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6 Months Alcohol Free | Benefits of Being Totally Alcohol Free! SDA26

by | Stop Drinking Alcohol, Year One | 45 comments

What an amazing 6 months! I think that’s the first six months I really remember!

How do I feel physically?

The plain answer: Much better. More alive!

One word: Wow!

I have no more of the pains that I once thought were going to be a permanent part of my life. I had tried to kid myself into thinking that it was just getting old, or that it was part of eating too much junk food. That it really wasn’t the alcohol. No, really… it wasn’t>>>

It’s amazing to me now just how much I lied to myself. One of the things I always prided myself on at least being honest with myself. Lying Git!

So what pains have gone?

In my liver, head, belly, knees, eyeballs, and head! (I had two heads most mornings!)

Stop Drinking Alcohol Week 26 – Six Months Drink-Free

6 Months Weight Loss

I’ve heard arguments that alcohol doesn’t put on weight. (Drinks industry propaganda perhaps?)

The argument doesn’t ring true for me. One of the things I’ve discovered about alcohol is that your body will deal with it first, before anything else. It must. No matter what way you look at it, alcohol is a toxin. In small doses, in large doses, it’s all the same… a poison. So what happens to all the regular food you’re putting into your body? Is it turned to fat? Even if alcohol, or ethanol, doesn’t put weight on, it causes you to get fat indirectly.

In six months drink free, I’ve lost over 40 pounds. And I’ve really noticed the difference. My sister pointed out that 40 pounds is the weight of her 5 year old. I lifted her to see what I was missing. Not too heavy for me to lift of course, but I wouldn’t want to carry her around permanently… And much cuter!

Problems At The Back

I’ve gotten into yoga since quitting, mostly for something to do. I think I’ve found a form of exercise that suits me, one I can continue to do for life. The classes were a bit iffy for me because my Spanish wasn’t quite up to it. I bought a couple of DVD’s and practice every day. There’s something you wouldn’t have heard from my mouth before…. I never did anything every day.
One of the main benefits for me is my flexibility has improved a lot. I think (touch wood) I’m finally getting a handle of dealing with the dickey back that’s plagued me for years. Or, maybe not having back pain is another benefit of not drinking! Hmmm! I thought my ‘bad back’ was something I would just have to accept as being a part of my genetic heritage.

NO MORE HANGOVERS!!!!!

The other obvious positive physical effect of quitting drinking is no more hangovers. The older I got, the worse the hangovers seemed to be. They were lasting for two and sometimes even three days. In fact, it got to the stage where every morning was hangover morning. I never got rid of them. What a way to live a life!

Of course, I wake up some mornings feeling tired, but that’s about it. NO MORE HANGOVERS! BEAUTY!!!!

I have a lot more energy in general. There are days when I feel tired, that’s a natural part of life. No matter what happens, however well you treat your body, everyone gets days like that.

Internal Changes

Some of the biggest changes have happened inside my head. I feel much better about life and I have a lot more self-respect and confidence. The most obvious way I see this is in how others are treating me now I don’t drink. My sister has left me to look after her kids on a few occasions, even the youngest. She would never have done that when I was boozing. Not because I would irresponsibly get drunk, but my brain was always only half aware because of the pickling booze.

The Power Of “I Will”

Another change is my level of willpower. Willpower is said to be like a muscle, if you don’t use it, you lose it. You only have so much willpower available to you on any given day. But you can definitely increase the amounts through training. Much like you would train a muscle to give you more power by lifting weights, you can also train your willpower ‘muscles’ by giving them regular workouts.

My overall outlook has really improved as well. I can see a bright future without the illnesses that were inevitably coming if I’d carried on pursuing the drinking life.

Step Right Up…Guaranteed Health…Today Only

You can never guarantee good health, that’s for sure, but you can live your life in a way that promotes health. The body that we’re born into doesn’t come with any guarantees. For the most part, you’re not gonna know that something might go wrong until it does. You don’t know what genetic factors will come into play to cause you to get ill, nor do you know which ones are keeping you healthy. What genes did you get from your parents and grandparents? There are genes that skip a generation or two, so you might have some of the dodgy genes from your great or great great grandparents. You can’t do anything about that, not just now anyway. Skip a couple of millennia and we might be on own way to making everyone perfect, just not today.

