Deleting Facebook Was Essential
29/02/12 • 3 Comments

I deleted my Facebook account during my previous attempt to go “cold turkey” last year. It was a bold step in this day and age, but I think it has been the best thing for me to do. The news feed constantly updating you with temptation, the banal rantings of people you never actually talk to and event invitations that will lead you back into the den of temptation. I thought my social life would completely die. But it hasn’t. It’s simply become a lot more real, instead of a carefully constructed digital mirage. I hang out more in real life with fewer close friends, doing actual stuff instead of chatting on FB. I’ve had more rewarding relationships with much less drama. I aim to pick up the phone (and Skype lol) and have chat for an hour or two to someone different I haven’t seen in a while once [...]

The Lizard Brain
26/02/12 • 2 Comments

I’m still sober, but by God I am bored. Even though I’ve redirected my energy towards the gym and my studies, I am bored. Even though I’m seeing someone who’s fun, I am bored. Even though I’m saving a ridiculous amount of money and future health problems by not drinking, I am bored. This year has been such a mission. By avoiding “drinking triggers” I’ve accidentally driven a stake through a major part of my social life. People who were initially cool with me rocking up sober have become uneasy about the idea that someone could possibly be having a good time without sinking a box of beer like they are. It’s actually sad. I’ve lost the beer gut, feel great every morning and have an enormous amount of energy that was previously spent powering crazy drinking sessions that could be used as a case study by a prohibitionist. Because [...]

No Thanks, I Never Drink
11/02/12 • 1 Comment

Cross-posted from my Tumblr: NB: Had some annoying news, the sort of which would have triggered a binge session as late as December. Logged on here and enjoyed reading through the posts. Now it’s too late to bother going to town anyway (suburbia) =)  I believe I’ve found the most effective response to someone who keeps sticking their nose in your business as to why you don’t drink alcohol like everyone else does. No thanks, I never drink And if they persist: It is what it is And if they persist: – It’s none of their damn business. The best thing that’s happened since I stopped drinking is how I’ve spent more time with people who are cool with me not drinking. They’re not dicks about it, therefore in a way they’ve proved themselves true friends. I never thought I would apply economic thinking (cost-benefit analysis) to friendships but when it comes to giving [...]

Age And Alcohol
07/02/12 • 3 Comments

Cross posted from my new Tumblr at : http://easeuponthedrink.tumblr.com/post/17084676548/age-and-alcohol It’s annoying when people don’t think you can have a drinking problem in your early twenties. It’s like they’ve been brainwashed by the media to think of alcoholics as the homeless dude straining methylated spirits through a loaf of bread stolen from the bakery’s rubbish bin. I started drinking at 14. I never thought I had any problems with alcohol. It got worse, and worse, and worse. Then I found myself in a lot of legal and financial trouble – solely due to my drinking problem. I bombed out of university because my daily routine did not involve going to lectures. It involved an eye-opener in the form of finishing off whatever alcohol was left over from the night before and then pouring myself a cold beer from the fridge for a power shower. It took an older family friend’s “intervention” [...]

Another Week
05/02/12 • 5 Comments

I’m pretty pleased that by keeping myself busy I’ve lasted another week. I will be blogging from now on at http://easeuponthedrink.tumblr.com because the interface it’s just easier for me. Cheers