365 days without booze... join me?
Discussion
othername said:
That you're thinking this suggests you already know the answer. I've only ever had sleep apnea post booze binge, never otherwise. Only one way to find out for sure....
Aye I'm definitely a lot worse after drinking that's for sure.The weird thing is when I first found out about this I asked them if it was my weight, they said probably not, but then at my review it said in the letter that losing weight and making lifestyle changes would reduce or cure it completely, so mixed messages there.
If I did manage to lose weight though I'm not sure how I could measure this without using the CPAP which apparently does measure it but only when it's turned on, which obviously "cures" it anyway.
Three weeks in and can honestly say I haven’t felt this good in a long time. The first week or two were tough at times, but I had to stop. I started drinking during the first Covid lockdown and it’s frightening how quickly it can get a grip of you. Onwards and upwards.
I know Christmas and the New Year will be testing but I was able to do without alcohol for the best part of half a century, no reason that I can’t go back to that thinking.
I know Christmas and the New Year will be testing but I was able to do without alcohol for the best part of half a century, no reason that I can’t go back to that thinking.
NaePasaran said:
NaePasaran said:
For those who managed booze free for 365 days, how long did it take for the cravings and the "that social event seems utterly pointless without a pint or 8" feelings to disappear? I look forward to having my energy back, having clearer thoughts, better concentration and less anxiety. The thought of a Sunday morning up the hills or on the mountain bike trails excites, but on the other hand, going to the boxing, or a gig, or out for a curry without a bevvy, while everyone else is pissed, fills me with some dread an a felling of "whats the point?".
I had a 5 week experiment of logging units, how I felt and tried some "moderation management" from week 1 on wards, which was ok for week's 1 and 2, bit of a failure for week 3 albeit, managed to stop at 7 pints whereas previously I would've kicked on until closing time, which the rest of the lads did. Massive failure week 4 on Saturday there, all day sesh at the football plus cans on the train etc.
Week 0 - 4 units on Friday, 25 on the Saturday, 4 on Sunday. Felt horrendous (see week 4).
Week 1 - 12 units on Saturday - No issues, felt ok on the Sunday and rest of the week.
Week 2 - 11 units on Saturday - No issues, felt ok on the Sunday and rest of the week.
Week 3 - 16.5 units on Saturday - Felt s
t for Sunday and Monday, crazy seats Sunday night, horrendous diet for those 2 days, eventually came round to feeling normal on Tuesday.
Week 4 - 35 units - Felt horrendous Sunday and Monday. Been getting short breathed, body temperatures up, sweats through the night, dehydration isn't shifting, sleep horrendous, anxiety levels even worse, body and muscles ache, been craving thus consuming every bit of junk food you can imagine.
Now i'm going to take 5 weeks off alcohol completely and also diary how I feel. After that, time to make an executive decision...
PS I've seen Annie Grace's book mentioned on here a few times. I recommend it, quite an eyeopener. There is the odd paragraph or chapter which is BS but mostly a decent read for anyone looking at the impact booze has on health, relationships, life etc.
One week on...I had a 5 week experiment of logging units, how I felt and tried some "moderation management" from week 1 on wards, which was ok for week's 1 and 2, bit of a failure for week 3 albeit, managed to stop at 7 pints whereas previously I would've kicked on until closing time, which the rest of the lads did. Massive failure week 4 on Saturday there, all day sesh at the football plus cans on the train etc.
Week 0 - 4 units on Friday, 25 on the Saturday, 4 on Sunday. Felt horrendous (see week 4).
Week 1 - 12 units on Saturday - No issues, felt ok on the Sunday and rest of the week.
Week 2 - 11 units on Saturday - No issues, felt ok on the Sunday and rest of the week.
Week 3 - 16.5 units on Saturday - Felt s
t for Sunday and Monday, crazy seats Sunday night, horrendous diet for those 2 days, eventually came round to feeling normal on Tuesday.Week 4 - 35 units - Felt horrendous Sunday and Monday. Been getting short breathed, body temperatures up, sweats through the night, dehydration isn't shifting, sleep horrendous, anxiety levels even worse, body and muscles ache, been craving thus consuming every bit of junk food you can imagine.
Now i'm going to take 5 weeks off alcohol completely and also diary how I feel. After that, time to make an executive decision...