Own Your Choices

The shit that we put into our bodies that makes us sick is our responsibility. That’s where we do have a choice. Suffering from alcohol related disease is self-inflicted. Just as much as suffering from coronary problems because you can’t stay away from junk food is self-inflicted. Or sticking a gun in your mouth and blowing the top of your head off is self-inflicted. Death by alcohol just takes a lot longer, that’s all. Not for me anymore!

Priceless!

One of the most important changes for me is I feel like I’m a better role model for my son. That was something that was really hurting me badly. Anyone with kids will understand this. When you do something that’s so obviously stupid, that makes you act like a complete moron, and you do it in front of your kids, it’s sad to say the least. If nothing else, I have got a bit of respect back from my son. He told me he was really glad that I’d given up, that he was really worried about what I was doing to my organs.

I love what’s happening on the website.

I have over 70 videos on the site and YouTube now. I’m so happy that I can offer people some hope that it is possible to quit.

I still enjoy a good time, more now than when I was drinking. I can keep up with what’s going on, I still have my sense of humour, and I remember everything the next day.

The Good, The Bad, and the Better

Life is good without alcohol. Everything has changed for the better. I can’t think of anything that’s suffered because I stopped. It’s all very worthwhile. If I can do it, anyone can.

Life gets better, not because you’ve stopped drinking and something magical has happened. Just because you stop it’s not going to turn your life around. You have to work at replacing drinking with something else. That’s where all the magic happens. You start to see the things that you’re truly capable of doing when you’re not wasting your precious hours getting locked out of your head. (That’s an Irish saying. It’s usually said with a certain amount of pride about the amount of drinking that was done the night before…. “I was locked out of my head!”, but it’s what truly happens. You get locked out of your mind. You remember nothing, you appreciate nothing.)

If you can stay away from drinking for a day, you can do it for two, for three, for a week, a month, six months, a year, forever! You don’t need alcohol, it doesn’t need you. You can easily part ways without the world ending.

Quitting alcohol is only the first step on the journey to a new you. But, it’s an essential first step. Without quitting you’re doomed to repeating the bad shit over and over until it kills you.

I’m really looking forward to doing the video for Stop Drinking Alcohol Week 52 – One Year Without Alcohol!

So, that’s Stop Drinking Alcohol Week 26.
Thanks for visiting the site.
Until next time…
Onwards and Upwards!
Kev

Previous Tallies

Stop Drinking Alcohol Week 23
Stop Drinking Alcohol Week 24
Stop Drinking Alcohol Week 25

45 Comments

  1. Tammy

    Kevin-

    Huge congratulations to you for hitting the 6 month mark!!!! It is so inspiring. Thank you for your response to my last post. I’ve been doing some internal work and seeing what’s going on inside my head! One thing that hit me especially hard was you saying about your dad… how he feels he has a second chance. How he escaped what could have been much worse. I think when people drink they think oh it won’t be so bad in the long run, I can handle it. If I see any real bad effects coming on I will quit then.

    It’s really just a great justification to not quit. I’m examining my justifications and asking myself… How bad does it have to get? the worse it gets, the more normal I feel with feeling bad. Wow!! I mentioned to you before, one of my biggest fears is the people in my life that would likely go away (either by me stopping the negative contact, or by them leaving because we don’t have anything in common) would be almost, if not all of the people I currently associate with. That leaves me with… well… ME. What the hell do I do with myself?

    I’m going to try an experiment and do something I would normally not do in a place I would normally not go and I’m going to do it alone, and without alcohol. I think it will help me gain some confidence that the world is not going to end! I plan to do this before the end of the week. Haven’t decided what yet, but I am going to make it something that is challenging for me. I will see how that goes…

    Again… so happy for you and your 6-month achievement. That could be me if I set my mind to it.

    Tammy

    Reply
    • Kevin O'Hara

      Hey Tammy, Thanks for that!
      There’s 10000001 reasons not to quit, and then some. I certainly found a lot of them in my time. I’m glad to hear you’re stepping outside your comfort zone. It only takes small steps. Your comfort zone will expand, then take another step, and another. Before you know it you’ve left all the bullshit behind.
      You go for it Tammy, and keep me posted!
      Onwards and upwards!
      Kev

      Reply
    • Betty

      Very interesting, I stopped Drinking,smoking Cigarettes,Cocaine and the Night Life. I was tired, prayed a lot and then I just stopped cold Turkey, on July 1, 2017. It’s been 5 Months. I think a lot, tired and sleep early and wake up early. I love the fact that I have no more hangovers! But I have a dream that I’m trying to focus on and other things are over barring and I keep putting my dream off. I’v decided to work out a schedule to help me enjoy my SOBRIETY. I have no plans to return to that life, my health is my concern now. Thank you

      Reply
      • Joe

        Well done. You are on a journey of discovering yourself and it is the best relationship you will ever have.

