365 days without booze... join me?
Discussion
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 have also read it, after reading about his work with British Cycling..It is ok but, as said, a bit repetitive. The format is a bit odd,lots of inset text boxes..
If you are familiar.with your Stoics, you will see a lot of Seneca and Marcus Aurelius in there, which is no bad thing.
Castrol for a knave said:
If you are familiar.with your Stoics, you will see a lot of Seneca and Marcus Aurelius in there, which is no bad thing.
Interesting you should say that as I've just finished reading some stuff on Marcus Aurelius & now realise the bits from Aurelius & Chimps I found myself agreeing with were largely saying the same thing. GT03ROB said:
Castrol for a knave said:
If you are familiar.with your Stoics, you will see a lot of Seneca and Marcus Aurelius in there, which is no bad thing.
Interesting you should say that as I've just finished reading some stuff on Marcus Aurelius & now realise the bits from Aurelius & Chimps I found myself agreeing with were largely saying the same thing. 
I've found that this book can help those who are drawn to Stoicism.
I know people who use it as part of their daily routine.
swanseaboydan said:
7 weeks tomorrow for me - I feel
Amazing but occasionally bored - so many hours in the day … next challenge is to get more healthy hobbies
Starting a full-on exercise regime was probably the biggest help for me in quitting alcohol. Filling my days with activities left me tired, with no time to get bored and pour myself a drink. It worked and I now have no desire to drink - when I think of alcohol I think of the chemical taste that you get with it and it really puts me off.Amazing but occasionally bored - so many hours in the day … next challenge is to get more healthy hobbies
Find something that works for you and it's enjoyable as well. If you're having problems sleeping it will help fix that too.
I've just ticked over 4.5years this weekend and feeling about the same. I NEED to get my arse in gear at get to the gym and lose around 2 stone so for the next challenge i'm going to learn how to ride horses. What could possibly go wrong.
Still want to write a book but when i sit down and map out the s
t i've got up to over the last 2 decades i genuinely sit with my head in my hands it doesn't seem that cathartic anymore. Is this writers block? Do i need a hotel in the mountains and an axe?
Still want to write a book but when i sit down and map out the s
t i've got up to over the last 2 decades i genuinely sit with my head in my hands it doesn't seem that cathartic anymore. Is this writers block? Do i need a hotel in the mountains and an axe? ASA569 said:
swanseaboydan said:
7 weeks tomorrow for me - I feel
Amazing but occasionally bored - so many hours in the day … next challenge is to get more healthy hobbies
Starting a full-on exercise regime was probably the biggest help for me in quitting alcohol. Filling my days with activities left me tired, with no time to get bored and pour myself a drink. It worked and I now have no desire to drink - when I think of alcohol I think of the chemical taste that you get with it and it really puts me off.Amazing but occasionally bored - so many hours in the day … next challenge is to get more healthy hobbies
Find something that works for you and it's enjoyable as well. If you're having problems sleeping it will help fix that too.
You've noticed the extra time on your hands. After 7 weeks you should be starting to get an idea of how much extra disposable income you have and a feel for how much energy you have.
Drinking soaks up vast amounts of time, money and energy - even a "quick pint" is half an hour and £5+ out of your day. Plus the extra time nursing hangovers.
It's just a case of putting those "resources" into something you'll enjoy that's more productive. Have a look back through this thread for ideas - there was a spate of people buying new bikes a few years ago - possibly not ideal as winter kicks in but how about joining a gym or going swimming more? Longer term have a think about hobbies and interests you want to develop.
The changes are gradual but will "snowball" - I started off cycling, reading and swimming more. I also went for longer walks then bought a camera to take with me. None of these are particularly costly. I then started spending my increased disposable income - I learned to scuba dive, and bought a keyboard which I am teaching myself to play. I also volunteer at a museum. I wouldn't do any of these things if I was still boozing.
I stopped drinking 11 years ago thanks to this thread and it's one of the best things I did. You are at the start of something potentially incredible and life changing. But in the meantime I would do a 'back of the envelope' calculation of how much you've saved over the last few weeks and blow it on something - just 'treat yourself' as a reward...
redrabbit29 said:
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.
Well done for resisting the temptation when out, I found it gets easier as the weeks go on, just over 3 1/2 years without a drop here, I don’t feel the need for it at all now even when out surrounded by drinkers. I’ve never tried any zero alcohol stuff either and don’t intend too.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.