PS I've seen Annie Grace's book mentioned on here a few times. I recommend it, quite an eyeopener. There is the odd paragraph or chapter which is BS but mostly a decent read for anyone looking at the impact booze has on health, relationships, life etc.
Edited by NaePasaran on Tuesday 7th November 07:46
"Big sesh at the weekend for the semi-final. 35-40 units on the Saturday via pints and cans on the train.
Felt absolutely s
t on Sunday and Monday. Two completely wasted days which should've been used for a family day out and studying on the Monday. Body aces, muscles cramping, no energy at all, anxiety through the roof and body temperature soaring with sweats through the night. Horrendous sleep, constantly waking up, restless as ****. Genuinely on par, if not worse than when bedded with covid-19!Currently Tuesday AM and sleep not any better. Wide awake at 4am until alarm clock like previous night. Same symptoms as above but slightly milder.
Little difference in the PM. Don't think i've ate anything other than sweets, crisps and bread products since Sunday morning. Face looks a mess - blotchy, red, puffy, bags.
Better sleep Tuesday into Wednesday but still awake at 4am until alarm clock. Despite that, energy levels recovered a bit. Managed half an hour of reading and ate some real food. Sugar and carbs cravings subsiding at last.
Thursday, felt good. Usual tossing and turning in bed, but slept until the alarm went off. Strange one though, as Thursday evening is last uni lecture of the week and its usual pint time. However grabbed a bottle of sparkling water, walked a mile or two and jumped the bus. All good.
Friday was a strange one. Slept good again and woke up with a spring in my step, but as the day went on my head was burst. Uni stress, deadlines and work with some horrendous sleep all catching up with me in the afternoon. Got the calendar out and planned uni for next 5 weeks to take advantage of the sobriety period with hopefully much better productivity!
Saturday and today, much the same as Friday except without the afternoon crash. Went to the match, drank water and coffee and more water and coffee. Spent Saturday night out rambling with the headtorch on with more coffee - replace one bad drink with another but no urges for anything stronger though. Big difference going to work today. Normally have anxiety on public transport on a Sunday (hungover, busy, tight spaces etc), but no issues today which is a big plus"
TL;DR - had a mad one on Saturday and paid for it by being out the game for the next 4 days afterwards!
Edited by NaePasaran on Sunday 12th November 20:09
Not much to write about to be honest, well compared to last week anyway.
I'm sleeping much better, waking up early but that's probably my new "post baby" wake up time which I don't mind. The main thing is, i've stopped being wide awake at 4am and staying wide awake until the alarm goes off, so energy levels are definitely up. Difference in anxiety (reduced) and mental clarity (increased) is night and day which is good.
Feel like i've lost weight but not sure I have. Does alcohol "puff up" the body/face? Definitely look and feel trimmer. My diet has been better this week as I've more energy for cooking etc, but as mentioned earlier had some amount of sugar cravings and cakes/sweets which have thankfully now reduced.
Big test on Saturday. Away day on the train with 3 others who will be sinking cans and pints over the course of the day...
:NaePasaran said:
Big test on Saturday. Away day on the train with 3 others who will be sinking cans and pints over the course of the day...
I think you have to take pride in what you are doing and not think that you have got the rough end of the deal. It's the best thing for you.Good luck.
NaePasaran said:
Big test on Saturday. Away day on the train with 3 others who will be sinking cans and pints over the course of the day...
This needs some careful thought. Tell your pals you arent drinking & ask them not to pressure you. Take some other soft drink with you for the train if they will drink on it. Use it as a learning exercise, you are the experimenter. See how they change over the day.
I hope you see the otherside of it with your fresh perspective.
Happy to hear the cravings, sleep, mood & energy have all improved.
Randy Winkman said:
I think you have to take pride in what you are doing and not think that you have got the rough end of the deal. It's the best thing for you.
Good luck.
Definitely this, the first test is the most challenging as you’ll want to drink but just sit back and watch it only takes 3 drinks and you’ll be glad you didn’t! The waffle, unfunny jokes and repetitiveness will start and you’ll be sitting going omg that used to be me. Good luck.
Armed with the knowledge of knowing you will not have a hangover you can be smug!
