The benefits of quitting alcohol - 6 months sober
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- Опубликовано: 27 авг 2019
- 6 months ago (on my 35th birthday) I decided to give up alcohol. No more drinking. Since then I have not had a single drop of alcohol.
In this video I share my alcohol story - how I started drinking alcohol, how drinking alcohol became a normal part of my life, how I reached the decision to give up alcohol, and finally all the benefits I have seen after not drinking alcohol for 6 months.
Update: Watch me after 1200 days without alcohol: • 1200 days without alcohol
website: www.zacsky.com
1200 days without alcohol: ruclips.net/video/Iw8NC-O8Tow/видео.html
"If you don't like sobriety. Go back and your misery will be completely refunded."
I heard this from an elderly gentleman that was extremely wise. I did not comprehend the statement at the time I heard it in my twenties. Now I am in my forties and it makes complete sense. May you all have health, happiness and overall peace...
Wow.
The longer you go without, the easier it gets. 33 years sober, life is great without booze !!
Congratulations. Awesome
Amazing !!!! the only way to be@#$%^
I wasn't the drinker some people are, however, it was a problem. I work about 12 hrs a day. Every night I would come home between 9pm and 10pm and drink for 2 to 3 hrs. Every night, for many yrs. Started feeling worse and worse as far as being tired, depressed, moody, negative and angry. Woke up tired every morning, but believed I was fine. I was never a day drinker, ever, so I led myself to believe this was all perfectly fine. Then 48 days ago, I decided it was time for a break. I'll go a week without I said, and I did. Didn't feel a whole lot better, but it gave me enough strength to go for a second week. Then things started to really change. My mood got better, my negativity got better, I was calmer, my anxiety issues decreased and sleep......oh man the sleep has become incredible. I sleep so well I now look so forward to it. I wake up feeling like I'm 10 - 15 yrs younger. Needless to say, I didn't want to stop drinking, just maybe break the routine a little, but after 48 days and 18 pounds lighter, I'm not sure I want to have it anymore. I feel 100% better, and I don't miss it. I have a couple of cans of beer in the fridge and some Vodka in the pantry which I look at everyday, yet my only thought is if I should dump them out, but maybe it's a good reminder. I hope anyone who has ever thought to themselves that maybe it's time to step away from it, does just that. SO worth it.
What a story. Thanks for sharing and well done
Outstanding
Dump it! Don't have that shit in your home
Hi Crutch, hows it going three years on?
Getting drunk is stealing happiness from tomorrow - that saying has stuck with me. You can control whether tomorrow will be a good day or bad day. Life is too short to steal any happiness from from yourself.
So true
And I start to feel little bit better everyday . Start my journey from each 7 pm , soon I will become success and make lots of money with my expertise
You are my true and real bruh
Damn thats good
Giving half of today to last night
I am 56 and still struggling …. Hope to give it up. I am tired…
6 weeks without alcohol already big difference. Definitely sleeping better.
Nice work. Keep it up!
Congratulations 👍
Does drinking on the weekend disrupt sleep during the week? I feel like I never get a good night
Thanks for sharing. I haven't been sober for more then 6 months since I was 12 (i'm 47 now). I'm on week 5, not a drop. I've experienced most things you have said and each day seems to give me more clarity to continue to avoid alcohol. I am amazed how the thought of drinking passes through my thoughts daily though, maybe that will pass as time moves on. Anyhow, thanks for making the video, it's kind of a strength builder to watch a couple of these types of videos once a week.
Alcohol is the only drug we have to justify to other people why we don't use it. That's strange, because it's a drug.
Too much money behind alcohol
Congratulations to all of you here giving up drinking. Your brain and body thank you. You are going to feel great when your body adjusts to being fully healthy again. You can do anything you believe you can.
