I spent a couple of years as a complete drunk. I'd wake up a couple hours before work (worked remotely during COVID-19), walk straight from the bed to the freezer, grab a vodka bottle, and start taking swigs. Most mornings, I'd puke it back up into the kitchen sink a few times until enough alcohol was absorbed into my bloodstream to allow me to keep it down. From that point where the alcohol would stick to my belly and until I eventually passed out late in the evening, it was on. By the Grace of God, I stopped cold turkey and am still here today with a fully functional liver.
@@davesims5131 I drank hard for 20 years but I was the type to only do it after 5 PM. Even then when I'd hear stories about guys having drinks in the morning it just repulsed me. My lack of hangovers, despite drinking a litre of 80 proof between 17:00 and 23:00 the night before, is what made it harder for me to stop. Dumb thoughts like "well clearly my body can handle it".
I'm 5 yrs alcohol free and for me the best thing is the freedom. Examples: Walking past my local liquor store and knowing I doing need to go in, not wanting to go in. Meeting people at a restaurant and NOT wanting or needing a glass of wine or a scotch.
Coming up 6 years sober. I was a fully functioning alcoholic, I held down a full time job, but as soon as I had the first drink after work, or at the weekend, it wasn't just 1, it always turned into 2,3 and onwards. I was a happy drunk, but I was drunk, which, as far as I was concerned , wasn't a problem. I also had a drug issue as well. The 2 go hand in hand. I will be celebrating 6 years sober this New years Day! 🥳
@sallyforth9323 it is possible, but you have to want it to achieve it, and it's not easy. The first 6 months for me were the hardest. A positive mindset is essential and set yourself goals. And when you achieve the goal, treat yourself to something nice, a meal out, new clothes, etc, but not a drink, obviously. I was absolutely shocked at the amount of money I saved, and at the end of the month, there was still some money left in my bank account. I also took the decision to completely 100% cut alcohol out of my life, even when it came to foods, mouthwash, everything, 6 years on, it is possible , but it's always in the back of my mind. Wake up an alcoholic, go to bed sober, another day achieved 😊
My whole family were alcoholics ..My Grandparents died from liver failure .My dad was in hospice dying from liver failure and I was outside grieving in my car drinking airline bottles of whiskey I myself was an alcoholic.He passed away on Father’s Day morning,i haven’t had a drink since.That was 5 years ago
@@jonathandavis3243About 20 years for me. But in a big car crash, jail time and a break from my sinister wife plus AA. I’ve been sober just shy of 7 years. I am absolutely not lying with you that the turning point was when the cops put on the cuffs and all ran over to the guy I ran into cause he was going to kick my @$$. Standing there all by myself I heard someone say “Tired of doing it your way?” No one within 50 foot of me.
Clean and sober 1 year coming up on the 27th of December.... I've been through hell and back. Seen things no human being should ever see, and paid the price masking the pain in alcohol and white powder. Lost everything. Was homeless, living in a tent for a year. Currentley working as an outreach worker in downtown Toronto, looking at going back to school for addictions/social work. Been volunteering everyday at The Good Shepherd ("soup kitchen") every day since January. God put me where he needs me to be. There is help. There is a way. Happy 24 everyone.
13+ here. Every day a good day, some just better than others. All good though. I'm alive, people love me and I can love them back, and I am always available when needed.
I was drinking every day. I was sick and fat because of drinking. I made a fool out of myself. Missed work. Suffered so many hangovers and wasted days. I’ve ended up in the ER because I injured myself when drunk. Nothing good ever happened to me when I was drunk. One day, lying in my bed deathly ill from being drunk it just hit me: every drink I took was me poisoning myself. Those symptoms I felt were what happens if I were to drink poison. For some reason, that realization turned things around for me. There is nothing good about drinking alcohol. Nothing but wasted time and money. Life is better without alcohol but you have to replace drinking and being drunk with something challenging and rewarding. For me it was going camping with my dogs, working out and becoming strong to be able to go camping. I can’t do that and be drunk at the same time. God bless each one of you who are the path to sobriety and a beautiful life 😊
@@deeprollingriver52It’s amazing how similar stories are from one alcoholic to the next. Nearly everything you said could have come out of my mouth. Just over 10 years sober now and life is so much better. Things I thought I couldn’t enjoy without drinking I can now enjoy in a deeper, more satisfying way than I ever could while drunk. Being rid of addiction is the ultimate freedom. Best to you.
This hits home for me. I’ve thought the same thing before. If someone told me today, I could go back to drinking normally, I’d decline. All goes back to the fact I’m older now to know better and realize it doesn’t buy me what I want now. Priorities have changed for the better
I agree. Joe didn't understand...many people who don't come from this background do. I wish we could have heard what he had to say. Many people who don't come from this background do.
Joe does a hell of a lot of podcasts, and he is not infallible, but this one annoyed me a little too. Your man, who I don't know from Adam was telling a story that resonated with many, I suspect, and Joe's detour was essentially uninteresting, ie, I know people that have been addicted too...
I'm trying to quit. I'm 41yo and have been drinking for 20yrs. I've put the bottle down and took the gun out of my mouth, but now what? I'm 100days sober/dry and it's the loneliest I've ever been. I am dying inside, but I do know that others have it worse. Stay strong out there, especially young guys that are smarter than I was. If you ever need a podcast to lean on, Bill Burr's podcast from about 10yrs ago was really amazing for a guy not ready to quit but desperately wanted to. ✌️
Some of us even go to meetings to help other struggling people find sobriety or at least an understanding of where they're at without judging where they're going. Yep, sober people are crazy 🤪
This could be said for literally every Joe Rogan interview Except his ones with silicon valley billionaires who hate poor people, then he should probably talk more
Started trying to give up alcohol in late-2021. I'm at my longest sobriety streak of around 6.5 months now, going for a year. I'm doing it for myself, but also for my wife, who deserves better than the daily-binge drinker version of me. Good luck to everybody out there.
I wish you the best. Millions of people have overcome alcohol addiction and go on to live happy lives. It’s not impossible to do. You can do it. Trust yourself
My story....quit at 59 years old after over 30 years of drinking anywhere from 18 to 24 beers a night. Pretty much never started until about 5 oclock but would drink a solid 4 to 5 hours everyday 7 days a week. Blacked out most every night. Raised a great family but once they were out of the house realized my marriage sucked. I just passed the two year mark and it saved my marriage. It was tough at first but pretty easy now. Good luck my friend.
Perfect comment. Lived 35 years with a functional alcoholic. I hate that phrase because while it implies they can hold down a job, go golfing, and do life but the people around their experience is nothing that falls into the functional category. Emotional abuse and neglect. Those around are the true victims. They make the choice to continue to drink. Sad.
I quit drinking almost 4 years ago. I wasn't a full blown alcoholic, a blackout drinker, or a mean drunk, but I drank every day and I was neglecting my family. Luckily, I was able to catch myself before I spiraled too far down. It was the greatest thing I could have done for myself and my family.
So glad this guest talked about violent heaving. NO ONE ever talks about that. Been there, done that. I grew up in AA culture and got sober with its help. My favorite quote on addiction: "There's no such thing as addiction, only things we love more than life."- Doug Stanhope
As much as I love Stanhope, this one is bullshit. Stanhope is just a heavy user, but other than that he's got a pretty solid grip on life. Addicts don't trade their health for pleasure voluntarily. Heavy alcoholics can't even quit cold turkey, because that kills them, too.