Sleep could be any number of reasons if you’ve always had issues with it.
Whilst I typically don't drink often at all, perhaps once every fortnight, it is usually in excess that evening over a weekend of debauchery. At the end of it I am always feeling very embarrassed by my behaviour, not that its necessarily embarrassing by nature, but that I am quite clearly not myself.
I've decided to start in the new year with a simple change - limit to 1 night out a month - preferably with my partner, and on those nights, a Maximum of 4 alcoholic drinks. Whether that be 4 drinks and game over, 4 drinks prolonged over the entire evening, or 4 drinks chased down and on the non alcoholics for the rest.
I find 4 drinks is the point where I am delightfully merry without tipping the scales the wrong side.
My hope is that following this, I can progress the following year with absolutely no alcohol at all - save for special occasions where the 4 would still apply, anniversary, partners birthday etc.
How does everyone find the social aspect when removing drink? While it sounds silly to even ask, the basis of my entire young adulthood has been social via alcohol/drugs, removing those from my social circle feels as though perhaps I will no longer wish to be within that social circle.
Has anyone lost friends because of their decision to quit/drastically reduce alcohol/drugs?
I've decided to start in the new year with a simple change - limit to 1 night out a month - preferably with my partner, and on those nights, a Maximum of 4 alcoholic drinks. Whether that be 4 drinks and game over, 4 drinks prolonged over the entire evening, or 4 drinks chased down and on the non alcoholics for the rest.
I find 4 drinks is the point where I am delightfully merry without tipping the scales the wrong side.
My hope is that following this, I can progress the following year with absolutely no alcohol at all - save for special occasions where the 4 would still apply, anniversary, partners birthday etc.
How does everyone find the social aspect when removing drink? While it sounds silly to even ask, the basis of my entire young adulthood has been social via alcohol/drugs, removing those from my social circle feels as though perhaps I will no longer wish to be within that social circle.
Has anyone lost friends because of their decision to quit/drastically reduce alcohol/drugs?
axel1990chp said:
How does everyone find the social aspect when removing drink? While it sounds silly to even ask, the basis of my entire young adulthood has been social via alcohol/drugs, removing those from my social circle feels as though perhaps I will no longer wish to be within that social circle.
Has anyone lost friends because of their decision to quit/drastically reduce alcohol/drugs?
There are certainly people that I see a lot less of. But our friendship was limited to going out and getting hammered every now and again. And I was long overdue quitting that lifestyle by the time I stopped anyway. Has anyone lost friends because of their decision to quit/drastically reduce alcohol/drugs?
This is balanced out by seeing more of people where alcohol isn’t the sole focus of a night out - they drink but if we’re going to see a band or do a pub quiz or something it doesn’t matter that I’m not drinking. They’re used to it now but even in the early days they didn’t care.
that is definitely the hardest. The social part. I'm doing so much better, but I can't imagine going sober totally on special occasions.
I do continue to try.
I had a Gin tasting event on Friday, and managed fine, but did drink. No embarrassment and got home by 10pm.
Then had a super stressful day at work, and knew I had some samples - got home and drank them (3 doubles).
Then I've not had anything since, and almost feel relieved I have nothing in plan at all for December. I've already asked my parents to not buy any extra booze for me when I visit at Christmas.
I think reading the Alcohol explained booked has really helped me in that , I now recognise WHY the cravings are what they are at a physiological level.
My brain then, essentially wants to win against itself (if that makes sense). SO, now I want a drink, but I know it's because I'm stressed and the body is trying to get the depressant to reduce the anxiety, but by having one drink, body reacts and I get into a circle of needing a drink to counteract.
Just knowing that fact makes me stronger at not getting on the merrygo around - 90% of the time.
It really has helped me.
I do continue to try.
I had a Gin tasting event on Friday, and managed fine, but did drink. No embarrassment and got home by 10pm.
Then had a super stressful day at work, and knew I had some samples - got home and drank them (3 doubles).
Then I've not had anything since, and almost feel relieved I have nothing in plan at all for December. I've already asked my parents to not buy any extra booze for me when I visit at Christmas.
I think reading the Alcohol explained booked has really helped me in that , I now recognise WHY the cravings are what they are at a physiological level.
