Drinking - giving up for a while

Dreamcatcher

Ok, here goes - I've recently decided that I've been drinking way too much and the amount seems to only increase(on the whole) as time goes on.
This month I have been cutting it down on weekdays. I'm going to continue to cut down and be a bit more conscious about my drinking habits, during weekdays at least, and then I'm planning to give it up altogether for the month of July at least, see how it goes.

My reasons, well I went for six days without drinking week before last and I had so much energy. I feel that by drinking on a regular basis, I am depressing myself and my ambition is sagging and I can't meet my own expectations for myself and in a way I've repressed, maybe forgotten to some extent the person that I really am!!, if that makes sense.

I would love to hear from anyone who has come to a similar realisation and decided to go teetotal for a length of time. If you did do this, did you get pissed, and continue as you had been, when you went back, or did you lose the taste for it and just have one or two and then gone home?
Also, when I'm out having my lemonade or water in a pub, I'm wondering what do I say if I'm out with people from work or acquantices as opposed to real friends.
Most people wouldn't ask or make an issue of it, but there might be the one or two that would, even if it's just as a slagging!

crazymonkey

Fair dues to you, i done something similiar a few yrs ago, u will sleep better and have more energy, i read somewhere once that its a good idea for a man to go of the drink for a month once every year, in order to let ur liver cleanse itself, its no big deal going out to pubs\clubs and not drinking, i dont think so anyway, Now, i do drink now but only five or six pints on the weekend, some weeks dont drink at all,

jcoote

if your findin it hard givin up the drink try and increase your water intake that'll help with the tiredness and will give your liver a hand flushing your system

Dizzyblabla

I keep telling myself I will, and then I don't... but I am down from 4 - 6 nights out a week to maybe two or three... and at least one of those nights I won't drink at all!! a nightclub on a Saturday night is NOT fun sober - but some pubs can be ok, just don't pick the ones that you know will be far too busy and packed, cause it doesn't help at all.
the only difference I've really noticed is the money, I have much more of it! and a friend of mine did say that I looked alot less tired lately (probably from getting a few early nights!)

I decided to drink less cause I was texting/phoning people (guys) and kissing guys I shouldn't have been kissing (old ex's etc) and making a plain old fool of myself being so bloody drunk... and yet, the nights I do drink now, I still feel the need to get plastered, it's very rare that I will find the happy medium of having "one or two" - it's all or nothing, maybe I'll join you Dreamcatcher on the teetotal for July campaign! ('cept for the 31st, that's my birthday!)



[EDIT]I've just noticed that you sent this at 2am on a Friday night/Saturday morning - were you drunk when you wrote it? it's soo like something I would do! [/EDIT]

nesf

I gave up the drink for a year.

Best thing I ever did. Put a lot of things in perspective for me.

Although to be fair, it wasn't that hard to do since I was going out with a girl who didn't drink at the time.

KevIRL

crazymonkey wrote:

Fair dues to you, i done something similiar a few yrs ago, u will sleep better and have more energy, i read somewhere once that its a good idea for a man to go of the drink for a month once every year, in order to let ur liver cleanse itself, its no big deal going out to pubs\clubs and not drinking, i dont think so anyway, Now, i do drink now but only five or six pints on the weekend, some weeks dont drink at all,

I go off the drink for 2 months each year...November and January. Helps pay for the Xmas binge

Victor

I keep telling myself I will, and then I don't... but I am down from 4 - 6 nights out a week to maybe two or three... and yet, the nights I do drink now, I still feel the need to get plastered, it's very rare that I will find the happy medium of having "one or two" - it's all or nothing,

Your body (especially liver, brain and heart) finds it a lot easier to deal with one pint six times a week than 6 pints once a week

CaptainPeacock

Why give it up for a while? That's what alcoholics do. They save up for the next binge. Why not give it up altogether if you can do without it for a while?

nesf

CaptainPeacock wrote:

Why give it up for a while? That's what alcoholics do. They save up for the next binge. Why not give it up altogether if you can do without it for a while?

Eh, you're saying that people who give up for a while are really closet alcoholics? I assume you don't mean that, it's just how you're coming across to me.


There's nothing wrong with a person enjoying a few social drinks. So it's not so much being able to do without it, it's being able to enjoy it in moderation and not leave it become a problem.

Then again, that's just my opinion.