I recommend that whatever book you read that works for you (mine was / is Craig Beck Alcohol lied to me) that you read it over and over again until you could almost repeat it verbatim and then don’t forget to read it again every few months. I use Audio books as when you mind wanders it is still talking to the subconscious.
I am about to start year 6.
Also, catch your own internal vocabulary…using words such as “try again” suggests an option to fail, changing it to “I will do it this time” is more positive and it helps train your conscious ego to work for you.
I am about to start year 6.
Also, catch your own internal vocabulary…using words such as “try again” suggests an option to fail, changing it to “I will do it this time” is more positive and it helps train your conscious ego to work for you.
minor update from me - I have finished the book, and loved it.
It really helped me understand the reasons I am drinking, and feeling I need a drink etc on occasions and why once I start I can on occasion drink to a large excess.
Have I managed to be Sober......... no.
However, I have managed to drive to the curry last night and have 1 pint only. Then didn't buy any on way home.
Had one glass of Processcco with neighbour last week, and didn't go to the shop.
Had a particularly stressful board meeting - and didn't drink after (or indeed the night before) - the craving was real, but I understood it.
I have a Drinks Tasting tomorrow night, of which I shall attempt to bucket it (but granted this is a big challenge).
All in all - it's not cold turkey, but I am so so much better than I was 4 weeks ago.
It really helped me understand the reasons I am drinking, and feeling I need a drink etc on occasions and why once I start I can on occasion drink to a large excess.
Have I managed to be Sober......... no.
However, I have managed to drive to the curry last night and have 1 pint only. Then didn't buy any on way home.
Had one glass of Processcco with neighbour last week, and didn't go to the shop.
Had a particularly stressful board meeting - and didn't drink after (or indeed the night before) - the craving was real, but I understood it.
I have a Drinks Tasting tomorrow night, of which I shall attempt to bucket it (but granted this is a big challenge).
All in all - it's not cold turkey, but I am so so much better than I was 4 weeks ago.
The Selfish Gene said:
minor update from me - I have finished the book, and loved it.
It really helped me understand the reasons I am drinking, and feeling I need a drink etc on occasions and why once I start I can on occasion drink to a large excess.
Have I managed to be Sober......... no.
However, I have managed to drive to the curry last night and have 1 pint only. Then didn't buy any on way home.
Had one glass of Processcco with neighbour last week, and didn't go to the shop.
Had a particularly stressful board meeting - and didn't drink after (or indeed the night before) - the craving was real, but I understood it.
I have a Drinks Tasting tomorrow night, of which I shall attempt to bucket it (but granted this is a big challenge).
All in all - it's not cold turkey, but I am so so much better than I was 4 weeks ago.
Some knowledge, coupled with commitment and effort, when coping with uncomfortable sensations, can get you a long way down the road to your goal.It really helped me understand the reasons I am drinking, and feeling I need a drink etc on occasions and why once I start I can on occasion drink to a large excess.
Have I managed to be Sober......... no.
However, I have managed to drive to the curry last night and have 1 pint only. Then didn't buy any on way home.
Had one glass of Processcco with neighbour last week, and didn't go to the shop.
Had a particularly stressful board meeting - and didn't drink after (or indeed the night before) - the craving was real, but I understood it.
I have a Drinks Tasting tomorrow night, of which I shall attempt to bucket it (but granted this is a big challenge).
All in all - it's not cold turkey, but I am so so much better than I was 4 weeks ago.
thanks Blib
it's a journey I'd say .
I'm super aware, anytime I take a drink could lead to the binge I'm trying to avoid. For the moment, I'm not half arsing it, but I am attempting a level of control. That may be naive but, with my new found awareness and knowledge, if I fail to control it , then I will have to go the extra step and go fully sober.
I am already of a different mind set. Tasting Friday, and then another tasting next week or so (which is actually for my own business to sign off a 'flavour')
Then I'm looking forward to no formal nights out until a Stag do next May!
it's a journey I'd say .
I'm super aware, anytime I take a drink could lead to the binge I'm trying to avoid. For the moment, I'm not half arsing it, but I am attempting a level of control. That may be naive but, with my new found awareness and knowledge, if I fail to control it , then I will have to go the extra step and go fully sober.
