365 days without booze... join me?
Discussion
JonnyFive said:
Easy! I haven't had alcohol in over 2 1/2 years so far.. And I'm 21, so prime getting lashed age.
I just don't see alcohol appealing, can have a nice cold Coke or something and it tastes alot better imo.
Good luck with it! If you get it into your train of thought that you don't need alcohol you'll be fine with it.
Must be tough if your friends are all into getting drunk. Well done for keeping it up!I just don't see alcohol appealing, can have a nice cold Coke or something and it tastes alot better imo.
Good luck with it! If you get it into your train of thought that you don't need alcohol you'll be fine with it.
RemainAllHoof said:
Must be tough if your friends are all into getting drunk. Well done for keeping it up!
To be honest, I just don't go out.. The amount of money you save by not drinking/smoking more than makes up for it, can waste it all on cars 
I work at a club as a barman, so spend the time that my mates are out drinking, out working.. So it's not a problem really!
Some of the others on the bar can't wait until the end of the night for a beer, where as I can't see the appeal and are more than happy with a coke/red bull etc.
JonnyFive said:
To be honest, I just don't go out.. The amount of money you save by not drinking/smoking more than makes up for it, can waste it all on cars
I work at a club as a barman, so spend the time that my mates are out drinking, out working.. So it's not a problem really!
Some of the others on the bar can't wait until the end of the night for a beer, where as I can't see the appeal and are more than happy with a coke/red bull etc.
I work at a club as a barman, so spend the time that my mates are out drinking, out working.. So it's not a problem really!
Some of the others on the bar can't wait until the end of the night for a beer, where as I can't see the appeal and are more than happy with a coke/red bull etc.
I was going to post "Maybe you're as miserable as me and don't go out" but thought at your age, that's impossible. I guess you have an excuse. Hmm, I don't really know where I stand on this but it is certainly thought provoking.
As soon as I was old enough to get served I used to get blind drunk with my mates, that ended when I started driving at 17.5 and realised I had more fun drinking cokes and enjoying the crack with my drunk mates.
I then went to uni for the second time at 22 and slowly started drinking again, mainly due to being in London so having no need to drive anywhere ever. It started as one pint, then a couple and now I drink reasonably regularly.
On the positive side, I never drink to excess, I hate the feeling of being really pissed (which probably equates to over 10 pints or equivalent for me) and I get truly evil hangovers which my mates seem to somehow avoid.
On the other side, I tend to drink at least a couple of pints each day at a weekend and usually once or twice during the week. This doesn't affect me in any serious way, I'm certainly not dependent, I'd consider myself to be pretty fit and healthy but if I stopped drinking altogether I'm sure I could feel a little bit better in the mornings just due to the better quality sleep I'd get.
Overall, I don't think I'm going to change my lifestyle just yet but I might cut down just a bit.
As soon as I was old enough to get served I used to get blind drunk with my mates, that ended when I started driving at 17.5 and realised I had more fun drinking cokes and enjoying the crack with my drunk mates.
I then went to uni for the second time at 22 and slowly started drinking again, mainly due to being in London so having no need to drive anywhere ever. It started as one pint, then a couple and now I drink reasonably regularly.
On the positive side, I never drink to excess, I hate the feeling of being really pissed (which probably equates to over 10 pints or equivalent for me) and I get truly evil hangovers which my mates seem to somehow avoid.
On the other side, I tend to drink at least a couple of pints each day at a weekend and usually once or twice during the week. This doesn't affect me in any serious way, I'm certainly not dependent, I'd consider myself to be pretty fit and healthy but if I stopped drinking altogether I'm sure I could feel a little bit better in the mornings just due to the better quality sleep I'd get.
Overall, I don't think I'm going to change my lifestyle just yet but I might cut down just a bit.
Personally I think alcohol is overrated, I like a tipple as much as the next person, but it honestly would not bother me if I never touched another drop again.
When I see drunks coming out of clubs at 2am staggering along the pavement and throwing up in shop doorways I think it's pathetic.
Like most things, OK in moderation.
Good luck btw.
When I see drunks coming out of clubs at 2am staggering along the pavement and throwing up in shop doorways I think it's pathetic.
Like most things, OK in moderation.
Good luck btw.
I could have won awards for the amount I used to put away every weekend while at college. We used to find ourselves starting on a Saturday afternoon watching the footie in a pub, we'd occasionally get some dinner before moving on to a few more pubs in the evening, followed by a nightclub till 2am. It got to the stage where we were ending up back at each others houses after the clubs kicked out, and carrying on till 6am drinking whatever was in the house at the time.
Looking back on it, they were the best 4 years of my life in terms of being young, naive and generally having a laugh. On the other hand, they are a constant reminder that I abused it big time and probably even cheated death on the odd occasion.
