What I've Learned from Four Years off Alcohol
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- Опубліковано 30 тра 2024
- Follow Up Video - • How to Rewrite Your St...
Today I am celebrating my 4th year off alcohol which I believe is my greatest achievement to date. Every year I mark today with a dinner with family and friends but this year I am unable to do that.
This year I wanted to make a video talking through some of the things I’ve learned, the changes that have happened in my life and some of the struggles I have faced (& still do face) throughout this process.
Giving up booze isn’t easy but I can confirm it is definitely worth it. - Розваги
Matthew your mum and I are very proud of you and all your achievements , we love you so much well done . Dad xx
Thanks dad :)
@MGTOW WISDOM keep pushing. You can do it. All the best
@MGTOW WISDOM
How are you doing?
Feel free to reach out if you need support.
Wish you all the best 🙏
What a fantastic son you have. You must be so so proud of him! He is a marvel! It is good that he had you for the strong support! J
God bless you Matthew, Mum & Dad! I’m the mum of an adult son who has been alcohol free for 2 yrs & I say that every day is the best day having my son healthy 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️
21 years sober. Your story is almost a complete copy of my journey. I gave up alcohol, cigarettes and coffee at the same time, man, it was hell.
Back on the coffee now though.
Biggest shock to me was finding most of my friends were drinking buddies, not really friends. So I had a few years where I was a bit lonely, but it was totally worth it. Now I have proper friends who don't care that I don't drink.
I also found that as each day went by, and when you first start out you count each day, I didn't want to drink as that would reset my sober counter. After a while I stopped counting days and just got on with my life.
The benefits to my life have been much better health ( I'm not dead ! ), better sleep,unbelievably better decision making, way more money ,better relationships, more time to do as I please, and I no longer wake up and wonder what did i do last night? And did I mention the money I saved ? Retired at 60 , ride my motorbike, go fishing, lunch with my wife... sober was the best thing I ever did.
This is great to hear, I have had similar experiences on all levels and I agree it was worth it. Thanks for sharing for others to read.
What a great story!!
Coffee is beneficial for the liver. It's one of the few addictions that actually have mostly good qualities.
at some point i realized that alcohol was the great pretender. It gave me extreme pleasure and euphoria for a few hours, but this would mortgage the entire next day where i'd be listless, depressed as hell, brain fog, total sadness, apathy, inability to do anything...was it worth it? No.
I agree, it is absolutely not worth it. I think it kept me in some of those states for many year! Thanks for your comment,
@@MatthewToman7 to think some people live their entire lives in this state. This is not a judgement against them. It's just sad.
I stopped cold turkey. One morning I was just sick of the health problems alcohol gave me. I realized it gave me more problems than benefits
I have a similar story! So glad I made the decision, my health has never been better. Congrats on making the decision and thank you for watching and commenting :)
I’m the same. Now I realise alcohol gave me more problems than just health. Good decision.
I did that with smoking stupid habits we get into.
Alcohol weakens me as a man.
Vulnerable Hollow indecisive
This is common to so many of us John, you are very fortunate to have that level of self awareness which means you can now make the change. Thank for your comment.
I was drinking moderately on the weekends in the club for like 4 years. When I started getting a bit bloated in the stomach I got a gym membership and stopped that for a while. If you want to get rid of a fatty liver you need to do fasting and get on lemon water or tea. I never thought that drinking moderately on the weekends would be noticeable in time but it is. Clean your body guys, do sports, make a fasting schedule, and get rid of carbs especially sugar.
Thanks for the advise Andre I appreciate that. I never enjoyed the gym or working out but since I activated my healthier life I can’t go without it. Keep up the good work :)
Thanks for posting. Please can you outline the fasting regime you followed for fatty liver?