Day 23 for myself after 2-3 years of going hard every day. It sucked because I rarely drank but became an alcoholic at 34 years old with a wife & 3 kids. The last 3 weeks or so have been amazing and every day is better than the last.
You ain't seen nothing yet. The promises are true. It took a full 18 months at least to recover from Post Acute Withdrawal Symptoms ( P.A.W.S.) 11 years free, God willing 12 soon. Entirely new life.
Sad to say I’m battling it, I hate the way it makes me something I’m not it turns me into an asshole. Well done to all you who made it you give me hope.
I'm the exact opposite. I'm an asshole who suddenly becomes kind, forgiving, and empathetic almost to a fault. I've been working on becoming a better person without using booze as a crutch but damn, it completely knocks out that mean side of myself that I hate.
I'm sorry it's a hard road, my thoughts are with you, AA and NA are so supportive and it's great to be around people that understand u and lived the nightmare to, I wish you the best, one day at a time mate 💖
The problem with a lot of addictions is that once you are hooked, they become their own problem. You may even have successfully processed the trauma that got you hooked, but you might not realize it because you now need the drug to deal with the consequences of being addicted.
Life was more complicated than the first time (in my late 20s). You aren't as resilient, there is less time in front of you, you've more responsibility and you've accumulated more baggage.
For me relapsing after 5 years is definitely more hurtful to my soul when I realised all the miracles that came with being sober were gone and then having to fight so hard with myself to stop thinking I need to alcohol . I'm 4 months sober again and I'm not out of the woods but grateful I have what I have as I didn't think I would stop again .
I was a very high functioning active alcoholic my entire adult life, from 18-48 years of age, when it all fell apart. February 26, 2025 I will be 7 years sober. Best decision I ever made was to STOP drinking. I quit drinking a bunch of times, I’ve stopped once and feel amazing
Very similar here. Looking back I cannot pin any logic to the years of drinking. I would have enjoyed myself as much or more without the sauce. What a waste of health and money.
I/ and you, don't need to get personal here: But what do you mean by "It all fell apart?" I'm putting down 13-15, 1oz shots per-day, and rise for work to accomplish my job specs at 100% productivity. I'm aware that I need to quit.............!
@ I would drink on average a 12 pack plus a half bottle of wild turkey a day…double that on the weekend days. I made it to work every day as a successful metal fabrication manager. I also found time to work out an hour every day. Dec of 2017 I started to get real bad panic attacks, didn’t feel like working out anymore, and started struggling at work. I decided to quit drinking, but the more I tried to quit, the more I drank. Feb of 2018 I had a panic attack that mimicked a heart attack and was hospitalized for three days, got the tremors, and went through all the DT stuff. I decided that since I didn’t know how to stop drinking, I checked myself into a 30 day rehab and I got sober. I’ve had one relapse since then, but it was one night and I didn’t like it. So Feb 26, 2025 will be 7 years of recovery for me and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made in my life
@NFL1976 your life experience isn’t worth much at all. Someone who clearly has a drinking problem reached out and was honest and asked a very honest question, what I perceived to be asking for help, not judgement from a disingenuous “praying” type of person. I can tell you this, the way in which you chose to phrase your intellectually deficient response, your prayers mean absolutely 100% dick. My God meets those of us who struggle or have struggled right where we’re at. I see you “edited” your comment…maybe you should try and edit some more. God bless
@@NFL1976 - Listen you....."Mr. NFL1976": I never posted my comment to brag, got it? Good. I'm not *_arrogant_* *YOU* stated I was arrogant, not me (scratching me head)....ffs. If you state such again, it will lead to, - Quoting Christopher Walken in "Joe Dirt," "I'll take this soldering iron and stick it in your face." - Learn something................ I'm a guy, desiring to quit. You're the sort who judges too quickly, without knowing the facts. Christopher Walken, again; "Lemme ask you something. Does yo momma sew? (Slaps fire extinguisher box).. -*BOOM* Sew This.
My husband died from alcoholism, and it’s been devastating. It’s pervasive in the world, and socially acceptable and even encouraged. To this day my MIL tells with pride how my hub was the life of every party. Yeah, he was drunk, don’t we get it now? He was highly functioning until everything unraveled.
My younger brother died due to his alcoholism and drug abuse. He was more of an alcoholic than a drug addict, but it was a serious demon for him. He had a really good heart, but his addiction and disease was real. He would get alcoholic shakes and seizures when he tried to quit. It killed me when his body finally gave out, because he was truly loved.
I'm coming up to 5 yrs alcohol free after about 40 yrs of drinking, heavy daily drinking towards the end. One of my biggest roadblocks when trying to stop was imagining my life without drinking but once that changed everything fell into place. I recommend Allen Carr's book "Quit Drinking Without Willpower" and Annie Grace's "This Naked Mind".
Two years and four months clean. The awakening for me was realizing I didn’t have to fight against my addiction any longer. I quit 10,000 times through willpower, and picked up 10,000 times plus one. I finally learned I don’t need to show up to every fight I’m invited to, that it’s fine to surrender with dignity, to admit I wasn’t strong enough to stop whenever I wanted to. It’s the exact opposite of giving up.
As a recovering alcoholic with 9 years sober, I can tell you that once you cross that line it becomes extremely dark, lonely, isolating, and delusional. Being sober is just a better and easier way to live
I thought i could control those entities the specific demons of alcohol and weed ,they helped me win poker games and drive drunk in a company truck everyday so i was the MAN i thought till dwi hit me, still couldn't stop till age 40 my daughter was born...
@muffinman2889 specific demons of alcohol, you can open up and commune with them, while under the influence, they're just over your shoulder, makin your poker hand win repeatedly i swear my friends saw it, i get kinda giddy thinkin about it now, but its dark man like witchcraft it comes back at ya later....
Alcohol isn't called spirits for no reason. If the soul leaves the body, who do suppose is animating the drunk? I have lots of first hand experience with that, and it all ends in tears, I can tell you that. More than 30 years of sobriety, and a cold beer still sounds good, but that experience to which I alluded tells me, "Don't Start!"
I haven't drank at all for about 2 1/2 years and I don't miss it. Hangovers took all the fun out of it. You mention about drinks being called spirits. I'm not exactly sure what you're saying but I have heard that alcohol opens you up to potential evil influence. Like you're actually opened to demonic influence
@@ryanvee570not true. What do you think happens during a blackout? I've seen someone blacked out start speaking in a different voice. Different language even. I hope you never have to see that 😢
I haven't drank a drop of alcohol in over a year. I prayed to GOD and asked to please take the urge away from me. I drank everyday for over 20 years except when I was too sick to go buy more when I ran out after a 3 or 4 day bender. God helped me and I'm sure God will help you too!
I had detox twice in a hospital and only the risk and agony of quitting “cold turkey” made me stay sober for this long. The hyper-ventilating, cold sweats, pacing and dry heaves physically kept me away. Drugging yourself works, but the awful storm of stopping cold was all that worked for me. I don’t recommend stopping abruptly, but the lesson learned made it stick.
@kristenmarie9248: However you’d like to phrase it, the effect is the same. I believe that drug and alcohol addiction is a disease that a person carries, which affects the people closest to them. Which is usually their spouse and kids. The disease affects the behavior of that addict down to their core. So, yes the person doing it does hurt the ones they love because of their disease. That person can always choose to seek treatment for their disease and change their relationship with it. But a part of them does die.
