One Year No Beer

Chalk McHugh

I have finally decided to kick this poison for a full year. I think/know it will be difficult at times but am determined to succeed. I've burned the candle at both ends for what seems an eternity so a years detox to fully recharge the batteries is badly needed. Anyone else do something similiar and if so are there any tricks of the trade/ideas to succeed? Thanks.

I have no advice to offer but best of luck with it.

Close to stepping away myself, the law of diminishing returns. I reckon that avoiding environments where the booze is flowing a must, and filling the void with exercise or other healthy pursuits. Best of luck to you.

anewme

Are you doing that online program Op?

Chalk McHugh

To say my life has spiralled out of control due to alcohol and 'partying' is an understatement. I'm no spring chicken either so i owe it to myself, mind, body and pocket to do this. I want to see what changes, if any, there will be after one full year sobriety. I started on Wed 12 Feb so 20 days in. I heard good things from various people about doing it so now i'm going to put it to the test.

Chalk McHugh

anewme wrote: »

Are you doing that online program Op?

No. Doing it on my own.

fonecrusher1

Thrink!

EmmetSpiceland

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Close to stepping away myself, the law of diminishing returns. I reckon that avoiding environments where the booze is flowing a must, and filling the void with exercise or other healthy pursuits. Best of luck to you.

Giving up completely is a pain in the hole and feel you like a dick when you end up having “one or two” at some event.

“Cutting down” or setting limits is a much more realistic way of doing things. Now, by all means, knock it on the head if you think you can manage that but don’t feel like you’ve failed if you “cave” a couple of times.

Chalk McHugh

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

Giving up completely is a pain in the hole and feel you like a dick when you end up having “one or two” at some event.

“Cutting down” or setting limits is a much more realistic way of doing things. Now, by all means, knock it on the head if you think you can manage that but don’t feel like you’ve failed if you “cave” a couple of times.

I could never have said i was giving it up forever so i compromised on one full year. I will be disappointed if i cannot do this as it should be achievable and i really want to do it. Like another poster mentioned i have already been exercising more often: have done one hour walk/jog for 6 of last 7 days. It's early days yet. I have already calculated i am 5% through (20 days). Only 95% left. I was bored earlier and think i have over 8,000 hours left. Probably thinking too much about it and need to take it day by day.

KilOit

Just spent few nights in Brugge and decided to drink more beer for the year, good strong ones at least 8% in alcohol

Chalk McHugh

KilOit wrote: »

Just spent few nights in Brugge and decided to drink more beer for the year, good strong ones at least 8% in alcohol

Different strokes for different folks. Enjoy.

1o059k7ewrqj3n

Very admirable to give up the beer for a year but might be easier to give up for a month first and see how you get on. I’m only saying that because I’ve tried similar things and was disheartened when I didn’t hold out for the entire goal but starting in smaller steps was more attainable and eventually got me to drinking less and less.

Best of luck to you!

cj maxx

I think I'll do a serious cut down myself. I have a function in a couple of weeks. But I may just knock it on the head after that.
Keep us posted Chalk and good luck

KilOit

Steyr 556 wrote: »

Very admirable to give up the beer for a year but might be easier to give up for a month first and see how you get on. I’m only saying that because I’ve tried similar things and was disheartened when I didn’t hold out for the entire goal but starting in smaller steps was more attainable and eventually got me to drinking less and less.

Best of luck to you!

Did the dry January thing before and found it ok, a month is defiantly doable, a year is whole other story.

Chalk McHugh

cjmc wrote: »

I think I'll do a serious cut down myself. I have a function in a couple of weeks. But I may just knock it on the head after that.
Keep us posted Chalk and good luck

Ok cheers i will post after every month. So please god i'll send 12 more posts. Feel free to join me anyone. Talk later.

iamstop

Get a bike AND join a gym. Use them both.

Also, I know people who gave up the cigs and there is an app where you put in how many you were on a day and how much you'd spend in a week or whatever and it tells you how much you're saving. Might a great incentive. You can treat yourself to a trip away or whatever after the year with all the savings.

anewme

You will need another "task" or interest to focus on OP, be it gym, cycling, volunteering, travel. Its the boredom for a lot of people, I'd say.

Good luck with it.

Chalk McHugh

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

Anyone else do something similiar and if so are there any tricks of the trade/ideas to succeed? Thanks.

