365 days without booze... join me?

365 days without booze... join me?

Author
Discussion

Promised Land

5,117 posts

224 months

Wednesday 27th May 2020
quotequote all
This seems as good a place as any then, 19 days without a drop, I know that sounds like nothing but I have finished with drink now for life, VE day we did the sit in your front garden have a Bar B and drink thing, trouble was by 10 pm I'd drank a lot of lager, then whiskies, then some Vodka so wasn't too good, I ended up falling flat on my face on the block paved road. No hands out protecting me just head first and it scraped along, cctv when I could stomach it shows everything.

First I knew of it was coming round maybe 30 seconds later, I didn't know what had happened but knew I was in trouble, then the next memory was a wet cloth being held on my head, then a neighbour asking me where the house keys were, it was unlocked anyway.

I woke up on Saturday morning no headache, but very scarred and swollen, didn't go to A and E like everyone said too, but as the day went on I felt worse, ended up there late on Saturday night, I was kept in for 2 nights.

I won't bore you with the details but I did get a telling off by a nurse for not going in sooner, the first 12 hours after a head trauma are critical and even though I might have looked and felt ok, what was happening upstairs could've been different, 'I'll be alright, just get to bed and sleep it off' attitude wasn't the right one.

Had a lot of heavy sessions over the years, I'm not a regular drinker but do enjoy before and after drinks on match day, that will be strange now but I can't put my family through this again, I was lucky, I would say very lucky, if I'd hit the kerb, lamp post, instead of hitting the road head first things could've been worse. But to stop anything like this going on again I won't touch booze anymore.

I don't have an addictive nature and I'm not missing it anyway, before VE day I hadn't drank since before lock down, although I have yet to experience it when all around are drinking, just like when you're the driver I guess, which I've done many times over the years.

But I'm in the club now, at least it is better for your body and general health, non smoker too. wink

Oh and the hospital and all the staff were fantastic during my stay, never been admitted before so it was a first but I cannot praise them enough. It has taught me a valuable lesson in life.


500 Miles

1,798 posts

241 months

Friday 29th May 2020
quotequote all
Promised Land said:
This seems as good a place as any then, 19 days without a drop, I know that sounds like nothing but I have finished with drink now for life, VE day we did the sit in your front garden have a Bar B and drink thing, trouble was by 10 pm I'd drank a lot of lager, then whiskies, then some Vodka so wasn't too good, I ended up falling flat on my face on the block paved road. No hands out protecting me just head first and it scraped along, cctv when I could stomach it shows everything.

First I knew of it was coming round maybe 30 seconds later, I didn't know what had happened but knew I was in trouble, then the next memory was a wet cloth being held on my head, then a neighbour asking me where the house keys were, it was unlocked anyway.

I woke up on Saturday morning no headache, but very scarred and swollen, didn't go to A and E like everyone said too, but as the day went on I felt worse, ended up there late on Saturday night, I was kept in for 2 nights.

I won't bore you with the details but I did get a telling off by a nurse for not going in sooner, the first 12 hours after a head trauma are critical and even though I might have looked and felt ok, what was happening upstairs could've been different, 'I'll be alright, just get to bed and sleep it off' attitude wasn't the right one.

Had a lot of heavy sessions over the years, I'm not a regular drinker but do enjoy before and after drinks on match day, that will be strange now but I can't put my family through this again, I was lucky, I would say very lucky, if I'd hit the kerb, lamp post, instead of hitting the road head first things could've been worse. But to stop anything like this going on again I won't touch booze anymore.

I don't have an addictive nature and I'm not missing it anyway, before VE day I hadn't drank since before lock down, although I have yet to experience it when all around are drinking, just like when you're the driver I guess, which I've done many times over the years.

But I'm in the club now, at least it is better for your body and general health, non smoker too. wink

Oh and the hospital and all the staff were fantastic during my stay, never been admitted before so it was a first but I cannot praise them enough. It has taught me a valuable lesson in life.
Welcome to the club! I wouldn’t beat yourself up to badly about falling over drunk and ending up in hospital, I’m sure many of us have done much much worse. Sometimes you need an event like this to clear your head and change behaviours, I’ve had many events like this over the years smile

The first few weeks are the hardest, for me it got progressively easier after that. The other half has had a few tonight but I didn’t feel the need, might be harder when meeting friends in the pub but obviously that isn’t an issue just now!

Feeling any better yet?

HairyMaclary

3,751 posts

210 months

Friday 29th May 2020
quotequote all
150 days today. Odd cravings and a few thoughts about sitting in the pub garden with a pint when the lockdown is over. I know deep down this would not be a good idea and I'm 100% better without it.

That God for AF beer.

