Sober Jon

by Jon Sullivan - 2021-06-28 - Status

<<<<< previous blog         next blog >>>>>

For me at least, one of the biggest changes to this year's gathering in Montana was me being sober. I found it confusing.

For almost all of my adult life I've been alcoholic. One of the main reasons I started brewing back in the 80s was to have a cheap and abundant source of drunkenness. At some point after moving to San Diego I graduated to drinking tequila or vodka by the mug. Several pints of 15% hard cider was a favorite way to chill out after work. It got pretty hardcore. I remember blacking out pretty regularly, but not many hangovers.

At some point in 2018 a bunch of things happened that led me slowly to give up drinking. Not so much what I'd think of as sobriety, but more just no longer having any desire to drink. I wouldn't say sobriety because I don't have that as a goal at all. If some compelling reason to drink a lot came up I'd do it and not be breaking any personal sobriety rule. Still, other than a few sips of the wonderful cocktails Captain Mike was making for Solstice I haven't had a drink in a long time.

One of the main things I think happened was the severe blow to the head I took in late 2017. It seemed to have a few subtle random effects with one of them being I just didn't drink as much. I don't remember how that process went as I had zero intention of quitting drinking. But that seems about the time it started in hindsight.

One of the other things that happened was that my tummy started having serious problems with it. I don't exactly know what an ulcer feels like, but that's the sort of discomfort drinking even a little gives me now. At first I'd just drink through it like a good addict. But as the months passed it got worse and the comforting embrace of drunkenness became much less comforting. Honestly I have no idea what that pain might have been for real. I don't think it was an ulcer because no other food or drink would bring it on. Just booze. Weird.

The other thing that happened is the legal pot stores opening. So if I really needed an escape from reality they'd be happy to deliver me one.

While I was busy being a drunk I always thought it would be hard to actually quit for real. 30 years of alcohol addiction isn't something you just quit. But that's pretty much what happened. I know people struggling with it and I wish I had some better tips for quitting. I don't.

Buy prints

<<<<< previous blog         next blog >>>>>
News
Eugene weather
45.37 degrees F, Rain (light rain)
Min: 44.26 ,Max: 46.15 ,Humidity: 95, Wind: 6.91
Eugene, OR - Best Restaurants
Eugene, OR - Things to do
Eugene, OR - Fish reports
Oregon road conditions
Recent Posts
- Snowflake
    I am what the ruling class thinks I am - Woke, socialist, liberal, hippie snowflake. Always have been, always will be.
- Regroup
    The bigots and billionaires won. We lost. What now? 1) don't get crazy, 2) be a safe space, 3) hold on to compassion.
- Copium
    I like to lead an analytical and purposeful life, rather than a reactionary and impulsive one. On Nov 6th 2024 I find myself flailing.
- Gratitude
    I am thankful for so much in my life. As we vote our way into the unknown, I choose to dwell on that gratitude. And be happy.
- The Hobbit Aesthetic
    I am not by nature a camping sort of person. I am a cozy Hobbit hole sort. So camping needs to be less nature and more portable comfort.
- The voice
    For the last few years I've been constantly happy. Mostly.
- Part 3
    The last two posts were about losing my religion and focusing on love and joy. Perhaps there is an even crazier third way.
Food I Cooked
Old School Blogroll
kottke.org
Home of fine hypertext products.
MetaFilter
A community weblog.
A Chicken Is Not Pillage
You forgot his exclamation point! It defines him. He put it there for a reason, to show how in! your! face! he is.
jessamyn.com
abada abada - twenty years of jessamyn
Matt Haughey
A Whole Lotta Nothing
dooce
Heater, Mother Of Lance
Anil Dash
A blog about making culture. Since 1999.
Some Bits
Nelson's weblog
Everlasting Blort
proud member of the reality-based community
Whatever
This machine mocks fascists
Scripting News
It's even worse than it appears.
Flutterby
Short attention spans in a world full of flowers
mimi smartypants
Seriously, though: what's with the penguins?
Montreal City Weblog
Stupid Evil Bastard
What the fuck is wrong with you people?
Idle Words
brevity is for the weak
Making Light
Say what you mean. Bear witness. Iterate.
wilwheaton.net
50,000 Monkeys at 50,000 Typewriters Can't Be Wrong
Justin Hall
Growing & breaking down since 1994
Mike the Mad Biologist
Helping idiots who desperately need my assistance by calling them fucking morons since 2004
jwz
MSSV
AKMA’s Random Thoughts
Ruminations about hermeneutics, theology, theory, politics, ecclesiastical life… and exercise.
things magazine
An occasional weblog about objects, collections and discoveries
Miscellaneous Heathen
Hold to the now, the here, through which all future plunges to the past.
kimberussell.com
where it's always Virgo Season
Cockeyed
Recent Trips
Getting it ready for you.