365 days without booze... join me?
Discussion
redrabbit29 said:
Good job on 50 days! I've done similar in the past and at the moment I am 138 days without drinking. No idea if I will ever start again (probably will) but just happy with sobriety now.
Thanks! I do feel much better for it too!redrabbit29 said:
My friend is similar to you and he plans specifically whether to drink or not. E.g. rather than a "what a rubbish day, I'll have wine", it's more "I'm out next week for a birthday, I will plan to drink then".
The idea for me is to break the habit. I had nights of the week when I would drink and had to work around that.So if it's a celebration or I just fancy a beer even if it is after a bad day these will be exceptions rather than the norm.
thebraketester said:
Well, my wife ordered a glass of wine and he said "and for you sir", I said "I'll just have a bottle of sparkling water please"... cue sarky comment about it not being January any more. Etc etc. I could have really embarrassed him to the reasoning why I don't drink any more, but I refrained from doing so. I can't remember what the other waiter said but it was just another comment which wasn't required. It's still almost socially unacceptable to either not drink or refuse a drink. It's madness.
You should just say “I’m a recovering alcoholic” and see how they react!22 days for me and I'm toying with the idea of signing up for the Sober Spring on the Try Dry app.
I do find it great having more energy and it's helping the weight loss journey but I sometimes feel like I'm missing out on a glass of wine or two with my wife. I'm going to the pub to watch the rugby with friends from work on Saturday and am tempted to have some beers then, even though it makes getting to and from town a bit more difficult.
Such an odd relationship that a lot of us have with something we know does very little good for us!
I do find it great having more energy and it's helping the weight loss journey but I sometimes feel like I'm missing out on a glass of wine or two with my wife. I'm going to the pub to watch the rugby with friends from work on Saturday and am tempted to have some beers then, even though it makes getting to and from town a bit more difficult.
Such an odd relationship that a lot of us have with something we know does very little good for us!
right - I contributed a bit earlier in the thread. My thoughts:
I gave up for 40 days from January 1st. I felt excellent, in everyway, and had few cravings.
It was just going to be dry January, but went into February a bit.
I broke my 40 day fast with a bottle of Prosecco with an elderly neighbour, no harm done. Then ended up pouring myself a massive rum left over from Christmas. I woke up at 3am, very much like the 'Alcohol Explained' book, explained....... never noticed that before because I'd never stopped drinking before. NO hangover next day though.
Then a week later - went to Devon to meet close mate - that first proper lager , cold in a glass felt amazing. I then don't remember how many more we had, but I spent a couple of hundred quid, and had a hangover. Woke up again early hours, feeling s
t - and defo had a crap hangover.
Then nothing more for a week or so, and another processo bottle with same neighbour, and again on the rum. AGAIN woke up at 3am !!
Ramble I know - but the more I look at it, my behaviours with it, I think my only option is to try to quit completely.
A very close friend funeral next Tuesday and I know I'm drinking at that.
It really is a challenge but going in the right direction hopefully
I gave up for 40 days from January 1st. I felt excellent, in everyway, and had few cravings.
It was just going to be dry January, but went into February a bit.
I broke my 40 day fast with a bottle of Prosecco with an elderly neighbour, no harm done. Then ended up pouring myself a massive rum left over from Christmas. I woke up at 3am, very much like the 'Alcohol Explained' book, explained....... never noticed that before because I'd never stopped drinking before. NO hangover next day though.
Then a week later - went to Devon to meet close mate - that first proper lager , cold in a glass felt amazing. I then don't remember how many more we had, but I spent a couple of hundred quid, and had a hangover. Woke up again early hours, feeling s
t - and defo had a crap hangover.Then nothing more for a week or so, and another processo bottle with same neighbour, and again on the rum. AGAIN woke up at 3am !!
Ramble I know - but the more I look at it, my behaviours with it, I think my only option is to try to quit completely.
A very close friend funeral next Tuesday and I know I'm drinking at that.
It really is a challenge but going in the right direction hopefully
The Selfish Gene said:
right - I contributed a bit earlier in the thread. My thoughts:
I gave up for 40 days from January 1st. I felt excellent, in everyway, and had few cravings.
It was just going to be dry January, but went into February a bit.
I have always had a healthy fear of alcoholism.I gave up for 40 days from January 1st. I felt excellent, in everyway, and had few cravings.
It was just going to be dry January, but went into February a bit.
Keen not to end up like my dad, I always gave up for a month each year, and a couple of years it went on for a few months. Then I'd have that "oh go on then" drink, and before I knew it I was drinking more than I should.