Got my 6 months sober today. Whatever come-I stay on this path. Feeling better in so many ways, got some goals and be a little proud of myself. Why should a give up this just for some hangovers? NO WAY!!! When I see others being drunk I dont feel like"Oh, so sad that I am not acting this way". I dont judge others or tell them what to do. They are still good guys. But I simply don't miss that.
Day 10 without booze. So much happier without it already.
That’s awesome!
What are you at nkw
I was a binge drinker for 30 years and now I have been 5 months without. I love it! I'm no longer under the thumb of booze and I feel great. Everything you said is true about quitting but for sure the money part! I'm rich, happy, healthy and look great. As opposed to when I was drunk, mad, sad, sick, broke, rude, ugly, mean and stupid.
Great stuff gizzykat kat. Thanks for the comment!
haha. i love the singing of "when i was seventeen." nice video! i'm currently doing a detox. i'm two weeks in. feeling good so far.
Not only does it Rob you of money and health but also of your time. In uk I tried going out on my own pace only having couple of beers but then you would end up in rounds so would lose the control of the speed you drink. In Thailand recently had friends keep topping my glass up with beer. They saw it as being polite but I wanted to drink slowly. I still have some beers on holiday not to get drunk but in uk I rarely go to bars and never drink at home and I don't think I have missed it.i knew a guy in Thailand just arrived 4 yrs ago from with plenty of money and looked pretty healthy to me. Then during lockdown he end up sitting in his room drinking alot of spirits and saw him few weeks ago didn't look like same person. Lived knackered. I started to realise how powerful a drug this really is. Go to the beach early morning no one on it as all drinking night before.you could have a fantastic life in se Asia retired if not drinking. The nature is superb but amazes me how many get sucked into the alcohol trap and the ones that drink local spirits don't last more than a few yrs.
Good sharing ian.i live in se asia and im glad i quit drinking after 20 years.im healthier,,richer and happier.
@@StarxPlayz7 to be honest its lot worse in philippines than thailand but still it would be an issue if retired there trying to avoid making this become daily habit.
I’m not at 6 months yet . But I’m at 4 1/2 and damn what have I been doing to my self all this time . I’m only 26 and shouldn’t feel this bad . Never was a daily drinker . Just a heavy binge drinker
I used to drink regularly then gradually developed an alcohol intolerance. One sip produces a headache, skin rash and feeling unwell. I’m not sure why this happened but I have a friend who had the same thing. In any event it’s been a benefit. Better health, mood and more money. I also save time by no longer going to the liquor store.
I turned 26 and want to spend the second half of my 20s booze-free. Subscribed !!
26 myself 30 days sober from alcohol myself
your life will get better with out it
New to man me too
4 1/2 months sober for me
26 myself and almost 2months alcohol free
The hard truth,but 100% true.I’ve been drinking for 45years and have been sober for 8 months .The benefits far far outweigh the negative effects in so many ways.The facts speak for themselves
Good luck to everyone, keep fighting the temptations and take it one day at a time! After a while the sober life starts to grow on you and gets you excited about the future...embrace the changes to your mind, body and soul.
I’m planning on going the rest of 2021 without alcohol
Same!
Just decided to go dry from the 1st of Feb wasted so many years of me life on drink and it has cost me a lot over the years can not wait to see what this journey brings
Phil Sharp you still going?
@@toreycarlyle9953 yip 9 days dry now feel great thanks was a bit touch and go this weekend especially Saturday but once a had me tea a was full so did not fancy a drink at all thanks
Phil Sharp yassssssss! I am sober February also:)
@@toreycarlyle9953 how u finding it a can not believe a difference a week makes
Phil Sharp I’m feeling great so far. Eating and more organized. Less anxiety in general. I have a spin class at 5:45 in the morning which I would never be doing after a weekend if I were drinking.
My 6 months anniversary was yesterday ... Feel so much better
When you get sick and tired of being sick and tired ,,give it away ,give it away ,give it away now.
Thanks Zac my thoughts exactly. 32 days sober.