Had my first sip of alcohol after 19 years of sobriety this past weekend. In my own personal experience, alcohol is not the problem, the reasons why we drink are. Find healing from the reasons you drink, then excessive drinking will not be an issue. I never bought into the lie "once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic" or it's a disease ( you don't buy diseases off a market shelf). Yes, if you have been drinking daily for decades, then yes, medical intervention is necessary. For me it was a choice, the bottle or my family and my life, simple as that. Moderation is the key.
Alcoholic for almost 39 years and quit almost 7 years ago. It was truly a miserable existence and almost died. The hardest part after quitting was relearning how to live life without alcohol being the most important thing in everyday life. Wasted the best part of my life and two ruined marriage's. No one to blame but myself. I'm living alcohol and drug free and doing the best I can. Yes, you CAN quit,......if you truly want to.
not going into a drunkalog, but at my lowest, was drinking nearly a gallon of vodka a day, it took me to be family less, friend less, and homeless to hit my bottom, that was in 2000, not going to lie, had a few drinks after 7 years thinking I'm smart enough not to let it get that bad again, I was wrong, ended up losing my job, ended up in the hospital after laying on the couch for a week or so and convulsing, sober again for a long while, had to rebuild my life once again. Happy today because I woke up sober, and thats what it is all about, one day at a time, being grounded and appreciate life. Yes, its not all glorious, but I have the tools that I've learned to use through prayer and the teachings of AA to stay sober one day at a time, God bless all.
I was great at drinking. Until I wasn’t lol. Sober is better,but it’s a process for sure. Gotta do it for yourself then the other stuff falls into place. It won’t work if you’re doing it for someone else wife,kids, friends etc…
Well, there's nothing wrong with getting sober for other people. Any way to get started is good. In my experience, people who continue to stay sober are doing it for their own sake.
12 years sober. I started having horrific hallucinations when i wouldn't drink. Hands shaking so badly i could barely drink water. Black shadow people bearing down on me. Auditory hallucinations of whispers, and screams. My last years of drinking were undiluted hell.
@@axelmowmers When I went cold turkey a few different times, I had those things, heart racing and pounding with insomnia too, being awake for 3-4 days before I could just pass out. I would ask to someone who has experienced this, did you have any really vivid, drug like, dreams or open-eyed hallucinations? I swear, sometimes I thought I was dreaming with my eyes open. I went through this about 6 months ago, the auditory hallucinations sounded like I was listening to a radio just a little bit too quiet in the next room. Like I could never really hear what it was supposed to be playing.
Im 29 at 28 i got peripheral neuropathy from drinking everyday and not eating . Almost 2 years sober and I’m so grateful I’m not in that hell anymore .
I'm an alcoholic myself. People should understand it's not an addiction it's a habit but I guess there are some that could argue a habit can be an addiction. I just don't think of habit's like that. Cure for being an alcoholic is find something you like better. I just enjoy drinking but many people would be better without it.
Some people can drink for 3 months, every single day, from 4:30 pm to Midnight and then just stop, without having any rotten effects or shakes, the same goes with smoking cigarettes but what I have read says smoking is harder to stop and more chance to have bad mood swings from withdrawal.. From what I have seen this is a smaller amount of the population, that can just quit. It appears that becoming addicted is much more common.
The fact is that if a person drinks enough long enough anyone can get alcoholism. It is a chronic progressive permanent disease. A person who is addicted can be sober for years start drinking again and go right back to being out of control.
Drinking is the symptom . Lots of underlying issues are there. Sometimes it’s buried so deep it’s hard to believe. Quitting is great but you are just a dry drunk. Recovery is a lifetime journey. Most issues stem from unworthiness and not feeling loved.❤
Alcoholic here, coming from a family of alcoholics. It's a terribly damaging drug. Relapsed last year after 3 years of sobriety then quit again. Haven't had a drink since August 22, 2023 and hope to never again, I cannot control myself. Life without alcohol is simply a better life.
Clean and sober for 12 years now. I lost everything and at one point I was trying to drink enough to not wake up. I was just done. My folks saved me and got me help.
What is sad is that so many who suffer from alcoholism are actually suffering from blood sugar disorders. The alcohol offers a quick and dirty way to manage these symptoms but at a terribly high price. If you are suffering from alcoholism the first thing you should do is get tested for diabetes and any other glucose and insulin disorder.
Alcohol is all fun and games until suddenly it's NOT. I wouldn't wish alcohol addiction on my worst enemy, that shit will drag you through the mud faster than almost any other substance. Luckily I quit drinking on Christmas day 2018, almost 6 years ago now
I could never become an alcoholic because I cannot physically drink for more than 2 days. I would feel so absolutely terrible that I couldn’t bring myself to drink more. I’ve heard of people drinking to fix a hangover, but I would most likely power vomit if I tried. Not sure how people are able to drink every day
I can buy a bottle of Fireball and drink it slowly over the days. Take 4 shots go to sleep wake up the next day and take 1 or two when I wake. Then wait till night time and take another 2 or 3...and just keep it going like this
@ nothing nice. physically attacking someone. throwing 55 inch tvs out of a 3rd floor apartment. Been there many times for many different things. If you’re already struggling with mental illness, adding drugs and alcohol is all you need to step over into criminal behavior. I’m not proud. I’m quite ashamed of my past but all I can do now is try to help people who are going through similar issues and use the rest of my life to be a force for good. It’s very painful but one day at a time
It is important to remember that not all alcoholics are as described in this short video. I personally know someone who would drink half a bottle of vodka between 9.30-10am and function completely normally and work all day. Come 6pm they would start on another half bottle and only get 'tipsy' before as a single parent looking after their family (food, washing up, laundry etc, etc) they would have a healthy early night around 11pm. 15yrs was enough to leave them near death with liver disease. Best wishes to any and all suffering with this terrible state sanctioned disease.
This is what I don't understand there's all these bars all over the United States do you know how many people are drinking and driving every single day and they know this
I'm 13+ years sober. The analysis here spot on. I did detach from my soul every time I drink - daily. Went to very dark, evil places that wasn't even me. Terror for them, ruinous for me. Even my family says I'm not the same person. Thank God. And yes, there is one.
Your story is very similar to My ex husband’s Started drinking young & going to Vegas He passed away at 58 body shut down & he bled out He drank beer for years then switched to vodka when we started dating 1993 He’s been gone 12 years I’m praying 🙏 for you It’s awful 😢
It becomes not just the norm but with the triggers, (as much as I don't like to use that term) they get ingrained to a point it becomes a certainty to get intoxicated. I'm there myself plenty of times and no matter how much I tell myself that I can do better and it's a waste of time and my life, those split seconds set me up for another ride to the liquor store.
It starts as fun, then a habit and then an addiction. I am 70 and still drink three 7 percent ABV IPAs every night before bed. Doesn’t seem like a problem and I like it, but in the past I went through periods where I drank way too much, did stupid things and always felt like shit. The one saving grace is that I did and do exercise which seemed to keep my health intact.
57 here and have 2-3 drinks 5-6 days/week, but go to the gym and get a couple hours/week of cardio. Blood work is all good, no blood pressure problems, no medication, and a good diet. Moderation is the key..
I had my first beer at 10 years old. That launched me into a 38 year alcoholic life. Dark road is an understatement. I come from a long line of alcoholic and drug addicts. Delivered from it by christ. 9 years clean and sober. God us good.