Alkers

I "gave it up" for 6 months last year for medical reasons. Managed to last 3 without touching a drop but then started to take "breaks". I found it really hard going out with friends, being the only sober person. You also get knackered while everyone else is on a good buzz. If anyone gives you stick just loosly say that you would gladly drink them under the table but you're not drinking for medical reasons and they will soon shut-up. You say you're "cutting it down" on weekdays. Try not drinking at all untill the weekends as I can't see drinking heavily every day being to healthy for you or your wallet.

Rockiemalt

i didn't drink for a year just cause i was tired of it.. i never drank much and only started drinking again recently. i would still maybe drink only 3 pints on a night out. its grand to do, jsut drink water, or water plus blackcurrant and the amount of money i saved was actaully amazing!

rainbow kirby

I gave up drinking altogether for about 8 months last year, partly for medical reasons and partly because I was in training for my TKD black belt. It's one of the best things I've ever done. I've decided now to pretty much stay off altogether. I love being able to think straight the morning after a night out.

Dagon

I stopped drinking 1 year and a half ago, and I have never looked back! Being drink free has definitely enriched my life in many ways. The mind is more peaceful, I feel happier and lighter, I've exchanged a slightly pudgy belly for a washboard stomach so I've definitely lost weight. Of course this is just my experience.

Drink affected me in a lot of negative ways, and I was never even an alcoholic, just as weekend drinker. Drink affects us in many more negative ways that we realise. Some of you have already stated them earlier in this post.

I gave up drink for mind/body/spirit reasons, and meditation helped me to stay off it. I don't think you should give it up until you feel you want to, until it is natural. Otherwise you are just forcing yourself not to drink, and this will never tackle the root cause of your drinking. So you will just drink again.

We drink because there is a want. We drink to escape, to hide, to assume a personality that we feel is more social, more exciting or fun.. but these are all illusions that we have been conditioned into. Look within yourself, and you will find the reasons why you need to conform to the mundane activity of becoming intoxicated, and dulling the mind.

The catch is... getting high on life takes a little work, and you might need to look deep within yourself in various ways that are painful for most humans to contemplate. But there is joy better than any highs that drink can give you, and it's in all of us just waiting to be found...

"Why not give it up altogether if you can do without it for a while?"

vibrant

Dreamcatcher, making a big decision like that can sometimes be the hardest part! I haven't been drinking much at all lately - I'd say I've only had about three or four glasses of wine in the last month. It's not really about me making some sort of concious health statement though; I'm just a bit fed up with pubs and silly drunk talk on a weekly basis.

Don't worry about what other people are going to say if they see you drinking water or soft drinks ... so what? If they pass a comment, just say that you're cutting back for a while for a couple of reasons, and that you'll tell them how it's going in a few weeks. Or, tell them that you don't drink. It's really nobody's business - especially if you feel that you're currently drinking a little too much, and if they think that is peachy keen...

The only thing that sort of jars me about this, is that you're keen to give up for a month - do you think that the thoughts of a big binge at the end of the month would get you through? If so, you should probably consider cutting down instead of cutting out. Apart from that - best of luck to ya! You'll be loaded!

tech

I had my first drink @ 22 and just drank on a saturday nite for about 2 years, In Jan I decided to give it up again I must say I had some mad nites when I was pissed drunk and crack was mighty at times, but also I was having as much crack up to 22 with no drink, so Ive now gone back to not drinking since X-mas and I must say im really have some crack now, plus its lovely to be able to go for a jog on a sunday morning after a nite out and also to be able to drive home after a nite out, I drink a few cidona's and then its water and blackcurrent for me !!!

I love the crack , but drink isint required to have the crack!

Tar.Aldarion

hmm im giving it up mostly for the summer too just birthdays and concerts are exempt
gl

koneko

Drinking is an utter waste of time and money. Quit. It's hard in this country, because it's basically a hobby for so many people (everyone goes down the pub after work, and give you a hard time if you don't drink yourself into a coma every weekend), but you can definitely do it. Just stick with it, you'll feel so much better for it.

KlodaX

plus its lovely to be able to go for a jog on a sunday morning after a nite out

so true. I want to take up swimming but have found for the past few weekends that I'm just too drained from the night before. Such a shame. I'm not a heavy drinker .. just a light weight ... but it makes such a difference.

I was thinking of giving it up for a while seen as I have taken to having a cigerette after about 3 drinks ... which is crap because I gave up smoking a while back.

