I Quit Alcohol Because of THIS.

Aug 16

Is it really worth it?

On 7th January 2023, around 08:30 am, I woke up and something didn’t feel right. I took a photo of myself. This is what I saw.

My name is Jason. Don’t worry I’m not going to preach about the evils of Alcohol. But I am going to tell you why I finally decided to quit, and why it took more than a year after this [photo].

Let me start by saying that I have no idea how that happened, not a clue.

Hangovers were never a problem for me. I haven’t had a hangover that could be described as much worse than a mild headache for more than ten years. My biggest issues, however, were these,

First; once I started drinking, I found it hard to stop, like most people. I always wanted one more. One more beer and one more whisky.

Second; was memory loss [facts about alcohol-related memory loss at the bottom of the post], and it got worse with age. And frankly, I didn’t need to drink that much to have a major gap In memory.

Storytime: I was out for a drink with a friend on a Sunday evening and she started talking about a conversation we had the night before. I corrected her, by saying it was “last week not last night”. She corrected me by saying it was “last night”. I took a second to think about it, then concluded that I had a 5-hour gap in memory, from about midnight at work to 5 am on the phone with her.

Don’t ask me why I was on the phone at 5 am ‘cause I can’t remember.

A few days later I asked someone who I thought might have been there if we went to the bar, he said “Yeah”, I said I didn’t remember, he said, “You seemed fine.” His response was scary. This is what got the ball rolling. And this [Photo] came back to me.

That’s when I decided I needed to get this under control. So I started to impose a ban until 10 pm, but I just drank more after 10 pm. Then I stopped drinking beer and started adding lots of water to my whisky, but again, I just drank more.

A week later, on a Saturday shift I was pulled aside and asked if I was okay, I said “Yeah why?” Then I was told that I was so wasted the night before that they nearly 86’d me off the bar. This struck me hard for a number of reasons;

1, I genuinely didn’t think I’d had that much.

2, I have a lot of respect for the one who pulled me aside.

I spent the rest of the shift thinking about this. After the close down I had two beers and left. The next morning I decided I was done drinking. That day was 11th February 2024.

Six months on and I feel great, I’ve lost a lot of body fat, and I’m fitter and healthier, in body and mind. My memory is so much better all of the time, I’m shaper. I’m still a clumsy twat though. And you know what, I don’t miss it and I haven’t craved it.

“You have power over your mind not outside events, realise this and you will find strength.” — Seneca

I’m not preaching but Stoicism helped.

Why did it take more than a year? Honestly, I liked to drink and didn’t want to stop. The accident that messed up my face slowly evaporated from memory. Culture could have played a part in this, but I think it was just pure old-fashioned stubbornness. I didn’t want the booze to beat me, I was better now, I could take it. After all my face met the pavement (I think) and I’m still here, drinking. I’M A MAN! and men drink.

It’s weird to think that memory loss affected me more than physical harm. Sure I have scars, but they healed. I can still walk and talk and make decisions. Physical pain goes away, but those memories are gone forever.

I’d love to hear about your experiences have you tried to quit alcohol? Did you succeed or fail?

Do you want to know how I did it? Check out this video for a longer explanation of how I quit and all my excuses why I shouldn’t go 100% sober.

Click HERE if need help with alcohol abuse

Alcohol-related memory loss, particularly in the UK, is a serious issue with several key factors to consider:

1. Short-Term Memory Loss: Acute alcohol consumption can impair the brain's ability to form new memories, leading to "blackouts" where individuals cannot recall events that occurred while they were intoxicated. This is due to the impact of alcohol on the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for memory formation.

2. Long-Term Memory Impairment: Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to more persistent memory problems, including Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a severe memory disorder caused by a deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1), often associated with prolonged alcohol misuse.

3. Prevalence: Alcohol misuse is a significant public health concern in the UK. According to the Office for National Statistics, alcohol-related harm is one of the leading causes of hospital admissions, with memory impairment being a common consequence of excessive alcohol consumption.

4. Impact on Cognitive Functioning: Regular heavy drinking can lead to a general decline in cognitive functioning, which includes both memory and learning abilities. Studies have shown that chronic alcohol misuse can cause brain shrinkage, particularly in areas responsible for memory and decision-making.

5. Age Factor: Older adults in the UK who drink heavily are at a higher risk of alcohol-related memory loss. This is due to the cumulative effects of alcohol on the brain over time, as well as potential interactions with other health conditions and medications.

6. Social and Economic Costs: Alcohol-related memory loss not only affects the individual but also has broader social and economic implications. These include increased healthcare costs, loss of productivity, and the emotional toll on families and communities.

7. Preventive Measures: The UK government has implemented several public health campaigns aimed at reducing alcohol consumption and its associated harms, including memory loss. These initiatives focus on education, support for those with alcohol dependence, and stricter regulations on alcohol sales and advertising.