@@everyday316 Sure. The idea is to reduce the carbs as much as possible and your eating window has to be 6 hours max a day , ideally 2 or 4 hours. Example: You wake up, skip breakfast, only drink lemon water or tea without sugar ( any carb will raise your insuline and not burn fat ) , at about 5 pm you start eating and finish at around 8 pm max. You cand also do some easy exercise streching, just for overall health. With this regime in maximum 6 months you might even see abs. It's simple biology but we have been brainwashed by the western style of eating with 3 meals a day, if your body dosen't take a brake from eating to lower insuline it can't burn fat.
@@andreicd And I would add that your eating window time should be moved to earlier in the day, if you don't stay up quite late!
140 Days AF - I landed a job that I really wanted 2 days ago ( after being made redundant in June 2020) - for the first time ever I haven’t had to say yes to a job and it not be everything I want. There is always something that I have always had to sacrifice be it pay, distance or long hours...
I know at the interview I put my best self forward and I know it is because I am not drinking.
I feel so awesome and proud of myself right now for getting a job I want in not only in the pandemic which has been horrible for job seekers but having the strength to keep going even when I want to turn to wine because I’m sad.
Not drinking is the best thing I have done for myself. Xx
Ps. I’m 33 so seems to be an age for reflection!
I am so happy to hear this, this is great news! Yes I can second that it is the best decision I have made in my life also. Congratulations on your success so far, please do keep me updates on your journey and thank you for the support :)
Ive struggled with drinking off and on for years. Like you I started drinking quite young. But I'm a chef by trade, I'm also Irish. So it was simply a part of my life. Quite the intricate part. One day while sobering up in the line. Not the first time. I had an epiphany. Since then I've surrounded myself with people that support my decision and will help hold me accountable. Its been hellisly difficult at times and recently the thoughts of drinking have been creeping back. But im fighting it. Its been seven months.
Hi David, thanks for watching the video and taking the time to comment. Over the years I have battled with the pull back towards alcohol but thankfully never caved, I have also done want you have done and surround myself with people who support my decision to give up the booze and I think this is key. You are the average of the 5 people you spend most of your time with so you have to be careful. I am on Facebook and Instagram under my own name, if you ever need to have a chat hit me up :) 7 months is a massive achievement so be proud of that. I look forward to connecting with you further.
Great job! I’m a chef/stripper/trucker so I’m sure u can imagine the substance abuse I’m surrounded by. I’m a wellness coach as well. I love feeling good. Alcohol is such a negative deterrent
You don’t have to do it alone... you find a meeting and read the books and get a sponsor and you can live a life better than you can conceive of at this point... that’s the fact that keeps me coming back ... what a trip !
My last drink was 31 December 2019. Did dry January, which I did not expect to achieve, and just never went back to it. Had been thinking for a while that I had developed a dependency and ought to do something about it. I would say that I love drinking but even more, I love not drinking. Must say I saw saw immediate health benefits and over time, all the other benefits you talk about. Was 58 when I packed it in. Started drinking in pubs age 15. Being sober has become something I am quietly rather proud of.
And you should be, congratulations! I loved it but I am the same as you I love not doing it more. Thanks for the comment Adrian.
Congrats! Im 57 and on day 18
My Father was an alcoholic and it ruined our family. I decided when I was a child to never drink lest I like it too much. My Dad eventually killed himself with alcohol.
I do not live an especially healthy lifestyle, but I am conspicuously healthier than most of my peers, and I suspect being a lifetime tee-totaler has a lot to do with it. Never too late to stop poisoning yourself.
I am sorry to hear that about your dad. I think it’s a good move to avoid completely, I am glad I had the strength to move on and stop completely. Thanks for your comment
@@MatthewToman7 I am introverted and somewhat stubborn by nature, so the social penalties and difficulties of being the only non-drinker in the room were less of a burden for me. For highly social people, it's much harder to do what I did, and I often wonder if it was the right choice on balance. Thanks for the response. I applaud your commitment.
I tend to be rather open to letting people do what they want with their own bodies, and so I'm tentatively in favor of legalising more recreational drugs than are permitted now. Nonetheless, it's worth reflecting on the fact that if alcoholic drinks were invented today, they'd almost surely be banned or very nearly banned.
