Has anybody here quit drinking alcohol?

candlegrease

What have been the benefits and drawbacks, and how have you found the experience in general?

KeithM89_old

I haad to do for for a month caus of medication and saved a LOT of money...
But as soon as the month wasover, stragiht back on it..

OPENROAD

I've given up temporarily, my last drink was Christmas day 2007

I will start drinking again mind, but big benefit is no hangovers.

The_B_Man

i'll quit now in an hour or so and then go to bed!

Nozebleed

yep..january will be the start of my 4th year.

Elevator

have done it many times and thoroughly enjoyed it, it can really open your eyes to the behaviour of people binge drinking in this country

you defo do not need alcohol to enjoy yourself in this country cos there's plenty of d1ckheads to keep ya entertained with their drunkenness!!

you're far better off both financially and healthwise that's a no-brainer

go for it op and best of luck with it

alwaysadub

Haven't had a drink since i was out last Saturday night. Can't be bothered.

KeithM89_old

alwaysadub wrote: »

Haven't had a drink since i was out on Saturday night. Can't be bothered.

You do realise its Sunday morning.. hardly an achievement :P

WindSock

For today, yes.

Local-womanizer

Did for most of the year,on it last night though.

Thats me till next christmas eve though.

alwaysadub

KeithM89 wrote: »

You do realise its Sunday morning.. hardly an achievement :P

Is today Sunday?? I thought it was Saturday! Well i meant last Saturday week so

KeithM89_old

alwaysadub wrote: »

Is today Sunday?? I thought it was Saturday! Well i meant last Saturday week so

Ah well,thats slightly better thenn!!

Raffo69

Drinking right now. Lovely:P

Frogdog

I went off it for 9 months in 2009, while training for the marathon. I've never felt better in all my life. I plan on going off it for the year of 2011 and would have given it up in 2010 but I was going travelling around the world and the hassle of telling new people I met that I was Irish and didn't drink as well as being excluded from certain social situations meant I more or less felt I had to drink and wasn't worth it.

After 3 months off the drink I felt absolutely super. Slept waaaaaay better during the night, woke up really refreshed, was able to concentrate better during the day, lost a bit of bodyfat (not related to my marathon training), had better skin and nails, better scalp and hair (have a little dandruff at the moment due to alcohol drying out my body), cleaner/whiter teeth (due to sugars in alcohol, was able to go out during the week and go into work the next day no problem, ate a lot better, had loads more money and was able to travel with it, buy new clothes and save more into my pension and savings account. So there's physical and mental benefits, as well as material. Hope this helps!

I just hate the stigma that's attached to those that don't drink in Ireland. :mad:

JupiterKid

I gave up the booze almost a year ago. My drinking had got out of control and I was on the edge of a very slippery slope so I packed in my drinking. I miss it from time to time, but then I remember the sh*t it caused in my life so I have no regrets.

There are so many advantages to not drinking - feel better, feeling healthier, more sharp minded, sleep much better and I eat better. Plus I save a lot of money in the process.

The biggest drawback to being a non drinker is the booze soaked social culture in Ireland and feeling excluded from some circles. I cannot think of a major social event where booze isn't involved.

DB10

Elevator wrote: »

you defo do not need alcohol to enjoy yourself in this country cos there's plenty of d1ckheads to keep ya entertained with their drunkenness!!

That's your opinion but there are very few "entertaining dickheads" when they get drink in them.

Usually just pure dickheads out to reek havoc. So putting up with them would drive you to drink.

Paddy_Smith

I didn't drink at all yesterday(Saturday). I love an oul pint of Heineken now and then.....

Especially in a pub in Dundalk hey!

scientific1982

Have been off it before for a few months at a time, but I came to the realisation that I really enjoy getting ****ed off my head.

Jay D

Never managed more than 5 weeks or so, since I was around 17.

Benefits though was I didn't smoke at all, got into healthier pattern and really noticed the bad elements of a drinking session. Crap eating, etc.

I last done it last new years until mid Feb. Starting again as of now though and gonna try hard this time. It's very hard going out and everyone thinking awh, come on man, just one, ah here (even fúcking strangers) offering to buy you one.

Like I don't drink every weekend but I am pretty fed up with it to be honest.

scientific1982

Frogdog wrote: »

I went off it for 9 months in 2009, while training for the marathon. I've never felt better in all my life. I plan on going off it for the year of 2011 and would have given it up in 2010 but I was going travelling around the world and the hassle of telling new people I met that I was Irish and didn't drink as well as being excluded from certain social situations meant I more or less felt I had to drink and wasn't worth it.

