Alcohol - How to Say No?

LegacyUser

Hi,
I tend to go out boozing most weekends with my mates (I am 30 & single) I always go full on and I could easily spend €300 on a week end. Currently I tend to go out every 2nd weekend but Given my current position re mortgages, car etc I just cannot afford to do this anymoreand am living month to month with my account going into €400 in overdraft by the time I get my monthly pay. This year I have vowed several times to stay off the booze for a couple of months to get myself straight and get fit agian etc but after 2-3 weeks off it I end up going out again. Something always crops up, friends going out etc and I find it hard to resist. If I suggest that I will go out but not drink people seem to lose intereste in going out. I'm certainly not physically addicted to alcohol but am easily tempted to go to the pub which always involve drink, town,cabs, food and I spend a fortune and feel like crap for days. I really need to stay off the booze for 6-8 weeks to get back on track financially & fitness wise. But I keep giving in to temptation when someone suggests going out. Does anyone have any suggestions for me to stay off the booze? I am in the gym and play the guitar but these are a distraction from booze come Sat nights.

Jimmy Bottlehead

Lost Weekends wrote: »

Hi,
I tend to go out boozing most weekends with my mates (I am 30 & single) I always go full on and I could easily spend €300 on a week end. Currently I tend to go out every 2nd weekend but Given my current position re mortgages, car etc I just cannot afford to do this anymore and am living month to month with my account going into €400 in overdraft by the time I get my monthly pay. This year I have vowed several times to stay off the booze for a couple of months to get myself straight and get fit agian etc but after 2-3 weeks off it I end up going out again. Something always crops up, friends going out etc and I find it hard to resist. If I suggest that I will go out but not drink people seem to lose intereste in going out. I'm certainly not physically addicted to alcohol but am easily tempted to go to the pub which always involve drink, town,cabs, food and I spend a fortune and feel like crap for days. I really need to stay off the booze for 6-8 weeks to get back on track financially & fitness wise. But I keep giving in to temptation when someone suggests going out. Does anyone have any suggestions for me to stay off the booze? I am in the gym and play the guitar but these are a distraction from booze come Sat nights.

One question - from reading the above, why the hell would you drink in the first place? If its not doing you any good (and its clearly not) then why do it? You might as well chew doorknobs, as its cheaper and does you as little good as alcohol.

Just give it up. If your friends don't wanna go out with you if you're not drinking, then it means one of two things:

1) They're not really proper friends

2) You might have social shortcomings if you can't be fun without drink.

Just bite the bullet and chuck it. Bit sad when someone seems to REQUIRE a bloody liquid to have a good time or a normal life.

TemTemz

It sounds more like you need to be more disciplined.

I was in a similar position. Ended up not going out for half the year. Sure you get tempted, who doesn't want to have a good night out with friends but is it all worth it in the end?

If you're finding it hard to resist, maybe talk to a friend to help you out in persuading you to not go out, or make different plans, invite them over. It's always cheaper to have a night in with your own drinks than going out into town and having to get back home (although this really isn't the best solution).

Das Kitty

It's yourself you need to say no to, not your friends.

star-pants

Not drinking doesn't stop you going out to pubs/clubs etc or socialising. I've never been a big drinker, never bothered me if others were drinking or not. Been on meds the past year so I can't even have one, but again, that doesn't bother me. I still get out and have fun with my friends etc.

If your friends aren't understanding of you not drinking - that's a bit crap of them tbh. Why not start off with Lent (just for a time limiting challenge) - anyone asks, you're off it for lent. And after that you can continue not drinking or go back slowly. You need to have a strong will to be able to go to the pub and order a non alcoholic drink if you're finding it hard. Or have friends over for a games evening (whatever consoles ye have) or things like that if you don't want to be in the pub atmosphere.

boredatwork82

I am not a non-drinker but I regularly go and don't drink.
If you say you will not drink people will hassle you to drink. I find it is so much easier to make an excuse, "I am pretty tired I'll have a pint in a while" and never actually have one. After they have had 4-5 pints they won't even notice that your not drinking, also buy a becks non-alcoholic, pour it into a pint glass, and nurse it. Your mates will automatically assume its real beer.
The more you fight it, the more they will try to persuade you. But if you say I'll have a pint in a while etc they'll just lay off and forget about.

bullpost

Organise a game of five a side or similar for Sunday Morning. Since starting to play myself on Saturday I now rarely drink on Friday nights so I can enjoy the game on Saturday.

wicklori

Might sound really simple but if it were me I'd give up the drink for Lent! You don't have to be religious or Catholic to do it but it's pretty socially acceptable thing to say!

Miss Fluff

Agreed. Go off it for Lent which started yesterday, that's 40 days it's giving yourself a specific period of time to stick to. If your friends don't respect that then they are A-holes.

LegacyUser

Das Kitty wrote: »

It's yourself you need to say no to, not your friends.

I agree, Im not trrying to blame anyone but me. I will lent a try as suggested