I don't know if should be writing this - I don't want to knock anyone. Take this as a warning. I can now see the risk involved with alcohol, other than the chemical dependency. The danger is the feeling of invincibility, the numbness that it provides, especially when you have been feeling vulnerable. I got pretty loaded last night after having a terrible day at work, and I felt as though everything that happened that day just disappeared and in its place was left this warm, content person, who was capable of anything. But that isn't true - I mean yes, I am capable of anything I put my mind to and work hard at, but I was not a content, successful man at that point. Truth was, I had sweat through my work shirt and was stumbling along the sidewalk like I'd lost half a leg. That is the danger. And I see that. I just wish I could see it before I take that first sip.
Well yes, I think plenty of people have taken insane chances when they have been under the influence. It might not always lead to death, but it can lead to profound disability, and a regret that never leaves them do to the stupid things they did. These substances are nothing to play with.
Hi DangerSuit, we have all fallen into that trap before. You can feel invincible and powerful under the influence of alcohol for a while, but it soon starts wearing off. What follows is a different story. You will need that sensation of numbing yourself more and more, and with time, you will depend on it, as you probably will tell yourself, to relax, have a good time, deal with worries and anxieties, etc. That initial feeling of "invincibility" will fade and make room for something more "substantial". You might feel that you need the alcohol to "ground" you, so that you can better "deal with all kinds of situations" in your life. Alcohol might start feeling like "medicine" or that "good old friend" that will help you when you are in need, while silently rotting your brain and liver. Soon, you might feel like some "entity" invades you and takes over your mind and body, and you find yourself acting and reacting in ways that you could have never imagined. Would you like to know how it continues from there? Or perhaps you already know...
For some, alcohol attacks them once, while it kills others slowly. My maternal Uncle died a few months ago because of this same problem. He had been sick over the years but they failed to address the issue. He had lived a life of regret because he failed to achieve the dreams he set for himself. He neither toiled nor worked but lived off his siblings and he drank his life away. Alcohol is extremely dangerous, for those who care to listen and adhere to such warnings.
The spike in confidence when I drink heavily is what gets me. The rush, and the feeling that I can do anything in the world is what gets me to pour another drink day after day. Despite the agony I would feel mentally and physically after drinking heavily for a night, I know that I would keep going back to it.
I have recognised over the years that alcohol awakens something inside me that I really don't like. Unfortunately I only realise I don't like it the next day. For that reason I almost avoid alcohol completely and it has been a long time since I was actually drunk. Before at the first offer of a beer I'd be straight on it but now I tend to just drink, and just one, on special occasions.
Drinking too much does alter your sense of reality. It's just like someone who decides to drink and drive, they may think they can do it but just can't. This is why learning more natural coping methods are more important for dealing with stress. Alcohol can be very deceptive by the feeling it gives you. The bottom line is drinking too much does more harm than good.
Looking back I consider it strange that I never got into any serious trouble before becoming sober. I drank and drove, not often but I cannot believe I had the gall to do it even once. Of course, I was drunk at the time so it was an easy hurdle to overcome my normal common sense. My drinking career deteriorated so badly that I found myself walking (staggering) as I no longer had a car, nor much else. Just a whole mess of pain that even the alcohol no longer eased.
You may feel great while drinking, but the problems are still there the next morning; along with a hangover and regrets. @DangerSuit acknowledging and understanding your thought processes around drinking is a big step towards recovery. When you feel the urge to drink, come on here and talk to us or read the stories!
It is not worth it! Drinking solves no problems. It doesn't make anything better it only adds to the problem. Wishing you all the best and sending sober vibes your way. Thanks for sharing.
Alcohol clouds someone's judgment. People do a lot of stupid things when they are drunk. Some of the things they do could drastically change their lives and the accompanying regret and trying to drown it out will make this person unable and unwilling to ever stop drinking because they'd rather not face reality. Sure things can be bad but alcohol can make one's life much worse than it already is. It really isn't a remedy to anything . . .
Yeah, alcohol is awful and can make you do horrible things, like sleeping with a total stranger or make a full of yourself in front of a crowd and not even remember it. This is one of the reasons I love my sobriety so much, alcohol can make you do nad say the most embarrassing things...
Alcohol definitely makes me a dangerous person when I drink, I get aggressive and become all knowing while being invincible as it tends to make you feel initially after a buzz kicks in. I think most people who are honest about their drinking problem will admit these things happen to them when they drink. All the worst times in my life that I can remember alcohol played a central role in them.
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your uncle. It really does (alcohol) rob us of our dreams and goals. I fear this with my brother. He has so much talent but can’t seem to shake the addiction. But I have also seen success stories. My parents were heavy drinkers, but they quit and did well. I had a better relationship with my dad after he stayed sober. I wish the best for those who struggle. If you fall, you can get back up again.
Well, once we decide to uncap that bottle, we just don't know what's going to happen. That's why I've stopped drinking at bars or parties, because every time I did, I ended up doing some stupid thing and regretting it for the rest of week. People, if you must drink, drink at home, preferably alone, because if you drink with someone else, that person might influence you to go out when you get drunk.
I think some of the people here are exaggerating by a high margin... I mean, sure, you do feel as though you were capable of absolutely anything in the world and that everyone lay at your feet, but honestly, if you arrive to such point of reckoning, chances are you are simply too wasted to even get up from the ground. It's all happening in your head till morning. Now of course there are exceptions, and I have personally experienced on my own body the "forcefulness" of people that had drunk more than it was morally-acceptable. But again, these cases are, at least in my case, way too rare for them to affect my physical wellness lol.
Well, I think that most of us have experienced having less inhibitions while under the influence of alcohol. We felt that we can do anything. And most of the time, we did stupid things when drunk, things that we would not usually do when sober. And we usually regret it big time.
It is scary to see the person you become. Alcohol does make you feel like anything is possible and that can lead you down a dangerous road. Your inhibitions disappear and your decision making goes out the window.
Yes, it is a problem to feel invincible because some people in this world have guns and others are really big. I seen this guy break another guy’s face with one punch. You have to know your limits in this world. You can not let alcohol blind you from a fight you can not handle. Given the right circumstances, you should take the risk. However, do not take unnecessary risks. Do not let alcohol persuade you to take unnecessary risks.