Cutting down on booze- experiences?

Cutting down on booze- experiences?

Author
Discussion

J4CKO

41,622 posts

201 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
quotequote all
I will nip to the pub for a couple tonight, go and sit and chat with the usual suspects in there, it is a bit like going into an Inn in Skyrim as the same faces are there regardless, as if they are programmed to be there, not humans with free will, I dont get it, every night, six or so pints, then home for more, I like going in, I like a pint but every night ?


007 VXR

64,187 posts

188 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
quotequote all
I run a pub for a living, not easy when its here all day long. Nice to finish a 15 hour day with a or 2 paperbagdrink

guindilias

5,245 posts

121 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
quotequote all
I went through a bit of a mad drinking phase when I was in my 20s, after my Dad died - I was working odd shifts at the time, so I'd get home at 11pm, sink a litre of whiskey (I loved that pint glass!), sleep for an hour then drive to work (in the company car) like a lunatic at 4am, most of the way at around 90-120mph on dual carriageways and calming it down to about 80 through empty city streets.
Big wake-up call was when I hit a road cone which was in the middle of the road, presumably chucked there by someone as drunk as myself the night before.
I had no idea what I'd hit, just a grinding noise under the car - stopped, pulled out the cone, and all of a sudden it came to me - that could have been a kid. It could have easily been a kid, or an old person, or anything - cones are hi-viz. People aren't.
Came into work as white as a sheet, people asking me "What's wrong?" "Are you OK?"
Work was wildly stressful at the time so I just chucked the car keys onto my Boss's desk and said "I'm gone, I resign" and got a taxi home.
I still drink far too much, but as was said earlier in the thread, the definition of someone who drinks to much is "Someone who drinks more than their doctor" - I went to the doc aged 19, at university, complaining of lethargy (which was actually mainly exam stress!) - I was sinking about a litre of vodka a day at the time and a few pints at night. Hindu doctor asked me how much I drank - I did the usual, lied through my teeth and said about 50 units a week. He was horrified, and told me if I didn't stop drinking straight away I'd be dead in a year.
So of course I ignored him, my LFT came back as normal, and kept drinking. Now I probably hit about 120 units a week, 20-odd years later, and my blood tests still come back fine. Rarely drive, as my boss gives me a lift to work, as he is actually my next door neighbour - and take clients out to lunch all the time and drink them under the table, have a great day, and get a big contract signed for a few million (not much of which makes it's way into my paycheque!).
Work are happy, I am happy, but I make sure to have a "Body MoT" done every year and it is always fine.
I know well it'll catch up with me in the end, but at the minute I am a happy, functional drinker/alcoholic with a long term (virtually teetotal) OH, and she has never known me any different - nor have most people!

MC Bodge

21,638 posts

176 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
quotequote all
^^^^!!!!

What do you think your life would be like if you weren't constantly(?) drinking?

soad

32,903 posts

177 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
quotequote all
007 VXR said:
I run a pub for a living, not easy when its here all day long. Nice to finish a 15 hour day with a or 2 paperbagdrink
(Most) Chefs will end their shift with a pint too. wink

guindilias

5,245 posts

121 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
quotequote all
I have no idea. But some day, I'll give it a crack - not tonight though, I have a nice bottle of Merlot open!evil

MC Bodge said:
^^^^!!!!

What do you think your life would be like if you weren't constantly(?) drinking?

Warmfuzzies

3,989 posts

254 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
quotequote all
Since Jan 1st, have only had one days drinking on Jan the 24th. Doesn't faze me one bit, but it does other people. Which is odd, they think I'm doing to detox etc, but I just fancied a break, and it seems to cause more of an issue with others as they are the ones who make comment....
Very odd.

K.

Speed addicted

5,576 posts

228 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
quotequote all
I like to drink. I like the buzz you get after the first one or two. I like the lack of inhibitions. I like the taste. working offshore so I'm off it half the year anyway.
I tend to have a couple of pints in the evening, a bit more at weekends and when the opertunity arises go on full day binges with the lads (maybe every few months).

Sadly I had a bleeding stomach ulcer over xmas and had to stop for a bit. Blood tests have confirmed that my liver enzymes are not what they should be and that cutting down would be a very good idea. That came as a bit of a shock, I'm in my late 30s and reasonably healthy otherwise.

I don't feel any better for not drinking, infact I miss it.
Even after 2 months of treatment drinking much more than a pint will leave me with a painfully upset stomach and a sleepless night.
I'm drinking less now but the idea of stopping completely sucks.

MC Bodge

21,638 posts

176 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
quotequote all
It's interesting, even as a student I wasn't interested in "full day binges" and I've never been on a "drinking holiday".