I gave up drinking before to give up smokes and it worked ... so I'm gonna do it again... plus I need to save cash! Dreamcatcher its a great idea. I went off it for about 3 or 4 weeks at the start of the year. Good idea. Night clubs are a bad idea. I don't like them drunk but sober it was a form of torcher.

Can anyone recommend some low alcohol drinks? I'm thinking of trying that ... socialable but without the morning after grogyness

DublinWriter

Dreamcatcher wrote:

I'm going to continue to cut down and be a bit more conscious about my drinking habits, during weekdays at least, and then I'm planning to give it up altogether for the month of July at least, see how it goes.

Here's the crunch question, when you start drinking on a session/night out, can you consciously stop drinking after a given amount, or do you drink until you are physically incapable of drinking more?

This really is the key. The trouble with alcohol is that the more you drink, the more you become immune to it and need greater quantities to acheive the same initial effects. By giving into that effect and consuming more and more you start going down a spiral of dependancy.

disillusioned

Another benefit to going teetotal is that YOU WILL LOSE WEIGHT!

The number of beer guts around these days is horrible - male and female.

AARRRGH

CaptainPeacock wrote:

Why give it up for a while? That's what alcoholics do. They save up for the next binge. Why not give it up altogether if you can do without it for a while?

I agree somewhat.

If you give up alcohol altogether, you still have a drink problem (which you do, hence this post.) Cutting something out altogether because you can't control it means there is a problem. Also, it generally only works shortterm.

Just cutting down and possibly changing your lifestyle (restaurants rather than pubs or something like that) is a much more sensible idea.

bragan

I gave up drininking in feburary for medical reasons. At the start i found it strange to go out with my mates, because i was sober and they were drunk. But i have gotten used to it. And to be honest, i have no plans to start drinking again. I still really enjoy my nights out, be that pubs/clubs. Its much easier on the wallet and your waist line. I feel much better overall, and im glad that i know i don't need alcohol to have a good night.

Dreamcatcher wrote:

Also, when I'm out having my lemonade or water in a pub, I'm wondering what do I say if I'm out with people from work or acquantices as opposed to real friends.
Most people wouldn't ask or make an issue of it, but there might be the one or two that would, even if it's just as a slagging!

I'm new in my job, and went to the first work thing last week. i thought it would be a bit uncomfortable for me, as i wasn't drinking etc, but it wasn't. I think you just need to get comfortable with not drinking yourself, and then it's fine. And as for people slagging, i haven't actually found that at all. in fact when i tell people I'm off drink, I've found that most of them have been impressed/supportive.
I hope it works out for you:)

Dagon

"I think you just need to get comfortable with not drinking yourself, and then it's fine."

Yeah, I think that's basically the key

I have also found that most people will be quite supportive and even impressed. Although if possible, I prefer people not to know that I don't drink, because sometimes you get lumped into a particular stereotype - even though people might not consciously do this.

the vivster

CaptainPeacock wrote:

Why give it up for a while? That's what alcoholics do. They save up for the next binge. Why not give it up altogether if you can do without it for a while?

i agree its like after your weekend of drinking you say rite im not drinking again for another while ... in reality how long does that really last ... it only lasts until the next occasion, if your going to give it up do it now and make a new start for yourself listen to what the others guys have said , you sleep better feel alot more healthy and better about yourself and they dont even want to look back, so just do it ... but thats only if you can?

ricey

dublinman i would not go as far and judge the man and say he has a drink problem he just finds himself in a place he dont understan trust me iv been in the same boat (i bet there is a girl involved in this) look if you think yourself that you do have a drink problem then just give it up before it gets any worse but dont let people tell you that "o you have a drink problem you need to do this and that" you and only you will know what problems you have and dont have.
I gave up drink for a good few months last year done me a bit of good now i drink again simple reason for that is i like goin out i like havin a few drinks n all that and if you do yourself dont give up drinkin all you need to do is stay off it weekdays and just go out the weekend if you find yourself needing drink on the weekdays and not just going down to the pub for a pint i mean needing it then you do have a problem and my advise would be givit up now, otherwise just drink on weekends and you will be cool if you like doin that givin it up aint the answr to your problem trust me.

Kingp35

Dagon wrote:

We drink because there is a want. We drink to escape, to hide, to assume a personality that we feel is more social, more exciting or fun.. but these are all illusions that we have been conditioned into. Look within yourself, and you will find the reasons why you need to conform to the mundane activity of becoming intoxicated, and dulling the mind.