Thankfully I grew up and settled down. I genuinely don't like the feeling of being drunk now, but I've always enjoyed a beer if that makes sense, and for the last few years a typical week would probably involve 2-3 beers maybe 3 nights a week. Nothing wrong with that you may think, but my worry is always what damage I did when I was younger, and how moderate drinking now may be adding to that damage.
Looking back on it, they were the best 4 years of my life in terms of being young, naive and generally having a laugh. On the other hand, they are a constant reminder that I abused it big time and probably even cheated death on the odd occasion.
Thankfully I grew up and settled down. I genuinely don't like the feeling of being drunk now, but I've always enjoyed a beer if that makes sense, and for the last few years a typical week would probably involve 2-3 beers maybe 3 nights a week. Nothing wrong with that you may think, but my worry is always what damage I did when I was younger, and how moderate drinking now may be adding to that damage.
Digger said:
Could always request a liver function blood test from your GP?
I had one a couple of years ago and it was all fine (I obviously wasn't trying hard enough 
)It's probably just me worrying too much. I found that happened quite a bit when I became a dad - all of a sudden you've got something that is completely dependant on you and will be for many years. Made me rethink a lot of things to be honest, and the beer consumption was top of the list.
Shaw Tarse said:
I think the liver can repair itself?
It can, and according to my GP it's much better at doing so when you're younger. But you can also damage it beyond repair. A test would show whether it is working properly, but my concern was that it may be a bit like a car - i.e. can work perfectly fine while something sinister is happening, then all of a sudden "bang"
The Ferret said:
It can, and according to my GP it's much better at doing so when you're younger. But you can also damage it beyond repair.
A test would show whether it is working properly, but my concern was that it may be a bit like a car - i.e. can work perfectly fine while something sinister is happening, then all of a sudden "bang"
I think I'd be particularly worried if my liver went "bang."A test would show whether it is working properly, but my concern was that it may be a bit like a car - i.e. can work perfectly fine while something sinister is happening, then all of a sudden "bang"
Worried, but not surprised.
I won't be joining you, but I wish you luck.
I don't enjoy "drinking" but I really good ale, and to a lesser extent good wine and single malt. So for me the experience is about the taste. OK, I admit I occasionally get a bit blatted but that is a bit of a nasty side effect and a reminder (especially the hangover the next day) to be sensible.
CAMRA, obviously an organisation that supports booze, is promoting sensible drinking; a couple of pints of good, craft beer and NOT 18 cans of strong dizzy layer. And there are lots of benefits to small(ish) amounts of booze.
However, if you keep getting sucked into over drinking and putting on weight then I guess you are suffering from addiction in some small way, so giving up completely may be the answer for you - and possibly not just for a year although that is a laudable start.
One thing though; have you tried to analyse why you get sucked in? Is it the taste? Effect of the alcohol? Social acceptance? Or just the nasty subliminal "drink me! Drink me" addiction that all stimulants send out?
Anyway, Damned good luck and I raise me glass to you
I don't enjoy "drinking" but I really good ale, and to a lesser extent good wine and single malt. So for me the experience is about the taste. OK, I admit I occasionally get a bit blatted but that is a bit of a nasty side effect and a reminder (especially the hangover the next day) to be sensible.
CAMRA, obviously an organisation that supports booze, is promoting sensible drinking; a couple of pints of good, craft beer and NOT 18 cans of strong dizzy layer. And there are lots of benefits to small(ish) amounts of booze.
However, if you keep getting sucked into over drinking and putting on weight then I guess you are suffering from addiction in some small way, so giving up completely may be the answer for you - and possibly not just for a year although that is a laudable start.
One thing though; have you tried to analyse why you get sucked in? Is it the taste? Effect of the alcohol? Social acceptance? Or just the nasty subliminal "drink me! Drink me" addiction that all stimulants send out?
Anyway, Damned good luck and I raise me glass to you
I've stopped for a while before but for me the biggest hurdle is going out. Nothing more boring than being stuck in a pub/bar/restaurant whilst all your friends are pi55ed. So I just avoid going out and become an even sadder bugger.
Unfortunately drink is so entwined with socialising in the UK that people think you are a bloody Martian when you refuse a glass of toasting champagne at a wedding or turn your nose up at a glass of Red at Christmas.
But that is just me being weak as I have a workmate who last drank over 10 years ago and he is out almost every night of the week, mainly at music gigs.
OP good luck and let us all know how you are getting on.
Cheers.
Unfortunately drink is so entwined with socialising in the UK that people think you are a bloody Martian when you refuse a glass of toasting champagne at a wedding or turn your nose up at a glass of Red at Christmas.
But that is just me being weak as I have a workmate who last drank over 10 years ago and he is out almost every night of the week, mainly at music gigs.
OP good luck and let us all know how you are getting on.
Cheers.
croyde said:
Unfortunately drink is so entwined with socialising in the UK that people think you are a bloody Martian when you refuse a glass of toasting champagne at a wedding or turn your nose up at a glass of Red at Christmas.
