Um...Hi, deal with me.

[Jimmycrackcorn]

Hi, drinking again for the 3rd night in a row.

I dont drink every day but I think about and stock up for my next drinking day. Which could be tommorrow, the day after that or friday night baby!

One thing I have noticed is that the hangovers are becoming tough. I wake up feeling like crap, still manange to get to the gym to do whatever I can then shower and off to work. The hangovers now are all day. Some hangover days I feel super depressed and want to quit forever. Other days I tell myself that its ok, I managed to manage the entire day perfectly and nobody noticed.

A little about me....
Iam 42, newly. I drank like a fish before I got married 15 years ago. Then after 3 DUI's my girlfriend (now wife) picked me up at the county jail for my 3rd. I confessed to her I had a drinking problem and quit for 3 years. Ofcourse that was on the way home tring to salvage my relatrionship. After that 3 years I started to brew my own beer. For 5 years I was managing just fine. Not getting drunk hardly ever and enjoying the homebrew.

Today its insane. One beer=9 now. Very rarely if I start drinking, I cant go to sleep unless Iam drunk.

The balance of my story in the next reply.

[Jimmycrackcorn]

Um...Hi, deal with me.

So found this website after doing a quick search of "how to easily quit drinking".
Truly need to quit. If I am sober for 24 hours, I dont belive I have a problem and will start stocking up and getting ready for the next time. Its only when I am drinking after multiple days or hung over that I know I have an issue.

Its also tough because I have alot of friends now I have turned into homebrewers and also created a homebrew club that is hugely successfull. 3/4 of my garage is a brewery, I have probably 60 gallons in stock right now. Bottom line is I have all these friends that I dont want to let down if I quit. I dont want them thinking that yeah, he's a quitter.

I know what your going to say, "If they are friends they will understand". But its more me than them... Understand? Its a pride thing.

Theres more Iam sure, but this is a start.

What gives?

[Jimmycrackcorn]

Um...Hi, deal with me.

I would love to tone down my drinking back to the way it was. Not sure if that is possible. Also Iam not a reader. More of a movie of book on tape kinda guy.:thanks:

[Noelle]

Um...Hi, deal with me.

Welcome! Love your name Jimmy.

You've come to the right place. But to get help here you have to read a little bit. All the posts here will have something that will help you. Some will have stories that sound exactly like you and you'll shake your head and wonder, wow, that's just like me!!

There's all kinds of help here. But you need to read and also post a lot and tell everyone what you need.

Are your friends really "friends" if you "let" them down and they call you a quitter? I hear ya about the pride thing....but it's YOUR health, not their's.

ACK. I'm up too late. Someone will come along a little later and make more sense than me.

I just wanted to say hi and welcome.

[hulagirl]

Um...Hi, deal with me.

Welcome Jimmy! How about being a quitter of drinking so that you can be a success in life? I know you are looking for "How to Easily Quit Drinking" . . . but for some of us, and most of us here at MWO, it has not been easy. We come here for support, suggestions, ideas, encouragement, and to share our anxieties, screw-ups, fears, insecurities and successes. Please stick around, read a little bit. You have taken the first steps. You looked for help and have found it. Let us know how you're doing.

p.s. you really have your challenges ahead of you with the brewery. I would love just a taste but would end up swimming in the keg!

[Hannah]

Um...Hi, deal with me.

Hi Ya Jimmie -

Have read what you said, and the thing that stands out to me, and I must comment on, is that - yes, it will be hard for you to quit. Been in exactly your situation, and know how tough it may be.

And so? Does that mean you won?t try? I hope not.

One thing that I know for sure, is that sometimes you have to radically change your social circle. Not meaning to scare you off, just to warn you. Your buddies might just admire you (if you are honest with them as to your intentions) or - they may not. In which case you need to rise above their expectations and show them you mean it.

This won?t be easy, but we will be here for you. Please pull your determination out of your back pocket, dust it off, polish it, and wear it with pride. It will serve you well.

And so will we, just holler, we are here - you have found a great place, a good stomping ground, a place where you will always be respected.

Good luck to you. We will be the dull roar you hear in your ears, cheering in the background.

[Suzanna]

Um...Hi, deal with me.

Hi Jimmie, please get the book and read, it is a quick read. Then you can decide what you want to do, there are choices and it is a program that you can customize. :welcome:

[Not Happy Hour-Happy Life]

Um...Hi, deal with me.

Welcome Jimmy,

I could have written your post four months ago. Like you, I wanted to tone back drinking- the thought of quitting and losing my social circle was overwhelming.

Therefore, I decided not to make a decision.

Instead of deciding whether to quit or not to quit, I decided to STOP drinking. For now. I know that's a mind game, but it worked for me. The thought that I would never drink would cause me to drink, you know? Just to prove to myself that I could moderate (usually didn't work, by the way).