Admittedly, partially because I couldn't physically cope with it, but mostly because I'd far rather be doing something more active/interesting.

BrabusMog

20,180 posts

187 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
quotequote all
Been to the football today, two hours in the pub before it without a drink and then I went straight home on the tube as my friends stayed for a few more after they left the ground. It was weird, it's the first time when I was in a pub not drinking but not having a reason i.e. driving home. I genuinely couldn't see myself being able to keep this up long term as my friends began to irritate me after their 3rd pints hehe - So I know that I can't kick the booze altogether, my best friend said to me to follow what he does and drink nothing Sunday-Thursday, as he used to drink the same amounts as me and found this the best balance. Apparently that Friday night beer after work tastes very sweet!

J4CKO

41,622 posts

201 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
quotequote all
Three pints whilst watching the rugby in the pub, good laugh and atmosphere in there, cam home and had a glass and a half of wine, feel a little bit pissed.

Axionknight

8,505 posts

136 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
quotequote all
EDIT: Double post, clearly hopeless when sober!

Edited by Axionknight on Saturday 21st March 20:29

Axionknight

8,505 posts

136 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
quotequote all
guindilias said:
I went through a bit of a mad drinking phase when I was in my 20s, after my Dad died - I was working odd shifts at the time, so I'd get home at 11pm, sink a litre of whiskey (I loved that pint glass!), sleep for an hour then drive to work (in the company car) like a lunatic at 4am, most of the way at around 90-120mph on dual carriageways and calming it down to about 80 through empty city streets.
Big wake-up call was when I hit a road cone which was in the middle of the road, presumably chucked there by someone as drunk as myself the night before.
I had no idea what I'd hit, just a grinding noise under the car - stopped, pulled out the cone, and all of a sudden it came to me - that could have been a kid. It could have easily been a kid, or an old person, or anything - cones are hi-viz. People aren't.
Came into work as white as a sheet, people asking me "What's wrong?" "Are you OK?"
Work was wildly stressful at the time so I just chucked the car keys onto my Boss's desk and said "I'm gone, I resign" and got a taxi home.
I still drink far too much, but as was said earlier in the thread, the definition of someone who drinks to much is "Someone who drinks more than their doctor" - I went to the doc aged 19, at university, complaining of lethargy (which was actually mainly exam stress!) - I was sinking about a litre of vodka a day at the time and a few pints at night. Hindu doctor asked me how much I drank - I did the usual, lied through my teeth and said about 50 units a week. He was horrified, and told me if I didn't stop drinking straight away I'd be dead in a year.
So of course I ignored him, my LFT came back as normal, and kept drinking. Now I probably hit about 120 units a week, 20-odd years later, and my blood tests still come back fine. Rarely drive, as my boss gives me a lift to work, as he is actually my next door neighbour - and take clients out to lunch all the time and drink them under the table, have a great day, and get a big contract signed for a few million (not much of which makes it's way into my paycheque!).
Work are happy, I am happy, but I make sure to have a "Body MoT" done every year and it is always fine.
I know well it'll catch up with me in the end, but at the minute I am a happy, functional drinker/alcoholic with a long term (virtually teetotal) OH, and she has never known me any different - nor have most people!
Do you think that the other half will be oh so happy when you're laid on a trolley in a hospital, as yellow as a pint of piss because your kindeys and liver have called it quits and you're dead at fifty?

Do yourself a favour like I did and kerb the stuff... We all fall off of the wagon from time to time, I've done it myself, but trust me, your life and your families happiness is worth more than the bevvy you drink.

BrabusMog said:
Been to the football today, two hours in the pub before it without a drink and then I went straight home on the tube as my friends stayed for a few more after they left the ground. It was weird, it's the first time when I was in a pub not drinking but not having a reason i.e. driving home. I genuinely couldn't see myself being able to keep this up long term as my friends began to irritate me after their 3rd pints hehe - So I know that I can't kick the booze altogether, my best friend said to me to follow what he does and drink nothing Sunday-Thursday, as he used to drink the same amounts as me and found this the best balance. Apparently that Friday night beer after work tastes very sweet!
Moderation is the key! I still drink, but I keep it sensible and make sure I'm in control, but yes, when the mood takes, calling at the pun on the way home on a Friday afternoon for a couple of pints is great.... I recently had a month off of the ale (had weight to lose, to fit back into my kilt, for a wedding - not mine hehe) and the first drink after that period off barely touched the sides, lol.


GroundEffect

13,840 posts

157 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
quotequote all
I've never seen the appeal of drinking consistently.

I haven't had any alcohol in roughly 4 weeks. I have beer in the fridge but I'd rather have a soft drink tbh.