Absolute Rubbish.

I always amazes me that people brand drinking as being this really bad thing that people do to escape reality and they get hooked on it. I seriously have to laugh at a comment like this as drinking is some kind of sinister thing. Stop being so absolutely ridiculous. I come from Dalkey in Dublin which has a huge drinking culture everybody does it but absolutley nobody this it for the reasons stated above. People do it socially because they enjoy a drink among the company of other friends. IF you go to your local pub you have a few drinks a sing song and a good time with your friends. What is sinister etc about that?? I think you are stating your own individual position there dagon and you are in no way entitled to brand everybody who drinks in the same light. if tahts the case 95% of our countries population drinks because of what you said. Absolute rubbish.

Anywhere you go in this wondeful world of ours you will find an Irish bar. Anywhere you go in this world Irish people are known for being great fun and the nicest people you are ever going to meet.We are also known to like a few drinks. Explain to me how this is "an illusion we have been conditioned into". Are saying that our culture, the very means by which Irish people are loved and revered throughout the world is all an illusion because we all do it just because of what you said?

People really annoy when they take a sinister view on drinking. Its a social outing that you enjoy with your friends. nothing more nothing less. I dont dispute drinking can become a problem for some people but you have no right to say that someone who goes out 4 nights a week has a "problem". Thats simply not true. It means they have a busy social life and there is nothing sinister involved in it at all. Please do not take this completely blinded view on drink just because of your own individual ideals of it.

The only problem with drinking is its health remifications. It hurts your body and that should be taken into account. However im a 20year old man, I have been drinking since I was 13 years old and I have no problem getting up for a run on a sunday, I am fit I have played for Dublin in both Soccer and Gealic football, sadly I had to give playing for The Dublin team for personal reasons. I am running the Dublin Marathon in December and I still play for both the local soccer and gaelic teams whenever I have the time. All this and I still go out at least 2 nights a week and get pretty damn drunk and have fun socially. It is not a sinister thing. Take a look at the top of your screen and you will see an add for boards beers where people can go and meet frinds and have a damn good time. Does your above comment relate to all the boards people who will be going to this? Perhaps you should tell them they are all living in an illusion. Im sure they will all agree with your above comment.

Dont get me wrong though either have nothing but respect for people who dont drink, my girlfriend of 3 years has never touched a drop in her entire life, I also know some others who drink very little so I have no problem with this. Fact is wheter you drink or dont drink doesnt matter to me. It just annoys me when narrow minded people start talking about the bad things drink does and people do it to escape reality or whatever other rubbish your coming out with. By and large people do not have sinister motives for drinking with the obvious exceptions of a very few people. I am not saying drink does not bring problems a small minority where there is almost always a much bigger problem involved but if post a comment like the one above your simply talking rubbish.

Rant over

Gillo

I haven't given u, but have seriously cut down to the point where I might not have anything all night. to be honest I didn't make a consious decision to cut down so in a way it was probley easier in that there was no pressure.

What I did find had was other peoples reaction's, once they saw I wasn't drinking an alcholic drink they'd get all serious and lot's of them assumed there was something up. In the end if people asked why I wasn't drinking I simply asked in a real sarcastic voice "what I have got in my hand then" generally it shut them up.

My advice, is give up if you want, but don't make a big song and dance, it will only pi$$ people off.

Alkers

Kingp35 wrote:

Absolute Rubbish.

I always amazes me that people brand drinking as being this really bad thing that people do to escape reality and they get hooked on it. I seriously have to laugh at a comment like this as drinking is some kind of sinister thing. Stop being so absolutely ridiculous. I come from Dalkey in Dublin which has a huge drinking culture everybody does it but absolutley nobody this it for the reasons stated above. People do it socially because they enjoy a drink among the company of other friends. IF you go to your local pub you have a few drinks a sing song and a good time with your friends. What is sinister etc about that?? I think you are stating your own individual position there dagon and you are in no way entitled to brand everybody who drinks in the same light. if tahts the case 95% of our countries population drinks because of what you said. Absolute rubbish.

Anywhere you go in this wondeful world of ours you will find an Irish bar. Anywhere you go in this world Irish people are known for being great fun and the nicest people you are ever going to meet.We are also known to like a few drinks. Explain to me how this is "an illusion we have been conditioned into". Are saying that our culture, the very means by which Irish people are loved and revered throughout the world is all an illusion because we all do it just because of what you said?

