Comments on: Why I Stopped Drinking Alcohol (more or less)

By: erert

erert — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 08:48:52 +0000

wrer

By: Marie

Marie — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:57:39 +0000

I have always enjoyed wine with food. It enhances the taste for me. Especially white wine with fish. But the articles connecting breast cancer and alcohol have become more numerous and the link seems to be getting clearer. I’ve had breast cancer and definitely don’t want a recurrence. There are Rieslings that are good and have a lower percentage of alcohol than most wines, so I tried those and enjoyed them. But it’s beginning to look like this might just be reducing the risk, not eliminating it. So I’ve managed to cut out all alcohol, except for holidays and celebrations, where I have one glass of wine. It’s very sad. Also, I find myself craving sweets more, which might be connected, and sugar also has been linked to cancer by some people. It feels like avoiding cancer requires a degree of austerity in one’s life. So I’m training myself to like other things, enhancing food with herbs and savory vegetables, and it is working. But I find myself less and less interested in going to events that involve drinking, not because it makes me want to drink, but because people’s behavior when they’ve got an alcohol “buzz” makes me uncomfortable, less able to relate to them.
I’d be really interested to know if anyone else is working with this breast cancer/ alcohol link.

By: Jo

Jo — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 23:38:25 +0000

I read Gretchen’s article on the Huffington Post and just stumbled (appropriate word?) across this blog. I have really been struggling with my alcohol use and growing dissatisfaction with it. I too am very outgoing and gregarious when I drink, but often regret my behavior the next day. I’m in my 40s and feel I should be way beyond this. This blog post helps me believe I can get beyond my feeling like I must drink and in fact over drink in order to have fun in a social situation. Now is definately the time for me to get this under control.

By: krisis

krisis — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 22:49:33 +0000

I read a version of this story on your blog, and I am happy to see it spreading further to new audiences. I wish people could realize that the decision to reduce or eliminate alcohol in your life isn’t always about teetotalling – sometimes it’s simply about not having any fun.

By: Kay

Kay — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:59:39 +0000

In reply to kk – I have restless leg syndrome and find that alcohol usually will agravate my symptoms. So you’re not alone. The alcohol, usually ingested in the evening, just adds to the awful feelings of not being able to sit still. I want to move and walk which is just not what is socially accepted when sitting around visiting with friends at a bar or even at home. I often do a lot of tidying up from our meal or snacks, etc. I’ve been thinking of cutting out alcohol for quite awhile….maybe now’s the time!

By: KK

KK — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:04:06 +0000

I have cut down on my drinking quite a bit over the last few years and I don’t miss it. The impetus for this lifestyle change was that my boyfriend does not drink since alcoholism runs in his family. I still drink when we go to parties or bars with other friends but when it is just the two of us I rarely drink. I would rather be on the same wavelength as him. As a result I have very low tolerance now and I don’t enjoy the way it makes me feel. I also think that alcohol causes me to have restless leg syndrome symptoms. I feel very squirmy and uncomfortable after having a few drinks. Does anyone else suffer from this?

Also, I would rather save money and cut down on calories. Plus, I spent so many nights drunk during my teens and twenties. I think the thrill is gone!

By: Lyrehca

Lyrehca — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:14:30 +0000

I’ve never been a drinker–alcohol just tastes really bad to me. More power to you for avoiding it from now on.

I’ve read reviews of drinks that the writer makes sound good, but I’m with you–I’d much rather eat the calories than drink them.

By: Katy

Katy — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:01:20 +0000

I found this blog topic and entry really interesting. I stopped drinking during my three pregnancies, all of which occurred in my forties. I must admit at times I did miss having a glass of wine or a beer, especially with meals. However, it wasn’t really a big deal. Now that my children are a little older and I’m not nursing I drink occasionally. But I drink a lot less than before having kids and I find that that one glass of wine or beer does hit me very hard and I don’t like it as much. I’ve also noticed that I look better now that I drink less frequently. When I look at photos of myself from my 20s and 30s at parties where I’ve had several drinks, I don’t see Katy. I see a pink-faced, puffy person who doesn’t look like she’s really having much fun.

By: Maggie Mae

Maggie Mae — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:56:22 +0000

Interesting. I stopped for pretty much the same reasons except my behavior was in the [overly] outgoing and jovial drinking category. I think there are some in my social circles who miss my drinking (maybe my hubby, too). But, the remorse, regret and bad feelings about my “drinking” behaviors — or more aptly, my behavior when I drank — is gone now. I am more Maggie than not, now. Sure, I wish I could loosen up just a little bit, I’m learning, but alcohol was not the answer for me. And, alcohol addiction seems to be a common family name in my geneology. I have children and other responsibilities in life. I just cannot take that chance.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:20:03 +0000

Thanks for sharing so much of yourself on your blog. You are an inspiration!

I’m from a very musical family and what I’m about to confess borders on sinful: I don’t enjoy jazz or classical music. And you know what? I’m not going to feel bad about it anymore!

By: Laura Jofre

Laura Jofre — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:54:53 +0000

Why is it so hard to be ourselves, and have fun anyway? For the author to realize that drinking isn’t as fun for her as it seems to be for most people is a big achievement, one that makes me think about other areas in my own life that could use a little honest assessment: amusement park rides and fireworks come to mind.
Thanks for a great post.