The one piece of advice I hear from many sources is if you remove beer from your life and leave a hole - then expect to fail. Nature hates a vacuum.

As others on the thread have already suggested - fill that hole with something else. Hobbies - Fitness - People - Charity - Work - Whatever. Just fill the hole. Overfill it slightly even.

Try to avoid the areas where you usually drink. If it is pubs then that is somewhat easy. If you were a drink at home type - then focus on hobbies and other pursuits that get you out of the house.

Set small short term as well as big long term goals. Often people fail with big long term goals - it is one of the reason so many people fail at new years resolutions for example. Smaller short term goals are more attainable and in shorter periods of time - which boost confidence and personal well being and pride and self worth and so on. So rather than focus on - for a random example - running a marathon - start by getting to 5k then reducing the time for a 5k or getting to 6k and so on.

_Tell_ people you are doing this and why. Mutual support is a great thing. Perhaps using AA or something else find peers who are in the same boat. Fighting alcohol together is often easier than alone. Find things to do with mates that have no alcohol involved. Get inventive with that. You might find some of your mates get a kick out of trying new things with you when normally they might have just hit the pub because hitting the pub is what they automatically do.

People also find resolutions and other goals easier to attain when there is pride or money invested in it. So lay down some bets or forfeits with some mates or other people going off the beer. Set a forfeit you have to do that scares you or embarrass you if you drink again for example. Put a lump of money - nothing that will break you but enough that it will hurt - into the hands of a third party and tell him to donate it to a charity you truly _hate_ if you go off the rails. Joe Rogan I think - might have been someone else - recently talked about giving a few 100 dollars to a mate and said "if I go off the rails donate this to the KKK". Another story similar I heard was a guy said the money should go to his childhood bully - which seriously motivated him to stay clean. Obviously to reduce the chance of you lying or hiding it - the third party should be the person most likely to know for a fact you went off the tracks.

Mindfullness meditation is useful I find for things like this. I recommend the Waking Up App for this. You're meant to pay for it but the producer of it - if you mail him and tell him you can't really afford it - usually gives it for free. I like the app because it has none of the woo or mysticism or other bull that often gets packaged with meditation.

What Mindfullness does for you is gives you tools not to avoid cravings but to notice them when they arise and rather than respond to them or fight them - simply let them be and go on their way. Does not help everyone. But no harm to try and see.

Finally do some personal introspection. Find out what drink gave you that you wanted or needed or desired. Break it down into small parts and then find other ways in your life to get that thing. If - for example - it helped you get over shyness and talk to or bond with people - find other ways to get that. If it helped you with some emotional problems or traumas - work on that. If it gave you a dopamine hit - find other hits. And so on. You were getting something from it most likely - but it might not be instantly obvious to you - or easy to be honest with yourself about - what that something actually was.

Above all remember that everything I just wrote is just suggestions of things to try. One or more of them might work for you. Maybe none of them will. Everyone is different. Be _very_ suspicious of anyone who tells you "Do this and it will work!" because A) nothing works for everyone and often if you believe it should/will work and it doesnt people wrongly then feel they must somehow be the failure and it is their fault. They think "This thing is meant to work - and it did not work for me - so something must be wrong with me!". And its tragic when that happens. The reality is some things work for some people and not for others. It is that simple. Try all the suggestions you get - work with the ones that work for you. Drop the rest.

Similarly if you fail - start over. People fail at stuff all the time. Nothing wrong with that. Abhor the failure not the failee. You are not weak if you fail. You are only weak if you give up trying.

Hope some of that helps. It was long - so I hope you at least read it

Chalk McHugh

[Deleted User] wrote: »

The one piece of advice I hear from many sources is if you remove beer from your life and leave a hole - then expect to fail. Nature hates a vacuum.

As others on the thread have already suggested - fill that hole with something else. Hobbies - Fitness - People - Charity - Work - Whatever. Just fill the hole. Overfill it slightly even.

Try to avoid the areas where you usually drink. If it is pubs then that is somewhat easy. If you were a drink at home type - then focus on hobbies and other pursuits that get you out of the house.

Set small short term as well as big long term goals. Often people fail with big long term goals - it is one of the reason so many people fail at new years resolutions for example. Smaller short term goals are more attainable and in shorter periods of time - which boost confidence and personal well being and pride and self worth and so on. So rather than focus on - for a random example - running a marathon - start by getting to 5k then reducing the time for a 5k or getting to 6k and so on.