After 3 months off the drink I felt absolutely super. Slept waaaaaay better during the night, woke up really refreshed, was able to concentrate better during the day, lost a bit of bodyfat (not related to my marathon training), had better skin and nails, better scalp and hair (have a little dandruff at the moment due to alcohol drying out my body), cleaner/whiter teeth (due to sugars in alcohol, was able to go out during the week and go into work the next day no problem, ate a lot better, had loads more money and was able to travel with it, buy new clothes and save more into my pension and savings account. So there's physical and mental benefits, as well as material. Hope this helps!

I just hate the stigma that's attached to those that don't drink in Ireland. :mad:

Boring.

karlog

I find it easy to stop drinking as long as i avoid nights out which involve it. Nothing is worse than being surrounded by drunks when your sober. I did it once on night out and promised myself never to do it again.

First of after arriving at the nightclub the very polite and professional bouncer asked how much i had to which i replied 'none', 'yeh well you don't look like you've had none!' he said. I must look wasted when sober or maybe he was just an idiot. He let me in anyway, the w*nker. So while in the nightclub i noticed how ****ing loud the music is. The amount of people that bump into you ****in gets to you. You also notice the amount of sh*t people talk to you while shouting in your ear to convey a completely pointless and stupid sentence. Trying to dance while sober just doesn't happen for me either, seeing your mates bust moves out thinking their Michael Jackson really is ridiculous and hilarious at the same time.

What made it worse was getting food after. Couldn't believe i eat the sh*t they serve in places like abra every night out. ****ing horrible. People actually pay money for that.

Maybe I'm just a miserable b*stard when sober. I should become an alco.

Princess Peach

I have! I'd give you some tips but I'm a bit too drunk at the moment.


Maybe my tips aren't the best.....

johnn

karlog wrote: »

I find it easy to stop drinking as long as i avoid nights out which involve it. Nothing is worse than being surrounded by drunks when your sober. I did it once on night out and promised myself never to do it again.

First of after arriving at the nightclub the very polite and professional bouncer asked how much i had to which i replied 'none', 'yeh well you don't look like you've had none!' he said. I must look wasted when sober or maybe he was just an idiot. He let me in anyway, the w*nker. So while in the nightclub i noticed how ****ing loud the music is. The amount of people that bump into you ****in gets to you. You also notice the amount of sh*t people talk to you while shouting in your ear to convey a completely pointless and stupid sentence. Trying to dance while sober just doesn't happen for me either, seeing your mates bust moves out thinking their Michael Jackson really is ridiculous and hilarious at the same time.

What made it worse was getting food after. Couldn't believe i eat the sh*t they serve in places like abra every night out. ****ing horrible. People actually pay money for that.

Maybe I'm just a miserable b*stard when sober. I should become an alco.

You sound like great craic :rolleyes:

Yakult

Rarely drink, replaced it with herbs.

ascanbe

I'm all set and very determined to quit drinking and smoking in the new year. I've talked about doing it and meant to do it before but didn't manage it; i don't think i fully realised then just how much it was dominating my life and how much better i'd be without it.
This time will be different.
I'm drinking and smoking my ass off up till new years eve; then, cold turkey.

Kinetic^

Gave up temporarily in January which lasted up until May bank holiday weekend. Had a few drinks that night and just thought meh. I've been off it since and don't see myself going back. Horrible hangovers the following day and feeling sluggish for 1/2 more days after that.

Find myself being a lot more productive and it's helped me get a business off the ground. I do get the odd look when people hear but most just say fair play.

Edit: still head wherever with the lads but will generally leave no later than 1, people get dumb.

El Horseboxo

I don't drink for a few weeks at a time throughout the year. Mostly when i'm trying to lift heavier or going to cut body fat.

Lumen

El Horseboxo wrote: »

I don't drink for a few weeks at a time throughout the year. Mostly when i'm trying to lift heavier or going to cut body fat.

Get someone else to pick up the heavy things for you whilst you sit back and have a nice cold beer.

PeterIanStaker

I quit drinking spirits about 8 years ago, only pints now. Spirits, whiskey in particular, make my other personality, called Gunpowder Billy, come to the fore, and he's not very nice.

