Bill Burr - My Journey Of Quitting Alcohol

Bill Burr University

9 Aug 202404:10

Summary

TLDRThe speaker reminisces about their past drinking habits, influenced by classic TV shows and the allure of high-quality liquor. They describe their preferred way of drinking, with a focus on the experience rather than the quantity. The turning point comes when the speaker's wife confronts them about their nightly drinking, leading to a decision to quit. The speaker successfully abstains for over a year, motivated by not wanting their children to see them drunk and by the realization of their behavior during a late-night attempt to sneak a drink. The narrative reflects on the complexities of alcohol consumption and the personal journey towards sobriety.

Takeaways

🍹 The speaker quit drinking around the time they could afford high-end alcohol, like a luxurious bottle of tequila.
📺 They used to enjoy watching old TV series where characters frequently drank, which influenced their drinking habits.
🥃 The speaker reminisces about their preferred way of drinking, which involved a lot of ice and a specific pour-over technique.
🤷‍♂️ They criticize modern bar practices, like using an eye dropper for drinks, and long for the old-fashioned way of serving drinks.
🏠 The speaker describes their home drinking ritual, which they called a 'home po', involving large cubes of ice and a specific ratio of alcohol to ice.
👩‍❤️‍👨 The speaker's wife expressed concern about their nightly drinking and prompted them to consider quitting.
🚫 The speaker decided to quit drinking after realizing the impact it had on their nightly routine and their wife's feelings.
🗓️ They initially attempted to quit for 50 days, then extended it to a year, and eventually stopped completely.
👨‍👧‍👦 The speaker didn't want their children to see them drunk, which was a significant factor in their decision to quit.
🧓 The speaker reflects on their own childhood, noting that their parents didn't drink, and how they perceived other adults who did.
🍻 They acknowledge that being a 'nice drunk' doesn't make it okay to drink around children, drawing a line between being fun and being responsible.

Q & A

Why did the speaker decide to stop drinking?
-The speaker decided to stop drinking after realizing they were consuming alcohol excessively every night, which was affecting their life and their relationship with their wife.
What was the speaker's drinking habit before quitting?
-The speaker used to enjoy a drink with big cubes of ice, pouring it over the ice until it reached a certain level, which they referred to as a 'home po'.
What television shows did the speaker mention watching that involved drinking?
-The speaker mentioned watching 'Peter Gunn', '77 Sunset Strip', 'The Untouchables', and 'Peaky Blinders', where characters were often seen drinking.
What was the speaker's perception of whiskey bars and their serving style?
-The speaker disliked the pretentious serving style of whiskey bars, where drinks were served with an eye dropper and the staff dressed in an overly rustic manner.
What was the turning point for the speaker that led to their decision to quit drinking?
-The turning point was when the speaker's wife pointed out their nightly drinking habit and snoring, prompting them to reflect on their behavior and decide to quit.
How long did the speaker initially plan to quit drinking for?
-Initially, the speaker planned to quit drinking for 50 days, but eventually extended it to a full year and then continued beyond that.
What was the speaker's strategy to quit drinking after the initial 50 days?
-The speaker decided to extend their no-drinking period through the holidays and then committed to a full calendar year, eventually continuing for over a year and a half.
Why did the speaker not want their children to see them drunk?
-The speaker did not want to set a bad example for their children and wanted to avoid the negative behaviors associated with drunkenness that they had witnessed in others.
What was the speaker's opinion on the idea of being a 'nice drunk' around children?
-The speaker disagreed with the idea of being a 'nice drunk', stating that even if someone is pleasant while drunk, it is not an acceptable behavior, especially around children.
What personal experience from the speaker's past influenced their decision to quit drinking?
-The speaker's decision was influenced by their own childhood experiences, where they saw friends' parents being drunk and the negative impact it had on their perception of those families.
How did the speaker's wife react to their drinking habit?
-The speaker's wife was concerned about their nightly drinking and confronted them about it, which was a catalyst for the speaker to reconsider and eventually quit drinking.

