked Mind. I’m still fighting the demon. Trying every day to stop. Listen to Porter’s book and others every day as well as videos like yours. Appreciate you. Stay the course.
I don’t drink myself, but I can see what alcohol is doing to a few of my close family members and I sometimes feel hopeless about how to help them. Your video gives me hope! Thanks for opening up about it. It was very timely, at least for me.
So glad it was helpful. I hope your family members can get help soon
Another huge fan of William Porter here. One of the books that changed my life for the better too.
Huge well done ❤
So glad it helped you too!
24 days sober. Its way past time for me to give it up...for good this time.
Congratulations on 2 years. I was never much of a drinker but was an almost pack a day smoker, so I understand the addiction. I quit February 2022. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Ah that’s fantastic you were able to quit smoking! Congratulations 😊
Keep going Queen!
Love this. Over 2 years sober here, and loving life! Great work my man.
Thank you! And congrats on your sobriety!
I've ordered this book now for someone I know, so thank you! I find the description of how the first 'one' of the day leads to more and the rate increases as the night goes on so accurate for so many people. Some treat smoking the same way so this book may even help for that. I've been mostly straight-edge for years and feel so much for people struggling with alcohol and any addiction. Even though I can have a drink annually or so, I still wish it was not as normalized. I find it a pain explaining over and over to people that you don't drink. Great episode, Olly!
Thanks Lydia, hope the book helps your friend as much as it did me.
Congratulations on two years.
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Brian
Congratulations on your anniversary! A brave, generous, and important video.
Thank you so much!
Quit drinking 2 summers ago. Worst time with all the bbqs, hot days, yard work, the beach, a beer or glass of wine would've been great to reward myself. Or even to start the day. Anyway year and a half without a drink, over 500 days, nights. 3 glass a day , that 1500 glasses of wine that didnt pass through my liver or soaked in my brain
Congrats, Ollie. Good choice to share this story...
Thank you!
Congratulations on your milestone, Olly! My dad stopped drinking when I was a kid, and though it had never made him cruel or abusive, once he stopped he became so much more present in my life. I owe the great relationship we have now to his ability to quit. I also never started drinking because of this and I think my life is easier for it. It's a very brave thing to do and to talk about, you should be quite proud.
Thank you! And so glad your dad gave up and you saw the benefits of that
Thank you so much for this video. I am 55 and a problem drinker for a LONG time, this information I hope will help me quit, for good. Gracias.
I really hope it helps you!
Congratulations, Olly! I lost a cousin to alcohol related disease a few short years ago. He was heavily into the whole liquid business lunches thing in the 1980s and it all finally caught up with him. He was only 55.
I'm so sorry to hear that
Very authentic, thank you for your well composed narration.
Thank you 🙏🏻
I am happy to hear that you left drinking behind. A lifetime of heavy drinking killed my uncle in 1996 and I have missed him every day since. It isn't easy what you did and it could not have been easy making this video. I am very happy, along with so many others, that you were able to give it up and that you started this channel. Three hip-hips for your vanquishing the addiction.
Thanks Rick, I really appreciate your kind words, and sorry for your loss
I held my breath when I heard you say early on that you were going to recommend a book, because there are some very popular books out there that fall short, and I've read most of them. But you hit it spot on and recommended THE book that is above all books, because it explains why we drink and the effects that alcohol has on all of us, without exception. I no longer felt like I was in a small minority of problem drinkers after I read it, and instead came to realize that I had just followed the progression of heavy drinking. Most importantly, this book (Alcohol Explained, by William Porter) explains the futility of just trying to cut down and "just have one or two" after the rubicon of heavy drinking has been crossed.
THANK YOU for sharing this book!!
Thank you! I'm so glad to have found the book and really wanted to share it with others
I got the sneak peak over at Patreon and had to comment here as well. I am so proud of the decision you made! Well done buddy! - MJ
Thank you MJ :)
Well done Olly. Folks will listen to your words and will feel human comfort from your words.