People really annoy when they take a sinister view on drinking. Its a social outing that you enjoy with your friends. nothing more nothing less. I dont dispute drinking can become a problem for some people but you have no right to say that someone who goes out 4 nights a week has a "problem". Thats simply not true. It means they have a busy social life and there is nothing sinister involved in it at all. Please do not take this completely blinded view on drink just because of your own individual ideals of it.

The only problem with drinking is its health remifications. It hurts your body and that should be taken into account. However im a 20year old man, I have been drinking since I was 13 years old and I have no problem getting up for a run on a sunday, I am fit I have played for Dublin in both Soccer and Gealic football, sadly I had to give playing for The Dublin team for personal reasons. I am running the Dublin Marathon in December and I still play for both the local soccer and gaelic teams whenever I have the time. All this and I still go out at least 2 nights a week and get pretty damn drunk and have fun socially. It is not a sinister thing. Take a look at the top of your screen and you will see an add for boards beers where people can go and meet frinds and have a damn good time. Does your above comment relate to all the boards people who will be going to this? Perhaps you should tell them they are all living in an illusion. Im sure they will all agree with your above comment.

Dont get me wrong though either have nothing but respect for people who dont drink, my girlfriend of 3 years has never touched a drop in her entire life, I also know some others who drink very little so I have no problem with this. Fact is wheter you drink or dont drink doesnt matter to me. It just annoys me when narrow minded people start talking about the bad things drink does and people do it to escape reality or whatever other rubbish your coming out with. By and large people do not have sinister motives for drinking with the obvious exceptions of a very few people. I am not saying drink does not bring problems a small minority where there is almost always a much bigger problem involved but if post a comment like the one above your simply talking rubbish.

Rant over

Fan****ingtacular!!! 100% agree

CerebralCortex

disillusioned wrote:

Another benefit to going teetotal is that YOU WILL LOSE WEIGHT!

The number of beer guts around these days is horrible - male and female.

I know I hate it when women have tank ass.

claireoby

a really good friend of mine (we're both 18 yr old girls) decided recently that she didnt like her attitude towards drink and is not touchin it again...which really makes me think bout mine... i go out at least once a week, not with the main objective "to get drunk" but it is one of them...it scares me to think that i may b maskin this by sayin i have a good time when i'm drunk, but really i just want to be drunk, but the silly thing is, i do the most stupidiest things while drunk, and nevr learn my lesson!! does any one else think like this..ie worry bout their alcohol intake but actually do nothing bout it? do wat i do...go out regardless, and make a fool of themselves again?

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

Anywhere you go in this wondeful world of ours you will find an Irish bar. Anywhere you go in this world Irish people are known for being great fun and the nicest people you are ever going to meet.We are also known to like a few drinks. Explain to me how this is "an illusion we have been conditioned into". Are saying that our culture, the very means by which Irish people are loved and revered throughout the world is all an illusion because we all do it just because of what you said?

"Known to like a few drinks" is a bit of an understatement, we are known as drunks. All around the world, drunks. People don't mind it, sure isn't it all a great laugh. But we are still regarded as a nation of drunks.
but then, who cares what foreigners think. A slightly more disturbing issue is that you seem to associate having a social life, with drinking alcohol.
There's more to life than drugs.

CerebralCortex

Kingp35 wrote:

Absolute Rubbish.

I always amazes me that people brand drinking as being this really bad thing that people do to escape reality and they get hooked on it. I seriously have to laugh at a comment like this as drinking is some kind of sinister thing. Stop being so absolutely ridiculous. I come from Dalkey in Dublin which has a huge drinking culture everybody does it but absolutley nobody this it for the reasons stated above. People do it socially because they enjoy a drink among the company of other friends. IF you go to your local pub you have a few drinks a sing song and a good time with your friends. What is sinister etc about that?? I think you are stating your own individual position there dagon and you are in no way entitled to brand everybody who drinks in the same light. if tahts the case 95% of our countries population drinks because of what you said. Absolute rubbish.

Anywhere you go in this wondeful world of ours you will find an Irish bar. Anywhere you go in this world Irish people are known for being great fun and the nicest people you are ever going to meet.We are also known to like a few drinks. Explain to me how this is "an illusion we have been conditioned into". Are saying that our culture, the very means by which Irish people are loved and revered throughout the world is all an illusion because we all do it just because of what you said?