Promised Land

5,117 posts

224 months

Saturday 30th May 2020
quotequote all
500 Miles said:
Welcome to the club! I wouldn’t beat yourself up to badly about falling over drunk and ending up in hospital, I’m sure many of us have done much much worse. Sometimes you need an event like this to clear your head and change behaviours, I’ve had many events like this over the years smile

The first few weeks are the hardest, for me it got progressively easier after that. The other half has had a few tonight but I didn’t feel the need, might be harder when meeting friends in the pub but obviously that isn’t an issue just now!

Feeling any better yet?
I’m feeling fine, the odd evening with the weather yes a cool pint would be nice but I just make an orange cordial instead.

The worst bit for me was putting my family through me being in hospital, obviously you can’t have visitors etc and them being worried. What for? A day on the lash. Scars have all healed, no dizzy spells, fully fit, I had a very lucky escape.

Being in a pub and not having a beer will be strange to start but I won’t give in to it, Fridays we go to the pub for breakfast at work, only had coffees before so keep in that mindset when out at night. wink

M22s

573 posts

164 months

Saturday 30th May 2020
quotequote all
funinhounslow said:
500 Miles said:
Difficult seeing drunk friends when you’re sober, no one wants to be fun bobby..
Yes it is and no they don’t.

Easiest solution is to be the first to arrive and first to leave.

That way you spend time with them while they’re still coherent.

When they pass that quite noticeable line from “jolly” to “drunk”, just go home.

I’ve learned from experience at this point you can just bugger off without saying goodbye. Most people won’t remember you leaving, and the best part of the night is over anyway...
Yup, good strategy shared their. I very rarely drink and my friends (and wife) just don’t get it.

I stopped drinking years ago as whilst I really enjoy a drink, I realised the enjoyment was outweighed by the negatives I felt it caused to (becoming a clown, natural tendency to be confrontational though not violent, hangovers, cost etc).

Quite happy having a soft drink, early night and being fresh as a daisy the next day.

Zirconia

36,010 posts

299 months

Saturday 30th May 2020
quotequote all
Echo the leaving bit. Usually I base it on the volume and/or/nand language. Amazing how the latter can deteriorate at times. Also the anecdotes repeated.

Superb news on the 321 days above. Keep at it.

funinhounslow

1,891 posts

157 months

Saturday 30th May 2020
quotequote all
Zirconia said:
Echo the leaving bit. Usually I base it on the volume and/or/nand language. Amazing how the latter can deteriorate at times. Also the anecdotes repeated.

Superb news on the 321 days above. Keep at it.
Yes this for me is the most reliable indicator.

When it’s reached this stage you can go home confident in the knowledge that you won’t be missing anything and no one will notice or care that you’ve buggered off...

It’s quite liberating biggrin

Joscal

2,301 posts

215 months

Saturday 30th May 2020
quotequote all
funinhounslow said:
Yes this for me is the most reliable indicator.

When it’s reached this stage you can go home confident in the knowledge that you won’t be missing anything and no one will notice or care that you’ve buggered off...

It’s quite liberating biggrin
There’s something very special about driving home sober smug in the knowledge that you’re not going to have a hangover!

andymc

7,506 posts

222 months

Saturday 30th May 2020
quotequote all
500 Miles said:
Promised Land said:
This seems as good a place as any then, 19 days without a drop, I know that sounds like nothing but I have finished with drink now for life, VE day we did the sit in your front garden have a Bar B and drink thing, trouble was by 10 pm I'd drank a lot of lager, then whiskies, then some Vodka so wasn't too good, I ended up falling flat on my face on the block paved road. No hands out protecting me just head first and it scraped along, cctv when I could stomach it shows everything.

First I knew of it was coming round maybe 30 seconds later, I didn't know what had happened but knew I was in trouble, then the next memory was a wet cloth being held on my head, then a neighbour asking me where the house keys were, it was unlocked anyway.

I woke up on Saturday morning no headache, but very scarred and swollen, didn't go to A and E like everyone said too, but as the day went on I felt worse, ended up there late on Saturday night, I was kept in for 2 nights.

I won't bore you with the details but I did get a telling off by a nurse for not going in sooner, the first 12 hours after a head trauma are critical and even though I might have looked and felt ok, what was happening upstairs could've been different, 'I'll be alright, just get to bed and sleep it off' attitude wasn't the right one.

Had a lot of heavy sessions over the years, I'm not a regular drinker but do enjoy before and after drinks on match day, that will be strange now but I can't put my family through this again, I was lucky, I would say very lucky, if I'd hit the kerb, lamp post, instead of hitting the road head first things could've been worse. But to stop anything like this going on again I won't touch booze anymore.

I don't have an addictive nature and I'm not missing it anyway, before VE day I hadn't drank since before lock down, although I have yet to experience it when all around are drinking, just like when you're the driver I guess, which I've done many times over the years.