8 months sober and was an alcoholic for 12 years. 33 years old and since I’ve gotten sober I am purchasing my first home with my girlfriend of 9 years, and we are expecting our first child in May. Plus I’m not in risk of losing my job (if you drink at work, trust me people will find out). Sober life is better.
Life without alcohol is not worth living. I look forward to my days off so I can enjoy my craft beer! Just because others can't handle their booze, it doesn't mean drinkers should be looked down upon. It's non of your business anyway. Enjoy your alcohol responsibly 🍺
I experienced this "fighting the rabbit hole" during my active drinking years. The morning ritual described, everything hit home. Going on 5 years sober myself, and hear this was such a reminder.
I've kicked being physically dependent on opiates. I have also kicked severe physical dependence on alcohol. I laugh at the opiate people afraid of having the flu for 3 days. They really have no idea.
An alcoholics look is the look of one being detached of their soul. That is VERY true. I’m so glad I was able to kick my addiction with alcohol! Strength and good vibes to those still suffering.
Honestly, nobody chooses to be an alcoholic. It's a slow process that you don't realize until you're in its grasp. I'm 11 years sober from alcohol now and will never dare to take a sip of booze again. It's terrifying after you've been to Hell.
Addiction is a Unholy Beast!! The guest describes it pretty well from watching is dad struggle with it. "Self" is always the problem. Once you let go of "self", you have a chance of climbing out of the black hole that you have created for yourself. God bless all those who are still struggling and the ones who made it out the other side back to life.
My younger brother was a hard core alcoholic for over 30 years and it finally killed him one month shy of his 57th birthday. Frankly I’m surprised he lived as long as he did. His final couple of months were very unpleasant to witness. Dying because of chronic alcoholism is a most unpleasant experience. Part of my frustration was because there was nothing I could do or anyone could do to help him - it was way too late for that.
I was an alcoholic for 20 years and trust me it’s a dark road you don’t want to go down. Life is so much better sober.
I spent a couple of years as a complete drunk. I'd wake up a couple hours before work (worked remotely during COVID-19), walk straight from the bed to the freezer, grab a vodka bottle, and start taking swigs. Most mornings, I'd puke it back up into the kitchen sink a few times until enough alcohol was absorbed into my bloodstream to allow me to keep it down. From that point where the alcohol would stick to my belly and until I eventually passed out late in the evening, it was on. By the Grace of God, I stopped cold turkey and am still here today with a fully functional liver.
@@davesims5131 I drank hard for 20 years but I was the type to only do it after 5 PM. Even then when I'd hear stories about guys having drinks in the morning it just repulsed me. My lack of hangovers, despite drinking a litre of 80 proof between 17:00 and 23:00 the night before, is what made it harder for me to stop. Dumb thoughts like "well clearly my body can handle it".
What a B
At least you had fun
agree been on that road, ran with the four horsemen,, been sober 23yr, dont want to ever go back
Recovering alcoholic here, sober one-day-at-a-time since 24 March 1996. Best thing about sobriety ... no hangovers.
"no hangovers" Amen! 👍
That CANT be the best thing…don’t tell me this. I drink every day with no hangover
I’m sober from 12 June 1995 … best thing about sobriety is I got an actual life
I'm 5 yrs alcohol free and for me the best thing is the freedom. Examples: Walking past my local liquor store and knowing I doing need to go in, not wanting to go in. Meeting people at a restaurant and NOT wanting or needing a glass of wine or a scotch.
Wow awesome 12.24.00 sobriety date
Coming up 6 years sober. I was a fully functioning alcoholic, I held down a full time job, but as soon as I had the first drink after work, or at the weekend, it wasn't just 1, it always turned into 2,3 and onwards. I was a happy drunk, but I was drunk, which, as far as I was concerned , wasn't a problem. I also had a drug issue as well. The 2 go hand in hand. I will be celebrating 6 years sober this New years Day! 🥳
Congrats!
So well done! I hope I can do it too. Trying.
@sallyforth9323 it is possible, but you have to want it to achieve it, and it's not easy. The first 6 months for me were the hardest. A positive mindset is essential and set yourself goals. And when you achieve the goal, treat yourself to something nice, a meal out, new clothes, etc, but not a drink, obviously. I was absolutely shocked at the amount of money I saved, and at the end of the month, there was still some money left in my bank account. I also took the decision to completely 100% cut alcohol out of my life, even when it came to foods, mouthwash, everything, 6 years on, it is possible , but it's always in the back of my mind. Wake up an alcoholic, go to bed sober, another day achieved 😊
@@sallyforth9323you got this 🤘🏻
Good for you.
I like my beer 🍺.
Just don't over do it. Like anything in life: too much is not good.
My whole family were alcoholics ..My Grandparents died from liver failure .My dad was in hospice dying from liver failure and I was outside grieving in my car drinking airline bottles of whiskey I myself was an alcoholic.He passed away on Father’s Day morning,i haven’t had a drink since.That was 5 years ago
Good job pal!
Good for for you for breaking the chain. I know it isn't easy. God bless. 🙏
Heartbreaking
Shows how Strong u are. Salute/Blessings.
🎉❤
Drank for over 50+ years, about 4 years ago woke up and said no more, I still struggle with my addiction. I hope you all the best. ✌️
If you got away with drinking for FIFTY YEARS, then you should keep going. Most people now a days don't even live 50 years.
One day at a time it was my life for 53 years didn't know how to live with our checking out in life . But 5 1/2 years
I'm about 30 years I dont even have hobbies anymore just drinking
@@jonathandavis3243About 20 years for me. But in a big car crash, jail time and a break from my sinister wife plus AA. I’ve been sober just shy of 7 years. I am absolutely not lying with you that the turning point was when the cops put on the cuffs and all ran over to the guy I ran into cause he was going to kick my @$$. Standing there all by myself I heard someone say “Tired of doing it your way?” No one within 50 foot of me.
@@jonathandavis3243 nothing wrong with that. Get up it son.
I drank half a bottle of 101 wild turkey and a 18 pack almost every day for 17 years. IF I CAN QUIT, YOU CAN QUIT!
🍀I drank so much 151 started to taste like water🛸✌️
Quiter
@@mikelagarratesta8089”mikel” gaaaay 😂
How are u still alive friend? lol
lightweight much?
lol sorry sorry jk great job on quiting tho!
Clean and sober 1 year coming up on the 27th of December....
I've been through hell and back. Seen things no human being should ever see, and paid the price masking the pain in alcohol and white powder.
Lost everything. Was homeless, living in a tent for a year.
Currentley working as an outreach worker in downtown Toronto, looking at going back to school for addictions/social work.
Been volunteering everyday at The Good Shepherd ("soup kitchen") every day since January.
God put me where he needs me to be.
There is help. There is a way.
Happy 24 everyone.
❤💪👏
AWESOME !!!!!! Im going to be 24 years, December 26th ! Proud of you my brother ❤
Living in Canada is enough to make one drink let alone downtown Toronto.
May God bless you!
Love you brother all the way from Ireland. I share your pain. Its a hard road but fair play in moving forward.
Just over 20 years sober. I appreciate every single day now.
3 years. x
13+ here. Every day a good day, some just better than others. All good though. I'm alive, people love me and I can love them back, and I am always available when needed.
I was drinking every day. I was sick and fat because of drinking. I made a fool out of myself. Missed work. Suffered so many hangovers and wasted days. I’ve ended up in the ER because I injured myself when drunk. Nothing good ever happened to me when I was drunk.
