Haven't touched a drop in...

Sunnyisland

pebbles21 wrote: »

One week today...
Went to the doc last week,wasnt feeling too good,he took my blood pressure...sky high..took it four times ..the same
Gave me a 24hr monitor..went back next day..he said i had the highest readings in the last six years in his practice and i was on the verge of a stroke or heart attack...im 42
My problem is once i start i cant stop..last night was the first friday in 25 years i didnt drink ..
Need something to fill in that void.. Esp the weekends..any ideas?....

Just posted some I hope helpfull infomation in another thread here,chk that out.

FloatingVoter

realies wrote: »

Just posted some I hope helpfull infomation in another thread here,chk that out.

heres the linky: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056876475

Carpet diem

realies wrote: »

There's nothing to be ashamed about - it's nothing that we all haven't done a million times -What is your long term plans re alcohol ? Are you quitting for good or just moderating ? either way you need to remember failing to plan is planing to fail Good move on putting activities in place for when you get the auld cravings.

Thanks realies,
It's good to have the support. My long term plan (well it's not a plan it's reality and now) is to quit fully because I don't think the whole moderating would work and I think I would be fooling myself. Even after a few drinks, it is holding me back on doing stuff the next day. I hear people saying after staying out for a few drinks that they are perfect the next day - I don't believe one bit of it. Watching Des Bishop show the last night makes me even more determined.

Lent is coming up now so I can say to people that I'm off it for lent so they won't be annoying me. Especially when one the lads texts to meet up for pint I won't feel as guilty for abandoning them or I can join them with a lucozade.

Your definitely right about feeling to plan. I've few things lined up to keep me busy for recreational time other than working

tony stark

One week. Just about feeling normal in the head after a very depressing week. Can only imagine the damage I've done after going out every weekend for fourteen years on the rampage. Sick of trying to stop and then Thursday rolls around I feel better and continue the rotten cycle again. Finished with it now. Des Bishops show was a great way of clarifying what I think!

Ed The Equalizer

Hey, just logged on to Boards for the first time in ages and saw that this thread is going very strong! Well done to all :-)

I'll be 4 years in May and it's been great.

I've found the easiest mindset is just to say to myself "I'm a non-drinker" and "I'm a non-smoker" - it just leaves no option and that's the way I identify myself.

galwayhooker

6 wks!wasnt big drinker before and have been off it for while but this time trying to socialise more without it.had great time in pub after match in Dublin but when it gets later and later it gets more messy.even went to coppers stone cold sober but had good time dancing on the floor

hestonpc

23 days now, was at a family party at the weekend, some pressure to have a drink, lots of are you ok type questions. Delighted I didnt give in, looking at the bottle I could feel the hangover. Plus reading posts on here about falling off the wagon helps not fall for the trap.
Anyhow I was looking forward to a nice coffee and getting up early the following morning. Simple pleasures eh!
Surprised at this stage that it has not been as difficult as expected, there have been difficult moments, but overall easier than anticipated.
Good luck and thanks!

SicklySweet

24 days for me I drank really heavily, would drink 500ml of spirits no problem in a sitting. Quite proud of myself. Have had phantom hangovers in the first week, and am beginning to crave it now. As Hestonpc said, it's easier than i expected.
Good luck to everyone ♥

xzanti

figs666 wrote: »

not worth the benefits from drinking .

Make no mistake my friend.. there are NO benefits from drinking

Allen Carr

FloatingVoter

One calendar month dry today. Means my two month anniversary will be on Paddys day. Very easy to stay out of town for that one.

xzanti

figs666 wrote: »

Xzanti ,

If there was no benefits from drinking , people won't drink ,

What (in your eyes) are the benefits of drinking alcohol?

Just curious.

Wattle

figs666 wrote: »

Hi Xzanti ,

The benefit of drinking alcohol is it's ability to depress the inhibiting part of our mind . This allows us who find it hard to relax in company .

Figs

Fair enough if that works for you but you can get the same disinhibiting effect from things like positive thinking,self confidence, meditation and deep breathing without having to dose yourself with a powerful drug that has lots of negative side-effects.

Maybe there is a national lack of self-esteem but for those of us who can't drink safely we need to find another way.

GrizzlyMan

49 days now and going strong, its strange that when the days I thought would be hard come around i actually dont want a drink. Even had some really bad news this month and I would normally go out and get hammered I just dealt with the sad news instead of using it as an excuse to wallow in my self pity.

its great not to feel the control of alcohol of me.

E.S.T.

figs666 wrote: »

Xzanti ,

If there was no benefits from drinking , people won't drink , for me the first few pints act as a social lubricant , BUT it's a powerful drug and most people find it very hard to leave it at 2 - 3 pints .

it's a powerful powerful drug , the greatest trick the devil done was convincing us he didn't exist .

