Aa
life without alchol
Does anyone else feel like I do, a bit left out because I don't drink?
After being diagnosed with hep C in 2005, I stopped drinking alcohol. It wasn't hard, my drinking had consisted mostly of wine with dinner, an occasional mixed drink or shot of tequila. Living in wine country for so many years made drinking a glass or two every evening feel normal.
Stopping was easy, getting rid of hepC was not, and the nasty virus is still in my blood stream after having almost killed me. A liver transplant saved my life which brings me to where I am now, over two years post transplant, with renewed energy and clarity of mind.
The last six months I spent in Thailand primarily for dental work.
Now, my husband and I are back.
I view family and friends who have aged, as we all do, and wonder how much the alcohol contr4ibutes to their lack of awareness.
My sister forgets whole conversations. Constantly, I need to remind myself that what I am told, especially in the evenings, is filtered though an haze of alcohol. I worried about the approach of Alzheimer’s in a woman who I now realize drinks every day.
And it makes me aware of my being outside as the one who is sober at the dinner party where people appear stupidly repeating themselves and collapsing into giggles which I do not share. I try to smile and let it roll off of me. Accepting people as they are, is my mantra.
But who can I discuss this with when just about everyone I know starts drinking every evening, if not before?
Its not that I want to drink, I just wonder if any of you find yourselves feeling anything similar to the way I do?
After being diagnosed with hep C in 2005, I stopped drinking alcohol. It wasn't hard, my drinking had consisted mostly of wine with dinner, an occasional mixed drink or shot of tequila. Living in wine country for so many years made drinking a glass or two every evening feel normal.
Stopping was easy, getting rid of hepC was not, and the nasty virus is still in my blood stream after having almost killed me. A liver transplant saved my life which brings me to where I am now, over two years post transplant, with renewed energy and clarity of mind.
The last six months I spent in Thailand primarily for dental work.
Now, my husband and I are back.
I view family and friends who have aged, as we all do, and wonder how much the alcohol contr4ibutes to their lack of awareness.
My sister forgets whole conversations. Constantly, I need to remind myself that what I am told, especially in the evenings, is filtered though an haze of alcohol. I worried about the approach of Alzheimer’s in a woman who I now realize drinks every day.
And it makes me aware of my being outside as the one who is sober at the dinner party where people appear stupidly repeating themselves and collapsing into giggles which I do not share. I try to smile and let it roll off of me. Accepting people as they are, is my mantra.
But who can I discuss this with when just about everyone I know starts drinking every evening, if not before?
Its not that I want to drink, I just wonder if any of you find yourselves feeling anything similar to the way I do?
I quit drinking and smoking cigarettes 16 yrs ago. I do occasionally miss the social aspects of being able to drink. Most of the time, I'm not around people that drink. However, when I get around my family, most of them to drink every time I'm around them. I've been quit so long now though, that whenever I catch a wiff of hard liquor, or beer, or even some strong wines (like when I'm around other people that are drinking it), the smell literally makes my stomach feel nauseous. Same thing with cigarettes. I smokes 1/2 a pack a day back when I was smoking. I started when I was 13 and quit when I was 34. However, I had quit once for about 10 months around the time that I was pregnant and directly after and another time when I had pneumonia, but both of those times after quitting, I went back to smoking again. When I quit the last time 16 yrs. ago, I never smoked again. Now, whenever I have to be around it, (which is rare), the smell makes me gag. I don't know why it is that I'm so sensitive to these smells now, since I used to drink and smoke. Any theories on that? I don't need to drink to have fun though, especially after all this time. Back when I was drinking, I was drinking like 2 mixed drinks of diet coke and Bacardi light rum, EVERY night and then, when I went out, I'd drink mai-tai's. Also, sometimes, I'd have wine with a meal on a special occasion. But, all of that drinking was prior to my Hep C diagnosis. I never got to the point where I had a physical addition to the alcohol because I never had to go to a rehab in order to quit and never had any type of withdrawal symptoms when I did quit, other than a little anxiety. Susan400
I honestly rarely miss drinking, but when others are, especially family or old time friends, it can be hard to relate other than in the past tense.
