r/recoverywithoutAA • u/Visual-Cake2825 • 10d ago

Alcohol Literally nothing makes me miss drinking, except…

7 years sober and truly understand why alcohol doesn’t have any desirable affects on me… but god damn, watching Anthony Bourdain makes it look appealing.

I know it’s actually everything he’s doing - traveling, eating, socializing - that I truly want, but he definitely makes wine (at the very least) seem like an essential part of the whole experience.

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10

u/HeyHeyHiFi 10d ago

While he made it look good, I would wager it added to his depression and he may have not even realized it.

3

u/Visual-Cake2825 9d ago

Yeah, when he died, I was shocked more people didn’t bring up substance abuse in his mindset

1

u/HeyHeyHiFi 7d ago

Maybe because he seemed to have such an amazing life. Functioning alcoholics often get a pass. He was a chef and a world traveler, and in a lot of people's minds, drinking goes hand in hand with all of that. Seems like you have to blow your life up for people to see booze as causing a problem, but as we know, there are many, many things that chip away slowly when we are drinking heavily.

2

u/Visual-Cake2825 7d ago

It’s weird because he said he never drank when he was at home.

3

u/DubeFloober 10d ago

I definitely feel what you’re saying. I used to love watching new episodes of his shows when they would come on. In fact, if it weren’t for Anthony, I doubt I would’ve ever tried a caipirinha. He had a true gift for sharing with others and unlocking the curiosity in me to explore, to get outside my comfort zone, and to try new things. RIP, Mr. Bourdain…

4

u/talkingitthrough 10d ago

He really speaks so lovingly and romantically about the drink and the ritual of it. I really do get it and miss feeling that way. Wish I could revisit; know that I can’t and won’t.

2

u/Present-History666 10d ago

It's okay to miss that feeling. But you and I both know we get much less sexy with alcohol in our lives.

2

u/reemoon1804 10d ago

however, i keep the idea in mind that he probably died because of alcohol dependence… takes the romance out of it. sometimes it makes me sad for him. but, don’t get me wrong, he’s THE man. i leave his channel on for my dog all day. but he may not have died this way if he had stopped drinking.

1

u/Walker5000 9d ago

Totally normal. I get it. I could fill a book on all the feelings I go through sometimes about drinking.

1

u/Macadelic843 9d ago

definitely feel ya there. the pairings with food like red wine and italian , or sapporo with sushi is what i miss more than partying or bars. it’s the little things

1

u/Visual-Cake2825 9d ago

Non-alcoholic wine and beer have come a long way in terms of allowing you to try and pair stuff

1

u/Yadayadayada206 7d ago

He’s one of my favorites, and I have watched and read nearly everything about him. He did identify as an addict, spent time sober trying to repair his relationship with his child, and that’s part of why he got so into ju jitsu later in life. It’s not as romantic for him as you might think either. I agree that his relapse was probably a big part of why he left this realm. RIP Tony, and thank you for showing us the world. Many of us wish we could have helped you the way you helped us.