Dead On here Zac. As I commented to Harry. Have been the same program you were on for years starting at 17. Stay off the drink during the week then full throttle on the weekend.. Normally could rally pretty well, but getting older and feeling it more. I am on the cusp of turning 50 and this is the right time to be done with it all together. This is inspirational. All the best!
Super cool
Watching videos like this help me stay focused on my sobriety. Thanks .
Glad I could help.
Well done mate. I stopped drinking alcohol 15 months ago and I agree with you on all of the points you stated. Don't miss it at all!
I AM PROUD OF YOU CONGRATS! IT IS DAY 5 FOR ME
5th day today - Sober , no alcohol. Feeling better day by day. Thanks for sharing your experience, i feel more motivated. 🙏 😊
Waiting for my 6 month anniversary
Inspiring video! I’m 8 weeks AF. Wish I did this sooner. I’ve experienced all the benefits you’ve described.
To anyone reading this: It will get better! I've been sober for a long time now and yes, it has its ups and downs, but your future self will thank you for the decisions you made today! You got this!
this is going to keep me sober
3 years this week for me. My life is completely different now, personnel and professional. Now i know why i drank... shutting off my little inner voice and my anxiety. But now, no more anxiety because i can hear my inner voice better and do whatever i need to do to be in peace with my inner voice. Thanks a lot for sharing your experiences, my succes was because of guys like you on RUclips
Thanks for sharing your story Serge and great work on 3 years!
Congratulations Zac you’ve done well mate. Yep giving up alcohol is a way of getting to be a better, richer human being. Putting the how and why of what you’ve done out there is very encouraging to others who are thinking of making the change but for one reason or another don’t take the plunge. Waking up clear headed and looking forward to your day is definitely one for me. I hope you continue with this path, I get the feeling us non-users of alcohol are going to be the new normal. I’ll be looking out for more videos from you, I find that there is no such thing as too much encouragement. Thanks again 😁😁😁🙏🙏🙏
Thank U i needed to hear this no more drinking for me ever again
Stopped 3 weeks ago...Super Bowl yesterday...opened a bottle of wine..had one glass...tasted crappy..
Not missing anything....most functions have alcohol...including all He events and parties I had for over 40 years...actually it is take for granted that you go and drink...what a waste ...I finally woke up ..not sure exactly why...
Thanks I enjoyed the vid…I was sober for 2 years, then fell of the wagon. I’ve struggled with alcohol, from a very young age. I’m 59 now. Not a good time in a mans life to pick up the bottle. I can’t say that stress set me on this path again, that’s a shitty excuse. I will say that I started hitting the bottle hard when my home and everything I’ve busted my ass for to achieve, could be gone in an instant. The Caldor fire, in Northern California, is close to my home. I live in South Lake Tahoe California. We had to be evacuated. It was horrible, I had to get a crappy motel in Stateline Nevada on the California/Nevada state border. As I write this I am sitting on a barstool in a casino. My shitty motel is 2 blocks away, so I will be able to stumble back. I know that the booze isn’t helping make things any better, it’s an escape. Not a good one, but at this point I don’t really give a shit anymore…
Sorry bout what happen to u mate,be strong and everythings going to be ok.just relax
@@StarxPlayz7 Thanks I appreciate the words of encouragement. I’ll hang in there…
Take care…
Christopher
I feel like everything I could say would seem like a platitude - stay strong, greatness is born from hard times, focus on what you still have, we only understand life through the lens of suffering, be grateful you’re still alive - but what I really want to say is…are you ok?
Nobody should shoulder tough times on their own. Do you have someone you can talk to?
