I wouldn’t say I’m an alcoholic, but the alcoholism is definitely way too real.
This September I’m going to try something I’ve never done before, and that is to go a whole month without drinking. It’s going to be a Dry September, extremely dry.
Heineken - My father was a heavy drinker, not necessarily with hard liquor, but I remember him having a Heineken in his hands most of the time when we were home or out at family or friends gatherings. This was normal, I’d take trips with my father to the liquor store, I’d stock up the freezer and fridge with beers, and I’d bring bring beers to him and his friends. Nowadays, trips to the liquor store are reminiscent, it reminds me of the times I was by my father’s side and he always bought my siblings and I bags of ‘Hot Fries’ or Pork Rinds.
I started drinking at the age of 17, a time when my father was in his hospital bed, dying from lung cancer. After he passed away, drinking became more regular.
“I can’t have fun without drinking” - I used it as a way to help me be fun and social at gatherings. I felt that if I didn’t drink at these social gatherings, I would be antisocial. Me being social usually led to me being shit-faced and yacking up somewhere on the street. Why have a good time if I can’t remember it? Anyway, the stories I heard days after tended to be more embarrassing than anything.
Drinking has definitely changed me physically and mentally. The heavy consumption of beer has caused me to gain a lot of weight and I can see it affecting the appearance of my face. Hanging out with friends really means drinking with friends. I don’t want alcohol to dictate my life anymore, I don’t want it to be my definition of a good time. I don’t want my family to worry about drinking habits anymore.
Hopefully by the end of September, not drinking will be my new habit, instead of picking up a beer every time I see one or every time I’m stressed out. I want to be healthy, I want to be alive. I have to be a better example for my younger relatives and students. Life is way too good to miss out on over this!
I’m going to post updates at the end of each week to share about the struggles, temptations, failures, or successes I have. Please send positive vibes this way!
