quitting

[dsniegocki]

I am quitting drinking entirely. I have no idea how I am going to handle this and I am seeking help from a therapist to do it.

I am almost more sad that I will have to give up homebrewing than I am about giving up alcohol. I probably would have found it easier to quit if I had not been homebrewing. What an amazing hobby.

Thank you to everyone for all of your outstanding posts, help and feedback. This is an awesome community and I will miss it very much.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

More power to you brother. Alcohol can be a crutch or worse for many more than who would admit or care to admit including myself.

I brewed a keg of ESB for a friend of mine's wedding, and her and the groom were A.A. members. I surprised them with a batch of hopped lemonade w/ green tea that turned out pretty killer and was 100% N.A. There are other ways to apply your skills that you picked up brewing, making soups or sodas etc.
I've heard sweet potatoes have some amalyse like enzymes that break down starches into sugar. I've been tempted to cook one at 151f for a while and see how sugary the result is (crystal potato?). I'm just throwing some other ideas out there to explore as the world is your oyster with or without Alcohol.

Peace

 

[derekcw83]

What gives? What's your reason for doing so? Just curious

 

[dsniegocki]

Thank you so much for that. I had an absolutely horrendous wake-up call. For now I can't imagine doing anything even remotely related. For my sake and for my wife's. Maybe cooking? dunno. I really appreciate the support.

 

[roadkizzle]

One thing I'm wanting to experiment more with is brewing small batches of wort and bottling them in sterilized bottles.

Then pouring a couple of ounces into a glass and filling it up with soda water... My attempt with a pilsner wort was delicious and of course 100% N.A. because no yeast was included.

If I practice this later I may need to boil the jars/bottles before and after adding the wort like people do in canning to make sure it'll be more stable.

 

[bbohanon]

Thank you so much for that. I had an absolutely horrendous wake-up call. For now I can't imagine doing anything even remotely related. For my sake and for my wife's. Maybe cooking? dunno. I really appreciate the support.

Good luck and totally understand.

As far as things to do, try taking up smoking meat/cooking for sure! Its alot like brewing and can provide the same enjoyment (you making something that more than just you gets to enjoy).

Good on you for realizing and taking action w/this before you lost something more valuable than a hobby!
:rockin:

 

[roadkizzle]

That could help some people ease out of the habit.
But of course many many people having something close will urge them to go the next step and get the alcohol back in.

I don't know what will help you through this transition but I wish you luck... It can definitely be hard.

 

[dsniegocki]

What gives? What's your reason for doing so? Just curious

It has taking me a long time (46 yrs old now) to finally admit that I can't handle drinking. I have tried so many times, thinking I could manage it. I just can't. I can't just have one. So I need to stop entirely before it ruins my life.

 

[dsniegocki]

Good luck and totally understand.

As far as things to do, try taking up smoking meat/cooking for sure! Its alot like brewing and can provide the same enjoyment (you making something that more than just you gets to enjoy).

Good on you for realizing and taking action w/this before you lost something more valuable than a hobby!
:rockin:

Thank you so much!

 

[dsniegocki]

That could help some people ease out of the habit.
But of course many many people having something close will urge them to go the next step and get the alcohol back in.

I don't know what will help you through this transition but I wish you luck... It can definitely be hard.

That's my thought too, I don't even think I can be close to it.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

Also, A.A. is a fantastic resource for many if you hadn't considered.

 

[dyqik]

Thank you so much for that. I had an absolutely horrendous wake-up call. For now I can't imagine doing anything even remotely related. For my sake and for my wife's. Maybe cooking? dunno. I really appreciate the support.

Good luck with the new phase in life.

On mostly unrelated things that involve some of the same thinking as homebrewing, you could try bread making. Particularly sourdough and similar. I also make yogurt and cheese. Basically I'm in charge of all kinds of yeast, bugs and culturing in my house...

 

[Morrey]

Thank you so much for that. I had an absolutely horrendous wake-up call. For now I can't imagine doing anything even remotely related. For my sake and for my wife's. Maybe cooking? dunno. I really appreciate the support.

Your input and presence on HBT has been one of valued friendship for many members including me. Being so close to CLT in SC we had a connection. I still make runs to Alt Beverage in Belmont monthly.

Your choices make perfect sense and you will benefit in a positive way. Have you ever thought about Kombucha Tea? It offers tremendous health benefits plus your experiences as a brewer will still be utilized. Think of it like kettle souring a wort just no ABV%.

Heck yeah...get a Weber Smoky Mountain cooker and learn the fine art of low and slow cooking for Boston Butts. Your wife, family and friends will drool. Cooking/smoking rocks big time.

Fair winds and following seas. Stay in touch.