People really annoy when they take a sinister view on drinking. Its a social outing that you enjoy with your friends. nothing more nothing less. I dont dispute drinking can become a problem for some people but you have no right to say that someone who goes out 4 nights a week has a "problem". Thats simply not true. It means they have a busy social life and there is nothing sinister involved in it at all. Please do not take this completely blinded view on drink just because of your own individual ideals of it.

The only problem with drinking is its health remifications. It hurts your body and that should be taken into account. However im a 20year old man, I have been drinking since I was 13 years old and I have no problem getting up for a run on a sunday, I am fit I have played for Dublin in both Soccer and Gealic football, sadly I had to give playing for The Dublin team for personal reasons. I am running the Dublin Marathon in December and I still play for both the local soccer and gaelic teams whenever I have the time. All this and I still go out at least 2 nights a week and get pretty damn drunk and have fun socially. It is not a sinister thing. Take a look at the top of your screen and you will see an add for boards beers where people can go and meet frinds and have a damn good time. Does your above comment relate to all the boards people who will be going to this? Perhaps you should tell them they are all living in an illusion. Im sure they will all agree with your above comment.

Dont get me wrong though either have nothing but respect for people who dont drink, my girlfriend of 3 years has never touched a drop in her entire life, I also know some others who drink very little so I have no problem with this. Fact is wheter you drink or dont drink doesnt matter to me. It just annoys me when narrow minded people start talking about the bad things drink does and people do it to escape reality or whatever other rubbish your coming out with. By and large people do not have sinister motives for drinking with the obvious exceptions of a very few people. I am not saying drink does not bring problems a small minority where there is almost always a much bigger problem involved but if post a comment like the one above your simply talking rubbish.

Rant over

"Come out come out you black and tan come out and fight me like a man" is all I could understand from the above rant.
You are right though everybody does drink "socially". Sounds like they all have the exact same hobbey (no individualism there dude) which I find hard to believe, its a safe bet, as dagon said, ye'v been conditioned.

CerebralCortex

Mordeth wrote:

"Known to like a few drinks" is a bit of an understatement, we are known as drunks. All around the world, drunks. People don't mind it, sure isn't it all a great laugh. But we are still regarded as a nation of drunks.
but then, who cares what foreigners think. A slightly more disturbing issue is that you seem to associate having a social life, with drinking alcohol.
There's more to life than drugs.

Did I ever mention that Mordeth is the MAN?

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

I'm surprised the ground hasn't opened up under my house after I told someone "there's more to life than drugs."

Dizzyblabla

I was out 5 nights the past week and drank 2 of them, there is nothing nicer than getting into the car and driving home at the end of the night!! no waiting for cabs, no waiting for people to get food, brilliant!!
If I'm not drinking, I just say it's cause I'm driving, or that I need to give it up for awhile, but because I'm just as hyper when I'm not drinking it's not a problem with friends, or even work colleagues.
I don't agree that people drink to make themselves feel better or to make problems go away, well, some might, but not everyone... Although I will say that when I've been drinking, it does give me more confidence to go up to guys and chat them up (which I have been known to do!)
As for associating a social life with drinking, I agree, it is what we do, when I arrange to meet friends, it is generally for a drink, or the cinema, but more often than not it's to go to the pub, but be honest, there's not an awful lot else to do here... and there's no need to all go giving out to me saying that there's plenty of other things to do, joining clubs etc... yes, these are available to us, but to have general chit-chat with friends, to catch up and fill them in on all the latest gossip (without everyone else in the café overhearing) - the pub is the best place to go, plain and simple...

Kingp35

Dizzyblabla wrote:

I was out 5 nights the past week and drank 2 of them, there is nothing nicer than getting into the car and driving home at the end of the night!! no waiting for cabs, no waiting for people to get food, brilliant!!
If I'm not drinking, I just say it's cause I'm driving, or that I need to give it up for awhile, but because I'm just as hyper when I'm not drinking it's not a problem with friends, or even work colleagues.
I don't agree that people drink to make themselves feel better or to make problems go away, well, some might, but not everyone... Although I will say that when I've been drinking, it does give me more confidence to go up to guys and chat them up (which I have been known to do!)
As for associating a social life with drinking, I agree, it is what we do, when I arrange to meet friends, it is generally for a drink, or the cinema, but more often than not it's to go to the pub, but be honest, there's not an awful lot else to do here... and there's no need to all go giving out to me saying that there's plenty of other things to do, joining clubs etc... yes, these are available to us, but to have general chit-chat with friends, to catch up and fill them in on all the latest gossip (without everyone else in the café overhearing) - the pub is the best place to go, plain and simple...

