So have you started digging yet? ;)

1500 days, nothing special, so also €21,000.00 not spent on booze. The longer I'm sober the crazier the world seems to be getting, but I know there is no link. And I think facing it sober might actually be less painful than the alternative.

I was a bit taken aback by the news that Eric Clapton could no longer play the guitar because of PN (alcoholism probably played a part in that). That is my fear, but instead of letting it drag me down I increased my piano practice routines, and even added the dreadful scales as a way to keep my fingers in shape.

Also got a hold of a saxophone lately, so as if adding piano wasn't enough, I'm now also trying to get a decent sound out of this loud obnoxious (but beautiful!) instrument. I mention it because it gives yet another goal, yet another plan to keep my mind focused, which helps making sobriety an afterthought.

Wide-O, I can relate. Being sober helps me to calmly think about all of the political stuff (it scares me) which is happening in the world currently. The money that I have saved by not wasting it on alcohol is a bonus of course.

I was saddened to read about Eric Clapton as well (Cream is very high on my iPod playlist).

Wow, I admire your musical gifts and the determination which goes with them :).

No digging yet! Finding the new "Mrs. Icehouse" is an expensive venture!!!

But, ironically, after a 25 year break I bought a keyboard a couple months back and I have been re-teaching myself how to play the piano :)

Great minds think alike....

5 years sober!

Good one Icehouse :)!

Can you believe I revived this thread on Page 1 exactly 4 years ago???

:)

Fantastic. :cool:

Yeah... it got a few more views since then as well!

Excessive alcohol consumption damages the lungs:
 

It is really inspiring to read the successes here! Keep them coming!

Here is an article just published here that explains what can happen to the lungs in people who drink excessively.

Extreme Alcohol Intake Can Damage Lungs | Psych Central News

New Member Intro
 

Where to start.....lurked here a few times and was impressed with the camaraderie, mutual encouragement and even hope! I finally have decided to make a change and it started with a frank discussion with my wife and signing up here. I'm not saying that's it but it's a start I think. My story - been drinking for 30 years - way too much, way too often. I haven't lost a job, a spouse or many friends over my drinking - but, I have picked up neuropathy.

I don't know if it's alcohol related or not for sure but obviously my drinking couldn't have been helping. I'm ashamed to admit that it has been affecting me for probably 8 years and I've just pushed on doing the same old, same old. I went to a few doctors originally who kind of shrugged their shoulders and acted like it wasn't a big deal. Total stupidity on my part - I knew based on some research then that alcohol could very well be the culprit.

From what I've seen of stories here, my case has been much more slow to develop and less severe but it's there nonetheless. I had some pins and needles and numbness years ago but nothing unmanageable. I've noticed other changes over the years like skin color and muscle tone changes and becoming more susceptible to pinched or compressed nerves (like while sleeping etc). I've tried to stop drinking on my own but within a week or two, I'm slipping back into old habits. It had been mostly sensory for many years but I have noticed more motor involvement in the past 6 months and particularly in the past month and it finally has scared the crap out of me.

I have researched much of this before and have taken all sorts of b vitamin supplements etc to try to combat this. Obviously, I continued to drink and my symptoms got worse slowly over time. As many of you know, given that the prognosis you find generally is that it can't get better, it lead me to somehow justify not doing anything about it since it wasn't really interfering with my life. That seems really stupid in hindsight and I knew deep down that it wasn't true, that I needed to stop but these latest developments have finally made me admit that I have not been in control in the past and it is well past time that I am in control of my own life.

It's only been 3 days sober but I see the progression of some of you folks and have some hope that it CAN get better with abstinence. That doesn't mean it will, but it can and the only way I can find out is by doing it. I will redouble my efforts on supplements, healthy eating, physical activity and most importantly, abstinence. I will report back (often at first) and am looking forward to be posting on this page 5 years hence about my own 5 year achievement. I have no illusions about how difficult it will be, but I also know it is absolutely essential to my well-being and that of my family.

Thanks for listening and for providing a little hope. I may pick your brains about a few things going forward (if that's okay)

Hi Chi-town

Welcome to the community :).

Well done on deciding to stop drinking - that is the first and hardest step.

One thing that might happen in the early days is you will slip up and start drinking again (that surely happened to me and I beat myself up because of it). Please don't do that.

My clinical psychologist offered me some wise thoughts about this "Please be gentle with yourself. Remember that it was a lapse, not a relapse. You are doing well - keep going.".

I hope that those words will help you.

Keep us posted - nobody will judge you and all will offer you support and encouragement.