As someone with type 1 diabetes, I’ve always heard an extra warning about alcohol: you shouldn’t drink because you have diabetes.
And of course, there are very real health risks involved. I’m not questioning that.
But I’m starting to think about the psychological side of hearing “you can’t” because of a medical condition.
For me, that never really worked as protection. Sometimes it did the opposite. It triggered something in me: What do you mean I can’t? Watch me.
And maybe we need to stop romanticizing the idea that a medical condition should automatically be someone’s reason not to drink.
Because yes, you can drink while living with diabetes, hypertension, or another medical condition. People do. The diagnosis doesn’t magically remove alcohol from your life or make the decision for you.
But you’re also still a whole person. You can be diabetic and sad. Diabetic and euphoric. Diabetic and celebrating. Diabetic and having a terrible day. You can want a reward, want to escape, want to belong, or simply want another glass.
I’m realizing that if I decide not to drink, I don’t want my reason to be “because I’m diabetic and I’m not allowed to.”
I want to understand what alcohol does in my life, what makes me reach for it, and ultimately make the decision for myself.
Maybe there’s a big difference between “I can’t drink” and “I choose not to drink.”
Your post hit me hard @Anamsolas because I lost my diabetic brother in law to alcoholism. His doctors told him to quit drinking or he would die. And that is what happened. Alcohol is poison and provides NO health benefits whatsoever to anyone, health issues or not.
Having said all of that, you are correct: you have to choose to quit drinking for yourself, not because it is forbidden. We can’t quit for anyone but ourselves and then the rest falls in line. 868 days ago I quit drinking. I am old enough to have regrets in my life, but becoming alcohol FREE isn’t one of them.
I think that’s not a health question, it’s how your perception of paternalistic orders resp. simplified communication is.
It is the same content if you say
Your health issue is ABC. There are behaviours and foods/drinks that are high risk, will worsen the issue and contribute to earlier death and decreased quality of life. Those are the things we strongly recommend to avoid: item 1-327. This are the things known to help and support your condition. We highly recommend to do xyz.
You have ABC. You are not allowed to do item 1 - 327.
People are allowed and can do everything that’s not illegal. They can do a lot more of course.
How that impacts themselfs, others, the health system, society in general is another level of question. a very broad one.
So when you are told to avoid something by people who know a fucking lot what they are talking about (range from parents to all really good professionals), it’s a question of ego to find out if this is advice that you will follow/not follow due to reasons that you can accept and agree / not accept and/or disagree or if you let your ego drive you towards the wall screaming “You not talking to me like I take orders from you bitch/mufaka, nobody telling me what to do! I know best myself!”.
(Almost) All drinking women quit drinking when they get pregnant. Almost none stay sober once they are done with breastfeeding.
Remove the maybe from that sentence and you are there. I choose to quit drinking (and all other drugs) because I wanted to try and live a life worth living after 40 years of just fucking around. And instead of dying from addiction. Turned out to be a pretty good choice. Wishing you all success friend.
Congratulations on starting your journey and digging into what addiction and recovery mean to you.
I am 100% with you: We need to quit because we want a sober life. We alone are responsible, no medical condition, no doctor. We do have to do it ourselves, but we don’t have to do it alone. I am grateful you joined us!
You started 3 threads recently. You could consider to use just one of them like an open diary. There might be more interaction then with other members.
You might learn some of the answers you’re seeking from podcasts like the SoberPowered podcast, which deals with the science of alcohol and AUD. Alcohol is bad even for ppl with no known medical conditions. Huberman lab also did a big podcast episode on alcohol. At least while listening to sober pods, we may be occupied enough to not pickup that first drink! Best to you on your sober discovery!
I stopped drinking because I got to a point where I was miserable and wanted to stop drinking. Then I needed a lot of help staying stopped and had to work really hard on a new life of recovery. My self care and diet wasn’t great while drinking and I developed pre diabetes during my drinking career. That wasn’t why I stopped though.
I stopped for 8 months after a psychiatric episode and subsequent medication requirements. Once I got used to the meds I thought - I can just introduce alcohol now and learn how to moderate. I am not going to be told I can never drink again.
I learned that moderation lesson soon enough and found myself having multiple really destructive, unpleasant, and dangerous experiences.
I had another 28 day hiatus, then drank on a vacation and didn’t really fully enjoy it.
So I’m back again at Day 40 with the mentality of I don’t drink because actually it’s not very enjoyable. The first glass maybe - but it’s only downhill from there.
@Anamsolas - your post made me think. In “The Doctor’s Opinion”, Dr. Silkworth describes alcoholism as a disease. We are allergic to alcohol. Based on that opinion, I am actually stronger. I can’t drink! I can’t have one drink. I have a disease. It’s freeing and provides me the clarity to focus on triggers and healthy behaviors. Alcoholism is a disease, just like Diabetes.
