Giving up alcohol

LegacyUser

I've decided to give up alcohol, it doesn't happen to often(3-4 times a year) but when I get drunk I don't like the person I become and it's something I've decided to do.

I wouldn't be the type of person who gets drunk every week or anything, I'd prob have a few glasses of wine on a Fri night which I don't think I'll miss. The social settings do worry me a little though and I'm wondering how hard it might actually be.

I suppose I am just looking for advice or just to hear from people who have done it. I'd really appreciate any help.

wackojacko

Off it since christmas. Similar situation, not myself when im drunk.
No hangovers, more time as in not in bed all day recovering. More money. Fitter. No embarressing memories from night before. More respect from people for staying off drink.

Cons
Social events can be tough. But as was pointed out to me it doesn,t take 3 drinks to be comfortable at an event just the time it takes to have 3 drinks.
Havent scored since off drink. Dutch courage is the only thing i miss.

liverpool100

A lot of it is about willpower, take one day at a time. I gave up drinking over a peiod of time, drink less till i stopped altogether. I have to say i do miss it but the hangovers were deadly and also i be afraid to get caught drink driving a day or two later after drinking, with amount of alachol taken drink could be in my body for a while.

Next month i will be dry six years

LegacyUser

OP Here, Thanks for those replies.

TBH I am feeling really good about deciding to do this. Was a bit of a late one Sat and I'm still not right so glad I won't have to deal with this anymore. I don't even really like the taste of drink but I can be quite shy and I've always used it as a way to relax in social situations... sometimes even to forget my worries. Being honest the poster who said he hadn't scored... I'd be the same and it was kinda dutch courage to me in those situations too. In a LTR the past year though so hopefully I won't have to worry about that.

Day 2 and looking forward to changing my life.

brokensoul

839 days sober, one day at a time.

My life has changed beyond all recognition since i stopped drinking. I have more confidence, i passed my driving test, i started a new college course, im getting married, my relationship with my family has gotten so much better, i dont hate myself anymore.

Best of luck with it OP.

Exile 1798

Why can't you just drink in moderation?

force majeure

The most important thing is to keep you head firmly on your shoulders.
Some where along the line you well feel like its too much bother staying on the straight and narrow and its then you well find out how much you want to keep things right rather than falling back in to the trap.
Best off luck

LegacyUser

well I do usually drink moderately, however there are times when I have a few too many but not very often. But I've just started thinking why even do it moderately? I don't particularly like it, I think Baileys or the odd Irish coffee are they only ones I actually like the taste of. And even if I only had a glass or two of wine I'd still wake up with a headache next day so I'm done with it. Loads of reasons why I shouldn't and can't think of one why I should.

blodvyn

Off it now about 5 weeks, used to head out like 2-3 times a week, didn't like the next day jitters, or the embarrassing memories of the night before.

Feel 100% better in the last 2-3 weeks than I've felt in the last 2 years, back running/gyming just my whole inside and outside feel like a new person. Hopefully going to stay off it for as long as I can. Social events can be a tad hard but I think its just in your head because its new and you've always drank whilst doing it.

Mind you I do miss the dutch courage

Caliden

I have no problem being off the drink on a night out and do enjoy driving friends home as it's all a bit of fun.

The only tough part is not having something to drink so normally try have miwadi orange in a pint glass (some pubs charge for the dash so its about 60 cents)
Once I've something to drink it's alot easier fit in and you don't feel left out at all.
If you go out dancing it can be weird but its very managable.

Best of luck!

LegacyUser

Thank you very much for the replies.

Was a bit disappointed with my boyfriends reaction. He reckons it won't last and I'll want to have a glass of wine with dinner or something some night and I'll give in. He thinks there is no need for me to give up and I should just watch what I drink when I do.

I kinda thought he'd get it as he isn't big into drinking and doesn't really get the whole culture of drinking to get drunk.

Still, I'm on Day 4 now and feel like I want to do it even more just to prove it to myself and my boyfriend that I can.

Neyite

Well done for your decision.
i dont like the person i become when drunk - weepy moody etc, so dont really drink much anyway but i gave it up recently for lent, even though im not religious - it was just an experiment really and i dont regret it at all.

it used to be a habit to just reach for a beer after work which is a habit ive now broken, same with a weekend, having to have a glass of wine for the sake of it. i didnt lose weight, but lost inches off my waistline, plus i upped my water intake too.

saved a fortune on taxis into town cos i could just bring the car on a night out (plus that helps with your resolve not to drink that night, if you are worried about parking up in public for the night)

stick with it - you are doing it out of choice, and you can always have a drink when you want- but on your terms! well done.

the only downside is that non alcoholic drinks menu in pubs is pathetic - but my faves were,
miwadi orange/blackcurrant pint
cranberry juice with loads of ice
non alcoholic becks beer when i just felt like some suds.

bp

Hey,

I drink, stopped at 17 for medical reasons but wasn't a big drinker in then anyway. I did find the whole dutch courage thing a bit scary, esp at 17 starting college, going out etc but then one day I realised - I don't give a flying fcuk what other people think of me - I am happy being myself so I just started being myself - dancing like a lunatic, chatting to random people etc etc and haven't looked back!

No dodgy food for me on the way home (while driving in my nice warm car), up early the next day to do stuff etc...it's great!

Good luck

LegacyUser

Thanks for the tips Neyite, I do like a nice soda and lime so I'll stick with that for a bit. The becks might be handy to for times when people start putting a bit of pressure on.... the old "ah go on" thing.

BP one of the things I HATE more than anything is trying to get taxis when it's cold or wet so it will be great hopping in the care... I'd prob still end up going for the dodgy kebab from abra though, I like my food :-P

LegacyUser

giving_up wrote: »

I've decided to give up alcohol, it doesn't happen to often(3-4 times a year) but when I get drunk I don't like the person I become and it's something I've decided to do.