One day, lying in my bed deathly ill from being drunk it just hit me: every drink I took was me poisoning myself. Those symptoms I felt were what happens if I were to drink poison. For some reason, that realization turned things around for me. There is nothing good about drinking alcohol. Nothing but wasted time and money.
Life is better without alcohol but you have to replace drinking and being drunk with something challenging and rewarding. For me it was going camping with my dogs, working out and becoming strong to be able to go camping. I can’t do that and be drunk at the same time.
God bless each one of you who are the path to sobriety and a beautiful life 😊
Thank you for sharing. I’m drawing strength and encouragement from your post. 🙏🏼
Thanks I needed to hear that. I am similar. Too many damn hangovers going to work. Injured myself because I was drunk on my one wheel.
@@deeprollingriver52It’s amazing how similar stories are from one alcoholic to the next. Nearly everything you said could have come out of my mouth. Just over 10 years sober now and life is so much better. Things I thought I couldn’t enjoy without drinking I can now enjoy in a deeper, more satisfying way than I ever could while drunk. Being rid of addiction is the ultimate freedom. Best to you.
YES you MUST replace it. It’s too good feeling in the way up to fight it off without a replacement.
This hits home for me. I’ve thought the same thing before. If someone told me today, I could go back to drinking normally, I’d decline. All goes back to the fact I’m older now to know better and realize it doesn’t buy me what I want now. Priorities have changed for the better
Joe should have let him finish the story about his step dad
JOE SPEAK WITH WORDS
Seriously just keeps interrupting
I agree. Joe didn't understand...many people who don't come from this background do. I wish we could have heard what he had to say. Many people who don't come from this background do.
Joe does a hell of a lot of podcasts, and he is not infallible, but this one annoyed me a little too. Your man, who I don't know from Adam was telling a story that resonated with many, I suspect, and Joe's detour was essentially uninteresting, ie, I know people that have been addicted too...
@@rogerwhite4073
And you can tell by the guy's voice that he is getting to a point but then he gets derailed. That happened at least twice.
I'm trying to quit. I'm 41yo and have been drinking for 20yrs. I've put the bottle down and took the gun out of my mouth, but now what? I'm 100days sober/dry and it's the loneliest I've ever been. I am dying inside, but I do know that others have it worse. Stay strong out there, especially young guys that are smarter than I was. If you ever need a podcast to lean on, Bill Burr's podcast from about 10yrs ago was really amazing for a guy not ready to quit but desperately wanted to. ✌️
Dang brother I fill ya!!! Please keep strong you got this 🙏
Keep going son
Im 4 days. This is hard. Hope my body recovers
Try Cali sober, works for me.
Work, gym and meetings ..hobbies..dual sport and dirt bikes for me
2 year's sober from alcohol Tomorrow . Everything is just better in my life in every way.
Congratulations on your 2 years!
Awesome work!❤️💪
❤️👏👏👏
@@LEWYSTYLE congrats on that shiney new chip
Dang. A lot of people on here on the sober road. Good for you guys
Drinking is the best way to live life gotta be effed up some way
Hahahah they’re quitters. Those type of people never shut up about themselves
@ keep your wig on Joe.
@Joe-n4h7y what a total mouth breather you are .
Some of us even go to meetings to help other struggling people find sobriety or at least an understanding of where they're at without judging where they're going. Yep, sober people are crazy 🤪
Took me 37 years to figure out it is nothing but poison. Can't imagine taking one sip again.
Me too. 48 here and realized that. 149 days sober today!
@Catmire47 Nice! It only gets better. You wont regret it.
💯 I've seen alcohol destroy so many lives and I it never ceasea to amaze me how many people are alcoholics for decades and deny the problem exists
44 and can’t stand the sauce. I never really liked it, just used it to be apart of society but now society can enjoy itself without me
Took me until 39 to figure it out. Thankful everyday that I did.
The interview would have better if Joe let the guy talk more.
Keeps cutting off the guest every time he was about to go deeper into a story. Very frustrating.
JOE MUST BE HEARD
Its not necessarily an interview its more of talking
@@bluehefner888 Well then the talk would have been better if Joe let the guy talk more.
This could be said for literally every Joe Rogan interview
Except his ones with silicon valley billionaires who hate poor people, then he should probably talk more
Those people at the bars are not your friends stop the drinking and see how many of them want to go on hikes 😂
Facts
👍👍
I'll drink and go on a hike. I don't like bars ha
I was drinking before my hike yesterday with my sober friend but we were smoking weed 😂
What kind of lame takes hikes?😂
Started trying to give up alcohol in late-2021. I'm at my longest sobriety streak of around 6.5 months now, going for a year. I'm doing it for myself, but also for my wife, who deserves better than the daily-binge drinker version of me. Good luck to everybody out there.
I wish you the best. Millions of people have overcome alcohol addiction and go on to live happy lives. It’s not impossible to do. You can do it. Trust yourself
And you don't have to do it alone, either.
My story....quit at 59 years old after over 30 years of drinking anywhere from 18 to 24 beers a night. Pretty much never started until about 5 oclock but would drink a solid 4 to 5 hours everyday 7 days a week. Blacked out most every night. Raised a great family but once they were out of the house realized my marriage sucked. I just passed the two year mark and it saved my marriage. It was tough at first but pretty easy now. Good luck my friend.
Well…you have over 6 months- the hardest 6 months- you can’t throw that away now. Think about all that time if you’re ever tempted.
4 years sober after 24 years of addiction glory to God.
Glory to God. Proud of you.
To God be the glory
“Detachment of the soul” - wow that is an excellent articulation. Couldn’t agree more.
Perfect comment. Lived 35 years with a functional alcoholic. I hate that phrase because while it implies they can hold down a job, go golfing, and do life but the people around their experience is nothing that falls into the functional category. Emotional abuse and neglect. Those around are the true victims. They make the choice to continue to drink. Sad.
Just over 20 hours sober... One minute at a time... 😮
God bless you. 🙏
It gets better 5 years here hang in there
20 hours sober is the same as 20 years just stay away from the booze.
Lmao sure you are troll
Me too
I quit drinking almost 4 years ago. I wasn't a full blown alcoholic, a blackout drinker, or a mean drunk, but I drank every day and I was neglecting my family. Luckily, I was able to catch myself before I spiraled too far down. It was the greatest thing I could have done for myself and my family.
You were and are an alcoholic. Stop minimizing your alcohol intake because you didnt fit some made up criteria in your head.
We neglect anything in our lives that had meaning. All forms of addiction take us away from the purity of ourselves.
@@rockhuddy well done. Many drinkers never realize what you described until it’s too late
So glad this guest talked about violent heaving. NO ONE ever talks about that. Been there, done that. I grew up in AA culture and got sober with its help. My favorite quote on addiction: "There's no such thing as addiction, only things we love more than life."- Doug Stanhope
Oh boy, the heaving!
"There's no such thing as addiction, only things we love more than life."- Doug Stanhope That's a GREAT quote!
As much as I love Stanhope, this one is bullshit. Stanhope is just a heavy user, but other than that he's got a pretty solid grip on life. Addicts don't trade their health for pleasure voluntarily. Heavy alcoholics can't even quit cold turkey, because that kills them, too.
Day 23 for myself after 2-3 years of going hard every day. It sucked because I rarely drank but became an alcoholic at 34 years old with a wife & 3 kids. The last 3 weeks or so have been amazing and every day is better than the last.