My last drink was over 2 years ago. I totally forget about alcohol. I just quit thinking I was taking a month
Break but I never started again.
That as the way to do it :) Thanks for watching the video and taking the time to comment.
Thanks, Matthew.
It's crazy how hard alcoholism is to talk about.
For me, it was both smoking and drinking - They ruin everything, there is no profit in either of them. They both got BAD in 2020. And I've watched a lot of good things in my life disappear because of them.
Four weeks ago, I dropped both like the bad habit that they are. No more sneaking a drag, no more "just one beer". Done. I replaced them a very intense exercise and diet regimen.
I had one slip up - had some whiskey a few days ago, and when I woke up I realized that for the past 30 days of waking up to the world, there was only one of these days that I hated and didn't want to get out of bed.
I then added 20% to my exercise routine and will not look back. Ever.
Hey Vin, thanks for the comment. Congratulations on the 4 weeks and I would not beat yourself up to much about the slip. As you now have seen what it feels like not drinking feeling fresh everyday its hard to go back to the other feeling, the better you feel the encouraged you will be to stay off it. 2020 brought a lot of things to the surface we all had to deal with.
@@MatthewToman7 - Thank you again for your follow-up comment and support.
Great video! I'm four months alcohol free now and it's the best decision I've made in life.
Congratulations Kevin thats great news! Yeah I can agree with you, I also feel it was the best decision I have done in my life. Keep me posted on your journey. :)
Hey Matt. I'm the same as you. 1 year ago on the same day , I quit alcohol, cigarettes became a whole foods Plant based vegan.
Life changing. Dropped 10 kilograms, skin no longer dry, whites of my eyes are whiter but work life same and my business still struggles... but then my priorities at 55 have changed , so financial success isn't what matters in life.
Hi James, good to hear from you and congratulations. What is your business? I do agree your priorities change when you have a clear mind.
Well done, gasun! I'm on my 23rd day. I managed to stop in 2015 for two years, but then was hit by a personal crisis and started up again after having sworn to never touch it again. I know how my life changed for the better during those two years off it, and I want those days back again. It's more than well-worth it.
Congrats Con! If you done it before you will do it again :)
@@MatthewToman7 Thanks for the encouragement, Matthew. Happier days ahead.
Being lonely is a key to my drinking but the sickness is I prefer to be alone. Not a good situation.
Alone=all one. It’s not a bad thing, at all.
I understand how you feel. It is so difficult being alone in this struggle. Stay strong. J
@@janeclose1431 Thank You
Great inspirational video..I was born in the US but at age 12 my Irish parents moved me and my siblings back to Co. Mayo where my father bought a pub. Ps my dad is an alcoholic. At the age of 12 until 15 i was bartending and going to nightclubs..This was 1982..until 1985. Fast forward many years later I'm still drinking excessively and hate myself for it. I have a master's degree as a teacher but I'm not reaching my full potential. I know alcohol is holding me back. Ive always made horrible relationship decisions due to the drink.. Thanks for this video
It’s a positive that you recognise this Clara! Once you aware you can then do something about it, thanks for sharing your story and taking the time to watch the video and comment.
Hope you got some help.
Best of luck. July, 2022.
This was sooooo powerful thank you!! I've been yo-yoing between stopping drinking and starting back again. I'm not a social drinker - but was drinking more wine at home than was healthy. Mostly from boredom. I have stopped on and off for a about a year now and have finally committed to stopping drinking fully. Thank you for your honesty.
Thank you for your comment Leanne. Keep me updated on your journey :) good luck with it.
Congratulations. I drank a lot less the last few years but decided last November to never drink alcohol (or energy drinks again) and I know I won't. This video will help so many people, especially in these hard times.
Thanks klara. Glad to see you are doing so well, I have been following your journey on instagram xxxx
7 days sober I feel it already. Can only imagine how it’s going to only get better. One day at a time.
Congratulations! May it continue 💪🏼❤️
We tolerate what we don’t hate.