 

[dsniegocki]

Your input and presence on HBT has been one of valued friendship for many members including me. Being so close to CLT in SC we had a connection. I still make runs to Alt Beverage in Belmont monthly.

Your choices make perfect sense and you will benefit in a positive way. Have you ever thought about Kombucha Tea? It offers tremendous health benefits plus your experiences as a brewer will still be utilized. Think of it like kettle souring a wort just no ABV%.

Heck yeah...get a Weber Smoky Mountain cooker and learn the fine art of low and slow cooking for Boston Butts. Your wife, family and friends will drool. Cooking/smoking rocks big time.

Fair winds and following seas. Stay in touch.

You all are so awesome. Your kind words mean so much to me. Thank you

 

[plazola86]

Good luck and stay strong! Don't need it if it causes you problems.

 

[passedpawn]

Try cheesemaking. It's very similar to beermaking - in fact it's a form of fermentation. Can require all sorts of equipment if that's your thing, you can eat it, etc. Relatively safe for kids/family to be involved.

We have a cheeseforum here, and also check out www.cheeseforum.org. I hang out there sometimes.

 

[Yooper]

Thank you so much for that. I had an absolutely horrendous wake-up call. For now I can't imagine doing anything even remotely related. For my sake and for my wife's. Maybe cooking? dunno. I really appreciate the support.

Try cheesemaking. It's very similar to beermaking - in fact it's a form of fermentation. Can require all sorts of equipment if that's your thing, you can eat it, etc. Relatively safe for kids/family to be involved.

We have a cheeseforum here, and also check out www.cheeseforum.org. I hang out there sometimes.

Yep, I was going to suggest that.

And this sounds weird, but I promise it's not. Soapmaking. You can challenge your inner Geek, and make a wonderful hobby. I swear, I got lots of guys doing it and from there making shaving soap and then lotions and body butters and bath salts for their wives. Handmade artisan soap is a huge craze, and it's great for both your skin and the environment.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=350200 for an easy basic tutorial.

 

[MrHopScotch]

It takes a strong person to recognize a problem and take whatever steps necessary to correct it. I have a great deal of respect for you making this decision.

I'll echo what others have said and suggest getting a bbq. The Weber smoky mountain is a great choice! I love sitting out by the smoker and reading a book while cooking a pork shoulder or some unbelievably tender ribs. I also love being able to share the spoils with friends and family on a beautiful day.

Best of luck in this next stage of your life!

 

[passedpawn]

It takes a strong person to recognize a problem and take whatever steps necessary to correct it. I have a great deal of respect for you making this decision.

I'll echo what others have said and suggest getting a bbq. The Weber smoky mountain is a great choice! I love sitting out by the smoker and reading a book while cooking a pork shoulder or some unbelievably tender ribs. I also love being able to share the spoils with friends and family on a beautiful day.

Best of luck in this next stage of your life!

I'll get behind the bbq idea also. I'll be putting some pork shoulders and a rack of ribs on my WSM Sunday. We have a pretty nifty forum here for that too, though there are no shortage of great smoking forums out there.

 

[passedpawn]

My last comment then I'll stop...

I gave up smoking many years ago. That was not very hard for me because I replaced it with running. You just can't do both. When I got the urge, I laced up and ran. So I suggest looking at the times and situations during which you used to drink, and fill those gaps with something that stops you from doing it, especially something in a group. For example, if you drink in the evenings after work, replace that exact time with the gym, or start volunteering somewhere. Teach your kids to play tennis. Idle hands do the devil's work.

 

[dsniegocki]

It takes a strong person to recognize a problem and take whatever steps necessary to correct it. I have a great deal of respect for you making this decision.

I'll echo what others have said and suggest getting a bbq. The Weber smoky mountain is a great choice! I love sitting out by the smoker and reading a book while cooking a pork shoulder or some unbelievably tender ribs. I also love being able to share the spoils with friends and family on a beautiful day.

Best of luck in this next stage of your life!

Thank you so much!

 

[dsniegocki]

My last comment then I'll stop...

I gave up smoking many years ago. That was not very hard for me because I replaced it with running. You just can't do both. When I got the urge, I laced up and ran. So I suggest looking at the times and situations during which you used to drink, and fill those gaps with something that stops you from doing it, especially something in a group. For example, if you drink in the evenings after work, replace that exact time with the gym, or start volunteering somewhere. Teach your kids to play tennis. Idle hands do the devil's work.

I will absolutely have to replace this with something. I *love* hobbies and learning new things. I guess the good news is I now have a good-size room that will be an ex-brewery, that I can convert to something else instead for a different hobby.

Great for you for giving up smoking, I am not a smoker but I imagine that is equally as difficult.