You ain't seen nothing yet. The promises are true. It took a full 18 months at least to recover from Post Acute Withdrawal Symptoms ( P.A.W.S.) 11 years free, God willing 12 soon. Entirely new life.
Hey, you better be at 28 days my friend
Liked how he called been drunk "a detatchment of the soul" so true
I hate it when joe interrupts, when someone opening his heart… 😢
2 years sober this Christmas.. best decision I’ve ever made. You can do it!
Sad to say I’m battling it, I hate the way it makes me something I’m not it turns me into an asshole. Well done to all you who made it you give me hope.
AA is an amazing way to go. You don’t have to do it by yourself. It’ll make all the difference.
Chase the morning after feel. The goal is to feel good and you have to earn it. 🎉
I'm the exact opposite. I'm an asshole who suddenly becomes kind, forgiving, and empathetic almost to a fault. I've been working on becoming a better person without using booze as a crutch but damn, it completely knocks out that mean side of myself that I hate.
I'm sorry it's a hard road, my thoughts are with you, AA and NA are so supportive and it's great to be around people that understand u and lived the nightmare to, I wish you the best, one day at a time mate 💖
Find a group and stay till the miracle happens.
Joe hit the nail on the head with not everyone needs trauma to go down that road
The problem with a lot of addictions is that once you are hooked, they become their own problem. You may even have successfully processed the trauma that got you hooked, but you might not realize it because you now need the drug to deal with the consequences of being addicted.
27 years sober and I went back to it. Now 6 years sober again. Getting back off it a second time was a whole different ball game.
Easier to get sober ?
How
Life was more complicated than the first time (in my late 20s). You aren't as resilient, there is less time in front of you, you've more responsibility and you've accumulated more baggage.
For me relapsing after 5 years is definitely more hurtful to my soul when I realised all the miracles that came with being sober were gone and then having to fight so hard with myself to stop thinking I need to alcohol . I'm 4 months sober again and I'm not out of the woods but grateful I have what I have as I didn't think I would stop again .
@ thanks 🙏 ❤️
Rogan ruined that one by interrupting
He does that…
I was a very high functioning active alcoholic my entire adult life, from 18-48 years of age, when it all fell apart. February 26, 2025 I will be 7 years sober. Best decision I ever made was to STOP drinking. I quit drinking a bunch of times, I’ve stopped once and feel amazing
Very similar here.
Looking back I cannot pin any logic to the years of drinking. I would have enjoyed myself as much or more without the sauce. What a waste of health and money.
I/ and you, don't need to get personal here: But what do you mean by "It all fell apart?"
I'm putting down 13-15, 1oz shots per-day, and rise for work to accomplish my job specs at 100% productivity.
I'm aware that I need to quit.............!
@ I would drink on average a 12 pack plus a half bottle of wild turkey a day…double that on the weekend days. I made it to work every day as a successful metal fabrication manager. I also found time to work out an hour every day. Dec of 2017 I started to get real bad panic attacks, didn’t feel like working out anymore, and started struggling at work. I decided to quit drinking, but the more I tried to quit, the more I drank. Feb of 2018 I had a panic attack that mimicked a heart attack and was hospitalized for three days, got the tremors, and went through all the DT stuff. I decided that since I didn’t know how to stop drinking, I checked myself into a 30 day rehab and I got sober. I’ve had one relapse since then, but it was one night and I didn’t like it. So Feb 26, 2025 will be 7 years of recovery for me and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made in my life
@NFL1976 your life experience isn’t worth much at all. Someone who clearly has a drinking problem reached out and was honest and asked a very honest question, what I perceived to be asking for help, not judgement from a disingenuous “praying” type of person. I can tell you this, the way in which you chose to phrase your intellectually deficient response, your prayers mean absolutely 100% dick. My God meets those of us who struggle or have struggled right where we’re at. I see you “edited” your comment…maybe you should try and edit some more. God bless
@@NFL1976 - Listen you....."Mr. NFL1976":
I never posted my comment to brag, got it?
Good.
I'm not *_arrogant_*
*YOU* stated I was arrogant, not me (scratching me head)....ffs.
If you state such again, it will lead to, - Quoting Christopher Walken in "Joe Dirt,"
"I'll take this soldering iron and stick it in your face."
- Learn something................
I'm a guy, desiring to quit.
You're the sort who judges too quickly, without knowing the facts.
Christopher Walken, again; "Lemme ask you something. Does yo momma sew? (Slaps fire extinguisher box).. -*BOOM* Sew This.
Thanks for talking about this horrible addiction. 30 years of sobriety has changed my life. A friend of Bill
My husband died from alcoholism, and it’s been devastating. It’s pervasive in the world, and socially acceptable and even encouraged. To this day my MIL tells with pride how my hub was the life of every party. Yeah, he was drunk, don’t we get it now? He was highly functioning until everything unraveled.
"the detachment of the soul" really hits home for me. I've been sober for over 2 years now and it's the best decision I've ever made in my life.
23 years sober in a couple weeks. Pretty good deal.
Well done, it's my first day 😂
Great job pal!
@@Pepespizzeria1 congratulations!!! You won’t regret it.
@@ss229er7 thank you. My ego would love to take credit but it’s the good Lord, friends of Bill W, and 12 steps.
Sounds boring
My younger brother died due to his alcoholism and drug abuse. He was more of an alcoholic than a drug addict, but it was a serious demon for him. He had a really good heart, but his addiction and disease was real. He would get alcoholic shakes and seizures when he tried to quit. It killed me when his body finally gave out, because he was truly loved.
God, I am so sorry.
My Parents Both Met In Alcoholics Anonymous In Dallas Texas, And I Am Now 12 Years Sober.
I'm coming up to 5 yrs alcohol free after about 40 yrs of drinking, heavy daily drinking towards the end. One of my biggest roadblocks when trying to stop was imagining my life without drinking but once that changed everything fell into place. I recommend Allen Carr's book "Quit Drinking Without Willpower" and Annie Grace's "This Naked Mind".
I agree man. Great job!
@@Catmire47 Thanks!
Nice one. I am also coming up on 5 years sober. Annie grace helped me too.
On the 27th of December will be 5 years sober. Did a sober November and then felt so good I never looked back. You can do it.
Two years and four months clean. The awakening for me was realizing I didn’t have to fight against my addiction any longer. I quit 10,000 times through willpower, and picked up 10,000 times plus one. I finally learned I don’t need to show up to every fight I’m invited to, that it’s fine to surrender with dignity, to admit I wasn’t strong enough to stop whenever I wanted to. It’s the exact opposite of giving up.
As a recovering alcoholic with 9 years sober, I can tell you that once you cross that line it becomes extremely dark, lonely, isolating, and delusional. Being sober is just a better and easier way to live
All the best to those recovering alcoholics!
Been sober since 81. Tis the only way.
The worst thing about alcoholism is the spiritual aspect. It opens you up to some dark entities.
Do tell 😮?😊
You know it. The hallucinations I had and voices I heard when detoxing multiple times were horrifying.
@calbraid3328 yeah I get you man 👊 keep the faith bro
I thought i could control those entities the specific demons of alcohol and weed ,they helped me win poker games and drive drunk in a company truck everyday so i was the MAN i thought till dwi hit me, still couldn't stop till age 40 my daughter was born...