YOU ARE THE BEST EXAMPLE FOR US ALL THANK YOU
I'm a bit over 2 weeks sober.. 31 years old.. I tried to get sober for my 30th birthday and I got to almost 200 days... then relapsed because I thought i had it under control... man was I wrong lol Tried doing it alone and failed multiple times. I'm going to AA meetings about twice a week and it's working so far
Hey Will great to hear from you. The main thing is you got back on track and AA is the best way in this case :) I tried from my 30th to stop and it took me until 33/34 now I’m 5.5 years off it and the life changes are unbelievable which I’m sure you have started to experience.
A family member told me yesterday that he was celebrating 20 years sober. Got there in the beginning at AA. Good luck!!
Extremely well put. Thank you for this.
Thanks Matti :)
I really enjoyed this. Thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you ❤️
Beautiful and concur. Thank you for your time and wisdom.
Thanks for your time too Jay :)
Amazing, this is just the encouragement I needed
Great to hear Micheal. Keep me posted on your journey what ever that may be. Thanks for watching the video and taking the time to comment :)
You have a very mature attitude for someone in your 30's. I was not as clear on this issue when I was younger.
Thank you for the comment :)
This is so relevant to my life, it effects everything. Motivation, relationships, eating, health, when your (Sober) naturally radatating on a higher level, alcohol can only bring you down, I start each week feeling tired from drinking on a Saturday and then a Sunday eating rubbish, I battle through the next few days catching up on sleep and feeling anxious, vicious circle 🔵 i ordered the book from Allen carr, and im really going to give it my best shot. The biggest thing for me is social aspect everyone I know drinks, and I honestly feel like im missing out when I don't, I can and will do this 🎉
I felt like that as well at the start, the fear of missing out but actually I have an even better social life now and I also got my Sunday mornings back :)
Yes, the feeling of missing out is common especially when one starts out on the alcohol free path but you’ve got to think about all that you are missing out on by drinking. All that time recovering from alcohol, loss of physical, mental and emotional energy, free time wasted being hung over, unwanted weight gain, damaged complexion and liver which are related. Looking like crap and often finding oneself running low on money. We miss out more than we gain when drink. Jimmy Carrs book is a good one. Stay strong 💪
Well done. Helpful video, thanks for posting
Thank you very much for watching and taking the time to comment. :)
Very proud of you, dude. You seem like a good guy. Thanks for the inspiration. Stay Bad Ass, your genuine goodness of spirit shines through...I can see it.
Stay cool and stay strong.
Thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to watch he video and comment on it :) I hope everything is going well where ever in the world you are.
Thank you for this!
The book This Naked Mind has helped me a lot.
Annie Grace?
Wow a lot of things you said in this video hit home. Great video, helpful and inspiring ♥
Thanks for watching and for the comment. :)
Your an inspiration and speaking nothing less that the TRUTH!!
I'm in the early stages of my new journey, and just in these 3 months I am noticing a major difference, like life changing difference. Thanks for the video, and the inspiration!
Thank you for watching the video and taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it. I do agree, I also seen the results early on. I know you are only at the beginning but I can assure you it only gets better :)
Thanks for posting bro
Thanks for the message John :)
Fantastic video mate. I've been off alcohol since October last year and, like you, the quality of my life has improved dramatically. Nice one
Congrats Craig! Thanks for watching the video and taking the time to comment :)
Matthew has learned and shared a lot from his extended period of abstinence. He speaks clearly and sincerely about its benefits... I want to be more like him in the way he's winning this battle.
The Q & A is also tough and informative and his replies are born from experience and adversity.
Good luck and I'm subscribing so I can listen to this one over and over! Much to learn!
Thank you Kabin for the message I really appreciate it and for taking the time to watch the video.
Fantastic video man have a very similar story to yours, only I'm sober 1 year I didn't drink every day or in the morning ect, but emotionally it was really really damaging me. I feel so much happier and as you said I have complete control over my mind it's very liberating. I like you knew for a couple of years before I quit I had a problem and I really wasn't happy doing it. Best of luck with your business and career 👍 god bless
Hey dude, thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. Yeah the emotion hit a bit harder with the fear attached :) Congrats on hitting the year mar, I can assure you it’s only gets better from here.