_Tell_ people you are doing this and why. Mutual support is a great thing. Perhaps using AA or something else find peers who are in the same boat. Fighting alcohol together is often easier than alone. Find things to do with mates that have no alcohol involved. Get inventive with that. You might find some of your mates get a kick out of trying new things with you when normally they might have just hit the pub because hitting the pub is what they automatically do.

People also find resolutions and other goals easier to attain when there is pride or money invested in it. So lay down some bets or forfeits with some mates or other people going off the beer. Set a forfeit you have to do that scares you or embarrass you if you drink again for example. Put a lump of money - nothing that will break you but enough that it will hurt - into the hands of a third party and tell him to donate it to a charity you truly _hate_ if you go off the rails. Joe Rogan I think - might have been someone else - recently talked about giving a few 100 dollars to a mate and said "if I go off the rails donate this to the KKK". Another story similar I heard was a guy said the money should go to his childhood bully - which seriously motivated him to stay clean. Obviously to reduce the chance of you lying or hiding it - the third party should be the person most likely to know for a fact you went off the tracks.

Mindfullness meditation is useful I find for things like this. I recommend the Waking Up App for this. You're meant to pay for it but the producer of it - if you mail him and tell him you can't really afford it - usually gives it for free. I like the app because it has none of the woo or mysticism or other bull that often gets packaged with meditation.

What Mindfullness does for you is gives you tools not to avoid cravings but to notice them when they arise and rather than respond to them or fight them - simply let them be and go on their way. Does not help everyone. But no harm to try and see.

Finally do some personal introspection. Find out what drink gave you that you wanted or needed or desired. Break it down into small parts and then find other ways in your life to get that thing. If - for example - it helped you get over shyness and talk to or bond with people - find other ways to get that. If it helped you with some emotional problems or traumas - work on that. If it gave you a dopamine hit - find other hits. And so on. You were getting something from it most likely - but it might not be instantly obvious to you - or easy to be honest with yourself about - what that something actually was.

Above all remember that everything I just wrote is just suggestions of things to try. One or more of them might work for you. Maybe none of them will. Everyone is different. Be _very_ suspicious of anyone who tells you "Do this and it will work!" because A) nothing works for everyone and often if you believe it should/will work and it doesnt people wrongly then feel they must somehow be the failure and it is their fault. They think "This thing is meant to work - and it did not work for me - so something must be wrong with me!". And its tragic when that happens. The reality is some things work for some people and not for others. It is that simple. Try all the suggestions you get - work with the ones that work for you. Drop the rest.

Similarly if you fail - start over. People fail at stuff all the time. Nothing wrong with that. Abhor the failure not the failee. You are not weak if you fail. You are only weak if you give up trying.

Hope some of that helps. It was long - so I hope you at least read it

Thanks for the detailed post. Quite a lot in it. I will definately take some guidance from some of these ideas. I have a feeling i will be reading over this post quite a few times over the coming months.

Strumms

iamstop wrote: »

Get a bike AND join a gym. Use them both.

Also, I know people who gave up the cigs and there is an app where you put in how many you were on a day and how much you'd spend in a week or whatever and it tells you how much you're saving. Might a great incentive. You can treat yourself to a trip away or whatever after the year with all the savings.

100% to all of this. I’ve done and am doing the gym thing and it’s a great motivation to know that you just want to be fit, feeling well and healthy going down and not to be consumed by the dying embers of a hangover from the night before.

You’ll be wealthier, fitter, healthier and looking and feeling a million dollars... all above is a perfect incentive.

Chalk McHugh

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

Thanks for the detailed post. Quite a lot in it. I will definately take some guidance from some of these ideas. I have a feeling i will be reading over this post quite a few times over the coming months.

Actually as long as my post was I left something out.

Due to a few hobbies and things I work at I have two friends who are in the area of psychology/psychiatry in the area of addiction and I asked them once what the biggest failure point of recovering addicts was. And despite them never having met each other they gave me almost verbatim the same response.

Their answer was something I had not considered before but when I think of people who went off the rails it makes a lot of sense.

They basically said "The longer they are off it the more likely they are to forget how bad it was".