        Reply
  2. Didi

    Hi Kevin,

    Thank you for your videos and website. Great sharing. Very inspiring.
    I have been struggling for years and years now and I seem unable to stop. I can do a day or two, and then I am back on the booze. Bitterly regretting the next day.
    How many years have you been drinking? And how much did you drink?

    Cheers Didi

    Reply
    • Kevin O'Hara

      Hi Didi, thanks for stopping by. I answered your question in this weeks Stop Drinking Alcohol… Week 35.
      Kev

      Reply
      • Didi

        Hi Kevin,

        Unfortunately I cannot find your answer on week 35. Were is it?

        Cheers Didi

        Reply
        • Kevin O'Hara

          Hi Didi, it’s on the video, in the Q&A section. Cheers Kev

          Reply
  3. Don Rumpel

    Almost 6months here ..lost about 40 pounds also .

    Drank for about 10 years (20-30) , hard liquor and beer every 2nd night nearly.

    Looking forward to one year then going 5 years , will have 20% knocked down by next May!

    Reply
    • Kevin O'Hara

      Great going Don! I’m really looking forward to my first Christmas without boozing. It will be my first Christmas where it’s all about the family, not how much poison I could pour in.

      Reply
  4. Don Rumpel

    Ive become a tea junkie (mass collection of teas) and I crave exercise with all this energy . House is spotless and dog get a walk everyday!

    Reply
    • Kevin O'Hara

      Hey Don, I love my tea. No after effects is the best thing!

      Reply
  5. lifeizgood13

    Hey Kevin.
    This Video was such a great inspiration. Today I made my official 6 months alcohol free. I cant even believe it. It was a little difficult at first, but all the reasons as to why I was chosing to not drink kept me focused. So many reasons why I did use to drink. Alcoholism runs in my family. I didn’t want to continue on that road. It’s put a dent on my family. I use to drink to escape pain..past things, heart break, losing my mother, and simply because I wanted an escape. I hurt people in the process, hurt myself. Missed out on a lot of great memories turned into bad nights I can never get back. Memory lose, doing and aaying things I dont even recall. Becoming verbal and physical. It was rock bottom for me. My relationship with my daughter was lost. In the mix of it all, my family never gave up on me. And if it weren’t for them, I probably would have given up on myself. These past 6 months have been amazing. No hangovers (the worst), I have great memories I can remember, my relationship with my daughter is better then ever. I feel like she loves me again! My family is still on my side…and I have an amazing girlfriend who has supported me through it all and a huge reason why I needed to change as well. And I feel like im making my mother in heaven proud of me now.
    I have also lost almost 10lbs. It’s crazy that you dont realize the weight it puts on you in the first place. I’m so alive now..and looking foreward to my 52 weeks and so on. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SHARE THIS..AND FOR YOUR POSITIVITY AND INSPIRATION! -One day at a time- Blessed!

    Reply
    • Kevin O'Hara

      Sounds a lot like my life! Thank you for sharing your story, it’s so inspiring for everyone else taking their first tentative steps onto their new journeys. Good for you on your six months. Life only gets better and better the more you stay away from the poison.
      All the best
      Kev

      Reply
  6. Rickard

    just made 1 week without alcohol and hope to stay sober.

    Reply
    • Peggy

      That's a great post and a great question to ask. I think getting your skincare right is so difficult exactly because it's so individual and you have to test everything on yourself to see if it actually works or not. Also, your skin may change over time and something that used to work no longer does! I know salt is a big no no in a diet if you want beautiful skin as it retains toxins in the body, but I'd rather say it must be good used exarlntely, my skin always looks better when I go to the seaside! Thanks for sharing this 🙂 xxx

      Reply
  7. Paul

    Congrats on quitting for over 6 months. I too have quit since April 26th 2014 so coming up to seven months tomorrow. I agree with your comments – life is much better without alcohol. I had drank for years and managed it I thought, but over the last few years alcohol was managing me. When it got so bad that I could not function without a drink first thing in the morning to feel normal – I knew it was time to quit.