Fantastic message Matthew ... its true that experience is the best teacher. You have clearly lived it.
Your experience strength and hope will no doubt help countless others who have alcohol problems . You look just like your Dad at this age... im kinda waiting on you playing a banjo abd bursting into a Gerry Rafferty song.
I love your parents... they can be proud of you and your journey.
God Bless keep up the good work
Tony.☘️🙏
Thanks Tony I appreciate the message and the chat today. See you soon
Hi Matthew congratulations on your 4 years of sobriety I have been sober for 1 year and 2 month thanks for sharing Matthew glad you are doing great 🙏
Congratulations Elijah well done on 1 year and 2 months. Thanks for your message and taking the time to watch the video. :)
Well done Matthew. Keep it up. I'm on my new journey for many years and, as you say, the best decision I have ever made.
Thanks kevin I appreciate the message. Congrats on your journey so far. Thankfully I haven’t looked back. Great videos by the way you are helping a lot of people.
Brilliant video buddy! Hope you’re well! 🙏
Thank you Danny. Let's try catch up while I am in Belfast?
@@MatthewToman7 sounds good man!
I really enjoyed this video, I’m starting to cut alcohol out of my life. I connected with tour situation almost exactly. Very calm and transparent.
I am glad this video helped, its the main reason that I videoed it. Thanks for the feedback.
A REALLY fun and easy read book is “The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober”. ! ! !
Brilliant thanks for this 💙
Thank you ❤️🙏🏼
Hi Matthew glad to hear that you have been alcohol free I love sobriety youtubes I have been alcohol free for 1 year and 2 month I am so happy to be alcohol free thanks for sharing your youtube channel stay safe and enjoy 🙏
Hi Elijah thanks so much for the comment and congrats on reaching 1 year 2 months. I love it also and wouldn’t change it for the world :)
Thanks 😊
Great job man!!! Sobriety is the way!!
Thanks dude :)
10 years Dec20, not that the amount of days matters but just to say it’s possible and your life will get better. Respect to you my friend. Best decision I have made.
Same, best decision also. Everyday it gets better thankfully. Congratulations on your 10 years, that’s an amazing achievement!
I feel so inspired to quit alcohol completely! Thanks so much
Thank you Amanda for your comment I really appreciate the support
Congratulations brother. I'm recently celebrated 6 years.
What a turn around in just 4 years.........I wonder what our lives ,as children, would have been like if mother had stopped drinking. I wonder if mother had UA-cam if things might have been different for her, for us. Thanks and good job. You look beautiful and look so happy.
Thank you Terri for this message, I really do appreciate the support. It has been a journey for the past 4 years but I just take one day at a time. I think youtube is a great platform to educate and inspire and grateful we have it. x
Excellent video bro hope all is still going well with you
Thank you for the message 🙏🏼 hope all is good with you :)
@@MatthewToman7 all good, 19 months in
@@sleeplessinstockwell amazing! How’s it going for you?
Imagine a world where we all help each other, like Matthew does, and focus on our real problems, rather than focusing of our different races and allowing us to all be divided by it.
Thanks for the comment :) I agree completely.
That world would include a REAL medical industry that actually helps people insteading of poisoning them
Amazing video 👏🏼
Thank you Sarah for the support ❤️
Sound advice,very good communicator
Thank you, and thanks for the support. :)
How I became the stop drinking expert was firstly I went to rehab and whilst in there getting a bit of time up without using any drugs or alcohol I realised I can actually live life without this crap and a dam good life also. No more hang overs feeling like shit having to apologize to everyone for my behaviour the night before no having to be around people that use abuse lie steal and cheat of you.. Thank God..
I don't even do meetings because there is too many dickheads in the rooms.. You can do this also don't give up.. Peace Freedom Love..