Riamfada

I hardly drink, have one or two every other month on a night out.

El Horseboxo

Lumen wrote: »

Get someone else to pick up the heavy things for you whilst you sit back and have a nice cold beer.

There's nothing better than eating clean for a month and not drinking and increasing your lifts and general health. And then going out on a drink and food binge. I only drink to be social and hang out with mates anyways. And i can do that sober.

livinginkorea

Frogdog wrote: »

.

I just hate the stigma that's attached to those that don't drink in Ireland. :mad:

I get this all the time in Korea - 'what you're Irish but you don't drink???' Wonder how all that drunken Irish sterotyping started. Bloodly annoying.

I used to drink a fair bit, drink is very cheap here (well Korean beers and spirits are) but about two and a half years ago I stopped as the wife was breastfeeding and didn't think it was fair. Best decision I ever made, I actually missed it which shows how much I liked it which can't be a good sign. Started drinking wine a couple of weeks ago; used to always hate wine but fine it okay now - guess my taste buds are improving from the lack of paint thinner. Only have a glass here and there and like the fact that I don't drink 4 or 5 pints every couple of days like I used to. I guess I was pretty close to becoming an alcoholic at the time. Never knew how much I drank until I stopped. Wife says I don't snore anymore either when sleeping and that I am better in the sack :P

So give up the boozing, it's no good for ya.

ebixa82

Frogdog wrote: »

I went off it for 9 months in 2009, while training for the marathon. I've never felt better in all my life. I plan on going off it for the year of 2011 and would have given it up in 2010 but I was going travelling around the world and the hassle of telling new people I met that I was Irish and didn't drink as well as being excluded from certain social situations meant I more or less felt I had to drink and wasn't worth it.

After 3 months off the drink I felt absolutely super. Slept waaaaaay better during the night, woke up really refreshed, was able to concentrate better during the day, lost a bit of bodyfat (not related to my marathon training), had better skin and nails, better scalp and hair (have a little dandruff at the moment due to alcohol drying out my body), cleaner/whiter teeth (due to sugars in alcohol, was able to go out during the week and go into work the next day no problem, ate a lot better, had loads more money and was able to travel with it, buy new clothes and save more into my pension and savings account. So there's physical and mental benefits, as well as material. Hope this helps!

I just hate the stigma that's attached to those that don't drink in Ireland. :mad:

By the sound of all that bollix you have written above you must have been drinking heavily 7 days a week to see such an improvement on abstaining.

I did 3 triathlons this year and the Dublin marathon. I also get pissed every saturday night more or less and a few pints midweek.

My skin, scalp, hair and nails are grand.

"Dandruff due to alcohol drying out my body"...jesus wept!

James T Kirk

I'm drunk and stoopid.

I'll be sober in the morning.

But all you non-drinkers will STILL be stoopid. :pac:

mfceiling

I gave it up nearly 2 years ago.
Don't miss the hangovers (and believe me when you are getting up at 6.30 to 3 screeching kids it helps).
Don't buy into this "ah sure you can have no craic if you are not drinking"
Been to weddings, parties etc and it's decent to be able to drive home and not hang around half the night waiting on taxis.
Also breathalised twice and that could have been fun if i'd been locked the night before (both early in the morning)
Try it for a month to see how you get on.......it's really no big deal.

hellyeah

packed it in 2 weeks ago. was doing a bottle of wine a night for ages.
first week was hard as i could not sleep. major plus is loosing the fuzzy feeling and being able to think straight plus started to loose a bit of weight. yesterday was hard people asking why im not drinking/just have a glass, but one would lead to the whole [EMAIL="f@c*ing"]f@c*ing[/EMAIL] vineyard going dry.:rolleyes:

angel01

I was never really a huge drinker but I didn't need the expense and the general feeling of hangovers the next day so I quit it a couple of years ago. I feel a lot better since then

Sunnyisland

I will be alcohol free for 2 years in january, best thing that ever happened me,sorry i dident stop sooner,drinking is just not for me, cheers

de Lehman Bruddars

ebixa82 wrote: »

By the sound of all that bollix you have written above you must have been drinking heavily 7 days a week to see such an improvement on abstaining.

I did 3 triathlons this year and the Dublin marathon. I also get pissed every saturday night more or less and a few pints midweek.

My skin, scalp, hair and nails are grand.

"Dandruff due to alcohol drying out my body"...jesus wept!