I think thats pretty much exactly it. Drinking is by and large a social thing. I didnt say it was exclusively "the" social thing. Obviously there is more things to do than drink but it is what most people like to do with there mates. Go to a pub and have a few drinks and a laugh and a chat. I never sais this is something you "have" to do to be in a social setting. Its not so the comment "there's more to life than drugs" doesnt even come in to this but this is obviously true. My rant is about people like dagon who think everyone has a sinister motive for drinking and its such a bad thing to do and it causes all this blah blah blah. That is completely and utterly untrue. People do it to be social and because they want to and because they like whatever they are drinking. Simple as that

nobodythere

Kingp35 wrote:

Anywhere you go in this world Irish people are known for being great fun and the nicest people you are ever going to meet.

Ehhh, eh eh.... Oh come on we're hated the world over. You don't even have to leave the country to see that, you only have to turn on foreign TV

bragan

grasshopa wrote:

Ehhh, eh eh.... Oh come on we're hated the world over. You don't even have to leave the country to see that, you only have to turn on foreign TV

i disagree. i don't think were hated. i was in america last year, and whenever we meet anyone, and they found out we were irish, they loved us. they think been irish is great, and most americans will try to connect themselves with ireland. there all very proud of the fact that there great great great grandfather was irish, or whatever the case is.

Kingp35

grasshopa wrote:

Ehhh, eh eh.... Oh come on we're hated the world over. You don't even have to leave the country to see that, you only have to turn on foreign TV

Please do not mix us Irish up with english people. Most countries hate english because they have a rep of causing trouble whether its fair or not. Irish people are loved because generally we are great craic and are friendly people.
Anyway thats slightly off topic

CerebralCortex

Kingp35 wrote:

Please do not mix us Irish up with english people. Most countries hate english because they have a rep of causing trouble whether its fair or not. Irish people are loved because generally we are great craic and are friendly people.
Anyway thats slightly off topic

I don't remember him refering to the English and their not hated either. I will agree Irish are loved but by the Americans only for novelty.

Kingp35

CerebralCortex wrote:

I don't remember him refering to the English and their not hated either.

That was a joke and yeah the english are pretty much hated everywhere. I do alot of travelling and people are always ignorant to you when you speak english to them but if you say your Irish they are all friendly and they like talking to you. I have never been to America so I dunno whats it like there for Americans loving Irish but I have been all over Europe and Australia, New Zealand etc and the Irish are loved everywhere. Thats a Fact

scojones

I've been trying to give up as well, but I find it very hard and have been unsuccessful. I went two weeks without it and thought I was going to go insane. I'm 21 and have been drinking regularly (weekly) since I was 12. Since the age of 16 I've been out two / three times a week without fail. I find it very hard to cope with not drinking, just because of the habit more than anything else. I've always been out on weekends, and staying in is very hard because I'm not used to it. I go out and end up not drinking but have a very bad night because quite frankly being sober around a load of drunk people is awful. My god I never realized I was like that when I was drunk!

So yeah, I really want to stop because I've developed a beer gut that I want to loose, and the drink does depress me. That week or two I was off it, I felt great health wise, but my head was wrecked.

bragan

sjones wrote:

I've been trying to give up as well, but I find it very hard and have been unsuccessful. I went two weeks without it and thought I was going to go insane. I'm 21 and have been drinking regularly (weekly) since I was 12. Since the age of 16 I've been out two / three times a week without fail. I find it very hard to cope with not drinking, just because of the habit more than anything else. I've always been out on weekends, and staying in is very hard because I'm not used to it. I go out and end up not drinking but have a very bad night because quite frankly being sober around a load of drunk people is awful. My god I never realized I was like that when I was drunk!

