About once a year I give up drinking for a month or so. The first time I did it was because my friends and I were getting drunk nearly every night and I just felt like taking a break, instead of slowing down I figured I should probably just stop. The next time was a bet with my roommate. This time I just felt like breaking the monotony. But every time there has been an underlying “just to make sure I can” aspect of it. When someone’s addicted to something you always hear the stereotypical “I can stop whenever I want, I just don’t want to.” So sometimes I just like to make sure I actually can stop whenever I want. Anyway I made it a month and it’s actually been pretty awesome. I celebrated the end of the month by ordering a case of Yuengling Lager and have enjoyed it.
Something was different about this month off though, this time I actually enjoyed being sober. I saved a little money (I spent it, but at least I didn’t spend it on booze), I was never hungover on a saturday or sunday morning, I didn’t get depressed at all, I met some new people playing in some poker home games around LA, I never worried about getting a ride home from a party, and I spent less time in bars. I think i’m going to concentrate on being one of those occasional drinkers rather than a regular. I feel like I’m growing up or something. Gross.