It's funny how a heroin dealer is looked at like a scumbag (which they are) and a publican is looked upon as a pillar of the community and someone who if your seen with you've just earned status kudos . Both make money from people's misery . Both are drug dealers .

Just my 2 cents ...

Something like 15% of alcohol users become dependent compared to nearly 70% for heroin. Alcohol is responsible for a lot more deaths and problems but most people drink responsibly or at least don't become physically dependent on alcohol even if they are binge drinking every weekend.

TO_ARTHUR!

People, please stick to the point of what this thread is about.
It is a log for people who have finished drinking either permanently or temporarily and so gives encouragement to others who are struggling with alcohol problems. If they want to hear the ''benefits'' that alcohol brings, there are other forums for that. Please, keep it civil before the mods have to intervene!


....and good news today because I am exactly four weeks off alcohol and I don't miss it one bit. Life feels great!

Anyone find that after you get over the first year you stop counting the months etc? Literally would count the days each month in my first year but now I just get on with things. It really is true what they say about the first year being the hardest.

Saying that nearly every day life gets easier without needing a mind altering substance. So grateful I got sober, proper living is ****ing right . Good luck to everyone in their first year and remember to keep an open mind look were being always right got us.

hestonpc

32 days,getting fit, sticking to the plan, only thing that has been difficult this week are the "are you ok questions". I've never been better thanks!

RingTheAlarm!

Haven't been on this thread (and boards!) in a long time, lasted the whole period of lent last year, felt great! Have to admit I did go a bit wild drinking from about the summer afterwards but I have calmed it down an awful, awful lot to once in the last 3 weeks, and I'm hoping to go until March 17th now but since I didn't drink last year I'm allowing myself one last bash before I try and go for a couple of months, and if I survive the summer I'm hoping to do for a year.

One big tip I'll give people is aim for something else outside of drink as well. For example I'm doing a lot of training and hoping to run a marathon soon, I used some of the money I saved to join a gym and I have been going every day possible since. Huge difference in my appearance already and people have commented that I'm in much better form as well.

As for weekends, I go to the gym in the morning now instead on a Sunday, not a bad feeling having a workout done while your friends, housemates, family, etc are only coming out of hiding with a dirty hangover

[-0-]

A week. Don't miss it at all so far.

hestonpc

35 days, happy out. Figs666 your bang on the mark, Sunday evening and I wouldnt wish "depression , shakes , waste of money . the sh1t talk , the fear , the aniexty , tiredness , the negativity" on my worst enemy. Chin up guys.

I am 43 days today, by the time easter comes i will be on 77 days, that will feel good to say that

nesf

About one year, I was drinking maybe 4-5 pints a year for the five years before that.

the big herm

60 days , mostly binge drank for the last twelve years. its been tough, but i phsically and mentally feel amazing. bring on 61,62...100

GRMA

Used to drink heavily every weekend then it started during the middle of the week so I decided to stop - nothing bad happened but it was a very bad road to go down. I dunno how it was for people here but I'd be fine and having a great time, feel great, happy. but once I drank past a certain amount I'd get so depressed and negative and would take days to get out of that slump. End of the line came one Wednesday I was up late drinking by myself just feeling crap going over bad things in my head and just being super negative - thoughts I NEVER have when I'm sober. Next day I was hungover to hell and just decided enough was enough... was ruining me


I only drink rarely now and hate when I do... even if I'm responsible once or twice and have a good time I know if I let it happen again I'll be thinking "I was ok the last day" and go overboard so the best amount is none. The times I've drank is when there were big social events which I had to go to (and wanted to).

I have another this weekend, big group of friends and acquaintances going out and I really want to go (to see one particular lady specifically ) Do any of you have any tips of how to deal with this and not drink? My tactic has been to simply not go to pubs and its worked well but I dont think I can go out and not drink

RingTheAlarm!

GRMA wrote: »

Used to drink heavily every weekend then it started during the middle of the week so I decided to stop - nothing bad happened but it was a very bad road to go down. I dunno how it was for people here but I'd be fine and having a great time, feel great, happy. but once I drank past a certain amount I'd get so depressed and negative and would take days to get out of that slump. End of the line came one Wednesday I was up late drinking by myself just feeling crap going over bad things in my head and just being super negative - thoughts I NEVER have when I'm sober. Next day I was hungover to hell and just decided enough was enough... was ruining me


I only drink rarely now and hate when I do... even if I'm responsible once or twice and have a good time I know if I let it happen again I'll be thinking "I was ok the last day" and go overboard so the best amount is none. The times I've drank is when there were big social events which I had to go to (and wanted to).