Thank you, Matthew :)
Thanks for watching :)
Thanks for the video, I need to start now. It's just been 2 days...
Just take one day at a time. Thanks for the comment Nadia.
Thanks for the great video. I recently stopped taking Xanax to sleep after I became addicted to it. It works on the same GABA pathway as alcohol so I believe this needs to be my next step. It sounds overwhelming but I feel like shit every time I drink. Will be an adjustment socially. Thanks for your inspiring words.
Hi Blake, thanks for your message and taking the time to watch the video. I have cut out so many other things as well as alcohol, I also believe they are all connected. I think having a clean healthy lifestyle suits us all best :)
Hope you get more followers. You have good stuff in your video.
Thanks Clay :)
Great video! I'm always suspicious of alcohol, so to find out 'who is in charge', I made it a personal goal of completing 90 days off alcohol straight through the holidays. I'm at day 52. So far so good!
Nice! Yeah alcohol definitely took charge in my life :) congrats on day 52! Let me know how it went when you reach 90 days. I think you will see results :)
Well done.
Thanks Keith.
i gave up at 33 too )) but only 9 months sober atm , dont see that i am coming back to that ! Payed all my debts and credit card , much happier right now ) everyone should try
That’s amazing news! I agree, everyone should give it a go.Thank you for taking the time to watch the video and comment :)
Thank you
I was a beer only drinker for most of my life. Not a lot, but still to where it was a problem, especially of course as I look back. Looking back, being sober, it's so easy to see, but when in the morass, I was blind to what my beer drinking was doing to me. For the most part, because it wasn't a big problem, I enjoyed my drinking. But now that I've quit drinking, it's so clear what a waste of time alcohol consumes, and also what it does to our health--that being our liver. Anyone who's been alcohol free, and is truly alcohol free, easily realizes there's no comparison to which life is better--one without alcohol or one with alcohol.
Thanks for the comment Michael, yes 100% there is no comparison!
These comments are just a gold mine of knowledge 👍
Thanks for taking the time to comment I appreciate it♥️
I'm done however I dont think it's going to turn into success neccesarily. We shall see.
Alan that is great to hear, please do keep me updated on your journey.
I may have a couple bottles once a week ,but I have them later on in the evening,it means I can’t go anywhere to get more when I m Merry ,I can sit and just enjoy a couple
It sounds like to have a healthy relationship with alcohol Bob which is great! Thanks for taking the time to watch the video and for the comment :)
glad you touched on the struggles. too many videos avoid this topic and it's a reality.
Thanks Christos.
God bless you
Great video Thankyou. I’m off any alcohol for 6 months. I’ve the summer holiday looming in the near future. Where the weathers are hot and the Negronis are flowing. Any tips for a sober 2 weeks ?
Hey mark thanks for the message. A lot can depend on who you are going with, if they understand the path you are now on it will make it a lot easier. I have been tested on holiday before and thankfully made it through. I am not sure if you have been taking non alcoholic beers but these could really help on a holiday situation. Drink a lot of water and eat desert :) holidays can be tough but once you get through one you will get though many, I now travel full time and find myself in the sun and in holiday mode a lot and it isn’t a bother to me anymore. Let me know how you get on.
@@MatthewToman7 great advice thank you. I’m loving guiness o.0 at the moment so it makes it easier. Watch this space !
I'm at 7 years now clean and dry. I spend a lot of time in the fresh air, walking, cycling, camping. I did AA for the first year and then felt i wasn't growing until I left, after all - when you break a limb and it fixes do you keep the plaster on for the rest of your life? No. You move on. I moved on. I stopped because i had to.
Congratulations Mark! Yeah I feel the same, I wasn’t prepared to wallow in it and just got on with things, it was the best decision I have ever made.
Stopping drinking is the easy step. Recovering is what is hard. I am about 4 years into sobriety and have not found happiness.
Great video I quit and my business has gone from busy to ridiculous over a few months although I'm still craving I know that if i drink even 1 it will be back to black for me.