@@outboundterrain6454 Hope your home is still standing and that you're doing better overall man. Keep your head up and don't be too harsh on yourself
I wouldn’t say I’m the typical alcoholic, I just over drink when I do (usually once a week) tried to go sober a few times and I’ve always found the positives far outweigh the negatives, yet I still go back to drinking. It genuinely baffles me! Just about to start 6 months off the booze now, which will be the longest stint I’ve done (as an adult). Mostly looking forward to getting joy out of life again, which alcohol completely zaps out of me. Good times ahead! 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
How are you doing now? I'm coming up on six months next week.
Nearly a hundred days - big daily ex drinker - not missing it at all - took a bit but I am here lol - anxiety is almost non existent. You must be nearly a year now!
Yep I’m past the year mark now and still going strong. I even made a follow up video to celebrate ruclips.net/video/yrs90hypBts/видео.html
congratulations man!!!
Nice video. I’m going on 2 years alcohol free after 18 years of drinking. All the things you said here are true.
Great work on the 2 years. I am closing in on year 1 and still going strong. Thanks for the comment
Just hit 6 months yesterday and these videos help!!
Well done 👍 same here six months sober!!!
Great video thank you for your experience.
0:42 My impression of Homer (including me singing When I Was seventeen)
1:15 My alcohol story
4:30 What I have noticed in 6 months of no alcohol
4:35 Better sleep
5:19 More money
5:35 Better parent
6:10 Better moods
6:37 Stop being a dickhead
7:16 Healthier life and healthier actions
7:36 Who really wants a kebab at 2am?
Omg thank you
I totally agree with the sentiment that alcohol is a negativity multiplier. I personally really enjoy drinking and do it in a way that doesnt cause me problems at the time. But the knock on effects are huge. The following day becomes a recovery day, instead of a productive day. Instead of doing things to advance my life, I lose a day of productivity AND engage in behaviours that are setting me back. I once heard a saying about discipline .... "if you are not training to get better, you are most likely just getting worse". Even if your experiences with alcohol are positive, overall, its still impeding your existence. Thanks for the video.
From the U.S. I’ve quit drinking on several occasions usually a month at a time. See if I could do it and health benefits. A common phrase from friends is why aren’t you drinking? What is wrong with you? Pretty much a universal social pressure from friends
Thank you for the video! I am watching these types to videos to reinforce my own efforts. I drank hard for over 25 years. I quit two weeks ago. Never going back. If anyone wants a great book to read, "Stop Drinking Now" by Allen Carr. He changes your whole attitude about alcohol. Congrats Zac!
Thanks mate. I will check that book out
Good for you!
Great video 👍 Thanks mate..
Well done mate. The hardest thing I found was helping my friends cope with me being a non drinker. After a while it comes good. Most people at some point quietly think it is quite cool. Also great when you need to go pick up teenage kids from parties at 2am. Also means I can fang about on my Harley any time I want. Cheers Rich in New Zealand
dude its not only Australia that has this drinking habits everytime on a social event... almost every country has.... im Romanian one of the countries in top 10 on alcohol consumption... My oppinion is that people drink because of boredom, and because they have nothing else better to do... in my country people made their own drink at home from fruits... 20/30/40 even 80 degress of alcohol and then drink almost daily... alcohol is a part of us as a society, as a specie.... we have to deal with it , and help those who abuse this substance :D
I definitely think boredom plays a bit part.True for most consumption-based habits - coffee, junk food, drugs.
Spot on, mate
Nice one mate 👍🏼
Brilliant video Zac, i recently posted my 6 months sober video. Funny how we both used the words wierdo. I am delighted to see this has helped people and i hope mine will too.
Poison in a pretty bottle, best thing I ever did was walking away from alcohol went from couple of drinks to completely out of control, forced myself to see sense and stop and I feel great 👍
Spot on😊👍
1 month alcohol free I think, memory is not great. But everyone is happier and even at home . They moved back home!
Very good, relatable, stuff
Thanks mate
One thing that's a great help when you wanna give up drinking is to make sure you replace it with something else to keep you occupied. Gym, books, learn new skills etc etc, if you don't fill the void then you may slip back into the boozy life easily. Best of luck 💪
Exactly right. I am contemplating doing a follow up video on some tips for giving up alcohol (or making any big habit change) and that is one of they main points - fill the void or else you'll slip back to it.
