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Just today realised it is 25 years since I stopped drinking.

May, 2001, I drank 6 cans of half strength beer, and the hangover lasted a week. Bedridden for 2 days, so, so ill.
My life was so far gone that it could not handle any more alcohol abuse. I had been diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver through too much alcohol at least 9 years earlier. It took me that long to finally kick the habit. Two failed attempts, first one I stopped for circa 2 years, went back on it.
Second time I stopped for 3 years, went back on it.
Until the final terrible hangover.
Lying in bed, I said I am sick of this lifestyle so made the decision to not drink again.
Never did drink again, never wanted to drink again.
The hardest part was completely changing my lifestyle because every hour of free time (after work and the weekends) involved being around booze. I realised to make it easier I needed to reinvent myself.
So I decided to go into the Aussie bush and enjoy the peace and tranquility, watching, and being a part of nature going about its business.
That is the time when my love for nature and the Aussie bush really grew and grew.
Growing up in Tasmania I was blessed with an abundance of nature and was there every weekend, so I grew up in the rainforest, alongside the Gordon and Franklin Rivers with a stubby ever present.
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Mindful · 56-60, F
Hey! Congratulations!!!! Thanks for sharing your victory!!!
LadyBronte · 61-69, F
Congratulations, Gusman. That is quite an accomplishment!
supersnipe · 61-69, M
Well done, and a heartwarming story! 😃
TheHammer · M
Good for you. Congrats.
Justme264 · 70-79, M
What an achievement!!
nowic2 · 61-69, M
Well done, that’s a major achievement. I hope you’re proud of yourself.
I’ve seen the other side.
My son made the decision to keep drinking. He passed and went to a better place four years ago. I will always love him but jeez I get so angry with him at times.
All the best to you.

Oh, Tassie is still a delightful place.
Gusman · 61-69, M
@nowic2 Thank you.
My brother died through brain damage via alcohol aged 32.
Boeing · 36-40
And beautiful story of the Aussie bush! :))
25th is a significant anniversary. I just made the 10th in June.

In rehab, I met a man, 35, a locally well-known chef, intelligent, sporadically successful, and in the end, ruined by alcohol. He said his doctor told him his next drink would kill him.

He left rehab weeks after I did, and died within days.

Congratulations, Gusman!
Gusman · 61-69, M
@Mamapolo2016 Thank you Mama.
10 years is a tremendous achievement for you.
Once we make the decision to stop drinking, life does become better for us.
I am so glad I was able to stop. Had I not, I would have died many years ago.
@Gusman When I look back, I think, if someone FORCED us to do that to ourselves, we’d call it torture.
MistressPoppy · 51-55, F
Well done!!
What you've accomplished is incredible & so difficult to do.
Gusman · 61-69, M
@MistressPoppy Thank you.
Once I made the decision to stop, I found it not so hard. I knew if I kept drinking, I would die in a year or two. Was not ready to end living.
MistressPoppy · 51-55, F
@Gusman Amazing will power again well done & thank you for sharing. It's so nice to read positive posts on here.
MrSmartyPants · 46-50, M
Well done, liquor for me would be bad too, not a critical stage quite yet, but for the most part i've not drunk more than a few times for the last 6 or 7 years.
DeWayfarer · 61-69, M
So thankful that never happened to me. It could have so easy been that way for me with an alcoholic mother.

Mom was even giving me "hot toddies" when I was sick. Basically bourbon, hot water with honey and a bit of lemon.
Gibbon · 70-79, M
If six cans that did all of that, it's a good thing you quit. especially if they were only half-strength.
Gusman · 61-69, M
@Gibbon The issue was the extreme alcohol consumption in my youth and twenties.
I drank, and was drunk almost every day for more than 25 years.
Every day after work I would go to the pub and not leave until it closed.
I was a functioning alcoholic. Done an apprenticeship, worked in an underground mine for more than 20 years. Then worked in an RSL club. Best job in the world for an alcoholic. 🤪
Gibbon · 70-79, M
@Gusman that sounds like a rough rider buddy.. Some never get out of it. Congratulations for it.
Gusman · 61-69, M
@Gibbon Many do not stop before permanent damage is done and die of complications of excessive alcohol consumption.
My brother died aged 32 from brain damage through alcohol. My father died age 67 through cirrhosis.
MasterLee · 56-60, M
Gusman · 61-69, M
@TheOneyouwerewarnedabout One drink I never did try. 🙂
ShenaniganFoodie · 41-45, M

 
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