Outlines

00:00

🥃 Reflections on Quitting Drinking

The speaker reminisces about their past drinking habits, including the allure of high-end tequila and the ritual of enjoying a drink with large ice cubes. They describe their decision to quit drinking after realizing the negative impact it had on their life, such as snoring and the potential for their children to see them drunk. The narrative includes references to old TV shows that often depicted drinking, which influenced their earlier habits, and a humorous anecdote about trying to sneak a drink without waking their wife. The speaker's commitment to sobriety is highlighted by their successful attempt to abstain for over a year and a half, motivated by a desire to set a better example for their children.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Drinking

Drinking in this context refers to the consumption of alcoholic beverages. It is central to the video's theme as the speaker discusses his personal experiences with alcohol and his decision to quit. The speaker mentions getting 'hammered' and describes his routine of drinking at home, which illustrates his past relationship with alcohol.

💡Tequila

Tequila is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from the blue agave plant, primarily in the area surrounding the city of Tequila, Mexico. In the script, the speaker talks about a particularly high-quality and expensive bottle of tequila that he never got to try due to quitting drinking, symbolizing a missed experience due to his decision.

💡Quitting

Quitting, in this context, means to stop an activity or habit, specifically the habit of drinking alcohol. The speaker's journey of quitting is a significant part of the narrative, as he reflects on his reasons for stopping and the impact it had on his life, mentioning a period of 50 days off that eventually turned into a complete cessation.

💡Old School

The term 'old school' is used to describe traditional or outdated methods or styles. The speaker uses this term to describe his method of drinking, which involved a recliner, big cubes of ice, and a specific way of pouring alcohol over the ice. This concept is tied to the theme of nostalgia and personal habits.

💡Home Po

Home Po appears to be a personal term or nickname used by the speaker to describe his preferred way of making a drink at home. It signifies a sense of personal touch and comfort in the way he used to enjoy his drinks, which contrasts with his eventual decision to quit drinking.

💡Hipster

Hipster, in this context, refers to individuals who follow the latest trends, often associated with a certain style or subculture. The speaker uses the term to criticize a type of bar and serving style he finds pretentious, highlighting his preference for traditional and straightforward ways of drinking.

💡Whiskey Bars

Whiskey Bars are establishments that specialize in serving whiskey and often have a wide selection of this distilled alcoholic beverage. The speaker mentions them to contrast his own drinking habits with what he perceives as overly elaborate and unnecessary practices in such venues.

💡Peaky Blinders

Peaky Blinders is a British television series set in the aftermath of World War I. The speaker mentions it as an example of a show where characters frequently drink, implying that watching such shows might tempt one to drink, and it relates to his personal struggle with alcohol.

💡Nerds

Nerds, in this context, is a colloquial term used to describe people who are considered uncool or overly studious. The speaker reflects on his childhood perception of his parents who didn't drink, using the term to contrast his later understanding of the value of moderation and the negative aspects of excessive drinking.

💡Birthday

Birthday is mentioned in the script as a milestone that the speaker used to mark his continued abstinence from alcohol. It signifies a personal achievement and a commitment to his decision to quit drinking, which is a key element of the video's narrative.

💡Irish Grandma

The speaker mentions his Irish grandma as an example of a family member who would become affectionate when drunk. This anecdote serves to illustrate the speaker's family history with alcohol and provides a cultural context for his own relationship with drinking.

Highlights

The speaker decided to quit drinking due to excessive consumption.

They reminisce about the allure of high-quality tequila and its impressive presentation.

Old TV shows like Peter Gunn, 77 Sunset Strip, and The Untouchables influenced the speaker's drinking habits.

The speaker's preferred method of drinking involved big cubes of ice and a significant pour of liquor.

They criticize modern hipster whiskey bars for their minimalist serving style.

The speaker humorously describes their 'home po', a large drink they used to make at home.

A turning point in the speaker's decision to quit drinking was a conversation with their wife about their nightly habits.

The speaker's wife noticed a pattern of drinking that prompted them to reconsider their habits.

The speaker decided to take a 50-day break from drinking as a challenge.

They successfully extended their break to a full year without drinking.

The speaker reflects on the difficulty of quitting drinking and the desire to avoid relapse.

They express a desire for their children to never see them drunk as a way to set a good example.

The speaker recalls their childhood and the influence of seeing other parents drink.

They discuss the complexities of being a 'nice drunk' and the potential dangers of drinking around children.

The speaker shares a humorous anecdote about their Irish grandmother's affectionate behavior when drinking.

The conversation concludes with the speaker's appreciation for whiskey and the decision to quit drinking for the sake of their family.