I went off booze after a big Christmas party. I played off that and decided that I just wouldn't have the "oh go on then" drink that time.
Four years later, I still haven't had that drink. It's easier for me to simply never drink than to only ever have just the one. So I simply never drink.
59 days for me. I’ve just got back from a family ski trip which would normally involve a fair amount of alcohol, so really pleased to have got that under my belt without issue. Felt brilliant to wake up each morning feeling great and raring to go.
I’ve got another trip in 10 days time and really looking forward to it. This is a lads trip which always involves huge amounts of drinking. Again, I’m looking forward to getting good nights sleep and waking up fresh each day.
I’ve got another trip in 10 days time and really looking forward to it. This is a lads trip which always involves huge amounts of drinking. Again, I’m looking forward to getting good nights sleep and waking up fresh each day.
donkmeister said:
It's easier for me to simply never drink than to only ever have just the one. So I simply never drink.
Absolutely. Far easier just to be done with the stuff altogether than to try to moderate. Just over 11 years for me now, as a direct result of this thread. I do hope the OP knows how many peoples’ lives he’s changed. Remarkable.
JQ said:
59 days for me. I’ve just got back from a family ski trip which would normally involve a fair amount of alcohol, so really pleased to have got that under my belt without issue. Felt brilliant to wake up each morning feeling great and raring to go.
I’ve got another trip in 10 days time and really looking forward to it. This is a lads trip which always involves huge amounts of drinking. Again, I’m looking forward to getting good nights sleep and waking up fresh each day.
Fantastic! Sounds like you’re hooked on feeling good! My first lads trip was where I gained huge confidence, I was nervous but when I looked around me in Edinburgh when my mates were drinking from lunchtime I knew I’d made the right decision. I’ve got another trip in 10 days time and really looking forward to it. This is a lads trip which always involves huge amounts of drinking. Again, I’m looking forward to getting good nights sleep and waking up fresh each day.
Well done everyone this thread is so inspirational. Was to me and it’s so good to see others journeys with the ups and downs.
It’s not easy at the beginning but keep plugging away.
funinhounslow said:
donkmeister said:
It's easier for me to simply never drink than to only ever have just the one. So I simply never drink.
Absolutely. Far easier just to be done with the stuff altogether than to try to moderate. Just over 11 years for me now, as a direct result of this thread. I do hope the OP knows how many peoples’ lives he’s changed. Remarkable.
I'm not by any means suggesting this is for everyone but I'm pleased to report that I seem to have successfully navigated my way around having had a few drinks of a Saturday evening and not found myself in a crumpled heap at the side of the road while the wagon trundles off into the distance.
Admittedly, I did spend an hour or so yesterday morning curled up on the couch with a bit of a nippy head and a glass of beetroot juice watching re-runs of Friends for a bit of comfort but not the worst I've ever felt and quite enthused about not drinking for a while again.
I think my rediscovered like of physical exercise and desire to lose some timber is a huge incentive too so I'll be off to the gym tonight for a couple of hours to redress the balance.
Mission accomplished.
Thanks for the motivation and support on here. I find reading the achievements in the thread inspirational whatever the individual's aspirations are.
Admittedly, I did spend an hour or so yesterday morning curled up on the couch with a bit of a nippy head and a glass of beetroot juice watching re-runs of Friends for a bit of comfort but not the worst I've ever felt and quite enthused about not drinking for a while again.
I think my rediscovered like of physical exercise and desire to lose some timber is a huge incentive too so I'll be off to the gym tonight for a couple of hours to redress the balance.
Mission accomplished.
Thanks for the motivation and support on here. I find reading the achievements in the thread inspirational whatever the individual's aspirations are.
ZedLeg said:
Good stuff Rod, I've been thinking about whether I would be able to manage going out and having a couple of pints.
I'm currently in the process of being made redundant though, so I'm pretty sure it's my brain trying to gaslight me into some good old fashioned depression drinking
I'm sad to hear that Zed. I thought you had a promotion in the pipeline?I'm currently in the process of being made redundant though, so I'm pretty sure it's my brain trying to gaslight me into some good old fashioned depression drinking
I guess do what's right for you. It seems to work for me but guess it's not for everyone. I think you've been 'aff it' for some time now so would be quite a daunting undertaking.
To be honest, redundancy has been the best thing for me the couple of times it's happened, particularly in 2022 when I was between roles for 7 months but I really needed the break.
good luck whatever way it goes.
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