 

[dsniegocki]

Yep, I was going to suggest that.

And this sounds weird, but I promise it's not. Soapmaking. You can challenge your inner Geek, and make a wonderful hobby. I swear, I got lots of guys doing it and from there making shaving soap and then lotions and body butters and bath salts for their wives. Handmade artisan soap is a huge craze, and it's great for both your skin and the environment.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=350200 for an easy basic tutorial.

Not weird at all, and a great suggestion. Thank you for that!

 

[trav77]

+1 on trying out cheesemaking if you're looking for a replacement hobby. I started in on it before I had kids but haven't had time to keep up with it. So much like brewing in many ways and lots of fun. Maybe it's time to dust off the old equipment!

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

I am quitting drinking entirely. I have no idea how I am going to handle this and I am seeking help from a therapist to do it.

I am almost more sad that I will have to give up homebrewing than I am about giving up alcohol. I probably would have found it easier to quit if I had not been homebrewing. What an amazing hobby.

Thank you to everyone for all of your outstanding posts, help and feedback. This is an awesome community and I will miss it very much.

I think it is great that you are doing this with the support of a professional. You'll likely get more out of the process. Oh, and my advice is not to be a quitter. Be a person who becomes a non user of alcohol, a non-drinker if you will. It's like a Jedi mind trick and it really helps.

I'm sure another hobby will catch your fancy and give you awesome experiences and memories. Be well, and live well, and congrats for answering the "wake up call" now rather than later.

 

[Norselord]

Wet blanket guy here.
This may not be what you want to hear, but its worth saying.

If you are an alcoholic, don't hang around bars. I don't think hanging around a homebrew site is such a great idea either.

Make these cuts cleanly.

 

[madscientist451]

It has taking me a long time (46 yrs old now) to finally admit that I can't handle drinking. I have tried so many times, thinking I could manage it. I just can't. I can't just have one. So I need to stop entirely before it ruins my life.

Many people face the same challenge you are facing, but can't admit that they have a problem and then can't bring themselves to do anything about it.
You've done what many can't do: change the way they look at themselves.
So its a good time to be glad about the direction you are going in now.

 

[AF1HomeBrew]

Your input and presence on HBT has been one of valued friendship for many members including me. Being so close to CLT in SC we had a connection. I still make runs to Alt Beverage in Belmont monthly.

Your choices make perfect sense and you will benefit in a positive way. Have you ever thought about Kombucha Tea? It offers tremendous health benefits plus your experiences as a brewer will still be utilized. Think of it like kettle souring a wort just no ABV%.

Heck yeah...get a Weber Smoky Mountain cooker and learn the fine art of low and slow cooking for Boston Butts. Your wife, family and friends will drool. Cooking/smoking rocks big time.

Fair winds and following seas. Stay in touch.

I gave Kombucha a try about a month ago, and have brewed 5 one gallon brews. It's pretty fun and without a lot of the headaches of brewing beer & has some positive health benefits.

 

[bleme]

When I first started brewing, I went in on it with a good friend. We bought the equipment together, brewed together, bottled together, then just split the bottles. Our kids are about the same age and our wives are friends so our routine was to get together every third Saturday, bottle a batch, brew a batch, then have dinner. After about a year he felt like he was just drinking too much, and he didn't like who he was becoming so he quit.

Sometimes I'll go 6 months between brew days now because they last me twice as long and it just isn't as much fun to brew by myself. We really only get together on birthdays and such now. He is still obsessed with Marvel and habaneros, but he seems genuinely happy with life. With all the good advice here, I'm sure you will adjust too.

 

[A2HB]

It's too bad you don't live in California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, or either of the Washingtons (state or District). I hope you can quit the booze successfully though for sure. Keep strong, there's going to be times when you really really want one, and that's the times you have to be strongest. It'll get easier you just have to stay committed! I agree with Norselord as well, once you stop drinking for good prob best to stay away from things that will trigger you to want to drink, like reading about everyone's awesome homebrews and stuff and going to bars or places where it's being served freely. Good luck to you

 

[Yooper]

I will absolutely have to replace this with something. I *love* hobbies and learning new things. I guess the good news is I now have a good-size room that will be an ex-brewery, that I can convert to something else instead for a different hobby.

Great for you for giving up smoking, I am not a smoker but I imagine that is equally as difficult.

Well, if you love hobbies........I recently took up painting. What I love about it is that when I sit and do it, it's very "zen" and engrossing. An hour or two or five may pass before I even reach for my coffee. I took classes in drawing (pencil, pen and ink, pastels, and charcoal) and in painting (acrylic and oils).

I still suck at art, but now I suck in 6 mediums!