The only "bollix" is your attitude, Mr "Triathlete". This attitude is the worst thing non drinkers have to face. And anyone who says its boring: FUKC OFF! You're the one who can't enjoy themselves without it. You're the coward who gets all uncomfortable without your social lubricant.
Typical reply: "I am perfectly capable of enjoying a night out without it, I just choose not to". THEN WHY DO YOU DO IT?
Why do a$$holes have to knock everything people do?

TheZohanS

de Lehman Bruddars wrote: »

The only "bollix" is your attitude, Mr "Triathlete". This attitude is the worst thing non drinkers have to face. And anyone who says its boring: FUKC OFF! You're the one who can't enjoy themselves without it. You're the coward who gets all uncomfortable without your social lubricant.
Typical reply: "I am perfectly capable of enjoying a night out without it, I just choose not to". THEN WHY DO YOU DO IT?
Why do a$$holes have to knock everything people do?

Somebody need a hug? Hmmm?

Sunnyisland

TheZohan wrote: »

Somebody need a hug? Hmmm?

`


maybe a drink even

Blazer

Barely drink anymore..used to drink like a fish at the weekends and blow my money on double gins and red bulls etc and repeat Sat and Sunday night...
Decided to pack it in and started training for a marathon in 2008.. and I think I might have drank 10 pints in that whole year...
don't miss it a bit..with work being crazy and the weekends being too short I don't want to spend nearly all of it recovering from a hangover.
I'd still go on a pissup now and then but it's about every 4 or 5 months now as opposed to 3 nights a week...

Misty Chaos

I packed it in for about 2 months after getting really sick and hungover for 2 days after Halloween. I felt a lot better, and the money I saved went towards travelling to a few gaming sessions in November and a new Xbox I got a few weeks back.

I'll be drinking again over Christmas ( today and New Years Eve ) but after that, I'll go sober again, I can't really be bothered with it much anymore. That and I've seen first hand what getting really carried away with drinking can do, at least I know when to stop and can keep it that way by choice.

CorkMan

I only have 1 can at home once every 1/2 weeks.

I went through a bit 4 years ago when I was drinking a pint of Bacardi a night, it went on for 2 weeks. I was 19 then, it was the 1st time in my life I ever woke up and felt drunk. But since them 2 weeks I have only had as above.

Mostly quit some years ago, I'll only have one now on a rare occasion and that does mean one. Couldn't bear to face the tunnel vision and funny walking again

syklops

ebixa82 wrote: »

By the sound of all that bollix you have written above you must have been drinking heavily 7 days a week to see such an improvement on abstaining.

I did 3 triathlons this year and the Dublin marathon. I also get pissed every saturday night more or less and a few pints midweek.

My skin, scalp, hair and nails are grand.

"Dandruff due to alcohol drying out my body"...jesus wept!

Well aren't you ****1ng fantastic!

bonerm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUVwR0rw5fk

I quit when I realised only the first half was true.

cafecolour

Normally, I have maybe 2-3 drinks in the eve maybe about 3-4 times a week. In theory, they say moderate drinkers live the longest/are the healthiest.

Unfortunately, especially during the summer, I still occasionally end up doing massive sessions/benders - ie Friday night until Sunday evening style. Great craic, but very bad for me.

mconigol

Seriously considering it........Definitely going to cut waaay back as I think I should be able to have the self control to go out occasionally and only have one or two but if that doesn't work then I'm going off it for good.

Thinking of the stupid things I've done, the money, time & potential I've wasted because of drinking too much makes me sad I'm such a better person off it...

ebixa82

de Lehman Bruddars wrote: »

The only "bollix" is your attitude, Mr "Triathlete". This attitude is the worst thing non drinkers have to face. And anyone who says its boring: FUKC OFF! You're the one who can't enjoy themselves without it. You're the coward who gets all uncomfortable without your social lubricant.
Typical reply: "I am perfectly capable of enjoying a night out without it, I just choose not to". THEN WHY DO YOU DO IT?
Why do a$$holes have to knock everything people do?

I said I get pissed every Saturday...more than capable of socialising without alcohol on Friday nights...

Why do I do it you ask? Because I like the taste of a wide range of alcoholic beverages and I also like the feeling of inebriation. Simple as that!

partyatmygaff

Never started to stop. I just don't see the attraction of willingly poisoning yourself each weekend.