It really isn't a struggle for me not to drink.
Although there are times life is a struggle, other times it is a smooth sail.
The trick is to enjoy, stay clear of mind, and focused.
For me, contentment is the goal.
My wish for everyone is contentment.
Peace to you all,
OH
It really isn't a struggle for me not to drink.
Although there are times life is a struggle, other times it is a smooth sail.
The trick is to enjoy, stay clear of mind, and focused.
For me, contentment is the goal.
My wish for everyone is contentment.
Peace to you all,
OH
I really enjoyed reading this long list of comments. No one ever discusses what we miss, a beer or an evening glass of wine on the deck over looking the lake or the Arizona sunset. I can still enjoy that, but all in moderation.
Thats the key.
An occasional can be had and isn't going to kill me or my liver.
Thats the key.
An occasional can be had and isn't going to kill me or my liver.
Life is a struggle for everyone. I don't mean to play down the conflict you are experiencing over alcohol and health. Since you have been through so much I know you are strong and have the wisdom to know what is good for your health and what is not.
I'm glad you are enjoying life and appreciating the great beauty of our state. Although I am not from California I feel more attached to it all the time. Of all the places in the world that I have been to, I am so happy to be living in our pretty city with the diversity of people that also make the Bay Area home.
Of course I wish we had weather like Southern Cali but then again there is always conflict at one level or another.
Enjoy the great Summer weather!
Hector
I'm glad you are enjoying life and appreciating the great beauty of our state. Although I am not from California I feel more attached to it all the time. Of all the places in the world that I have been to, I am so happy to be living in our pretty city with the diversity of people that also make the Bay Area home.
Of course I wish we had weather like Southern Cali but then again there is always conflict at one level or another.
Enjoy the great Summer weather!
Hector
Not sure what I did but my message got discombobulated.
from Mary4now to my signature should have appeared at the end.
OH
from Mary4now to my signature should have appeared at the end.
OH
Hector,
Yes, I came so close to death that I do indeed see things differently now. I use my experience for perspective~see a new wrinkle on the face? So what? I'm alive!
Its easy now to let the petty things in life slide by.
Right now I am on the Mendocino coast visiting friends and loving the beauty of what is before my eyes.
You are fortunate to be in San Francisco with its physical beauty, diverse population and tolerant attitude.
Mary4now:
Great words to live by. I remind myself to maintain forward motion.
Peace and contentment to all of you and big hugs too.
OH
It is easy for me to remember being in your shoes, having trouble sleeping at night, then sleeping more and more during the day.
You amaze me with your mental clarity despite being so ill.
Once I accepted death, it lost its scariness. By the time I was rolled into surgery, I had no thought of not making it, it wasn't an issue.
( I have a somewhat Buddhist attitude which I think helped me.)
Keep putting one foot in front of the other and don't forget, there is a whole crew of people out there thinking of you.
Occasionally I miss the taste of wine but I prefer staying aware.
Yes, I came so close to death that I do indeed see things differently now. I use my experience for perspective~see a new wrinkle on the face? So what? I'm alive!
Its easy now to let the petty things in life slide by.
Right now I am on the Mendocino coast visiting friends and loving the beauty of what is before my eyes.
You are fortunate to be in San Francisco with its physical beauty, diverse population and tolerant attitude.
Mary4now:
Great words to live by. I remind myself to maintain forward motion.
Peace and contentment to all of you and big hugs too.
OH
It is easy for me to remember being in your shoes, having trouble sleeping at night, then sleeping more and more during the day.
You amaze me with your mental clarity despite being so ill.
Once I accepted death, it lost its scariness. By the time I was rolled into surgery, I had no thought of not making it, it wasn't an issue.
( I have a somewhat Buddhist attitude which I think helped me.)
Keep putting one foot in front of the other and don't forget, there is a whole crew of people out there thinking of you.
Occasionally I miss the taste of wine but I prefer staying aware.
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