The universe rewards the Brave.
Our Parents were heavy drinkers and both smoked 60/80 cigarettes per day.
My Brother and I have never smoked or touched alcohol.
However at University I was addicted to heroin.
Which lasted 3 years to the day.
I awoke on the street between two parked vehicles.
I have been clean for 15 years.
Australia
Great video! I come from a family of alcoholics and even lost my uncle (age 39) to alcoholism, so I know first hand the impacts. I’m glad you overcame your battle with it. It’s amazing to see the power of books in action.
So sorry about your uncle. But yes, I really do think that book changed my life
Honesty and integrity, thank you. I'm 2 weeks in and am feeling the benefits already, 20 years of abuse and i cant see myself drinking again, so many books to get through... inspiring, thank you olly
Fantastic! Glad the video was helpful
Well done Olly. I was an alcoholic and drug addict for about 15 years and a problem drinker for the 15 years prior. Luckily i hit rock bottom and realised something needed to change. Be proud of yourself everyday. 💜
Thanks mate, really appreciate it. So pleased we both beat it and met each other
Glad to have found this, thanks for sharing! I'm on day 4 (no drinking, no smoking), still very early but looking forward to being sober. I totally relate to the 'i can be fine if i don't drink, but if i start drinking i'm going to be drinking until bed' thing. Lots of love, and congrats!
Congratulations on two years Olly. Such a great video.
Thanks so much!
7 days sober and I am taking it a day at a time watching videos like this has helped me. Have drank for 23 years will be 50 next year
Well done! Sounds like your situation is very similar to mine. Keep taking it day by day.
Can you please share your symptoms did you having itching headaches etc please and thank you.
9 days sober. Now. Symptoms I have had are swollen feet the obvious beer belly and pseudogynecomastia. I also had bloodworm done recently and I have high AST levels which is an indicator of beginning stages of liver damage. Not to mention the legal problems I have had in the past. It's crazy to think you can beat this by just drinking in moderation. Sure u can have those days where u have one beer but many are the days where one quickly turns into 12.
Congratulations on achieving two years of sobriety, Olly! And, well done using the anniversary to benefit others who may also struggle with addiction!
Thank you!
People dont realize just how powerful books can be. This video shows that beautifully.
Completely agree
same here- “Alcohol Explained” was the turning point for me as well. something just made sense and really landed the way William takes a no nonsense approach explaining the mechanics.
It very much acknowledges its dept to Alan Carr, but then takes it further to make it much more relatable.
so much better now sober- really glad you took the time to explain it on your channel
thank you!
So glad it helped you too!
This is exactly what I needed to see. Love your channel and had no idea. Im in recovery now. Been struggling, had a month sober then slipped up for a few days and back to 7 days clean. Love hearing others recovery stories
Hey - keep it up. 7 days is great, just keep adding to them, the further you get from that last drink the easier it gets.
Congrats Ollie! I stopped drinking when I was carrying my first 6 years ago, and realised I was happier not starting again, although I have the odd wine with friends maybe one every 3 months or so.
Thank you!
Yes! This book is helping me so much. I kept relapsing. But I’m on day 2 now and feeling good! Thanks for sharing. ♥️☺️ and congrats on over 2 years!
So pleased the book is helping! Keep it up!
Just stumbled across your channel after trying to find a UK book reviewer who reviews horrors/dark books! Was scrolling and saw this video. Firstly, thank you for your honesty and openness and well done in being so self aware that your drinking was becoming a problem and doing something about it. I unfortunately have a close family member who has not had this realisation and I don’t think ever will.
Secondly, this video makes me further appreciate the power of books and reading and the huge impact books can have on your life which makes me so happy.
Love the videos I’ve watched so far and can’t wait to binge your old videos!