How about just taking a 30 day break? That will give your body a chance to heal, and your mind a better chance to make a decision.

Yes, you do have to think about your friends, but you also have to think of that lady that's been by your side for 15 years. I bet she misses the old you. :l

And by the way, I still have the same friends. It's about making your soul stronger first, and the rest of your life will fall into place. Can't your beer drinking kit make a brew that is less strong, or almost non-alcoholic beer? You can still brew the stuff, but find different recipes- Hey, you were the leader that started a home-brew club, right? Who's to say that you can't be the leader that starts a new AF version? I, myself, would like an alternative to the AF beers that I drink!

Best wishes. I'm cheering for you, Jimmie, and I do care!

[LVT25]

Um...Hi, deal with me.

Yes, get the book!!! I read it in 1/2 a day. I started out by wanting to stop smoking, but I wasn't sure which came first, the cigarette or the beer! So I'm working on both. I'm quickly learning that I can't be around smokers yet, but I don't drink NEARLY as much when I'm not smoking. But I'm also dealing with the loss of a friend that at age 50 died from acute liver failure--complicated by alcohol. So I'm giving my liver a break also--and it feels good!!!
Good luck and GET THE BOOK!!
Mimi

[cowgal]

Um...Hi, deal with me.

welcome!!

Jimmy, welcome,:welcome: and yep, I would LOVE to taste your home-brewed AF beer!! My hubby brewed his own for a couple years, was quite tasty, but he got lazy and now buys the brew................

I had a tough decision to make also, tried moderating for SOOOOO long, unsuccessfully at that, and FINALLY decided to go AF for at least 30 days to sort things out.............

Good luck, get the book, post and read often..................we care about you, if not for your health, how about that wife?? 15 years is a great deal of time, she loves you I am sure!

Love :hand hugs,:l

MA

[4theboyz]

Um...Hi, deal with me.

You should change you name to Jimmycrackedbarley LOL! I feel for you bro! I am/was a champion home brewer myself and feel your pain big time! What on earth can be so wrong with brewing your own beer, being idolized by your friends and peers for it, man you are at the top of your game! *Nothing* is more seductive than a glass of a home brewed thick creamy stout or English ale - does not get any better! WOW, you have your work cut out for you.

I don't have any advice other than you will really have to take stock of your life and truly decide what is best for you and not for the sake of your hobby or club. Gadgets in the garage are impossible to compare to your life, your health and your relationships and without those 3 things in your life what are you left with?? Gadgets!

You came here for a reason and only you know why at this point, many here are pros at this and can help you navigate the choppy waters of recovery if you so choose. Good luck!

[bald headed old guy]

Um...Hi, deal with me.

Jimmy,
:welcome: You have come to a good place! The people here are freindly, helpful, and honest. I can relate to your home-brew experience well, I have vinted my own wines for many years. But for now, I need to be AF and become my old self so I can enjoy my life!
This site has lots of support, great people...post often, read when you can, join in the chat rooms...you can do this, if YOU want to. In my opinion, this is something you have to do for yourself!
Stay Strong!
BHOG

[Thankful]

Um...Hi, deal with me.

Jimmy :welcome:

Wow, you have received a lot great advice here. And I think the best of it is try to get 30 alcohol free days under your belt. You will feels so much better and will be in a better position to figure out what you are going to do with your club. I also really love the idea of trying to brew a non-alcohol beer. I used to be a beer drinker and NA beer really helped me my first month. I still drink them when I really want a cold one. Many brands out there are awful, so who knows, you just might create a brew worthy of marketing!

In the mean time, please give away the 60 gallons. You shouldn't have it around. And it sounds like you have plenty of friends who are willing to take it off your hands. And yes!...If they are true friends they will understand. Guys may like to rib and tease each other, but you never know who you might inspire. However, the bottomline is you!! Not your friends. Time to get a little selfish here, buddy. You first.

One other thing, you may want to look up posts by Believe. He has the friend issue and he works in a brewery. He's been taking some ribbing for quitting, but he's still doing it. You may find a lot of good advise in his words. Or at least find another who can really relate to you.

Good luck. We are here for you.

Love, Me
:l

[4theboyz]

Um...Hi, deal with me.

Thankful;283681 wrote: Jimmy
In the mean time, please give away the 60 gallons.

:shocked: :upset:

[Jimmycrackcorn]

Um...Hi, deal with me.

Thanks everyone. Wow. Wouldnt it funny if my name was Bob. LOL
Didnt expect this many replies.

A little tired today (shocker) but I did manage to get back on here and read. I like the 30 day idea alot. Tommorrow will be the test day. Sober and not hungover and ready for trouble. I have much more reading to do here inbetween work.

Thanks for the warm welcome.