Cheers.
That's definitely the main problem for me. If I had any intentions of ever giving up completely then I would almost certainly have to leave my friends and girlfriend in the past (not that the lattef would necessarily be a bad thing!)Cheers.
I think for most people it would be a BIG ask.
T40ORA said:
I won't be joining you, but I wish you luck.
One thing though; have you tried to analyse why you get sucked in? Is it the taste? Effect of the alcohol? Social acceptance? Or just the nasty subliminal "drink me! Drink me" addiction that all stimulants send out?
Anyway, Damned good luck and I raise me glass to you
Thank you very much. I'm 0.82% in so far One thing though; have you tried to analyse why you get sucked in? Is it the taste? Effect of the alcohol? Social acceptance? Or just the nasty subliminal "drink me! Drink me" addiction that all stimulants send out?
Anyway, Damned good luck and I raise me glass to you
The answer to your above question is 'All of the above'! Lol. So for that reason T400RA, 'I'm out'.
I think at the end of the year (it strikes me as a significant period and a sound land mark) I can look at it again. I sincerely hope I'll be that far along that I enjoy the complete sobriety and stay that way.
I have a drink 5 or 6 nights a week but only ever 1/2 glasses of wine/beer.
A bit more at the weekends and the odd blowout with my mates once a month, maybe less.
You're not here that long, it would be a miserable existance if you didn't have a bit of what you fancy now and then. Obviously if you're waking up and brushing your teeth in gin then you might need a word with yourself.
I have mates who have dry months then back on it. No point, might as well just maintain a sensible level of usage.
A bit more at the weekends and the odd blowout with my mates once a month, maybe less.
You're not here that long, it would be a miserable existance if you didn't have a bit of what you fancy now and then. Obviously if you're waking up and brushing your teeth in gin then you might need a word with yourself.
I have mates who have dry months then back on it. No point, might as well just maintain a sensible level of usage.
dave_s13 said:
I have a drink 5 or 6 nights a week but only ever 1/2 glasses of wine/beer.
A bit more at the weekends and the odd blowout with my mates once a month, maybe less.
You're not here that long, it would be a miserable existance if you didn't have a bit of what you fancy now and then. Obviously if you're waking up and brushing your teeth in gin then you might need a word with yourself.
I have mates who have dry months then back on it. No point, might as well just maintain a sensible level of usage.
Lots of point. Sometimes 'sensible usage' does not really happen. If you are out it is very difficult to take 1hr per pint, even harder for a spirit. Giving your body a while without it gives the body a break. IMOA bit more at the weekends and the odd blowout with my mates once a month, maybe less.
You're not here that long, it would be a miserable existance if you didn't have a bit of what you fancy now and then. Obviously if you're waking up and brushing your teeth in gin then you might need a word with yourself.
I have mates who have dry months then back on it. No point, might as well just maintain a sensible level of usage.
This conversation is always a matter of perspective. Take smoking for example. I don't smoke, pretty much hate the idea of smoking and IF I ever had a cigarette feel no need to smoke more and more thereafter. It may or may not be a good analogy, but hopefully you get my point.
I've already openly said that I wished I could be more moderate in my drinking, but find that rather difficult. I don't brush my teeth in gin and have never been that far, but know that it does affect my health physically and mentally in terms of how 'sharp' I feel.
I think age plays a big part also. Whilst I still think I'm in my mid 20's, I'm actually approaching my mid 40's and the body is answering back a lot more nowadays. I have experienced in the past high levels of physical fitness and can make the comparison as to what I would like back again, knowing it's quite achievable albeit for a man at my age.
As I see it I have 3 choices:
1) Carry on as I am (not a very attractive/safe prospect)
2) Drink in moderation (I have endlessly failed at that)
3) Stop altogether and be all I can be
Number 3 is inevitably the hardest for me, but I've done good long stints in the past and know it is achievable. This time I need to think about the much bigger picture.
Cheers. I mean thanks.
I've already openly said that I wished I could be more moderate in my drinking, but find that rather difficult. I don't brush my teeth in gin and have never been that far, but know that it does affect my health physically and mentally in terms of how 'sharp' I feel.
I think age plays a big part also. Whilst I still think I'm in my mid 20's, I'm actually approaching my mid 40's and the body is answering back a lot more nowadays. I have experienced in the past high levels of physical fitness and can make the comparison as to what I would like back again, knowing it's quite achievable albeit for a man at my age.
As I see it I have 3 choices:
1) Carry on as I am (not a very attractive/safe prospect)
2) Drink in moderation (I have endlessly failed at that)
3) Stop altogether and be all I can be
Number 3 is inevitably the hardest for me, but I've done good long stints in the past and know it is achievable. This time I need to think about the much bigger picture.
Cheers. I mean thanks.
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