Thanks Danielle! Really appreciate the comment and glad you're enjoying the channel. I hope your relative has the same sort of realisation I did.
my nearly 30 yr relationship with alcohol has been very similar. (90 days sober at the moment.) thank you so much, Ollie, for opening yourself sharing this very encouraging video. and congrats on the sobriety!
Congrats on 90 days! Hope you get many more 😊
thanks for this. i think it's important to talk about addiction issues to reduce the stigma
Thank you! Totally agree
Well done mate, very impressive and I'm glad you feel comfortable sharing
Thanks, George 😊
Thank you for sharing this. I felt the same way. My faith and my wife helped me.
So much of this rings true to me, thank you for posting this video. Drinking for me is my biggest issue. Im taking today as the first day of sobriety. Ive quit before and i need to quit again and get some days, weeks and years behind me. Time builds strength and thats what i need. Good luck to all you fantastic quiters out there!!!! :)
Hey, sorry it has taken me a while to reply to this - really hope you've kept it up!
Congrats on 2 years! I haven't drunk alcohol for 16 years (16th anniversary this month). With me the impetus to stop was realising what it was doing to me/my life and that it was in reality giving me nothing in return. You can do it!
16 years is incredible! Well done
Thanks for this, im 44 and have stopped as i realised it's not for me. Glad you managed it too. Didn't know you'd gone through this as well. It's good to share as you'll help others too.
Thanks Paul. Glad you were able to stop too
Thank you so much for making this video and congrats on two years! I really appreciate your candor, thoughtfulness, and openness in all your videos. I was able to quit after 22 years and I will be celebrating 6 years sober in October. Hearing other people's stories of sobriety let me know it was possible. Perhaps this video will inspire other to take that step if they feel they its time. Cheers to you Ollie! (clinks water glass)
Congratulations on nearly 6 years, that’s an amazing achievement!
I knew I liked your channel so much. Now I love you for your strength and courage. Thank you for sharing this.
Awww, thank you so much 😊
Thank you so much for this book recommendation. I just started it today and it really explains so much! And I need this! My wine habit has increased over the years and I’ve been worried about it for so long!! It’s become a real problem and so I made the decision to stop all alcohol. It’s only been a few days but I feel stronger with this book explaining so much! Congratulations on your sobriety and thank you so so much for this video! ❤
I am so glad you found the video helpful! Good luck with your new sober life!
Congrats on your soberversary Olly!! I'm so proud and happy for you!! 🎉
Thanks for sharing your story, I'm sure rhis will help many people!
Thank you, Celeste!
Congratulations Olly on your 2nd year of Sobriety! And on your sharing on this video, it will also help people that want to live sober. 👋👍
Thank you, I hope it does!
Congratulations on your anniversary and thank you for sharing this. I haven't read the book, but it seems like our situations were very similar. I quit drinking March of 2021 and I definitely don't miss waking up at 3am anxious after a day of drinking.
Thank you! And congrats on your nearly 2 1/2 years!
Congrats for your achievement! You have a new subscriber here ✋🏻
Thank you 🙏
I just hit 4 months! Thanks for your transparency and keep coming back, brother! 😎🔷
Hey, congrats on 4 months!
@@CriminOllyBlog Thanks, man 💪
Congratulations and thank you for the book suggestion. I will pass this on to my husband, who struggles with the same middle of the night anxiety. His pattern is similar to what yours was. I wish you all the best! 😊
Thank you, I really hope it helps him
Wow, so interesting! Congratuations on 2 years! I'm on Day 6! I just ordered the book.
Well done. I know what it's like to be in the grip of an addiction.
Thank you!
One can never rest. I’ve had over 2 years sober. 3 different times. Now I have 14 years and though I intensely hate alcohol , I could find myself back in that misery given the right conditions.
Congrats on 14 years! I agree. It only takes 1 drink to throw you off again
Thank you for doing this. I'm glad you did. It's nice to be able to relate to someone on that level.