My brain then, essentially wants to win against itself (if that makes sense). SO, now I want a drink, but I know it's because I'm stressed and the body is trying to get the depressant to reduce the anxiety, but by having one drink, body reacts and I get into a circle of needing a drink to counteract.
Just knowing that fact makes me stronger at not getting on the merrygo around - 90% of the time.
It really has helped me.
bmwmike said:
I've been reducing my consumption based on this thread, so wanted to check in here and say thanks to everyone who contributes and well done on your respective successes for whatever your own personal goals are, and don't sweat the slip ups. Its all a journey!
This thread literally changed my life!Would echo the thanks to everyone who contributes…
I’ve a social thing coming up this Sunday at someone’s new house warming. I’m not looking forward to it.
I’ve no social life generally and kept away from any bars or functions so it’s not been too bad but I struggle between 6 in the evening and until supper time as that was a usual time for a drink when my wife gets home from work.
We’ve a Christmas village do coming up soon and I’ve stupidly said I will attend for my wife’s sake. That will be tough due to peer pressure. This Christmas Day see’s me hitting a full no booze 12 months.
I’ve no social life generally and kept away from any bars or functions so it’s not been too bad but I struggle between 6 in the evening and until supper time as that was a usual time for a drink when my wife gets home from work.
We’ve a Christmas village do coming up soon and I’ve stupidly said I will attend for my wife’s sake. That will be tough due to peer pressure. This Christmas Day see’s me hitting a full no booze 12 months.
Mr Magooagain said:
We’ve a Christmas village do coming up soon and I’ve stupidly said I will attend for my wife’s sake. That will be tough due to peer pressure. This Christmas Day see’s me hitting a full no booze 12 months.
Don’t worry about peer pressure, you’re more than capable of saying no. Be firm but polite and they’ll get the message.You are less than four weeks away from being a whole year off the drink, that’s a hell of an achievement. Well done. You got this.
axel1990chp said:
Has anyone lost friends because of their decision to quit/drastically reduce alcohol/drugs?
Thankfully, yes.Not true friends, those stayed and I am more than happy to go out with them (with them drinking if they want to). The rest stopped calling because let's be honest, who wants to drink and use to excess around someone that isn't ?
Waking up Saturday morning a fortnight ago feeling like death after a night on the tiles, I've concluded I probably drink far too much. A bottle of wine will easily disappear in an evening, and sometimes a second one will get opened and given a good attempt as well. Haven't touched a drop since, and to be honest the desire to do so has disappeared. I'd very much like to stay off the drink for the foreseeable future, lose a bit of weight & improve my health.
Davie_GLA said:
I've just ticked over 4.5years this weekend and feeling about the same. I NEED to get my arse in gear at get to the gym and lose around 2 stone so for the next challenge i'm going to learn how to ride horses. What could possibly go wrong.
Still want to write a book but when i sit down and map out the st i've got up to over the last 2 decades i genuinely sit with my head in my hands it doesn't seem that cathartic anymore. Is this writers block? Do i need a hotel in the mountains and an axe?
Fair play mate, I am sStill want to write a book but when i sit down and map out the s
t i've got up to over the last 2 decades i genuinely sit with my head in my hands it doesn't seem that cathartic anymore. Is this writers block? Do i need a hotel in the mountains and an axe? t scared of horses so I'd rather guide my Dad into my Mum than go near one but look forward to hearing about how you get on 
To those that are struggling with weight (me), I heard someone recently say that his experience of folks that give up drink / drugs is that they spend the first 5 years eating / w
king / shopping themselves to death.. after that, they tend to get a handle on things.. Sebo said:
Thankfully, yes.
Not true friends, those stayed and I am more than happy to go out with them (with them drinking if they want to). The rest stopped calling because let's be honest, who wants to drink and use to excess around someone that isn't ?
Exactly the same for me, yes I lost a few but they were not real friends we just got wrecked together. It hurt me for a while but I read in one of the books that it holds a mirror up to them and they don’t like what they see! I think this is very accurate.Not true friends, those stayed and I am more than happy to go out with them (with them drinking if they want to). The rest stopped calling because let's be honest, who wants to drink and use to excess around someone that isn't ?
True friends will support your decision and understand. It is lonely but it’s vital you fill the void with a healthy hobby, mine was walking I discovered a whole new world by getting off my ass.
Early to bed and hangover free mornings are absolutely priceless if you could bottle the feeling you’d be a very wealthy person!
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