Meaning - that over time the reasons you had for giving up start to seem less important and you start to question why you are bothering giving up at all.

So if there is anything you can do to _remind_ yourself why you are doing this - like write yourself a letter or make a journal with pictures and reminders and so on - do it now. And make it a habit to read it and look over it. Daily for now to make it a habit but later maybe just once a week.

Basically if you were to create a message _now_ for a future you to remind the future you why you are giving up in the most visceral way - what would it be. Make it. Write it. Create it. Whatever. And keep it as part of your life.

enricoh

KilOit wrote: »

Just spent few nights in Brugge and decided to drink more beer for the year, good strong ones at least 8% in alcohol

Fantastic spot, great beers! Best of luck op, yer body will thank you.
A couple of young nippers mean I'm living like a saint these days, they're getting more manageable with every month so I intend to get more pints in!
A mate of mine is on a bottle of vodka a day n I'd love nothing more for him to join you, but it's not gonna happen.

Chalk McHugh

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Actually as long as my post was I left something out.

Due to a few hobbies and things I work at I have two friends who are in the area of psychology/psychiatry in the area of addiction and I asked them once what the biggest failure point of recovering addicts was. And despite them never having met each other they gave me almost verbatim the same response.

Their answer was something I had not considered before but when I think of people who went off the rails it makes a lot of sense.

They basically said "The longer they are off it the more likely they are to forget how bad it was".

Meaning - that over time the reasons you had for giving up start to seem less important and you start to question why you are bothering giving up at all.

So if there is anything you can do to _remind_ yourself why you are doing this - like write yourself a letter or make a journal with pictures and reminders and so on - do it now. And make it a habit to read it and look over it. Daily for now to make it a habit but later maybe just once a week.

Basically if you were to create a message _now_ for a future you to remind the future you why you are giving up in the most visceral way - what would it be. Make it. Write it. Create it. Whatever. And keep it as part of your life.

Makes sense to me. I do keep a journal but have let it slide over the years. I write a small note every day now as a reminder of why i need to get away from that life. And put a note on my phone too. It definately helps focus the mind.

biko

There is a no drinking forum you can find a lot of support and help in.

whiskeyman

Once I had my first child I pretty much gave up drink.
Happier without it.
Probably healthier and have more money too.
Not worth the hangovers.

whiskeyman

whiskeyman wrote: »

Once I had my first child I pretty much gave up drink.
Happier without it.
Probably healthier and have more money too.
Not worth the hangovers.

The username cant help a lot I guess?

Lonesomerhodes

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

I have finally decided to kick this poison for a full year. I think/know it will be difficult at times but am determined to succeed. I've burned the candle at both ends for what seems an eternity so a years detox to fully recharge the batteries is badly needed. Anyone else do something similiar and if so are there any tricks of the trade/ideas to succeed? Thanks.

Get to a good few meetings and talk. Take anti booze pills if need be.

The One Doctor

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

I have finally decided to kick this poison for a full year. I think/know it will be difficult at times but am determined to succeed. I've burned the candle at both ends for what seems an eternity so a years detox to fully recharge the batteries is badly needed. Anyone else do something similiar and if so are there any tricks of the trade/ideas to succeed? Thanks.

Drink whiskey.

andekwarhola

The most vital part of the process is tell everybody about it constantly.

iamstop

Lonesomerhodes wrote: »

Take anti booze pills if need be.

What this about now?

anewme

Theres a forum called Sober Recovery which might help.

Watch some of the documentaries made on alcohol.

Louis Theroux's.

Rain in my Heart.

anewme

andekwarhola wrote: »

The most vital part of the process is tell everybody about it constantly.

Why?

Peatys

This close to paddys?

Titclamp

Easy done with right mindset.

I quit 23rd December. After a very embarrassing weekend and I had said **** it. Quit the cigarettes shortly after and within a week or two I been improving greatly

Started a few new things.

Took up boxing classes which I had only dreamed of doing before and love it.

Sleep got back to normal and a more lust for life kicked in for new experiences outside of the pub and the rest.

at9qu5vp0wcix7

If you are a heavy drinker, you'll look years younger after giving it up even for a few months. You'd also be surprised at how much weight you can lose - lots of hidden calories from alcohol and everything that goes along with it!

