Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi all! We have been experiencing an issue on site where threads have been missing the latest postings. The platform host Vanilla are working on this issue. A workaround that has been used by some is to navigate back from 1 to 10+ pages to re-sync the thread and this will then show the latest posts. Thanks, Mike.
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

How many days are you free from booze?

  • 01-12-2021 8:53am
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 8,739 ✭✭✭Worztron


    Hi.

    Do you know the date when you had your last drink?

    I'm now on 1364 days without a drop. :)

    Glad to be done with the demon drink.

    Mitch Hedberg: "Rice is great if you're really hungry and want to eat two thousand of something."



«134

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,049 ✭✭✭gazzer


    36 days. Intend to stay alcohol free.



  • Registered Users Posts: 8,739 ✭✭✭Worztron


    Mitch Hedberg: "Rice is great if you're really hungry and want to eat two thousand of something."



  • Registered Users Posts: 55 ✭✭pretty boy floyd


    I think I’m at 322 days now. It definitely gets easier, and I’m not even that worried/stressed about Christmas, despite the relentless advertising and implications that it is all about booze. Let’s see how it goes.



  • Registered Users Posts: 55 ✭✭pretty boy floyd


    The first week and then month seem the hardest I think, so well done and keep it going.



  • Registered Users Posts: 8,739 ✭✭✭Worztron


    Mitch Hedberg: "Rice is great if you're really hungry and want to eat two thousand of something."



  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 118 ✭✭Skipduke


    had my last drink october 2020. don't miss it..no thoughts of going back.


    it's actually a turn off when I see people base their entire personality on pints or being out drinking. drink kills thousands of people every year around the world too. a hidden pandemic.



  • Registered Users Posts: 235 ✭✭sonandheir


    Last drink was August 2019. So glad I wasn't drinking when Covid came along, was able to focus on health and fitness throughout the lockdowns instead of nursing hangovers.


    Fair play to everyone in this forum. Giving up drinking has been one of the best decisions I ever made.



  • Registered Users Posts: 2,104 ✭✭✭rolling boh


    My only regret about cutting back and out the drink was not doing it years ago it has freed up some much time and allowed me fill the time with positive things don't have an issue with drinking just it becoming the centre of everything . The amount of people who won't do or go anywhere without the ' few drinks ' is huge in this country unfortunately.



  • Registered Users Posts: 715 ✭✭✭Mac_Lad71


    35 days due to illness and meds.

    I'm tempted to stay off it.



  • Registered Users Posts: 8,739 ✭✭✭Worztron


    Well done, your passed 1 year.

    Yes, I find it boring how people obsess over booze at near every event.

    That figure is more like 3 million deaths worldwide each year from booze.

    Mitch Hedberg: "Rice is great if you're really hungry and want to eat two thousand of something."



  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 8,739 ✭✭✭Worztron


    Mitch Hedberg: "Rice is great if you're really hungry and want to eat two thousand of something."



  • Registered Users Posts: 8,739 ✭✭✭Worztron


    Mitch Hedberg: "Rice is great if you're really hungry and want to eat two thousand of something."



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,569 ✭✭✭Fingers Mcginty


    How the hell do you manage long term? I actually find it easy enough for a few weeks as i usually have an event that will spur me into kicking it for a while. The problem is staying off it long term. Everything from putting on the stove at night triggers me to have a few crafts, a summers day triggers me as does most of life's events. I heard someone say before it's harder to give up the smokes than the drink but this hasn't been the case for me. Sick of the hangovers at this stage and the anxiety that comes with it.



  • Registered Users Posts: 55 ✭✭pretty boy floyd


    I'm sure its different for everyone, and I wouldnt be the one to preach having never had a break for decades before a health scare totally put me off it last January. Not had a drop since and it has been fine. Its been good to get through the usual triggers, like the ones you mention, with the knowledge it will get easier each time. Beyond that the end of the booze related anxiety is really great. Good luck with it, I'm sure half the battle is wanting to stop.



  • Registered Users Posts: 8,739 ✭✭✭Worztron


    It's 1387 days since my last drink. I'd hate the thought of that resetting to zero. I like to break personal records - exercises times, game high scores, weight loss, etc. I find this helps me a lot to also stay away from the booze.

    Mitch Hedberg: "Rice is great if you're really hungry and want to eat two thousand of something."



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 421 ✭✭e.r


    Coming up to 2190 days.

    best thing I’ve ever done!!

    still get asked by people would you not start again, nope is always the answer.



  • Registered Users Posts: 8,739 ✭✭✭Worztron


    Mitch Hedberg: "Rice is great if you're really hungry and want to eat two thousand of something."