Thanks Richard, glad you found it helpful
That is wonderful and encouraging to hear one day at a time, right
Good luck on your continued journey of sobriety
Congratulations, Olly! So glad that you found the help you were looking for. Very courageous of you to share! 👏
Thank you!
Congratulations on your sobriety anniversary! And thank your for the book recommendation. I'm not a big drinker, but I know a number of people who might read it and find it useful.
Thank you! It really is a great book
This was so inspiring, and I think this could help a lot of people! Thank you for sharing your story and book recommendation on this topic!
Thank you Johanna! Hopefully it will help at least a couple of people
I must say, I'm impressed. If BookTube has "Stars" (think Hollywood), you are certainly one of them. One of the very best! For you to publicly speak of something so intimately defeating, painful as alcoholism, with no other possible motive than to reach out and help people!!!!!! Many channels get big, and their owners get sort of a diva syndrome. I was already a fan of your show. Now, indeed, I am a fan of you, the man. Who knows how many hundreds of people you just helped? Bravo! Congratulations on your sobriety!!! Well done, Sir!
Thank you so much, Rod, that’s very kind of you to say
Happy anniversary Olly, and thank you for sharing. This particular book recommendation is sure to spread some very positive ripples into the world.
Thank you! I hope so
Almost 8 weeks here. Gave it up for weight loss and health. Just taking a little break. But man, the benefits are undeniable! Just the sleep alone all worth it!
Did you lose weight I’m 7 days clean no alcohol?
I'm proud of you! I also have a drinking problem and I decided to quit only a few days ago. I'm happy to hear your story for some extra motivation!
Thank you! And good luck with your quitting. It gets easier each day.
It's easy to stop drinking but staying stopped is the challenge.
Congratulations, Olly!👏👏👏🎉
Thank you! 😃
Congrats on 2 years!
Thanks for making this video. I think as a community, booktube has the opportunity to be a safe space to discuss many things (not just books!) that our members might be facing, thinking about, or dealing with, openly and acceptingly!
Thank you! And yes I think it’s important to talk about things like this
Thank you for sharing such a personal story and well done on two years sober 🙏🏻💙
Thank you so much!
Three months sober in December! AA has been a blessing and doing that and working with sponsor has helped me get through. I didn’t realize how bad I felt until I stopped. Thank u
Congrats on your two years Olly! Always appreciate people taking the chance and being open about personal things. I am even more impressed that you seemed to have not traded it in to another vice, my father quit drinking in my childhood and due to an unfortunate amount of circumstances he ended up replacing it with food (it is more complicated but yeah it is a tough go of of it).
I replaced it with Men’s Adventure books.
Seriously though, thank you 😊
For those who find a window of escape from the addiction of alcohol, Godspeed and may you find purpose and meaning each step of the way helping other folk.
First of all, congrats, and happy anniversary! Good for you. Thanks for this… valuable video. I probably drink less, but I definitely recognize some of this behavior. I remember being interested in this book when you first talked about it, and now even more so.
Thanks Dave. It's definitely worth a read
Congratulations on your two years of sobriety! It isn't easy, and it's great that you treasure it enough to share.
Thank you so much!
Great video, Olly, and congratulations on two years!
Thanks, Troy!
Just what I needed to understand. 110 days sober. Did it :D
Fantastic! Stay strong!
Congratulations on 2 years, that’s amazing!
Thank you!
When I quit I was drinking moderately and occasionally. As I got older, I found any amount would raise my blood pressure and give me rebound insomnia. I'd wake up after two hours and wouldn't fall back asleep even though I felt exhausted. It's Groundhog's Eve today and it's the fourth anniversary of my last drink. I've lost weight, my blood pressure is much lower, and I sleep well. Alcohol is like self flagellation - it feels so good when you stop.
Congratulations and happy anniversary, buddy! And thanks for sharing your personal experience, it's really valuable. 😊
Thanks, Alex 😊