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Sobriety

I have been almost sober for three weeks now.  I say almost sober because I was completely sober for two weeks.  Not a sip of alcohol.  After my two weeks were up, I didn’t run for the liquor store.  I didn’t pop open a bottle of champagne.  I didn’t drive to my favorite restaurant for a glass of my favorite wine.  I was so certain that after my two weeks were up, I would do any of the above.  I didn’t, nor did I want to.  Even after a week–a mere seven days–I stopped craving it.

I like coming home from dinner and being able to read until 1 or 2am.  I like not spending $30-40+ a night on alcohol alone.  I was surprised to see the big difference in my bank account.
I say almost sober for three weeks because I had a glass of wine on a date.  I winced when I took a sip and was so taken aback by the bitter, disgusting taste that I promptly ordered a pot of tea. Envious, my date asked politely, “Do you mind if I have a sip?”
Tonight, after another long work week, I exclaimed, “Guess what!  I’m getting a glass of wine. I’m so excited!”  Once again, after I finished a few sips of the Pinot Noir, I decided that that would be my only glass.  Having been sober for this time, the one glass did me in.  I passed out on the bus and woke up in a tizzy.  In a crowded bus in the dark of night, I thought the worst. “OmiGod, am I in the Outer Richmond?”  But God was kind.  I was exactly one stop away from my place.
Some people are uncomfortable that I don’t drink.  I can see that.  It’s awkward for me to be at dinner getting a diet Coke when everyone else is drinking alcohol.  I know it’s tough for them.  I have one friend in particular who used to call me all the time.  Not anymore.  Hey, just because I don’t drink doesn’t mean I can’t go out!  Please try to be a little more open minded than that.
The change is good for me.  I’m happier.  I’m proud of myself.  I can’t believe I was addicted to alcohol for so long.  It’s a huge lifestyle change for me.  Keep in mind, I used to have at least two glasses of wine a night with dinner or before bed.  I’m better off without them.

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02.06.09

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Comments

  1. Krimey

    February 8, 2009 at 4:49 pm

    what an impressive accomplishment cathee.

    i stopped my ritual imbibement (imbibery?) in a similar fashion…but for a different reason. it was right after 9/11 and i was too afraid i’d need to be lucid at a moment’s notice. i’ve probably had about 10 drinks since then. guess i just lost interest.

    but then i replaced it with other addictions, so it’s kind of a wash.

    so look out for that! 🙂

    Reply
  2. Mrs. J

    February 9, 2009 at 4:03 pm

    Hooray for you! Health reasons imposed my sobriety for 9 months, but even now i continue. I don’t miss it either. Congrats!

    Reply
  3. Anonymous

    February 10, 2009 at 7:25 am

    i don’t drink either….i did that in college and it wasn’t for me. I don’t like the taste. I’m old enough to know. Maybe a pina colada once in a while. There’s no reason you should feel obliged to drink just becasue everybody else is, or if anybody calls you out on it, than it’s probably just their own insecurities manifesting themselves.

    Reply

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Welcome to my site, derived from an advice column I wrote while getting my MBA. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. I give helpful, opinionated advice based on my own experience and from the expertise of my extensive network. For more, click here.

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