My summary based on my life. Living with alcohol=SHIT without=HAPPY. It's also the only drug that people have to justify to others that they don't want to use.
The way you cracked that beer opened and poured it out, was triggering. But the best part, I thought about the aftermath after returning to use. I feel amazing in my second week of not drinking alcohol. For me, it’s one day at a time
Hit my one month goal today, and I'm not looking back.
Very true!
Alcohol is a negativity multiplier (at 7:22) is very well put.
nailed it
Really hard to stop when the people around you always expect you to drink with them
When you decide you have had enough, you will stop altogether! And what anyone else does won't even affect you. You can't tempt someone with something they don't want.
when i gave up the drink, it was harder on my social life then anything else.
id get looked at like a sick dog, ( whats wrong with you why are you even here!?)
i stopped going partys, i stopped getting invited out. i stopped seeing friends.
i felt more depressed at a point that.. coming off the drink made things worse.. but i stuck through it..
eventually i fell back into the drink. for around 2 years..
now im looking back to come off the drink.
at this point i enjoy the challenge of the discipline,
i felt i was then old enough to handle my drinking and not get out of control.
but the bottles of whisky started to stack and i needed to stop,
i was sober for over 5 years. drinking culture in NZ is so bad, it made me start drinking again.
but. im coming off the booze once again.
i’m 9months inn and i don’t wanna go back.
Drunken sleep offers bad snoring and sleep apnea too.
Yes I forgot to mention I’ve noticed a decrease in elbows from my wife to stop me snoring
Day 14 for me. Please say a prayer. Thanks.
Read a book called ‘alcohol lied to me’ it really helps, good luck
When you stop drinking, every aspect in your life improves, and no aspect of your life gets worse. When you truly realize this, you no longer have a good reason to drink.
What strategies do you use to relax after a crappy day? Or in those moments when having a drink seems like it would make it easier to relax?
This is a big one. I see “Alcohol to relax” as an excuse and it’s actually masking the underlying problems. That is why the habit pervades because once you start masking negative emotions it is easier to just keep masking them.
I prefer to face up, process, and attempt to resolve any issues in my life. It feels harder in short term but has much better long term effects.
As for strategies: you got to find what works for you to helps you process your day. I enjoy being creative at night and if I’ve had a tough day I write a journal outlining the problem and what I can do about it. Exercise and eating well also helps with mood.
Zac Sky Amazing advice.
Because of a 6 step program sober 1.5 years
15 months sober 🤞
I'm the same age as you. Have given up for this year to see what the hell it will do..the only side effects so far are better mornings and better money inflow.
Pretty good side effects imo
A few views over the last week. You all have a big thanksgiving or something?
Nah, we're just doing dry January. ;)
No thanksgiving here in Blighty.
I gave up Alcohol on Ritalin
Thoughts about NA beer?
Athletic Brewing is amazing
Only if NA stands for “Na mate”
Zac Sky
Haha
Non Alcoholic dedicated craft breweries are popping up!
I still want to be able to have a beer without all the side effects
Well-Being Brewery is good too
Personally, na beer has helped me a lot. I drink a couple when I'm really in the mood for a beer, such as camping when everyone else is drinking. For some people it triggers them but deters me, has been for a long enough while for me to know it works. The funny thing is I only drink one or 2, not 10 of the real ones I would otherwise.
lisa poole
yeah I avoided it for awhile and now space them in between seltzer water.
NA beers just taste like “beer” to me now and its fun to have here and there. Glad it works for you!
What about the feeling that you need to eating sweets after gave up alcohol, thanks
This is one of the things I talk about in the follow up video that came out this week: (ruclips.net/video/yrs90hypBts/видео.html)
When you remove any habit it leaves a void and you need to fill it. If you dont put something healthy in you may find you just end up replacing it with something like eating junk food.