  • Registered Users Posts: 8,739 ✭✭✭Worztron


    I had to do some division - that's 6 years! Nice! :-)

    Mitch Hedberg: "Rice is great if you're really hungry and want to eat two thousand of something."



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,132 ✭✭✭malinheader


    December 23/21. Went out with a friend,had been off it since probably August.

    Next day Christmas eve felt like siht, couldn't function. Missed visiting relatives and friends and own family. Christmas day still a mess.

    Hopefully that's the end for me.



  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 97 ✭✭prishtinaboy99


    My counter tells 934 days..



  • Registered Users Posts: 8,739 ✭✭✭Worztron


    Mitch Hedberg: "Rice is great if you're really hungry and want to eat two thousand of something."



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 88 ✭✭amytomjerry


    Had last drink on 6th Feb 2021...Best decision ever made...after the initial couple of emotionally and mentally tough months...lost alot of bloating and some weight..skin has improved tremendously..finances too

    However, I still think about alcohol every day..(does this ever stop?)..pre Christmas was very hard not to give in..

    Still shocked at how 'drink' is everywhere..every TV show or film has it, everyone talks about drink alot, supermarket or local shop bombardment..there's no escape from the visuals..

    But I love love love not drinking even though I do miss it sometimes..Will never go back on it, it would destroy me after all this time.

    Definitely changed how I look at life.



  • Registered Users Posts: 2 Twofastwheels


    November 2010 For me. Don't miss it at all now. I don't even think about it either at this point. Can easily go to family gatherings and nights out with friends and love that I wake up the next day being able to do something positive with that day. It took a few years to get to that point but a journey worth taking.



  • Registered Users Posts: 55 ✭✭pretty boy floyd




  • Registered Users Posts: 8,739 ✭✭✭Worztron


    Day #1431. :-) 🍵

    Mitch Hedberg: "Rice is great if you're really hungry and want to eat two thousand of something."



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,448 ✭✭✭apache


    Been about 6 years since I had a drink. Used to be always in trouble. Don't miss it one bit.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 130 ✭✭MikeCairo78


    888 days, family life is back to where it should be, buying a house, doing well at work. Life is so completely different from where it was - no longer in the gutter looking at the stars, to steal a phrase. I was in a bad way back in 2019, am much better in 2022, had help and still use it, but life is no longer obsessing about the drink and all disasters that befalls with lies and guilt and the ducking and the diving. Life is simple now.



  • Registered Users Posts: 8,739 ✭✭✭Worztron


    Mitch Hedberg: "Rice is great if you're really hungry and want to eat two thousand of something."



  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 923 ✭✭✭Everlong1


    Over 9 years, thanks to AA. Loving every day of it, not missing it in the slightest.



  • Registered Users Posts: 1,113 ✭✭✭thomas anderson.


    On day 38 booze free. Didn't really have a problem with it so to speak, just want to break the cycle of it.



  • Registered Users Posts: 8,739 ✭✭✭Worztron


    Mitch Hedberg: "Rice is great if you're really hungry and want to eat two thousand of something."



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,448 ✭✭✭apache


    Never really got the whole AA thing. I went to a few meetings in the early days but never stuck at it. Anxiety about groups is a problem too.

    What is it about AA that has helped you?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 923 ✭✭✭Everlong1


    Going to meetings is not an end in itself. The idea of going to meetings is to find a sponsor who'll guide you through the 12 step programme. Different meetings suit different people as well. Like everything else in life you need to "shop around" a bit to find a meeting that suits you. I had a great sponsor and going through the steps really helped me. Putting in the work deepens your commitment to staying sober. That's what I found.



  • Registered Users Posts: 8,739 ✭✭✭Worztron


    1518 days and counting. :-)

    Mitch Hedberg: "Rice is great if you're really hungry and want to eat two thousand of something."



  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,383 ✭✭✭peckerhead


    5,715 days, and just chipped in to say keep it up. If I can do it, etc...

    Wish I could do something about my aging though. 🙃



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 695 ✭✭✭JimmyMW


    Great stuff all, just happened across this thread and wanted to say fair play, i found it a new life after it, and would encourage anyone with issues with drink to keep on the path as it really does pay off. 3765 days and counting myself and I don't regret one min of it.



  • Posts: 0 ✭✭ Ada Hundreds Historian


    What sort of ages would you see in AA?

    I'm mid 20's and need to stop, already have some damage done.



  • Registered Users Posts: 8,739 ✭✭✭Worztron


    Liver damage? That's incredibly young to get it. 😮

    Mitch Hedberg: "Rice is great if you're really hungry and want to eat two thousand of something."