    One of the ways to quit is to realize Alcoholic’s can’t tolerate booze, anymore than someone with a strawberry allergy tolerating strawberries. And if you know you are allergic to Strawberries – then why would you eat them?
    Same with alcohol. I have friends who can have a couple of shots of vodka and a beer and then say – oh that was nice now off to read the newspaper since I have had enough drinking. I cannot believe they can do this. As an alcoholic I would not stop drinking once I had started – the only way I stopped was when I passed out or ran out. (not fun to run out especially when the shakes and nausea of withdrawal start taking effect)

    So the cure for me is zero Alcohol EVER ! I am one of those who can not tolerate it just like the person who can’t tolerate strawberries.

    And do you really want to drink? All the physical damage, the ridiculous things you do and say, the lies deceit and untrustworthy behaviour, not being able to wake up on time for work and meetings and general functioning unless there is a shot of cognac in your morning coffee. AND you don’t need alcohol and you need to get used to the normal people drinking it around you.

    To quit you need to understand the above, and learn to hate alcohol and all the damage it has done to your life and you will find it gets easier as time goes on. Of course I still get the odd urge to drink at the weirdest moments and triggers but I just say to myself do I want to go back to the hell of alcohol addiction? NO WAY. Find a twelve step AA group – great people who know what you are going through and quit.

    Good luck – it will be worth it! The alternative is certain death.

    Paul

    Reply
    • Kevin O'Hara

      Cheers Paul… Almost two years now! Time flies when you’re having fun!

      Reply
  8. matt

    That’s awesome to listen to. I really believe we (those of us that drink too much) are all the same in some fashion or another. Last year I quit drinking for four months and it really was the best 4 months. Did I struggle? Yup. The crap in front my kids . . . same. The wasted days. The health concerns. The aches and pains. All that is what we all go through. I am once again trying to get it under control and making excuses, kidding myself, trying to recall all the stupid shit I did with no judgement, etc.
    Anyway, I am going to watch some more of your videos and to see where we meet up again. I believe so much in trying to find a healthy lifestyle. Countless hours in the gym sabotaged by drinking. Reckless behavior, near death experiences (literally) and brutal hangovers. It really is bullshit. Some days I think long and hard about losing it all due to trying to be the life of the party and going way overboard with my drinking. Not to mention the horrible example to my children. WTF, most of the time I cannot believe this even happened to me. Chat soon and keep up the good work.

    Reply
    • Kevin O'Hara

      You’re right Matt. It’s not just about quitting the booze, that’s one part of it sure. It’s about finding a healthy lifestyle through all areas of your life, physical and psychological…

      Reply
  9. Kevin

    Goodman Kev,

    Just starting alcohol free second day, great motivation here.

    Thanks,

    Kevin

    Reply
  10. Susie

    Hi Kevin, I have been searching the net to try and find some encouragement for myself and found your story. Great story by the way. I too have recently come to my “Need to get this monkey off my back” moment. I have drank for more than 16 years. The longest I quit was a month. I drank about 2-6 beers a day on average. Might not drink one or two days a week. I am a 43 year old 5 foot tall 120 lb female. I put on about 20 pounds in the last 8 years and have a lot of health issues. Body aches, tired all the time, dry skin, Ulcers, IBS,Bloating, not sleeping well, anemia, depression, and most of all disappointment in myself and feeling unattractive. I quit October 2nd and also got off facebook. I found that the two went hand in hand with my depression. Trying to do things less stressful like reading. I also don’t really like the concept of AA because it makes me feel your in a constant state of guiltiness. Always admitting your problem and I want healing and to not look back. What are your feelings on this subject? Thanks, Susie

    Reply
  11. Alwin Roland Arnold

    Second time deliberately 8 weeks alcohol free. I expect to be completely recovered at the 6 months mark.
    Feel 80% at the moment. A slight brain fog.

    But I used to function like 55% (before I quit) which is okay but nothing compared to peak performance. I also got myself into arguments which is, as I realise, getting less and less frequent as the days pass. The trend I expect to see is like 55% – 80% – 92.5% – 98.75% for every 8 weeks of progress 🙂 So basically at the 6 months mark (approx 26 weeks in) I see myself recovered 🙂 (That is: 100% clarity.)

    It’s all just speculations and playing around however!

