So I've had at least x1-2 drinks pretty much every day. For the last few years. I never get sloppy. On the weekends I'll have a few more vodka / tonics than the average joe. Occasionally I'd do a night without a drink. Just to make sure I could. Maybe once a quarter. Always just checking to make sure I had/have the self control and didn't "Need a Drink".

A few weeks ago a friend of ours eyes were yellowing a bit and went to the doc. Liver's pretty beat up and they ordered a CT and put on some meds to help the liver get rid of Ammonia or something like that. They are 41.

Any way it was a bit of a wake up for me @ 42 that I do in fact drink way to much. So been proud of myself for walking away from the bottle. Spend some time on a detox and getting the body a little more healthy. I don't really know how long I plan to spend on this plan. But figure I'll at least spend several months with no alcohol. Then maybe re-introduce for social occasions later on sometime next year. Maybe 4-6 months out. Already dropped from around #215 hovering around 206#-207# most mornings.

So outside Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu plan on working in a regular workout program back into the mix as well. Maybe some rowing & calisthenics to start.

Anyway. The health issues with our friend hit close to home. If you drink a ton. Do a self analysis. If Acute Cirrhosis can hit a 41 year old... It can hit anyone that hits the bottle to hard.

Good on you.

I didn’t have any known health problems due to drinking, but mine was “moderate” for years according to someone’s criteria. After spending time at dinners with a nondrinking friend, though, I decided to mostly quit last March. I still have a couple of glasses of wine when dining with another friend, but that’s no more than once a month. I basically decided that my nightly Scotch couldn’t be helping me and I wasn’t getting anything out of it.

Congrats on the decision. Stay strong!

I wouldn't call 1 or 2 a day = "a ton" but in general it is healthier not to put your liver through it.
Nothing wrong with that.

Congrats. That is yugge!

Congratulations, good for you.

Fantastic. Stay with it.

Good for you! Hope you grow increasingly healthy.

There was a documentary I watched recently that explained many liver issues go unnoticed because the liver doesn't feel pain. So, it was recommended doing occasional proactive screening for liver health.

One thing mentioned specifically was having hepatis (unknown) and also drinking frequently - accelerated adverse effects on the liver. I plan to get checked more often.

Go have a blood panel done at the docs.
PSA, liver,kidney etc.

Go in knowing.

My favorite thing was sugar.

My doc put the fear in me,
I am now down 63 lbs.

My blood work came back very normal just 2 weeks ago

quote:

Go have a blood panel done at the docs.
PSA, liver,kidney etc.

^^^^^^^^^^^
Good advice. Specifically tell your Doc your drinking habits and ask him to check your liver enzymes. They are an early warning sign of problems. I have seen women in their twenties with severe liver damage.

Well done!

I don't drink, much, myself. I like a beer with dinner and I'll occasionally pour myself a whiskey, but that's mostly it. Occasionally a good bit more at parties or a day on the lake

I usually do "no-alcohol" months twice a year. Not so much to see if I can, but because alcohol contains a metric crap ton of utterly worthless calories. I do those no-alcohols months in conjunction with overall carb-limiting diets.

Just finished-up "No-Alcohol November," in fact. This last weekend had one beer each night, with dinner, because it sounded good. That was the first alcohol to have passed my lips since at least October 30th.

That's great!
I would very strongly advise you to find an AA meeting and just talk with some of the people there. You will gain an incredible wealth of knowledge and will certainly help you with your abstinence.
And I'm on day 941.

Good job. I'm pretty much the same age/boat as you, with more daily drinks. I decided a few weeks ago I'm not drinking unless I'm celebrating something or at an event. I'm considering just stopping all together though. I've seen a number of friends and family have health concerns from drinking. I don't want to have that happen to me.

I'm also transitioning from smoking to vaping to hopefully eventually completely quitting nicotine. Again, I've seen it's effects and I've already subjected my body to two+ decades of it.

Good luck man! Hopefully you will seen the benefits to your bank account and your waist very soon.

One odd thing I've noticed is I'm craving soda or juice now. Haven't bought anything yet because I don't want to replace beer calories with soda/juice calories. Wish I didn't hate fake sugar.

Most social gatherings will never notice your not drinking a tonic. Drink a coke or tea in glass, they don't know or care. Have fun!

If this is a little more than just an experiment, and need any further help, let me know.
I'm relatively local.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Ryanp225:
I would very strongly advise you to find an AA meeting ...

A couple drinks a day does not an alcoholic make, particularly if the individual experiences no difficulty at all giving it up at will--and occasionally does.

If it's more than one or two; one can't easily give it up; or can, but finds themselves anxiously awaiting when they can have a drink again, then there are signs of a problem.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:

quote:

Originally posted by Ryanp225:
I would very strongly advise you to find an AA meeting ...

A couple drinks a day does not an alcoholic make, particularly if the individual experiences no difficulty at all giving it up at will--and occasionally does.

If it's more than one or two; one can't easily give it up; or can, but finds themselves anxiously awaiting when they can have a drink again, then there are signs of a problem.

I never made any accusations of alcoholism now did I?
I said it's a great resource to educate yourself.
However you are dead wrong on all accounts and shouldn't be giving advice on things you are a novice in.

(It’s a program of attraction, not promotion.)

Being healthier is a wise decision. Never understood people treating their own body like a rental.

For everyone in this thread paying attention, moderating, or discontinuing, It's pretty damn impressive to say the least. The members of the great Sigforum never fail to surprise and impress. Merry Christmas to you all !