@muffinman2889 specific demons of alcohol, you can open up and commune with them, while under the influence, they're just over your shoulder, makin your poker hand win repeatedly i swear my friends saw it, i get kinda giddy thinkin about it now, but its dark man like witchcraft it comes back at ya later....
Alcohol isn't called spirits for no reason.
If the soul leaves the body, who do suppose is animating the drunk?
I have lots of first hand experience with that, and it all ends in tears, I can tell you that.
More than 30 years of sobriety, and a cold beer still sounds good, but that experience to which I alluded tells me, "Don't Start!"
The soul doesn’t leave your body when you drink, only when you die
I haven't drank at all for about 2 1/2 years and I don't miss it. Hangovers took all the fun out of it. You mention about drinks being called spirits. I'm not exactly sure what you're saying but I have heard that alcohol opens you up to potential evil influence. Like you're actually opened to demonic influence
@@ryanvee570 Ever get black-out drunk and hear unbelievable accounts of your escapades? It'll scare the sh*t out of you, until you drink again.
@@ryanvee570not true. What do you think happens during a blackout? I've seen someone blacked out start speaking in a different voice. Different language even. I hope you never have to see that 😢
@@Todd-o8n aint that the truth
I haven't drank a drop of alcohol in over a year. I prayed to GOD and asked to please take the urge away from me. I drank everyday for over 20 years except when I was too sick to go buy more when I ran out after a 3 or 4 day bender. God helped me and I'm sure God will help you too!
The same for me. God helped me when I finally took the first step to help myself.🙏
God isn't there , praise allah
I thought I had chronic fatigue syndrome for like a decade but turns out I was just perpetually hungover.
I have CFS. Count yourself lucky if there is actually anything you can do to improve your situation.
Alcohol amongst other intoxicants, does pollute your body and not just your mind. It weakens you over time as well.
I had detox twice in a hospital and only the risk and agony of quitting “cold turkey” made me stay sober for this long. The hyper-ventilating, cold sweats, pacing and dry heaves physically kept me away. Drugging yourself works, but the awful storm of stopping cold was all that worked for me. I don’t recommend stopping abruptly, but the lesson learned made it stick.
Pain is a great motivator!
Addiction is a vicious beast. The most insidious aspect to it, is that it hurts the ones you love the most.
"It" doesn't do it, the PERSON doing drugs and alcohol does it. It's like a death of the person you love, but they are alive still.
@kristenmarie9248: However you’d like to phrase it, the effect is the same. I believe that drug and alcohol addiction is a disease that a person carries, which affects the people closest to them. Which is usually their spouse and kids. The disease affects the behavior of that addict down to their core. So, yes the person doing it does hurt the ones they love because of their disease. That person can always choose to seek treatment for their disease and change their relationship with it. But a part of them does die.
So true .. I had so many friends .. till I quit drinking
Had my first sip of alcohol after 19 years of sobriety this past weekend. In my own personal experience, alcohol is not the problem, the reasons why we drink are.
Find healing from the reasons you drink, then excessive drinking will not be an issue.
I never bought into the lie "once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic" or it's a disease ( you don't buy diseases off a market shelf). Yes, if you have been drinking daily for decades, then yes, medical intervention is necessary. For me it was a choice, the bottle or my family and my life, simple as that.
Moderation is the key.
I’m 3 weeks sober not looking back I love waking up early and enjoying the morning and I can drive at night knowing I’m sober
Being able to drive at a moments notice is a big one . I’m 3 weeks too ! Keep on keeping on
Congratulations!
Early rising and not dragging yourself to get to the day and even work is the best feeling.
Alcoholic for almost 39 years and quit almost 7 years ago. It was truly a miserable existence and almost died. The hardest part after quitting was relearning how to live life without alcohol being the most important thing in everyday life. Wasted the best part of my life and two ruined marriage's. No one to blame but myself. I'm living alcohol and drug free and doing the best I can. Yes, you CAN quit,......if you truly want to.
It's corny but one day at a time is the way to stop. Don't quit quitting. I stopped drinking over 40 years ago. You got this.
149 days in a row for me
@Catmire47 Good for you. Keep up the good work. Just keep telling yourself "I don't have to drink today."
not going into a drunkalog, but at my lowest, was drinking nearly a gallon of vodka a day, it took me to be family less, friend less, and homeless to hit my bottom, that was in 2000, not going to lie, had a few drinks after 7 years thinking I'm smart enough not to let it get that bad again, I was wrong, ended up losing my job, ended up in the hospital after laying on the couch for a week or so and convulsing, sober again for a long while, had to rebuild my life once again. Happy today because I woke up sober, and thats what it is all about, one day at a time, being grounded and appreciate life. Yes, its not all glorious, but I have the tools that I've learned to use through prayer and the teachings of AA to stay sober one day at a time, God bless all.
My thoughts are with you, one day at a time ❤
@@rachaelsummers7686 thank you
@jeffstange9183 your most welcome 💖💖💖
I was great at drinking. Until I wasn’t lol. Sober is better,but it’s a process for sure. Gotta do it for yourself then the other stuff falls into place. It won’t work if you’re doing it for someone else wife,kids, friends etc…
Well, there's nothing wrong with getting sober for other people. Any way to get started is good. In my experience, people who continue to stay sober are doing it for their own sake.
12 years sober. I started having horrific hallucinations when i wouldn't drink. Hands shaking so badly i could barely drink water. Black shadow people bearing down on me. Auditory hallucinations of whispers, and screams. My last years of drinking were undiluted hell.
Oh my god- sounds horrific! Thank god you got past it, and regained your Self. Blessings!
@KK-111 Thanks!
@@axelmowmers When I went cold turkey a few different times, I had those things, heart racing and pounding with insomnia too, being awake for 3-4 days before I could just pass out.
I would ask to someone who has experienced this, did you have any really vivid, drug like, dreams or open-eyed hallucinations? I swear, sometimes I thought I was dreaming with my eyes open.
I went through this about 6 months ago, the auditory hallucinations sounded like I was listening to a radio just a little bit too quiet in the next room. Like I could never really hear what it was supposed to be playing.
Im 29 at 28 i got peripheral neuropathy from drinking everyday and not eating . Almost 2 years sober and I’m so grateful I’m not in that hell anymore .
I'm an alcoholic myself. People should understand it's not an addiction it's a habit but I guess there are some that could argue a habit can be an addiction. I just don't think of habit's like that. Cure for being an alcoholic is find something you like better. I just enjoy drinking but many people would be better without it.
Hangovers are absolutely brutal ...
Some people can drink for 3 months, every single day, from 4:30 pm to Midnight and then just stop, without having any rotten effects or shakes, the same goes with smoking cigarettes but what I have read says smoking is harder to stop and more chance to have bad mood swings from withdrawal.. From what I have seen this is a smaller amount of the population, that can just quit.
It appears that becoming addicted is much more common.
The fact is that if a person drinks enough long enough anyone can get alcoholism. It is a chronic progressive permanent disease. A person who is addicted can be sober for years start drinking again and go right back to being out of control.
Drinking is the symptom . Lots of underlying issues are there. Sometimes it’s buried so deep it’s hard to believe. Quitting is great but you are just a dry drunk. Recovery is a lifetime journey. Most issues stem from unworthiness and not feeling loved.❤
Alcoholic here, coming from a family of alcoholics. It's a terribly damaging drug. Relapsed last year after 3 years of sobriety then quit again. Haven't had a drink since August 22, 2023 and hope to never again, I cannot control myself. Life without alcohol is simply a better life.