I wouldn't be the type of person who gets drunk every week or anything, I'd prob have a few glasses of wine on a Fri night which I don't think I'll miss. The social settings do worry me a little though and I'm wondering how hard it might actually be.

I suppose I am just looking for advice or just to hear from people who have done it. I'd really appreciate any help.

I'm off drink since Monday 5th April 2010. The biggest obstacle to going off it was habit. I was in the habit of drinking every day for the past six months or so. I piled on the weight up to 119kg, my highest weight ever (I should be 87kg). I had to go off it for weight but also because my life was going nowhere, absolutely nowhere, while I continued drinking. (The concept of having a pint or two is alien to me. 5-8 cans each time would be more normal). Anyway, I could still be drinking but I need to pass exams and get my career going forward. I am much, much, much more productive since I stopped drinking. I still wait until I reach my target and I can "break out" into a binge. But in reality I probably wont risk "breaking out" again. I really, really need the discipline of being off drink. I was wandering about aimlessly for far too long. Now I have two massive aims: do well in my exams/advance my career and lose 32kg of weight/become healthier.

Advice:

1. Don't misinterpret your food pangs as a desire for alcohol. In the vast majority of cases (if not all) if you have a bite to eat the desire for alcohol will dissipate.

2. Keep yourself very, very active and focused and alcohol will play a much lesser role in your life with every day. Your busy schedule will change how you view things.

3. Get new targets for your life. It could be to advance your career, your relationship or to learn a new language or musical instrument. Get fit, go for long walks. Do something different. Keep a sense of momentum in your life.

Best of luck/Go n-éirí an t-ádh leat!

Gandeoch

Gandeoch wrote: »

I'm off drink since Monday 5th April 2010. The biggest obstacle to going off it was habit. I was in the habit of drinking every day for the past six months or so. I piled on the weight up to 119kg, my highest weight ever (I should be 87kg). I had to go off it for weight but also because my life was going nowhere, absolutely nowhere, while I continued drinking. (The concept of having a pint or two is alien to me. 5-8 cans each time would be more normal). Anyway, I could still be drinking but I need to pass exams and get my career going forward. I am much, much, much more productive since I stopped drinking. I still wait until I reach my target and I can "break out" into a binge. But in reality I probably wont risk "breaking out" again. I really, really need the discipline of being off drink. I was wandering about aimlessly for far too long. Now I have two massive aims: do well in my exams/advance my career and lose 32kg of weight/become healthier.

Advice:

1. Don't misinterpret your food pangs as a desire for alcohol. In the vast majority of cases (if not all) if you have a bite to eat the desire for alcohol will dissipate.

2. Keep yourself very, very active and focused and alcohol will play a much lesser role in your life with every day. Your busy schedule will change how you view things.

3. Get new targets for your life. It could be to advance your career, your relationship or to learn a new language or musical instrument. Get fit, go for long walks. Do something different. Keep a sense of momentum in your life.

Best of luck/Go n-éirí an t-ádh leat!

Good advice. But you say:

I still wait until I reach my target and I can "break out" into a binge. But in reality I probably wont risk "breaking out" again. I really, really need the discipline of being off drink.

I think if you really want to give up you should try and not think like this. It's a defeatist attitude and could lead to a return to your drinking. 5-8 cans a day isn't exactly massive alcoholic territory but it's quite a lot. And the fact that you seem to be obsessing over it is never a good sign.

if you're ever having doubt check out this place:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/

Cavehill Red

This country is awash in cheap alcohol and social life is structured around excessive drinking.
I'm not a prude, in fact I'm a member of a wine tasting group. I love alcoholic drinks like a fresh artisan beer, a balanced intriguing wine, or even a complex whiskey or cognac - but in moderation and usually with a meal.
What I don't understand is the herd mentality that insists one must go out and get lamped on crappy lager or alcopops in order to have fun.
It's not true and it's incredibly destructive to many lives. We need to grow up about alcohol in this country.
To everyone who's looking to cut down or cut out alcohol, I support you and wish you the very best. May you be role models to the rest of us.

steelcityblues

To the OP:

This may sound a bit out there, but if you are still having some doubts/problems maybe try these steps (someone I know tried it!)


1. Go to a wall or anywhere preferable and say 'no more alcohol' multiple times. Start in a quiet voice and build it up with every statement!

2. At least a few times each day, keep an image of a bottle with a red 'X' stamped over it in the right brain and, when your out with a group, be able to trigger it, when being hassled to consume drink and you don't want to!

3. If you watch TV, whenever the ad break comes on, turn the channel or go somewhere else. Subliminal messages are more effective than society wants to let on!

All the best whatever method you try:)

LadyMayBelle

I'm far from a mad drinker, but I find people think I'm nuts when I don't want to drink, they say (as one poster has already said), why can'y you just drink in moderation? I can do but I find when I don't drink, I find my skin is better, I sleep better, way less bloated, my heads clearer the next day, even after one nights drinking I can be affected..and there goes a good day, wasted.

Are there any good links to a site which have the benefits to not bothering?
Personally it doesn't bother me either way, but I hate it when people I'm with forget what happened the night before (or have to check in with me if they kissed someone/went off with someone while drunk).

The culture we are in makes you 'odd' if you choose not to drinkfor whatever reason, whatever night, people assume you have some strong moral objection to it when really all you want is a half decent head on you the next day!

changes

I stopped drinking in 2006, i wouldn't like to live 2007 again, 08 was ok 09 and this year very good. Going off it is a massive adjustment.

Be careful not to lock yourself away from the world and you'll be fine. Good luck with it.