I have another this weekend, big group of friends and acquaintances going out and I really want to go (to see one particular lady specifically ) Do any of you have any tips of how to deal with this and not drink? My tactic has been to simply not go to pubs and its worked well but I dont think I can go out and not drink

I have always found that when I go to pubs I will order a soft drink (they're pricey enough in my opinion, but anyway) which personally I don't think is great but it's something to drink anyway.I'm still trying to handle the nightclubs sober, that'll take a bit longer. 9 days sober today!

Wattle

GRMA wrote: »

Used to drink heavily every weekend then it started during the middle of the week so I decided to stop - nothing bad happened but it was a very bad road to go down. I dunno how it was for people here but I'd be fine and having a great time, feel great, happy. but once I drank past a certain amount I'd get so depressed and negative and would take days to get out of that slump. End of the line came one Wednesday I was up late drinking by myself just feeling crap going over bad things in my head and just being super negative - thoughts I NEVER have when I'm sober. Next day I was hungover to hell and just decided enough was enough... was ruining me


I only drink rarely now and hate when I do... even if I'm responsible once or twice and have a good time I know if I let it happen again I'll be thinking "I was ok the last day" and go overboard so the best amount is none. The times I've drank is when there were big social events which I had to go to (and wanted to).

I have another this weekend, big group of friends and acquaintances going out and I really want to go (to see one particular lady specifically ) Do any of you have any tips of how to deal with this and not drink? My tactic has been to simply not go to pubs and its worked well but I dont think I can go out and not drink

Do you have to go out for the entire night? The longer you are out the more likelihood is that you will get dragged into a serious session. Why not show up for a few hours and make some excuse? I'm on antibiotics, I've got to go somewhere in the morning etc. Get creative. People get terrified of what other people think of them but I don't think people take as much notice as we think they do. You might have to endure a bit of slagging but believe me you'll be delighted that you did the next morning. Maybe this special lady your going to meet might be impressed by your willpower? Maybe she might like the sober you even more.

And watch the drinking on your own thing as well. It was a habit I got into and it became a nightmare.

xzanti

GRMA wrote: »

I have another this weekend, big group of friends and acquaintances going out and I really want to go (to see one particular lady specifically ) Do any of you have any tips of how to deal with this and not drink? My tactic has been to simply not go to pubs and its worked well but I dont think I can go out and not drink

My tactic, bring the car and have a few strong coffees before I go.. I know it's not ideal but I find the caffeine buzz great for keeping me 'interested'.. I also tend to head out a bit later in the night.. when things are 'kicking off' I'm often the last off the dance floor these days :pac:

Each to their own I guess

Best of luck with it..

arahjaysus

I've been reading through the thread and am surprised there are so many people in the same boat!

Im a lad in my late 20's and have slowly but surely begun to realise that the boozing is actually ruining my life. I don't drink every day and practically never during the week but come the weekend; bang! Friday night meeting the lads for the session, literally pouring booze down my neck so I can get smashed and be able to be the funny man and the messer. Another couple of pints later or a few strong concoctions I'm feeling girls backsides and quite willing to get into a fist fight with any fella who looks at me funny.... that person is NOT me!

I would say I lost the girl of my dreams over drinking because of repeated cheating (a long term relationship) and haven't been able to keep a girl since because I become a dickhead once the booze is in town. That's not to mention all the one night stands and waking up beside women who's name you haven't the foggiest and who you wouldn't go to bed with for love nor money when sober (no offence to any women). Also fairly frequent dabbling in class a go hand in hand with the big pissups.

I was at a big event with friends recently and as usual I was the clown after the few scoops and no doubt there was a few other lads at it with me but it suddenly dawned on me that all these mates have girlfriends who they were going home to while I was the fool running around plastered with the top off. The three day hangovers and DT's and depression until the middle of the following week are also a killer.

I am ready to stop drinking but am worried about the effect it will have on my social life, I've seen other people post about the Irish 'social awkwardness' and I agree. I feel like I wouldn't know what to do in a pub without a pint in my hand and would be scared of my life to approach a woman.

I suppose I am wondering how people get through it, do you stop for a month at first and then see how you feel? Can you have a life without the pub? How do you unwind? Where do you meet a woman if not in a pub or nightclub?

Sorry for such a long post!

Dr. Greenthumb

arahjaysus wrote: »

I've been reading through the thread and am surprised there are so many people in the same boat!

