I have had a very similar experience. A short break went longer and longer. At this point I had maybe 3 beers and a few sips of wine in 2.5 years. In the first year I had a few non-alcoholic beers and felt that “social anxiety dissolving away” as if it were real alcohol. I realized much of the benefit was psychological, if anything being drunk works against it. Also, overall I feel sharper. This can come with additional, not necessarily pleasant but useful self-reflection. I don’t think I’ll ever drink again, although I’m not totally against some other future psychoactive alternative.
I have had a very similar experience. A short break went longer and longer. At this point I had maybe 3 beers and a few sips of wine in 2.5 years.
In the first year I had a few non-alcoholic beers and felt that “social anxiety dissolving away” as if it were real alcohol. I realized much of the benefit was psychological, if anything being drunk works against it. Also, overall I feel sharper. This can come with additional, not necessarily pleasant but useful self-reflection.
I don’t think I’ll ever drink again, although I’m not totally against some other future psychoactive alternative.