But I'm in the club now, at least it is better for your body and general health, non smoker too. wink

Oh and the hospital and all the staff were fantastic during my stay, never been admitted before so it was a first but I cannot praise them enough. It has taught me a valuable lesson in life.
Welcome to the club! I wouldn’t beat yourself up to badly about falling over drunk and ending up in hospital, I’m sure many of us have done much much worse. Sometimes you need an event like this to clear your head and change behaviours, I’ve had many events like this over the years smile

The first few weeks are the hardest, for me it got progressively easier after that. The other half has had a few tonight but I didn’t feel the need, might be harder when meeting friends in the pub but obviously that isn’t an issue just now!

Feeling any better yet?
Wait till you’ve admitted with pancreatitis as well as the smashing of the face, it’s a whole world of pain and shame

K12beano

20,854 posts

290 months

RMDB9

1,711 posts

63 months

Monday 1st June 2020
quotequote all
EarlOfHazard said:
but it can be testing when friends constantly ask (before furlough) to 'have a cheat day' and get drunk with them :-/
What make you think they are friends if they are trying to do that to you?

RMDB9

1,711 posts

63 months

Monday 1st June 2020
quotequote all
Whatsmyname said:
I thought I’d love to be sat here with a icy drink
Nothing wrong with an icy drink, but it does not have to contain alcohol.

https://www.thepersianfusion.com/persian-style-ros...

Stevil

10,750 posts

244 months

Monday 1st June 2020
quotequote all
Whilst there's a lot of truth in what you're saying, this isn't really a thread for judging people, shaming them or pushing them away, it's designed as a means to help everyone cope and make some improvements to their lives, be it by taking a full year off, quitting completely or just cutting down.

Will have a look at the Persian drink though thumbup

Roguexcess

157 posts

63 months

Monday 1st June 2020
quotequote all
A whole year scares me thinking about it but this binge lifestyle just has to come to end..!!..!!>.!!!!
1st June sounds like a good day to start
good luck everyone

Blib

46,040 posts

212 months

Monday 1st June 2020
quotequote all
Roguexcess said:
A whole year scares me thinking about it but this binge lifestyle just has to come to end..!!..!!>.!!!!
1st June sounds like a good day to start
good luck everyone
Thinking about "a whole year" without drinking is not helpful.

All you need do is not have a drink today. That's it. Get to bed tonight without picking up a drink and the day's a success.

thumbup

RMDB9

1,711 posts

63 months

Monday 1st June 2020
quotequote all
Stevil said:
Whilst there's a lot of truth in what you're saying, this isn't really a thread for judging people, shaming them or pushing them away, it's designed as a means to help everyone cope and make some improvements to their lives
Prove me wrong, name one of my quotes and tell my what I am missing.

Especially the chap with family who fell face first, and is in total delusion about his self-endagerment and addiction. Do you really want to sugarcoat the truth for someone in that situation? Until next time...??

deckster

9,631 posts

270 months

Monday 1st June 2020
quotequote all
RMDB9 said:
Stevil said:
Whilst there's a lot of truth in what you're saying, this isn't really a thread for judging people, shaming them or pushing them away, it's designed as a means to help everyone cope and make some improvements to their lives
Prove me wrong, name one of my quotes and tell my what I am missing.

Especially the chap with family who fell face first, and is in total delusion about his self-endagerment and addiction. Do you really want to sugarcoat the truth for someone in that situation? Until next time...??
Perhaps you could try something positive. Encourage people. Suggest things they could try to help. Praise them for small victories.

Maybe, just be nice.

Yes, the issues are complex and nobody wants to pretend that the answers are easy - but all I've seen you do is belittle, criticise, and sneer. None of which has any place in a support thread.

RMDB9

1,711 posts

63 months

Monday 1st June 2020
quotequote all
Blib said:
Thinking about "a whole year" without drinking is not helpful.
Well, take Craig Beck's book. He would ask "and why would one year without booze be such a scary thought? What are you afraid of?"

Stevil

10,750 posts

244 months

Monday 1st June 2020
quotequote all
We're not saying you're wrong, it may be that for some people they need a cold-hard slap and a good shaking to realise what's wrong, but there's ways and means of getting that point across in the manner of the thread. Much like a Doctor with zero bedside manner could break some news to you and say "You've got cancer, it's fking bad and you'll be dead in 2 months" as opposed to his colleague who might break it more gently and offer guidance and support that they know has worked for others. Both approaches lead to the same point but one is much easier to deal with.

anonymous-user

69 months

Monday 1st June 2020
quotequote all
RMDB9 said:
And, just to clarify, I am speaking from my own experience. I have been through it.
If you have been "through it", maybe you can answer this question; would you have found a sanctimonious prat lecturing you on the internet to be a helpful influence?

If you have personal experience on this topic, one might have expected a little more empathy.