i agree
It was only fairly recently that I realised I had a drinking problem.

After some very half-hearted attempts (ie no real incentive other than thinking "maybe I should do something about this) and no success I had reached a point in my life where if I didn't stop things would go very wrong.

I finally had the psychological motivation to do it. No booze patches (i'm surprised these don't exist) and no cutting down a bit, just cold turkey.

It will be 2 years in Feb since I've had a drink and things are just so much better.

I used to react with the same "What do you mean you don't drink?...what not at all?" surprise that people now great me with when finding out that I don't drink. And before this epiphany, even with the most profund arguments, you would have never convinced me to give up, I had to do it for myself.

And yes, I'm not sure how I afforded to keep up this habit for at least 20 years and not be flat broke.
( bacon and egg roll is going to be big downunder, Fri 19 Dec 2008, 5:03, 1 reply)

Yeh funny how drink and cigarettes are treated differently
For example, if I went out and someone offered me a cigarette and I said "no thanks, I don't smoke", I get the "oh, good man. I wish I hadn't started, etc etc."

However on several occasions when I just haven't felt like drinking alcohol (or have been driving) and I ask for a soft drink after someone offers to buy me a beer, I get, "what's up with you? Don't be so bloody antisocial/boring/queer, etc.". Usually from the people who are "socially vomiting & pissing" on the pavements later that evening.

Top OP, by the way - that is how my ex stopped smoking.
( Dixipoos Bye Bye Blackbird, Fri 19 Dec 2008, 6:55, closed)