    Reply
  12. Darian

    I was amazed to learn the extent to which I’ve been avoiding facing difficulties in my life – difficulties which become easier to understand and solve once I began to rid myself of the permanently foggy head that alcohol induces. And then that 24-hour cycle of drinking and then vigorously exercising the next day to undo the effects of drinking, and then the exhaustion from over-exercising! Then the daily cycle all over again! It had taken over my life!

    No, making the change has not not easy. But the results are nothing short of miraculous.

    Reply
    • Kevin O'Hara

      It’s always a question of one step forward, assess where you are, make changes, take another step. As you say, self-directed change is nothing short of miraculous.

      Reply
  13. Anita

    Hi. My name is Anita, 41. Post-separation with two little ones I took my binge alcoholic habits to the extreme. I had a wineone day when kids were playing happily on floor..I watched a movie with sun pouring in…that was nice…relaxing…escapism…It grew and grew..Prodominently when my.children.at dads but not restricted to that..Drinking alone with movie. One bottle of wine, became two. It was mandatory.to have two on hand. For five years I numbed and drank.this way. Alcohol was my companion,my pressure balloon release, my joy alone..
    It was really the enemy..My.hangovers were hell and I was an emotional.drunk. I put on weight. I was drinking two bottles of wine with spirit on hand too. I just never felt satisfied when in heart of a binge session. They became benders.
    Then.at 40. The age, the pain, my children mainly….I grew up..I stopped. After my sister did it..I stopped..It’s nearly a year..I’m.at peace with myself. Lifes not perfect but I’m feeling enlightenment daily. I’m free. My kids know. GOD knows. My skin is better..I’ve lost weight..Mostly the grey cloud is lifted 🙂

    Reply
  14. avril nixon

    hi struggling tonite just told by gp I must stop drinking so can’t sleep and so worried. have been alcoholic for years and function OK but don’t want to die so enjoyed the company to your readers thank you hope I survive x

    Reply
  15. don

    Some good stuff going on here. great site.

    I just hit 7 months sober today. Booze and pot. 60 years old and longest sober stretch of my life. What a raw feeling. But got to remember that’s all it is. a feeling – just a low level vibration.
    The benefits of being sober are huge. Dezi Arnez said that drinking intensifies your pressures and your needs. What more to say?
    Sleep, weight loss, money saved, outside enjoying the day, self analysis, better work habits, not worried about the law, and again SLEEP!
    Everyone keep at it. It gets easier.

    Reply
  16. Mike

    I too gave up drink almost seven months ago. I was drinking very heavily for the six or so months before that. why? Just because I could. It was something to do and even though I was spending in excess of £170 per week on drink I just could. Then one day I thought, “I’m drinking a lot – half a bottle of whisky and four cans of cider SEVEN NIGHTS A WEEK! – I wonder if I’m an alcoholic?”. That thought, wasn’t funny. However to find out if I was an alcoholic I thought I should stop drinking. So I did, on no particular day or date – 8th October 2017. I haven’t had even an eyedropper of alcohol from that date to this. Over six months ago. I calculate I’ve saved more than £3500 by not drinking. I’ve lost 40lbs in weight too. From next week – because I’m now on holiday – I’m going to calorie count too and only eat healthily. Not because I want to abstain from everything or become a monk. I just want to live! Thanks for listening and more importantly thanks for doing this before I did since that’s an inspiration.

    Reply
  17. Callum

    After one too many blackouts and missing out and not remembering some key social events I’m in danger of losing my wife, my baby and my best friends. I’m no longer a functioning alcoholic – I’m withdrawn, tired, lifeless, guilty and feel like drowning. I’m going to do my upmost to get dry but alcohol has been a constant in my social life and my relaxation crutch I know I need to replace the void someway else.

    Reply
  18. Neale

    Dear Kevin

    Just watched your video and it was very inspiring. I have not drunk for 10 days and going for at least six months hopefully longer.

    Well done

    Hope you are still well

    Neale

    Reply
  19. Solly

    Thanks for the site. I am 52 yrs old Just three months sober now after 21 years of heavy drinking. Mostly over the weekends. Now I have high blood pressure and diabetes all self inflicted. I would be far educationally and career wise if it was not for alcohol. I badly need my brain and confidence back to keep my job. I do see improvement daily and hope I will see more good results in 6 month. Thank you.