Hi Sarah, nice to hear form you thanks for watching. I crave it at times as well but the rewards are to great to even tempt me back :) Thanks for watching and the comment.
I had 3 years off alcohol and I learnt that when I started drinking again I couldn't just have a couple of drinks
I am the same, I don’t think it would ever be an option to just have one or two .
@@MatthewToman7 i was a one or two girl.
I still stopped, cause what was the point? I dont miss it.
@@Plethorality that’s the thing once you stop you don’t. Takes a minute but you really don’t miss it.
You must be the only Irishman in history to go four years without alcohol, jokes aside it's takes one hell of a man to admit to himself he's got problems let alone share it with the world 👍
I would imagine I am one of few lol. Thanks for taking the time to watch the video and also comment, I appreciate it :)
feels like I am restarting below zero, and having allowed alcohol to take all my resources and health and energy.. feels like there’s no chance of getting it all back - but I know there’s gotta be hope, right
You will get it back and then some, I can say that from experience. I started at zero and built my life on my own terms. You can do it also
THANKS FOR THE MESSAGE, A POSITIVE ONE. GOOD THAT YOU'RE NOT IN THE PROPERTY BUSINESS NOW, THAT'S A BUSINESS FOR GREEDY, SELFISH PEOPLE.
Thanks for the comment and taking the time to watch the video. Yes I am also glad to be out of that industry :)
Never knew David from corrie was Irish top acting 👏 👍 👌
Lol, I will take that as a compliment :)
You saying that you had felt of years before that you wanted to quite before you did really struck home with me. I have made a couple of attempts at quitting before. How long did it take you to get past the physical struggles of quitting. I understand that mental may never go away but what about getting past the physical withdraw. I feel like if I had a number like 2 weeks or 1 month or something I could hold out knowing there is a point coming where it is a bit easier
I was like you and made a few attempts lasting maybe 2-3 weeks, but the time I officially stopped it was different, as hard as it was I knew I didn’t want to go back! It took me about 2 and a half months before I could hang out with my friends while they were drinking for a few different reasons, I couldn’t fully trust myself and also I couldn’t explain my decision to anyone anymore as no one really understood why I was stopping. All my friends seen my drinking as normal and didn’t really get it, thankfully I got though those few months and here we are. What I would suggest, if you make it one month just try to do another one and see how you feel then, if you do another month check in and see how you feel then. I am pretty sure you will start to feel better and see some results. Once you start to experience the positive results things get easier.
matt can you help. im 48 and Irish too. i can tell you my story. im on a hari krishna vegan low carb stirct diet and that will save me. but i have to stop the drinking now. i wonder can u help me
Kudos 👏 I'm working on quit drinking in order to quit smoking. But I don't feel ready to quit drinking definitely. Is it possible to drink sometimes after a long period of abstinence without relapsing? It would really help me if someone with your kind of experience could answer me.
Thank you a lot
For me I would never risk it. Life has been so much better without it and I would never go back. I do think drinking smoking and other stuff all go hand in hand it’s hard for me to do one without the other.
@@MatthewToman7 I can feel the pleasure and the pride from the place you are. Hope to get there soon.
Thank you
❤️❤️❤️
Thanks Shane, couldn't have done it without you.
Don't let your past become your future.
I go back and forth on drinking I want to quit right now. But I hate feeling sick I can't stop. I need to work.
There are many great organisations that can help even over phone or zoom. Have you looked into any of them?
Their is and people are reaching out to help me. Wife noes I have a problem but I always tell her I will figure it out. I work 10- 12 hours a day but with drinking to just get up and going is not sustainable in the long run I drink like 10 beers a morning and I'm fine at night because my body thinks it can function like that as long as I can fuel it. I'm 34 but if I hit my 40s I noe i won't be able to handle it.
9 days sober today guys ❤
Congratulations Toby :)
How are you doing?
@@MsSheilaC 75 days today. Never felt better. Physically and mentally! I am the best version of myself I have ever been.
@@toby7785 thats awesome!!! Keep up the great work
Amazing Toby well done.