  • Posts: 0 ✭✭ Ada Hundreds Historian


    I've always been a heavy drinker but the last two years I went overboard with being stuck in the house.

    Damage is done, no point complaining now.



  • Advertisement
  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 12,887 Mod ✭✭✭✭JupiterKid


    1,184 days myself as of today.



  • Registered Users Posts: 55 ✭✭pretty boy floyd


    16 months or 485 days tomorrow. I definitely feel the benefit of it, physically and cognitively.



  • Registered Users Posts: 55 ✭✭pretty boy floyd


    I hope you’ve been able to get some grip on it. The liver is very forgiving if you give it a chance



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,396 ✭✭✭AyeGer


    5721 day and rarely if ever think about the stuff anymore



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,132 ✭✭✭Sigma Force


    All ages, all backgrounds you'd be suprised. Just listening to others experiences helps even if you don't feel like talking at first



  • Registered Users Posts: 5 Annovella


    4380 days not a single drop of alcohol and it's the most wonderful thing happened to me



  • Registered Users Posts: 8,739 ✭✭✭Worztron


    Mitch Hedberg: "Rice is great if you're really hungry and want to eat two thousand of something."



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 751 ✭✭✭Arthurdaly


    I don't know exactly but I think it was Jan 2018 so 1,672.

    Just bought a house with my partner and child in one of the most sought after locations in the country, work going well and generally living a stress free life.

    Priority now is family, health, fitness and sports. My life is totally different and most of my friends now wouldn't touch a drop as they are mad into sports. Long way from the takeaways, smoking and all night drinking sessions with my former mates.

    Allen Cars book was my savior. Not sure how but a cheap book and 2 day read turned my life around.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,306 ✭✭✭✭Drumpot


    I must of joined around the same time as apache, I’m 10 years this December. Totally agree AA was imperative but I’ve continued different supports and found out recently I’ve ADHD so AA to me was a significant stepping stone to getting sober and understanding myself better.

    As apache said, there is extremely different kind of AA meetings, some unfortunately are dominated by people who I never gravitated to and avoided, remember it is normal Joe soaps after all but there is also some wickedly wise people who have given me more then professional therapists over the years.

    I think Part of the reason is because people , even if the crazy ones, can identify and empathise with what you are going through. Funnily enough there is one guy who is mad as a hatter (he enjoys playing to the crowd) in group meetings but one to one he’s actually very wise. But I’ve learned to be careful in the sense that there’s a fair few who share all this positive stuff and quote the big book (I Couldn’t quote one sentence!) who clearly don’t practice what they preach. That’s why having a strong sponcor (who will challange your bullsh*t) and honestly asking your spouse how you are doing really helps.

    I have been to meetings where it’s relatively balanced , relatively crazy and relatively too rigid (religious and hardcore following the big book). I personally tried most of the things including going into mountjoy prison and doing talks in schools. I wanted to try as much as I could and do not regret it one bit.

    I remember going to mount joy jail on New Year’s Eve to chair a meeting. There was only a skeleton Garda crew and we couldn’t find one to let us out for about half an hour, that had the blood flowing I can tell you.

    Also one prisoner in particular shared some ruthlessly powerful stuff. He was the kind of guy where the look of him would have you crossing the street in fear. But how he shared was powerful and you can understand very much how he really is a victim of circumstances. He wasn’t “poor me” at all, but how he told his story was humbling.

    Anyways , I’ve never been religious but as one member (now passed to age) used to say to me “if you have a problem , go around it”. Simple advice but I’d usually get stuck on something and struggle to move on , which made the 12 steps harder work then they needed to be.

    On reflection, the best things about AA were meeting really wise , grounded people who I could share some of my most vulnerable feelings and stories to. You have to be careful of course , I shared less in meetings then I did with sponcors or people I trusted. I had a few sponcors , who were older men (prob ones I felt could be my father) who generally shared realitively Balanced messages that weren’t all “AA is everything” but as one put it “AA is here to support you so you can live a better life and be there for your family, AA us not meant to be your life”.

    I think in some regards, like many things, AA is what you make of it. It can feel culty and as I’ve said I’ve been to meetings I did not enjoy , but more often then not most meetings offered me something if I opened my ears.

    I don’t goto as many meetings as I used to but that’s just where I am at right now.



  • Registered Users Posts: 8,739 ✭✭✭Worztron


    Mitch Hedberg: "Rice is great if you're really hungry and want to eat two thousand of something."



  • Advertisement
Advertisement