Im a lad in my late 20's and have slowly but surely begun to realise that the boozing is actually ruining my life. I don't drink every day and practically never during the week but come the weekend; bang! Friday night meeting the lads for the session, literally pouring booze down my neck so I can get smashed and be able to be the funny man and the messer. Another couple of pints later or a few strong concoctions I'm feeling girls backsides and quite willing to get into a fist fight with any fella who looks at me funny.... that person is NOT me!

I would say I lost the girl of my dreams over drinking because of repeated cheating (a long term relationship) and haven't been able to keep a girl since because I become a dickhead once the booze is in town. That's not to mention all the one night stands and waking up beside women who's name you haven't the foggiest and who you wouldn't go to bed with for love nor money when sober (no offence to any women). Also fairly frequent dabbling in class a go hand in hand with the big pissups.

I was at a big event with friends recently and as usual I was the clown after the few scoops and no doubt there was a few other lads at it with me but it suddenly dawned on me that all these mates have girlfriends who they were going home to while I was the fool running around plastered with the top off. The three day hangovers and DT's and depression until the middle of the following week are also a killer.

I am ready to stop drinking but am worried about the effect it will have on my social life, I've seen other people post about the Irish 'social awkwardness' and I agree. I feel like I wouldn't know what to do in a pub without a pint in my hand and would be scared of my life to approach a woman.

I suppose I am wondering how people get through it, do you stop for a month at first and then see how you feel? Can you have a life without the pub? How do you unwind? Where do you meet a woman if not in a pub or nightclub?

Sorry for such a long post!

Fair play to ye for taking the plunge, giving up the booze is hard, harder than smoking IMO as a lot revolves around it in Ireland and around the world. I gave up over 4 years ago, was pretty much the same as yourself in drinking habits. It got to the stage where I would be depressed after a session, not able to remember stuff and basically spending a fortune and not having that good of a time.

I didn't stop going out when i gave up though, i still went out with my mates but only drank pints of blackcurrant / orange or something. Minerals are no good, they are expensive, too small and too much sugar. I find i drink blackcurrant pint for pint with the guys when I'm out. I don't stay out as long, generally 1.30 / 2am i look for the door and drive home, most of the time with most of my friends in the car lol.

I also justified it to myself by getting up and going for a jog / to the gym first thing Sunday mornings. Then when I'd drop around the mates house I'm fresh and invigorated while they are suffering. Makes it seem worthwhile!

I actually went back on it for a month or so a while back, no problem, didn't drink too much any night and was well disciplined but after one night got a horrible hangover. First one in over 4 years, after that didn't even want to drink as a whole day was wasted feeling **** and haven't drank since, not even interested in it.

Just look after yourself and don't give a crap what other people think, I thought my mates would give me a hard time but they were supportive and a big help. As for women, i met my wife after i gave up, but not in a pub, during the day through work. When i was drinking i wouldn't have had the balls unless after a few bevies.

Wattle

arahjaysus wrote: »

I've been reading through the thread and am surprised there are so many people in the same boat!

Im a lad in my late 20's and have slowly but surely begun to realise that the boozing is actually ruining my life. I don't drink every day and practically never during the week but come the weekend; bang! Friday night meeting the lads for the session, literally pouring booze down my neck so I can get smashed and be able to be the funny man and the messer. Another couple of pints later or a few strong concoctions I'm feeling girls backsides and quite willing to get into a fist fight with any fella who looks at me funny.... that person is NOT me!

I would say I lost the girl of my dreams over drinking because of repeated cheating (a long term relationship) and haven't been able to keep a girl since because I become a dickhead once the booze is in town. That's not to mention all the one night stands and waking up beside women who's name you haven't the foggiest and who you wouldn't go to bed with for love nor money when sober (no offence to any women). Also fairly frequent dabbling in class a go hand in hand with the big pissups.

I was at a big event with friends recently and as usual I was the clown after the few scoops and no doubt there was a few other lads at it with me but it suddenly dawned on me that all these mates have girlfriends who they were going home to while I was the fool running around plastered with the top off. The three day hangovers and DT's and depression until the middle of the following week are also a killer.

I am ready to stop drinking but am worried about the effect it will have on my social life, I've seen other people post about the Irish 'social awkwardness' and I agree. I feel like I wouldn't know what to do in a pub without a pint in my hand and would be scared of my life to approach a woman.

I suppose I am wondering how people get through it, do you stop for a month at first and then see how you feel? Can you have a life without the pub? How do you unwind? Where do you meet a woman if not in a pub or nightclub?

Sorry for such a long post!

That kind of constant craziness starts getting old around the 30 mark. People start settling down, they have partners and kids, they can't hack the 3 day hangovers anymore, they emigrate and so on. A new phase begins it happens to everyone. You need to look beyond the pubs and clubs scene and get creative.