More money, loads more, I've a healthy bank balance now, alcohol's expenses are not only about the price of a drink or going out, it's about more visits to doctors, missing work and borrowing, I was always borrowing. Also I look a lot better, for a 50yo I'm in great shape and, yes, handsome. You also lose interest in it, during the whole covid crisis I was never tempted once, never even thought about it.
Thanks great news John. I have lost interest in it also and thankfully no temptation at all. :)
How long does it take to start feeling better
For me it took a few months to start to feel better, I was very distracted at the time by my health issues. Within the 1st six months I was able to go back into a pub with my friends without the fear of ordering a drink. I progressively feel better daily to be honest and I think that outlays event going back drinking alcohol. Thanks for your comment I appreciate you taking the time to watch my video.
The physical threats were never a motivation to stop for me. Most alcoholics don't care. I'm gonna die? great. Sad but true. It's always been mental and spiritual for me.
I haven't drank alcohol since 17/08/2020. No looking back
I read this as four years *of* alcohol :D
Lol, I think I could do doe 20 years of alcohol 😂
Matthew, Is there any way to send an email directly to you? I would greatly appreciate it. This is very personally and has to do with a family member. I watched your video, and your story resonated with me. I would truly like to help this family member, but I do not know how. Thank you.
Hi Louis, thanks for your message. Can you message me on Instagram or Facebook? I am under Matthew Toman on both.
@@MatthewToman7 Thank You, I will try
Drink! Drink! Drink!
Are those my feet?
Jus watched this, was deadly, defo makes you think
Thanks for the watch and the comment :)
Think of the money you save😉👍🏻
It has been a lot, I’m not going to lie lol
That was never a primary reason to stop for me.
@@MrAitraining me neither but it’s certainly a welcome by product 😉👍🏻
To answer the big question can this be done? You have to want, desire, and have the drive to actually quit. When your young you feel like a super hero and jump on the wagon thinking that you are invincible. Some people just phase out of it as they age. Some people don’t and cirrhosis of the liver is the end result. One of my parents loved Martinis she died of cirrhosis of the liver. Here’s the naked truth Vodka, Whiskey, Gin are the same consistency as Gasoline a man drove a car with vodka in the tank and the car burned the same as if it had gasoline. Imagine what it’s doing to the sensitive internal organs of the body. Ask yourself this is it safe to drink a glass of gasoline? If you obviously say no then when you sit at a bar turn the tables on the liquor. It’s the same so do you need it? Chances are you will walk out. I drank like that for years Eight years ago I backed out of it slowly. I’m happier now then I was then. Don’t get me wrong I have couple beers once a week to flush out my liver. It was twice the size it is now. Parties are a no go.
Thanks for the comment Bernard, I drank like that for almost 20 years.... I am grateful to be alive.
U have to change your life..U cant just put the bottle down and carry on like u did before...Therapy also helps..The drimk is just the bamd aid in my experience..
Yes I agree. Thank you for the comment.
The benefits of alcohol are imaginary. In fact alcohol has only downsides. It is often represented as sophisticated and pleasurable but that’s a scam. The career of a drinker always ends the same way.
I agree.. I did have some good nights out and met some great people, life long friends, but I have also done that sober so I don’t feel like I am missing out on much. Thanks for the comment Mark :)
Mate you look like Ant the commando
I get that a lot, I am getting a hair cut today and might go a bit shorter than usual lol
Your case of a "pint of Guinness at the pub" doesn't really sound like actual alcoholism. The real alcoholics like myself used to down 500-700ml of vodka/gin a night, every night. This was enough that you'd wake up still drunk, by afternoon you'd be sober and then start again.
Glad to hear you’ have determined what someone else’s experience is :) best of luck with your sobriety journey. 🙏🏼💙
@@MatthewToman7 I think you want attention and claim certain life experience. Nothing wrong with that, we need topics for UA-cam videos after all.
@@incremental_failuresending you a lot of love 💙🙏🏻 have a great weekend.
4 years off "of" alcohol.