If there’s one thing I’ve learned since quitting drinking, it’s that beliefs can become self-fulfilling prophecies.
If you believe that alcohol is the only path to pleasure, then you’re bound to become hooked on alcohol again eventually.
Why? Because human beings can’t survive without pleasure. The pleasure-pain mechanism embedded in each of us is many millions of years older than our rational minds.
On the other hand, if you believe (correctly) that alcohol is a body-poisoning substance that robs tomorrow’s feel-good brain chemicals in exchange for 10 minutes of bliss today, then you’re far less likely to waste your life missing alcohol.
There’s no better feeling in the world than liberation from something that once tortured you.
That’s not to say that you should feel ashamed for missing alcohol in early recovery. This is totally normal, and it takes some time to rewire your brain away from alcohol addiction.
I’m just here to tell you that there’s light at the end of the tunnel, provided you do two very important things:
- Take control of your biochemistry
- Take control of your psychology
Eliminate any and all limiting beliefs about why you think you need alcohol in your life.
Don’t become one of those people who never stops talking about how being a nondrinker is such a struggle.
Millions of nondrinkers don’t think it’s a struggle.
Assuming you take care of your body-brain system, being a nondrinker is only a struggle if you allow yourself to harbor alcohol-worshipping thoughts.
In the video below, I describe how I started taking control of my psychology after quitting drinking.
(Click here to watch the video on YouTube)
Poison Doesn’t Deserve Second-Guessing
In my online course, Total Alcohol Recovery 2.0, one of the first sections is entitled: Transcending The Cult Of Silent Destruction.
I really believe that our culture’s obsession with heavy drinking is a cult of silent destruction. No one is at fault directly, but when a culture revolves in large part around the consumption of a toxin, something isn’t quite right.
I can’t tell you how many emails I’ve gotten from “secret alcoholics” and “borderline alcoholics” who don’t fit the typical molds of problem drinkers, but who nonetheless have escalating problems with heavy drinking and withdrawal.
Alcohol is an inherently addictive poison, and vast swaths of the population are biochemically susceptible to becoming dependent on it.
With that said, I’m far from a prohibitionist.
I don’t judge anyone who drinks, or who uses anything to enhance their experience of life. Nearly all of my family and friends drink, and I make fun of them when they’re hung over.
As far as mind-alteration goes, I believe that there are much better options out there. Kava, kratom, coffee, yoga, and intense exercise are among my preferred forms – they never make me feel worse for wear.
I hope you enjoyed this article and video! Be sure to subscribe to the Fit Recovery channel on YouTube.
Hi Chris, I quit drinking 8 days ago BECAUSE I’m reading Drinking Sucks and participating in the TAR2.0 program. It’s been a fantastic turning point for me, but I’m in information overload right now and loving it! I opened up to a small circle of direct family members about my new journey but found it hard to explain, with any coherence, what this is all about so I’m going to share this video with them. I know how fortunate I am, to have a great support system.
So awesome to hear this Crystal! Great having you in the course – keep up the incredible work!
Dear Chris, I stumbled across your e book which I read the other day. Cudos to you. I have lots to say, which I’ll hold onto for another time. Your emails are appreciated to keep me tuned in. Thank you, Linda
Thank you Linda!
Just ran across your site this past week and am excited about my future as a non driinker. I have stopped on a few occasions for between one month and a year. But now its time to make a permanent change for the better. I believe that will happen using several resources. including your course and ebook. suppplements and reading other suggested material Ive had an exciting life with relative career success and have thusfar been graced with great health (barring clinical depression). At age 60 this week and a 40 year love affair with alcohol I figure its time… Read more »
Thanks for sharing this Kathy – sounds like you have a great plan in place. Good luck to you!!
I’m so glad I ran across this by accident. I think it was meant for me right now though! I could identify with everything you said about missing alcohol! Will definitely be reading your ebook!! Thank you Chris!
Thank you Joanne! My eBook page was down yesterday but it’s back today, hope you enjoy it!
Hi Chris, My name is David and I’m from Cape Town South Africa. I have been drinking for just over 10 years and know deep down I need to stop. Came across your profile with a Google search and have been following the material you put out there. My problem is the beer – copious amounts every night. Embarrassed to say how many in case people gasp at the possible health implications. I’m 39 and I think I’m struggling with the idea that life is really that much better without the false high of alcohol. It’s not something I felt… Read more »
Hi David, fantastic comment! I put off quitting drinking for years because I thought life without alcohol was not worth living. I was wrong. In fact, I wouldn’t have been able to build this site if I had not been wrong. A full explanation of why life is better without alcohol would take a book, and you can find something like that in my eBook, Drinking Sucks! You say some very interesting things that I would have once said. You’re aware that you’re still “in the fog of it” – as it is, alcohol has hijacked your brain and every… Read more »
Dave, (and Chris) I can attest to the subject content of Chris’ book being extremely helpful, however I can also relate. I have had a 5 day migraine, something that never happened whilst drinking, along with some other virus attacks that just never happened until the drinking stopped, and I think it is clearly a result of actually thinking with my brain instead of just being under the influence on a daily basis. Whatever the reason, clearly not worth the trade off of consuming alcohol! June 5 was an important 30 day mark for me, and I’m not giving up!!… Read more »
Fantastic comment. Thanks for being an inspiration Jess!