I am already of a different mind set. Tasting Friday, and then another tasting next week or so (which is actually for my own business to sign off a 'flavour')
Then I'm looking forward to no formal nights out until a Stag do next May!
This is a very thought-provoking book:
About drinking mindfully, and aware of its harms rather than stopping altogether, although if you want you can do that too.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Drink-Science-Alcohol-You...
About drinking mindfully, and aware of its harms rather than stopping altogether, although if you want you can do that too.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Drink-Science-Alcohol-You...
I stopped nearly 4 years ago. not a massive drinker, but a habitual / a bit bored /FOMO after work one.
Read the AE book, which appealed to the nerd in me and that was that
but dear God, the biscuit consumption.
Even now, I have a sugar craving that I am really trying to kick. Never had it before . I have always had small appetite, even in the depths of 150 mile a week race training. I seem, like my cat, to be constantly hungry. Maybe I have worms and an underactive thyroid as well
Randy Winkman said:
Snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan mentioned the book The Chimp Paradox:The Mind Management Programme by Steve Peters in a TV programme the other day and how that helped get him on the straight and narrow after various problems including addiction. Anyone read it?
this is on the list. Diary of a CEO did a podcast with the author - he comes across very well for that hour or so.53 days sober for me. It's been relatively easy although Satudray was really tempting. I felt great, energetic and had a really good day. It was about 5pm and I went to Sainsbury's to get some bits. That was my ritual before - Friday or Saturday, early evening to stock up on beer and wine.
I also was off work yesterday and went out for the day, including dinner in the evening. I wasn't particularly tempted but I did recognise the fact that the opportunity to get very drunk was right there.
I'm not sleeping well at all, but that's one thing I have always had issues with. The last few weeks have been particularly bad. 3-4 hours of sleep, often from about 4am onwards. I then wake up late, missing the best part of the day as I love getting up early and feeling productive. Instead, I am waking up at 930am groggy and logging in to my laptop late, barely dressing and just feeling sluggish.
I also was off work yesterday and went out for the day, including dinner in the evening. I wasn't particularly tempted but I did recognise the fact that the opportunity to get very drunk was right there.
I'm not sleeping well at all, but that's one thing I have always had issues with. The last few weeks have been particularly bad. 3-4 hours of sleep, often from about 4am onwards. I then wake up late, missing the best part of the day as I love getting up early and feeling productive. Instead, I am waking up at 930am groggy and logging in to my laptop late, barely dressing and just feeling sluggish.
Castrol for a knave said:
I stopped nearly 4 years ago. not a massive drinker, but a habitual / a bit bored /FOMO after work one.
Read the AE book, which appealed to the nerd in me and that was that
but dear God, the biscuit consumption.
Even now, I have a sugar craving that I am really trying to kick. Never had it before . I have always had small appetite, even in the depths of 150 mile a week race training. I seem, like my cat, to be constantly hungry. Maybe I have worms and an underactive thyroid as well
Almost 11 years sober for me now (thanks to this thread) and I still struggle with sugar cravings- and I didn’t have a sweet tooth at all before. Read the AE book, which appealed to the nerd in me and that was that
but dear God, the biscuit consumption.
Even now, I have a sugar craving that I am really trying to kick. Never had it before . I have always had small appetite, even in the depths of 150 mile a week race training. I seem, like my cat, to be constantly hungry. Maybe I have worms and an underactive thyroid as well
The only way I can keep it under control is not having that first biscuit or bit of chocolate in the first place. If I do it’s like a switch has been flipped and I just go mad…
The Selfish Gene said:
Randy Winkman said:
Snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan mentioned the book The Chimp Paradox:The Mind Management Programme by Steve Peters in a TV programme the other day and how that helped get him on the straight and narrow after various problems including addiction. Anyone read it?
this is on the list. Diary of a CEO did a podcast with the author - he comes across very well for that hour or so.Randy Winkman said:
Snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan mentioned the book The Chimp Paradox:The Mind Management Programme by Steve Peters in a TV programme the other day and how that helped get him on the straight and narrow after various problems including addiction. Anyone read it?
I've read the book. I found it a bit repetitive. The basics of though make sense The extent to which you would benefit from it though, would depend on the sort of person you are.
I find telling my wife to put her chimp back in its cage, infuriates her chimp a little too much!! Her chimp is a little too dominating!
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