So yeah, I really want to stop because I've developed a beer gut that I want to loose, and the drink does depress me. That week or two I was off it, I felt great health wise, but my head was wrecked.

if you really want to quit then you should. its hard at the start, but you get used to it. i wouldn't recommend staying at home just because your not drinking because then you will just resent the fact that your not drinking anymore.

my advice would be still go out. i know been sober around drunk people is awful, especially when you have been one of the drunk people and know whats it like, but it does get easier. or it did for me anyway. i find drunk people don't annoy me anymore unless im already in a bad mood. you need to go in the right frame of mind, that you want to have fun, rather than "oh no,this nights going to be crap because im not drinking".
well thats my penny's worth anyways. hope it helps:)

Kingp35

sjones wrote:

So yeah, I really want to stop because I've developed a beer gut that I want to loose, and the drink does depress me. That week or two I was off it, I felt great health wise, but my head was wrecked.

First off you will only develope a beer gut if you dont excercise. If you go to the gym, play a sport, go for a jog or whatever you wont develope a beer gut. You just have to start excercising. Its hard to get going at the start but after about 3 weeks you will be flying and you will become fit and lose that beer gut fast. Also fit people have a much better metabolism and are therefore alot less likely to develope any kind of gut if you stop excercising for a small peiod of time so there is really quite an easy solution to that problem. Anyway even if you do stop drinking its not going to just vanish you will have to excercise anyway.

sjones wrote:

I've been trying to give up as well, but I find it very hard and have been unsuccessful. I went two weeks without it and thought I was going to go insane. I'm 21 and have been drinking regularly (weekly) since I was 12. Since the age of 16 I've been out two / three times a week without fail. I find it very hard to cope with not drinking, just because of the habit more than anything else. I've always been out on weekends, and staying in is very hard because I'm not used to it. I go out and end up not drinking but have a very bad night because quite frankly being sober around a load of drunk people is awful. My god I never realized I was like that when I was drunk!

First of all what is teh reason you want to stop drinking? It sounds to me like you dont enjoy it. Drinking shouldnt be done to follow the crowd it should be done to have fun and because you like it. If you dont enjoy drink then dont do it. Dont listen to all the anti-drinking campaigners in this thread though it just comes down to whether you are enjoying drinking or not. If not take Bragans advise above. Otherwise just excercise and your fitness will not be affected in the slightest. (I am living proof of that)

PullMyFinger!

I was thinking about giving it up for 6 months too.

Its good for releasing stress, getting laid easier and having a laugh but then there's hangovers (I get them really bad sometimes, to the point of taking the day off), fighting with your mates and/or gf, developing a gut, looking like sh*te, losing that spark in your eyes, depression and so much more other stuff if you drink too much.

Sleepy

Haven't had a drink since Oxegen myself. I've decided to only drink on special occasions rather than going out and getting bladdered every Friday and Saturday night. I'm off to Germany at the weekend so I'll have a few Weisbiers over there and then when I get back I'll be off it until whenever I feel like it again. I like the idea of staying off it for a year but I honestly don't know if I could do it...

PullMyFinger!

Special occasions could be the way to go. Why do some people drink 5 nights a week and then wonder why things arent going to plan? Crazy.

Kingp35

PullMyFinger! wrote:

I fighting with your mates and/or gf, developing a gut, looking like sh*te, losing that spark in your eyes, depression and so much more other stuff if you drink too much.

Why do people constantly associate all this bad stuff with drink?
IMO about 90%(if not more) of Irish poeple drink and nearly all of us are fine and have no effects whatsoever.

Its down to the individual. Simple as. And as I said before drink cant be held responsible for developing a gut, pure lack of excercise or being lazy is the reason you develope a gut.

PullMyFinger!

I remember an article by boxer Steve Collins a few years back on losing weight, to paraphrase him "first things first, stop drinking and you wont need to workout half as much if you want to lose your gut. Drop the drink"

Kingp35

PullMyFinger! wrote:

I remember an article by boxer Steve Collins a few years back on losing weight, to paraphrase him "first things first, stop drinking and you wont need to workout half as much if you want to lose your gut. Drop the drink"

My point is you shouldnt have gained the gut in the first place and then you dont need to work like crazy to get rid of it. It you excercise or are active you can drink whatever the hell you want and not put on a gut. Its teh same as anything else you can eat like crazy and not put on any weight if you excercise and work it off. Its all reletive.

Point is if you excercise you wont gain a gut if you dont excercise or keep yourself active you will. Simple as

scojones

Well today is a Monday, so it's time to try again
Although the coming weekend is a long weekend so I can see problems already. I'll go out and not drink, I don't think I will have as much of a problem with that as I used to tbh. The idea of cleaning my body out and going to the gym / exercising daily has me really upbeat. Here's to losing the gut and having money!