Sleeper12

Chalk McHugh wrote:

I have finally decided to kick this poison for a full year. I think/know it will be difficult at times but am determined to succeed. I've burned the candle at both ends for what seems an eternity so a years detox to fully recharge the batteries is badly needed. Anyone else do something similiar and if so are there any tricks of the trade/ideas to succeed? Thanks.

I read the thread title and assumed that you had already been off if for a year & were sharing your new found wisdom

valoren

I haven't touched a drop since the new year. I've lost 13 pounds and my chronically high blood pressure is normal.

Irish_rat

I did it before for 16 months. Lost a lot of weight, complexion improved and just felt much better. I think it's hard to go completely cold turkey. I have a few once every 3 or so months now. Usually for weddings, Christmas and work night out.

Irish_rat

Mario Fast Industry wrote: »

If you are a heavy drinker, you'll look years younger after giving it up even for a few months. You'd also be surprised at how much weight you an lose - lots of hidden calories from alcohol and everything that goes along with it!

True but I find sugar and junk food can be just as bad.

Strumms

Irish_rat wrote: »

True but I find sugar and junk food can be just as bad.

Funny you should say that, I’ve never been a guy with a sweet tooth but I now eat a little more ‘crap’ as in snacks as I used to... my main meals are healthy but I find myself snacking where I never used to.

Computer Science Student

Why did you pack it in OP? Was there a final straw

Church on Tuesday

Get something/do something cool with the hundreds you will save by being sober.

It's not easy though, wish you the best.

Lonesomerhodes

iamstop wrote: »

What this about now?

You have never heard of anti booze or to use the medical name antabuse pills?!?.

Jesus.

The Bishop Basher

I’m 5 years off the sauce. I wasn’t an alcoholic and i never meant to give it up completely but I started doing a month off here and there and the benefits were unmistakable so I gave it up for another “month” about 5 years ago and never went back. I’m in my 40’s now and was drinking since my early teens. The thought of giving up drink completely used to terrify me. Now the thought of ever going back terrifies me far more. Best “decision” I’ve ever made.

Best of luck OP.

anewme

Lonesomerhodes wrote: »

You have never heard of anti booze or to use the medical name antabuse pills?!?.

Jesus.

Are they not for chronic alcoholism?

BanditLuke

Been off the booze completely since St.Stephens day OP. I found it very hard at first but now after around 10 weeks im flying it. Saved a fortune thus far and noticed a lot more clarity in my life. I'm also sleeping a hell of a lot better. I'd originally planned just to give up for a month but now i'm going to try the year and make a decision then if i ever drink again.

Also began to realise just how many complete arseholes there are out there and who my real friends are.

Good luck

Ghetofarmulous

Write down hoe much you save every day. I did it for fags. Massive motivation.

Chalk McHugh

Computer Science Student wrote: »

Why did you pack it in OP? Was there a final straw

Been wanting to do it for years really. A few things happened though over the last year that finally made up my mind. I dont really want to go into here just yet but they were very dangerous/scary/revealing. I might feel more comfortable saying what happened at a later date

Chalk McHugh

BanditLuke wrote: »

Been off the booze completely since St.Stephens day OP. I found it very hard at first but now after around 10 weeks im flying it. Saved a fortune thus far and noticed a lot more clarity in my life. I'm also sleeping a hell of a lot better. I'd originally planned just to give up for a month but now i'm going to try the year and make a decision then if i ever drink again.

Also began to realise just how many complete arseholes there are out there and who my real friends are.

Good luck

Excellent. I enjoy reading posts like this of others who are doing well off the drink. Good stuff.

Chalk McHugh

The Bishop Basher wrote: »

I’m 5 years off the sauce. I wasn’t an alcoholic and i never meant to give it up completely but I started doing a month off here and there and the benefits were unmistakable so I gave it up for another “month” about 5 years ago and never went back. I’m in my 40’s now and was drinking since my early teens. The thought of giving up drink completely used to terrify me. Now the thought of ever going back terrifies me far more. Best “decision” I’ve ever made.

Best of luck OP.

Fantastic. Life changing. 5 years? Thats incredible really. Im on day 21 today but posts like this gives me hope that it can be done.

This is it

Lonesomerhodes wrote: »

You have never heard of anti booze or to use the medical name antabuse pills?!?.

Jesus.

I certainly haven't?!?

Jesus.