Just a general bitch about the “friends” that one seems to lose when they quit drinking. I decided to quit this past year because I felt it was really killing my health, my bank account and my emotional well being. I was able to do it, completely cold turkey after 15 years of hard drinking, and was pretty proud of myself for that.
Whenever I told people that I had quit drinking, it felt as if they had written me off entirely. I didn’t hear from them again. Furthermore, if I did ever meet up with them it would be “Oh come on let’s just go out for one drink, it won’t kill you” or “Would you be comfortable in a bar?” Like, there’s more to life than obliterating yourself with alcohol, despite what alcohol companies wants you to think. Since excising these people from my life, I’ve been living a lonely, albeit somewhat happier life. Still happy for my decision. — Cheers Without Beers
This article appears in Jan 16-22, 2020.
Good for you! I quit boozing in 2013 & the same thing happened to me socially. I feel sorry for those poor saps who need to fuel themselves with a proven killer that sucks money out of their wallets. I’d be rolling my eyes a lot around your current crowd.
The crabs in the bucket just want to pull you back down into their world of misery. When I quit drinking for 2 months before, I was gifted a $50 liquor store gift certificate as a Christmas gift from a family member who normally gives me a $25 gift certificate. Fucked up eh?
Sadly Nova Scotia has a massive alcohol based culture to begin with, And like attracts like, I drink occasionally, maybe every few months and have never had issues with it, but I used to go out more before I realized I just don’t like bars at all, A lot of my friends still don’t get this or understand how a crowded bar with 10 dollar doubles isn’t my idea of fun. I can spend a $100 on things that will bring me a lot more joy. Best thing to do is take up hobbies, exercise or personal development and find like minded companions, Depending on your age some of friends will come out of that “downtown” phase and come back too!