I like active hobbies too, like kayaking and hiking, but for an evening hobby that gets you away from old activities maybe painting or drawing in a different room is worth a try. I know for me, I have my computer and TV and kegerator in one room, so sitting here invariably means reaching for a beer. When I paint, I'm away from that and don't even think about it (or food or water, for that matter).

I make soap in my kitchen, and store it once cut in an upstairs room.

My addiction is not alcohol. As you may have guessed, it's the internet and this forum. So when I feel like I need to step away, getting out of this chair and out of this room makes all the difference. Plus, we have nice skin and some artwork.

 

[MaltMaker]

This is an often regurgitated theme on these forums. Many, many threads on this very topic.

The often unfounded fear that one is, or is becoming, an alcoholic. So the corrective action of quitting follows. Reminds me of a quote from the MASH episode where Hawkeye gives up alcohol - "I'll have a drink when I want one not because I need one." He was dealing with the stresses of being a surgeon in MASH unit in Korea.

I haven't had a drop of alcohol in over a month. Welcome to the club.

 

[dsniegocki]

Be a person who becomes a non user of alcohol, a non-drinker if you will. It's like a Jedi mind trick and it really helps.

I love this. Thank you.

 

[dsniegocki]

Wet blanket guy here.
This may not be what you want to hear, but its worth saying.

If you are an alcoholic, don't hang around bars. I don't think hanging around a homebrew site is such a great idea either.

Make these cuts cleanly.

It's exactly what I need to hear. Thank you. And I won't be hanging around the homebrew site, you're right about that too. I'm saying goodbye and thanks.

 

[dsniegocki]

Well, if you love hobbies........I recently took up painting. What I love about it is that when I sit and do it, it's very "zen" and engrossing. An hour or two or five may pass before I even reach for my coffee. I took classes in drawing (pencil, pen and ink, pastels, and charcoal) and in painting (acrylic and oils).

I still suck at art, but now I suck in 6 mediums!

I like active hobbies too, like kayaking and hiking, but for an evening hobby that gets you away from old activities maybe painting or drawing in a different room is worth a try. I know for me, I have my computer and TV and kegerator in one room, so sitting here invariably means reaching for a beer. When I paint, I'm away from that and don't even think about it (or food or water, for that matter).

I make soap in my kitchen, and store it once cut in an upstairs room.

My addiction is not alcohol. As you may have guessed, it's the internet and this forum. So when I feel like I need to step away, getting out of this chair and out of this room makes all the difference. Plus, we have nice skin and some artwork.

Of all the wonderful discussions I've read on here, this thread is the best. I think I can do this and the support I've gotten makes all the difference! Thank you

 

[dsniegocki]

This is an often regurgitated theme on these forums. Many, many threads on this very topic.

The often unfounded fear that one is, or is becoming, an alcoholic. So the corrective action of quitting follows. Reminds me of a quote from the MASH episode where Hawkeye gives up alcohol - "I'll have a drink when I want one not because I need one." He was dealing with the stresses of being a surgeon in MASH unit in Korea.

I haven't had a drop of alcohol in over a month. Welcome to the club.

Thank you, and thank you for your support. They can call it whatever they want, it has taken over me and I have to be done with it. I'm scared but I have good support around me. Best of luck to you as well.

 

[Cavpilot2000]

While it is a loss for the brewing community and something incredibly difficult to give up, I wish you luck.
There is a ling history of substance abuse in my family so I have to keep my drinking in check consciously. Add to that a little wartime PTSD, and sometimes I feel control of it slipping, but I manage to keep it within reason. Sometimes I have to have a string of dry days just to prove to myself that I can, and that's hard.
Alcohol can be a blessing and a demon at the same time.
So you have my sincere sympathy and best wishes for success.

 

[dsniegocki]

While it is a loss for the brewing community and something incredibly difficult to give up, I wish you luck.
There is a ling history of substance abuse in my family so I have to keep my drinking in check consciously. Add to that a little wartime PTSD, and sometimes I feel control of it slipping, but I manage to keep it within reason. Sometimes I have to have a string of dry days just to prove to myself that I can, and that's hard.
Alcohol can be a blessing and a demon at the same time.
So you have my sincere sympathy and best wishes for success.

Thank you so much, these message mean a lot to me. I envy your strength. I've tried to control it myself, and I just can't do it.

 

[Fedora]

You've a hard road ahead and a water wagon doesn't ride smoothly. Safe travels, brother.

 

[markstache]

Good for you! We're pulling for you!

On one hand it seems unnecessary to suggest other hobbies, as you will no doubt be filling your time with important things and living your life on your terms.... but on the other hand, I'll suggest coffee roasting. It has the same opportunities for geeking out, plus it is socially acceptable to start drinking coffee the moment you get out of bed.