    Reply
  20. James

    Last weekend I went to a music festival where I left a note in my tent for the doctor detailing all of the various substances I was on/had taken that afternoon in case anything had happened to me. It read 1) Cocaine, 2) Acid, 3) Molly, 4) Ketamine, 5) Kratom, 6) Phenibut, 7) Nitrus, 8) lots of Alcohol, 9) Nicotine, 10) Adderall. Despite all of these substances, I didn’t feel all that much more enthused or alive. I was just throwing things into my system to fill an emptiness that was more psychological than physical.

    Upon returning home, I decided I needed a detox/lifestyle change. I haven’t had a cigarette or drink in 7 days now (cold turkey off of a pack/day and 5-6 beers/night). I have been drinking copious amounts of water each day, only eating fruits/vegetables, hitting the gym, and trying to get to bed before 11pm each night. Despite all of these actions, my body is a laundry list of withdrawal effects. My fingers/toes become very cold easily, I am having a hard time focusing/overall lethargy, I have an insatiable appetite, and I have been having night sweats between every 1-2 hour episodes of sleep that I manage.

    The dreams are intense! I have been taking Melatonin to re-regulate my circadian rhythms and hit REM sleep, but even still, I am dreaming all sorts of vivid off-the-wall movie-like scenes. Unfortunately, many involve my ex-wife, thus it does not make for a pleasant awakening with those thoughts fresh in my mind.

    I have found the exercise to be key. I went mountain biking yesterday for 12 miles and the sheer burn in my lungs are I gasped to catch up with my non-smoking friends was motivating in and of itself. Obviously it releases endorphins, but the feeling of productivity you’ll get from completing a workout instead of being unhealthy makes you feel really great.

    I am going to start trying more of the meditation and yoga route. I’ve been reading several studies on the benefits of meditation on curving certain urges/triggers that used to lead one towards the bottle or cigarette pack. Additionally, while group therapy settings like AA intimidate me, I find your message boards/reading of others experiences and your advice very comforting. It motivates me to stick with sobriety, especially when I hear the stories from those who have come out on the other end feeling better than ever – so thank you for that!

    Much love.

    Reply
  21. Joe

    Hi Kevin.
    Firstly thank you for your videos and encouragement

    It’s been six months since I last had a drink and I do not miss it at all. My mind is in a far better place.
    Keep up the good work
    .

    Reply
  22. Adam

    I challenged myself to do 3 months of no Alcohol. Just finished the 3 month stint and decided to celebrate with a drink then another, then another, you know the rest.

    I’m now thinking, with a hangover, what was the point of that. All that hard work, down the drain. I’m now gonna try a year without alcohol cause if I can do 3 months, I should be able to do a year……hopefully.

    Reply
  23. Neil Humphreys

    Just to say well done. I quit 5 months ago after 30 years. I have never felt better and lost 48 pounds. Life starts the day you shake off this curse. I just regret the years I wasted. Remember you are not an alcoholic that is just a label. You are someone who got addicted to an addictive drug. Not your fault!

    Reply
  24. martin

    Hi Kevin,
    I was just watching some of your videos, thanks a lot for that: they really inspire me.

    I have made this decision only yesterday to try and stop drinking. My story is I’m 37 and last year, working and living in Germany but from the UK originally and seperated from my wife. We were together for 6 years in total, married for 3. I believed she was cheating on me for the last 18 months and she made it out I was paranoid and crazy. It turns out she was cheating and it was with the person from her work I suspected. She is now with him and they live together. He is actually her boss from work, she is 33 and he is 62… Very strange but true.

    We have no kids thankfully but during the time I suspected something was happening I started drinking a lot more, making home measures and could actually drink a bottle of rum in one evening at the weekends. I only at that time dra k at the weekends but so heavily my hangovers were lasting till the tuesday when my last drink was on the saturday.

    After we seperated my my confidence was/is non existent when before it used to be very high and I work for a global engineering company, but even now I am starting to see that being effected as well.

    I am drinking to the extent of being out of control. I have very deep sweating on my head which I believe is from the excessive drinking which can be extremely embarrassing. I also now have really dry skin on my face and my right hand side at the bottom of my rib cage is not sore to the extent the feeling is unbearable but more just an awkward discomfort.

    I went to my works Christmas party, I went to a pre-party first. Even before the pre-party I drank 2 good sized home measure whiskys. Cut a long story short I was extremely drunk and making a full of myself in front of my colleagues and my bosses. To which extent I was brought home by a friend & colleague… It was extremely embarrassing. Back in the office the following Monday i was the centre of many jokes and people saying i am now famous.

