Trying to cut down drinking

Ekancone

Hi, i wont get into the issues with the ol'booze i have, im just looking for suggestions that people may have in pursuing an alternative/drink-free lifestyle, one that still means i can still get to meet people. Any suggestions/experiences welcome.

jester77

What are you into? Loads of alternatives.
Acting - join a drama group.
Sport - join a team, lots of them are crying out for people and it doesn't matter how fit you are.
Photography, trainspotting, gardening, poker, etc..

Personally I've no problems going to a pub with friends and having soft drinks. Any chance of that? Failing that, jester has good suggestions.
And there's always cinema, theatre, hanging out at a cafe, bowling etc, if you want

PeakOutput

Why not keep going to pubs / clubs / parties.....but.....drink non alcoholic beers / soft drinks / water(thats what i drink) / red bull

Ekancone

jester77 wrote:

What are you into? Loads of alternatives.
Acting - join a drama group.
Sport - join a team, lots of them are crying out for people and it doesn't matter how fit you are.
Photography, trainspotting, gardening, poker, etc..

:rolleyes:


Im into anything really, im quite fit and i play music but i am looking for things that dont have to end in the pub when it finishes. But the drama group sounds good thanks.

Ekancone

bluewolf wrote:

Personally I've no problems going to a pub with friends and having soft drinks. Any chance of that? Failing that, jester has good suggestions.
And there's always cinema, theatre, hanging out at a cafe, bowling etc, if you want

Yeah i just find it quite boring to be honest, i think pubs are the most dull places so i just get hammered and grab some young one. But im sick of it and im sick of the type of girls i meet in pubs so im just picking the boards collective brains for ideas!

daithifleming

daithifleming wrote:

Yeah i just find it quite boring to be honest, i think pubs are the most dull places so i just get hammered and grab some young one. But im sick of it and im sick of the type of girls i meet in pubs so im just picking the boards collective brains for ideas!

So when you said "meet people" you actually meant meet girls?

Pubs would be dull if you're on your own or with friends you can't talk to because of the noise
if you're wanting to chat somewhere with friends, find a different pub
if you want to pull... I duno.

Ekancone

bluewolf wrote:

So when you said "meet people" you actually meant meet girls?

Pubs would be dull if you're on your own or with friends you can't talk to because of the noise
if you're wanting to chat somewhere with friends, find a different pub
if you want to pull... I duno.

Not exclusively, i have been thinking that most of my friends are total boozehounds and i would like to create a network of people whose social lives dont revolve around a pub and yes, to meet potential girlfriends whose lives who dont revolve around the pub.

Talliesin

Go for a meal rather than for a drink.

While that can still involve alcohol for those who want a drink, the alcohol may not seem as much of a focus.

big b

Why not try to get into something you can't do when drinking?

Swimming (or any sport), DIY, driving......something that'll make you feel good about yourself without the temptation or opportunity to get bladdered.

PeakOutput

big b wrote:

Why not try to get into something you can't do when drinking?

Swimming (or any sport), DIY, driving.

taking the car into town tends to be what i do.......the lads get a lift in and out and they either pay for the parking/entry to the club/ or a drink or two for me as they are saving on a taxi/nightlink

biko

Get a PSV licence - work evenings and meet people.

muppetkiller

Go hiking the talent on the mountains is unreal ...seriously !!!
lots of hot tourists too

Ekancone

muppetkiller wrote:

Go hiking the talent on the mountains is unreal ...seriously !!!
lots of hot tourists too

thats a great idea! Thanks!

LegacyUser

Hey!
I cut down on drinking because I hadn't the time (sad as it sounds but I was working 2 jobs), and even though I like a drink now and again, the desire to have loads of drink has completely left me.

That said, I still like to go to town to be sociable.
Sorry if this is useless to you because it's Dublin-based, but two places I like to go with friends are the Market Bar or the Italian quarter, because you can eat and have a glass of wine if you want it. The focus (for me anyway) doesn't feel like it's on getting bladdered.

It's the biggest cliche, but joining a sports club or taking back up an old hobby is a good idea to be sociable and get you out of the house.

Loads of people I know are getting into sports they would never have done before (we're all in mid to late twenties) like running, surfing and triathlons, and I think it's come out a desire to do something other than get wasted all the time. I never thought I'd run, but I'm doing it too (God help my joints!).

I'd say trying everything until you find things you like. It is a bit awkward if your mates aren't into those things cos you end of a bit of a billy-no-mates, but you'll find you meet people who'll go with you eventually!

L

_blank_

I've been off the drink these past two weeks, and I don't miss it one bit.

I just decided on the Bank Holiday weekend that I'd stop drinking for a while, so I did, and now I'm thinking of staying off it completely.

I was in the pub with my friends that Sunday afternoon, then went to a 21st. I was still able to crack the jokes and be a part of all the general goings on as usual, only difference was that I wasn't getting drunk.

Then I was at the Boards Beers the following Saturday, that was a stern test alright, but I got through it.

I was at a big gig this past Saturday, and I'm actually glad I wasn't drinking, because my two mates who were spent half the day queuing for booze, I was just able to soak up the atmosphere.

The yesterday I was in the pub from early watching the football again, granted it got a bit messy with lads drinking from one in the day until closing, but meh, I can get over the drunkenness of others.

All in all, giving up drink for a while isn't so bad, I'm sure there are some health benefits too, which is all the better.

Actually, does anyone know what the short term effects of cutting alcohol/beer completely out are? Weight-loss is sure to be one of the things, what else?

This might help, des?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_consumption_and_health