I’ve been super tired during the day since quitting. Normal?
Some negatives definitely stacking up, 😢
Kebabs are delicious at any time
New video on alcohol coming soon!
I can't explain it, I really only have about 3-4 drinks max when I do drink and don't experience hangovers in the typical sense but alcohol drastically affects my sleep... And this past week I decided that's that, I'm off the sauce for a month and let's see how I feel. Now all these videos are popping up. Is my phone listening to me? 🤔
More likely it is just a combination of the youtube algorithm and your Reticular Activating System kicking in. Good luck with your month off
Yeah but nah... your alcohol problem was pretty tame compared to most I would say.. but good on you for stopping anyway.
“pretty tame compared to most” joins the list of possible titles for my biography
@J G just a fact.....on the spectrum.....his case is mild
1. Didn't say he hasn't got a problem.
2. I encouraged him to continue.
6 pack bud lite everyday and 6 pack rebel ipa...i didnt plan on quitting but i had a serious problem one nite...i had the usual 6 pack rebel ipa and the 1st beer tasted weird but i drank it anyways..played few rounds call duty and got my next ipa...same odd taste...then 3rd beer and the same taste...so i poured the 4th in a glass and examined it...it looked alot like milk...i figured oh well drank it anyways...then i realized somehow i was super drunk...got to the 5th beer and drank half of it when i stood up to pee i was super fuked up bad...i couldnt believe how drunk i was...but the room wasnt spinning...then it hit me...i puked all in my floor and passed out..i woke up with food poisoning for the entire day just shittin alot...never again never again..i cant even stand the thought of drinking...lost nearly 20 pounds tho which was excellent
Wait...so was the beer off?
@@zacsky yep it had to have alot of hot cold hot cold to go rancid...id say the bacteria made it have increased alcohol cause man it fuuuuuukd me up bad...somehow it spoiled under the sealed cap...each 1 i opened made the usual pssshht sound as the carbonation escaped...but man rebel ipa soured will seriously fuk ur stomach up
Brad Silvers mate that sounds so bad. My stomach feels a little clenched thinking about it so I can only imagine how you feel. Nothing like a horrible experience like that to put you off drinking for a while.
Video starts at 4:40
Savage
3weeks no alcohol... I keep on going on.
it is the worst STAY AWAY GOOD FOR YOU
Watch the update video: 12 months without alcohol ruclips.net/video/yrs90hypBts/видео.html
Hey Zac, are you still sober?
I tried a drink again recently but found no excitement from it. Happily not drinking again.
Are you me?..this video really resonated with me , especially the being a dickhead when drunk..thank you for sharing
I’m not you and you’re probably not me...but we can both be dickheads together
@@zacsky sober dickheads > drunk dickheads
You look like Dr. House
I'll take that as a compliment
1. Please be aware if you are a prolonged and heavy drinker and if you feel you have a major alcohol problem. You may need help from your doctor medically - assisted detox because withdrawal can kill you . Do your research. My husband died at 41 due to being an alcoholic. If you do feel you have a major alcohol problem, withdrawal can lead to delirium tremens, confusion, severe shaking, hallucinations and high blood pressure. So please see your doctor for help.
2.If you feel you are just a heavy drinker I'm sure stopping drinking will be easier with out medication from your doctor.
3.Please don't be frightened of talking to someone doctor or a family member or friend that will help you.
4.Most alcoholics lie about the amount they are drinking.
im 27 days now but I know I was a dickhead lol I need to never drink again.
I need to give up
you could have given the beer to someone you don't like?
Haha it was a cheap beer to start with and it was past expiry by 2 years. Wouldn’t have given that to my worst enemy
weirdo! lol, just kidding. very similar, negatives far outweigh any positives now that I am 42. mood way better, more energy etc.
And destory my English level