Ten years without alcohol

The last drop of alcohol I drank was 10 years ago today. 

I’m incredibly thankful for the past decade without booze.

My liver can’t thank me, but it should. A simple thank you card would suffice.

It is so nice to wake up in the morning without a pounding headache. And now the only time I vomit is because of the flu, food poisoning or roller coasters. I have a fantastic roller coaster story if anyone wants to hear it.

I’m nicer, more present, truer to my values, and less of an idiot. There are plenty of people that will be glad to hear this. And for that, I am sorry.

My memory is better. I think.

Professionally, I’ve reached heights I could never imagine. I’ve had plenty of supporters and mentors in my corner throughout my career, but I also take note of a strong coincidence. This is one of those. 

There are a ton of calories in alcohol and chicken fingers always sound good after a few drinks. I would be a total slob now. Bigger, greasier, smellier and more like a middle-aged Jabba the Hut. 

10 years = 520 weeks. Let’s say I spent around $200 a week on booze – going out to dinner, stopping at a liquor store, bringing a 6-pack to a BBQ, an airport drink, and so on. 520 x $200 = $104,000. I’m clearly in a better financial position. And if I’m being totally honest, I spent a lot more than $200 a week.

I also travel frequently for work. In the past 10 years, my expense reports for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, ExactTarget, Salesforce, Return Path and Conga have all been without me expensing alcohol intake. That’s definitely going on my TPS report. Although I have developed a decent sweet tooth.

My anxiety and ability to use positive thinking has improved dramatically.

No jail, no DUIs, and no hospital stays…‘nuff said.

Based on internet research, my heart is healthier.

Not everyone’s story is like this. I have been very fortunate. 

I have had friends, family members and colleagues that have stood by and supported me through all of this. I could not have done this without them. Thank you.

As time passed, alcohol just didn’t sound good. I’ve never been close to drinking again. There are times when a beer or a bourbon or some Cuban rum sounds good, but that’s as far as it ever goes. This has little to do with strength or focus, I just got lucky in this area. But it’s something I never take for granted…because it could change at any moment.

I’m proud of this milestone and I wrote this as a nod to that. However, I’m writing this because if it connects with one person that struggles with alcohol or has been thinking of stopping or just wants to talk, then that would be swell.

I am here for anyone.  And thank you to everyone that has helped me.