Jooks

32 posts

128 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
quotequote all
I get through a litre of whisky a week, two days a week without drinking due to night shifts

A few months back, I would have a drop when I got home at 7am before going to bed. Stopped that now and just have a mug of tea.

Still believe I should cut back further, it's trying to break a bad habit and having no willpower.


guindilias

5,245 posts

121 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
quotequote all
Axionknight said:
guindilias said:
I went through a bit of a mad drinking phase when I was in my 20s, after my Dad died - I was working odd shifts at the time, so I'd get home at 11pm, sink a litre of whiskey (I loved that pint glass!), sleep for an hour then drive to work (in the company car) like a lunatic at 4am, most of the way at around 90-120mph on dual carriageways and calming it down to about 80 through empty city streets.
Big wake-up call was when I hit a road cone which was in the middle of the road, presumably chucked there by someone as drunk as myself the night before.
I had no idea what I'd hit, just a grinding noise under the car - stopped, pulled out the cone, and all of a sudden it came to me - that could have been a kid. It could have easily been a kid, or an old person, or anything - cones are hi-viz. People aren't.
Came into work as white as a sheet, people asking me "What's wrong?" "Are you OK?"
Work was wildly stressful at the time so I just chucked the car keys onto my Boss's desk and said "I'm gone, I resign" and got a taxi home.
I still drink far too much, but as was said earlier in the thread, the definition of someone who drinks to much is "Someone who drinks more than their doctor" - I went to the doc aged 19, at university, complaining of lethargy (which was actually mainly exam stress!) - I was sinking about a litre of vodka a day at the time and a few pints at night. Hindu doctor asked me how much I drank - I did the usual, lied through my teeth and said about 50 units a week. He was horrified, and told me if I didn't stop drinking straight away I'd be dead in a year.
So of course I ignored him, my LFT came back as normal, and kept drinking. Now I probably hit about 120 units a week, 20-odd years later, and my blood tests still come back fine. Rarely drive, as my boss gives me a lift to work, as he is actually my next door neighbour - and take clients out to lunch all the time and drink them under the table, have a great day, and get a big contract signed for a few million (not much of which makes it's way into my paycheque!).
Work are happy, I am happy, but I make sure to have a "Body MoT" done every year and it is always fine.
I know well it'll catch up with me in the end, but at the minute I am a happy, functional drinker/alcoholic with a long term (virtually teetotal) OH, and she has never known me any different - nor have most people!
Do you think that the other half will be oh so happy when you're laid on a trolley in a hospital, as yellow as a pint of piss because your kindeys and liver have called it quits and you're dead at fifty?

Do yourself a favour like I did and kerb the stuff... We all fall off of the wagon from time to time, I've done it myself, but trust me, your life and your families happiness is worth more than the bevvy you drink.

I doubt she'd be very happy at all, as I would eat both barrels of a 12 bore well before that point, and she knows that. I am happy with the way I live, she is happy with the way I live, and that's all there is to it. We are not married, no kids and don't want either.
None of the men on my side of the family have lived past 54 for 8 generations - I would rather be the candle that burns the brightest and burns out the fastest, than live until I'm 80.
Just my outlook on life and most people think it is daft - but who wants to be old? You have to die of something, after all.


DUMBO100

1,878 posts

185 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
quotequote all
I stopped boozing a few months ago and am feeling better for it but on recent visit to the docs (getting stitches out) I jokingly mentioned that my hair was thinning and he said that stopping drinking released more testosterone into the blood which accelerated hair loss. So I might prefer to be a hairy booze bag in future

Axionknight

8,505 posts

136 months

Sunday 22nd March 2015
quotequote all
DUMBO100 said:
I stopped boozing a few months ago and am feeling better for it but on recent visit to the docs (getting stitches out) I jokingly mentioned that my hair was thinning and he said that stopping drinking released more testosterone into the blood which accelerated hair loss. So I might prefer to be a hairy booze bag in future
Really? That explains my wee baldy patch at the age of 26 then! :

BRB, heading to the offlicense!

MC Bodge

21,638 posts

176 months

Sunday 22nd March 2015
quotequote all
As a moderate/light drinker of the bald persuasion, I now know why.

I'm not sure how I'm going to bring myself to consume enough booze, though
-Swapping brews for whiskey won't be enough. I think I'll Need to add it to my muesli, my sports drinks bottle and camelbak.

MC Bodge

21,638 posts

176 months

Sunday 22nd March 2015
quotequote all
GroundEffect said:
I've never seen the appeal of drinking consistently.
There must be a cultural/upbringing element to it for many people.

My family are mostly light drinkers. Alcohol has never been an important part of life.

My great grandparents were apparently boozers, but it put off my grandparents from it.