    I have never been in trouble with the police but in the summer of this year, i found myself involved in a possible bar fight, where the police were called. I was in custody overnight to allow for the alcohol to wear off. I then was informed the police planned to charge me with threatening behaviour. I have never been in a fight in my life…. I also cycle everywhere as this is my mode of transport in Germany.

    I have fallen off my bike twice now, one time really damaging my hand and again falling in a seperate occasion and damaging my knee…

    I have finally woken up. This downward spiral needs to stop and to prove it, I plan not to drink over the christmas and new year period. This will be my first hurdle. I then plan dry january and go from there.

    Reply
  25. Roland Leesker

    Hey! Yes absolutely! I am now 6 months clean as well and am realizing so many things I’ve never done before. And yes the best thing is to be a sober daddy:) happy new year!

    Reply
  26. Christopher Jones

    Kevin,

    I am at day 30 now, been a bit stop start over the first 6 months, couple of prolonged periods and hiccups. Feel much greater fortituity, your videos have been an inspiration, thank you.

    Reply
  27. Paul

    Thanks Kevin, just stumbled on this video doing research on stopping drinking. five years ago I had quit for 2.5 years, lost 80lbs and had such an upbeat view on life, it was amazing. then I had a beer, and then gin every night while maintaining a good career. but apparently I wasnt fooling anyone as I am moody, dark, cynical, and back to being fat again.. I decided yesterday it was time to do this again, and came upon many websites, including yours.. have to see I teared up (big tough guy I am) upon hearing your story.. thank you for sharing! upward and onward!

    Reply
  28. Ryan Doyle

    Quit for 4 months over the winter. Felt great. But as soon as spring arrived I gave myself an excuse to fall off the wagon. Drank 5 or 6 times since. Going to give it another try. I feel a lot better overall with no alcohol in my system for a while. Cleaner physically, clearer mentally. The hardest part is ridding yourself of the delusion every drinker believes: alcohol = fun, no alcohol = no fun. It’s really not so. Feeling great is far more fun than the roller coaster ride of alcohol.

    Reply
  29. Terry

    I’m at 6 months, I sleep very well. I go to bed early and wake early although along the way I’ve slept a full 12 hours. No hang overs but then again I didnt get them anyway. I drank a bottle of spirits with mixers plus wine with dinner every day. I really enjoyed it and functioned fairly well on the outside. Memory loss was an issue and my mind is now much clearer, I reason things in a logical way and retain information as one should. My biggest disappointment is no weight loss, I was active anyway so nothing has changed activity wise. I’m an amateur chef and love to create in the kitchen which is probably why I’ve lost nothing. I’m now embarking on a new way of thinking my diet…ie, from an anti-inflammatory point of view, hopefully that will help. An alcoholic might say, why stop then?’ I’m an all or nothing person, I tried cutting down but that didnt work for me, I just enjoyed it too much so I just stopped dead, I had to for my health. I had no outward signs of ill health but I just knew the day was coming when my liver was going to show signs of wear.
    So, I feel no great achievement or pride just getting on with it and hoping for some great revelation and success at weight loss. Thank you for this forum, I hope not to be the only one with “nothing” to report. My drinking escalated over 30 years so maybe 6 months is too soon to be rid of its poison.

    Reply
  30. frankie

    I stopped drinking 4 months ago. I feel healthy and the main
    thing i can save my money now.. My skin looks brighter and glowing..
    stay sober !! that”s the best way

    Reply
  31. Greg

    Hi Kevin,
    Thanks for sharing 92 days sober and have lost weight and feel so much better. The toughest part is friends and my wife. I was the guy that would socially drink with them. I am now the one getting in shape and not drinking. I can go to bars and still hang out but there is a difference. They keep asking, how long am I going to keep this up. They are all surprised I went past 1 week. I have drank a lot of club soda. I love not having a hangover and having so much more energy. The weight is coming off easily. I think we trick ourselves into drinking light beer or vodka sodas and that will not lead to weight gain.
    I continue forward! Each day a new day and experience.
    Thanks for having this site.

    Greg

    Reply
  32. Meu coracao

    Not drinking is easy for me. Been sober for 7 months, and not a single temptation. When I was in a bar, I drank only Coca-Cola, or some other beverages. No beer, no wine, nothing.
    Now I’m trying to quit pornography and masturbation addiction. It is very hard for me. My goal is to reach one month without pmo. I hope I can do it, but the addiction is very strong… let’s hope for the best.

    Reply

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