My start date was 5 days ago. I was looking forward to it and overindulged. I’ve had two smallish glasses of wine since and no real desire for more. I don’t know if you’re ready or not, but I can tell you to start out slowly when you do. If you do.

My first attempt at not drinking lasted 16 years. My wife’s grandmother had stopped at about the same time. She had a genuine problem and was warned to get it under control or forfeit visiting with her grandchildren. We made a contest out of it. I won when she passed away. I know that sounds bad but she and I had discussed it and she complained that I had an unfair advantage being so much younger. There was nothing at stake but her sobriety and I felt like I was giving her encouragement. I kept it up another 7-8 years longer because I enjoyed being the only non-drinker at functions. Mrs BV’s grandmother wasn’t the only one in the family with a drinking problem. I know it shouldn’t have been entertaining but there was nothing I could do to stop them so I might as well enjoy the show.

After abandoning sobriety I found that my drinking had changed in its nature. Of course I was now 45 instead of 28. I now drink, when I do, to enjoy what I’m drinking, not just the buzz it provides. I have fewer drinks, less often and I’m never drunk. I never felt I had a drinking problem in my 20’s, I initially quit to lose weight, but I could imagine one developing.

Everyone’s different. If I had remained a non-drinker I think of all the craft beers I’d have missed, all the breweries and wineries I wouldn’t have visited, all the barfly conversations I would have missed. You’ll eventually realize you’ve made a decision even if nothing changes.