Alcohol needs to be respected it not about getting sh## faced drunk, it about showing it respect and appreciating the change of concioussnes it gives
Clean and sober for 12 years now. I lost everything and at one point I was trying to drink enough to not wake up. I was just done. My folks saved me and got me help.
Congrats to all the ppl that beat alcoholism! Dad was alcoholic. Poor guy. The stress he was under. He quit after decades.
Took me a decade to get off it. And now that I’m sober I have no dreams about drinking. They are all nightmares.
All you need to do is look up the etymology of the word alcohol. Itll make you stay far away from it.
What is sad is that so many who suffer from alcoholism are actually suffering from blood sugar disorders. The alcohol offers a quick and dirty way to manage these symptoms but at a terribly high price. If you are suffering from alcoholism the first thing you should do is get tested for diabetes and any other glucose and insulin disorder.
I love being in recovery. Let’s make recovery mainstream!
Alcohol is all fun and games until suddenly it's NOT. I wouldn't wish alcohol addiction on my worst enemy, that shit will drag you through the mud faster than almost any other substance. Luckily I quit drinking on Christmas day 2018, almost 6 years ago now
I could never become an alcoholic because I cannot physically drink for more than 2 days. I would feel so absolutely terrible that I couldn’t bring myself to drink more. I’ve heard of people drinking to fix a hangover, but I would most likely power vomit if I tried. Not sure how people are able to drink every day
It a process the longer you drink the more you can keep down
I can buy a bottle of Fireball and drink it slowly over the days. Take 4 shots go to sleep wake up the next day and take 1 or two when I wake. Then wait till night time and take another 2 or 3...and just keep it going like this
Detachment of the soul is a perfect description.
I spent last Xmas in jail haven’t had a drink since 1-19/24 drinking sucks
What landed u there if u don’t mind me asking
@ nothing nice. physically attacking someone. throwing 55 inch tvs out of a 3rd floor apartment. Been there many times for many different things. If you’re already struggling with mental illness, adding drugs and alcohol is all you need to step over into criminal behavior. I’m not proud. I’m quite ashamed of my past but all I can do now is try to help people who are going through similar issues and use the rest of my life to be a force for good. It’s very painful but one day at a time
It is important to remember that not all alcoholics are as described in this short video. I personally know someone who would drink half a bottle of vodka between 9.30-10am and function completely normally and work all day. Come 6pm they would start on another half bottle and only get 'tipsy' before as a single parent looking after their family (food, washing up, laundry etc, etc) they would have a healthy early night around 11pm. 15yrs was enough to leave them near death with liver disease.
Best wishes to any and all suffering with this terrible state sanctioned disease.
This is what I don't understand there's all these bars all over the United States do you know how many people are drinking and driving every single day and they know this
I'm 13+ years sober. The analysis here spot on. I did detach from my soul every time I drink - daily. Went to very dark, evil places that wasn't even me. Terror for them, ruinous for me. Even my family says I'm not the same person. Thank God. And yes, there is one.
I'm over 4 years sober but I used to drink all day
Not drinking alcohol is a Super Power.
Yes it is call me Superman
Sad to say I’ve been drinking since 21 and now I’m 58 and still doing it.
I want it to be somehow easier to stop 🛑 completely.
Your story is very similar to My ex husband’s
Started drinking young & going to Vegas
He passed away at 58 body shut down & he bled out
He drank beer for years then switched to vodka when we started dating 1993
He’s been gone 12 years
I’m praying 🙏 for you
It’s awful 😢
@ thank you 🙏
I went 12yrs without a drink., then.... I turned 12
Ha
See the thing that makes a good joke is that it is funny in some way. This was a great big Meh.
The compulsion is very real. Overcoming that urge is truly a victory.
It becomes not just the norm but with the triggers, (as much as I don't like to use that term) they get ingrained to a point it becomes a certainty to get intoxicated. I'm there myself plenty of times and no matter how much I tell myself that I can do better and it's a waste of time and my life, those split seconds set me up for another ride to the liquor store.
It starts as fun, then a habit and then an addiction. I am 70 and still drink three 7 percent ABV IPAs every night before bed. Doesn’t seem like a problem and I like it, but in the past I went through periods where I drank way too much, did stupid things and always felt like shit. The one saving grace is that I did and do exercise which seemed to keep my health intact.
You gonna have to stop sometime
@ You may be right! But not yet.
57 here and have 2-3 drinks 5-6 days/week, but go to the gym and get a couple hours/week of cardio. Blood work is all good, no blood pressure problems, no medication, and a good diet. Moderation is the key..
I had my first beer at 10 years old. That launched me into a 38 year alcoholic life. Dark road is an understatement. I come from a long line of alcoholic and drug addicts. Delivered from it by christ. 9 years clean and sober. God us good.
That "look" is wild as well as a little unnerving, often 1 eye half open and it's just so vacant, like the person is on autopilot...
Alcohol is a friend that is always there for you...
Haven't been drunk since may and haven't had one in 4+ months and I finally feel a little more normal after 8 years constantly
❤
Self control & moderation is key
Joe is fuckin' faded in this one. 🥴
Lol 😆
8 months sober and was an alcoholic for 12 years. 33 years old and since I’ve gotten sober I am purchasing my first home with my girlfriend of 9 years, and we are expecting our first child in May. Plus I’m not in risk of losing my job (if you drink at work, trust me people will find out). Sober life is better.
Life without alcohol is not worth living. I look forward to my days off so I can enjoy my craft beer! Just because others can't handle their booze, it doesn't mean drinkers should be looked down upon. It's non of your business anyway. Enjoy your alcohol responsibly 🍺
I experienced this "fighting the rabbit hole" during my active drinking years. The morning ritual described, everything hit home. Going on 5 years sober myself, and hear this was such a reminder.
Booze is THE worst drug of all.
Guessing u haven't experienced fent, herion, opiates addiction?
I've kicked being physically dependent on opiates. I have also kicked severe physical dependence on alcohol. I laugh at the opiate people afraid of having the flu for 3 days. They really have no idea.
1.Gambling 2.Alcohol 3.Heroin
@@mattlol163benzos and alcohol are far worse than opiates
I dunno man krokodil is pretty bad
An alcoholics look is the look of one being detached of their soul. That is VERY true. I’m so glad I was able to kick my addiction with alcohol! Strength and good vibes to those still suffering.
Honestly, nobody chooses to be an alcoholic. It's a slow process that you don't realize until you're in its grasp. I'm 11 years sober from alcohol now and will never dare to take a sip of booze again. It's terrifying after you've been to Hell.
Addiction is a Unholy Beast!! The guest describes it pretty well from watching is dad struggle with it. "Self" is always the problem. Once you let go of "self", you have a chance of climbing out of the black hole that you have created for yourself. God bless all those who are still struggling and the ones who made it out the other side back to life.
My younger brother was a hard core alcoholic for over 30 years and it finally killed him one month shy of his 57th birthday.
Frankly I’m surprised he lived as long as he did.
His final couple of months were very unpleasant to witness. Dying because of chronic alcoholism is a most unpleasant experience. Part of my frustration was because there was nothing I could do or anyone could do to help him - it was way too late for that.
Don't keep interrupting him Joe.
5-22-2021 quit drinking....6-1-2021 quit smoking
That's a double/double . congrats, keep it up 👍
My dad was a serious alcoholic. I never understood it. He was functional and not mean but got plastered every day. I never understood it. Still don’t.