Quitting Drinking...
Discussion
So, I've decided that next year I want to stop drinking:
It's what I spend most of my money on (I would say 80% of my income is disposable and most of that goes on booze).
It's stopping me from being as lean and as fit as I want to be.
I think perhaps I like it a bit too much.
And excessive casual drinking is what killed my Granddad, and I'm worried I'm turning in to him.
So, my question to you is, how do you do it? In theory it should be as simple as "Don't buy any booze" but I know for a fact that without alcohol my whole life, and especially my social life, will be completely different. Any tips from anyone who's been there?
It's what I spend most of my money on (I would say 80% of my income is disposable and most of that goes on booze).
It's stopping me from being as lean and as fit as I want to be.
I think perhaps I like it a bit too much.
And excessive casual drinking is what killed my Granddad, and I'm worried I'm turning in to him.
So, my question to you is, how do you do it? In theory it should be as simple as "Don't buy any booze" but I know for a fact that without alcohol my whole life, and especially my social life, will be completely different. Any tips from anyone who's been there?
I've read that quitting completely could mean some harm to your system due to the sudden shock. I've been in the same shoe but rather than quitting I've learnt to drink responsibly.
How did I do it? I guess having a family and kids help. When I try to look at things from their POV I feel disgusted at myself for being drunk.
If you don't have a family think of your health and the things alcohol is doing to your liver. Yes, alcohol can be fun but is fun really more important than living a long, healthy life?
How did I do it? I guess having a family and kids help. When I try to look at things from their POV I feel disgusted at myself for being drunk.
If you don't have a family think of your health and the things alcohol is doing to your liver. Yes, alcohol can be fun but is fun really more important than living a long, healthy life?
I have been gradually cutting down over a period of ten months . Mostly due to health reasons . I do feel a little better for not drinking but I do miss a pint .
As for social life ? I try to avoid getting into situations where I might drink .
I would love a pint right now but I will not bother .
The only booze I keep in the house is stuff I do not drink . Whisky and brandy for example
As for social life ? I try to avoid getting into situations where I might drink .
I would love a pint right now but I will not bother .
The only booze I keep in the house is stuff I do not drink . Whisky and brandy for example
I am likely to be in a similar situation - though more forced to stop drinking than wanting to ( having pancreas removed...or considerably shortened!).
I asked the question - is alcohol essential to my wellbeing? and the answer is YES...it is
I now have to figure out a way that I can enjoy a drink, now and then, that is compatible with my likely new lifestyle.
There are ways around everything
I asked the question - is alcohol essential to my wellbeing? and the answer is YES...it is
I now have to figure out a way that I can enjoy a drink, now and then, that is compatible with my likely new lifestyle.There are ways around everything
I don't really drink. It's not a health choice per sae, I just struggle SO much with hangovers that unless I have a totally awesome night I just don't feel like it is worth it. I'm 24, so not exactly old, and if I have more than a couple of pints I will be hungover the next day, regardless of whether I feel drunk or not. More than 6/7 pints and I'm in to two day recovery territory. I also have lots of 5:30am starts for work, so drinking the night before just isn't an option. It hasn't always been this way, when I was at uni I'd go out getting hammered 3/4 nights a week in my first year and could cope with it fine. Not so much by my third year though.
What I find myself doing now is once every 3 months or so a proper opportunity with a very valid reason getting off the wall drunk presents itself and I'll get plastered - my theory that I'll be hungover whatever so I might as well do it properly.
Another aspect is I don't really like alcohol. I do like a nice cider, but I don't drink beer or larger. With a meal I'd always much rather have a pint of coke.
Not really any help to you, just a different view on alcohol. I never ever find myself wanting to drink off the cuff, it just doesn't appeal to me that much.
What I find myself doing now is once every 3 months or so a proper opportunity with a very valid reason getting off the wall drunk presents itself and I'll get plastered - my theory that I'll be hungover whatever so I might as well do it properly.
Another aspect is I don't really like alcohol. I do like a nice cider, but I don't drink beer or larger. With a meal I'd always much rather have a pint of coke.
Not really any help to you, just a different view on alcohol. I never ever find myself wanting to drink off the cuff, it just doesn't appeal to me that much.
Depends how much and how often you drink at the moment.
I don't drink at all during the week unless it's a special event. I still go out and have fun at the weekends, probably should cut down a little on that, and will with time, but it's not causing me any problems at the moment.
You could try that for a while and see how it goes before cutting completely if you still want to.
I don't drink at all during the week unless it's a special event. I still go out and have fun at the weekends, probably should cut down a little on that, and will with time, but it's not causing me any problems at the moment.
You could try that for a while and see how it goes before cutting completely if you still want to.
Yes I have been there (or going through it) having stopped on January 1st this year. The aim was to do a month, maybe more but I have enjoyed the results of none at all so much I'm going to do a year with the very serious aim of going teetotal permanently.
This was initially quite difficult of course. The way to do it is take a look at yourself and ask what is good about the physical aspects of drinking heavily - nothing. Tiredness due to poor quality sleep, feeling rough, lethargy, fat, money wasting and it has depressive tendencies too (not helped by the fact you're feeling rubbish!).
I wanted to see what it would be like so went cold turkey and the benefits were immediate ie feeling better all the time and lots of energy. Also my general outlook has improved coupled to weight loss (which in itself makes you feel batter).
To do it though you have to initially keep telling yourself that this constant daily upside (from the second you wake up) outweighs the benefits of a few drinks and the effects of those. After a while the need to have a drink just goes away and in my case now I see it as a threat to my well being and thin body! There is no chance of coming home at night and grabbing a glass of wine - too much work has been done to risk it. You just have to break the habit.
Socially it's strange. In a drinking group you're an observer to a certain extent and it's not always comfortable. However, mind over matter as you know you're going to have a good day tomorrow. This doesn't stop you joining in but you have to allow for people's strange behaviour when they get going!
My advice is go for it, stick with it and enjoy the benefits.
This was initially quite difficult of course. The way to do it is take a look at yourself and ask what is good about the physical aspects of drinking heavily - nothing. Tiredness due to poor quality sleep, feeling rough, lethargy, fat, money wasting and it has depressive tendencies too (not helped by the fact you're feeling rubbish!).
I wanted to see what it would be like so went cold turkey and the benefits were immediate ie feeling better all the time and lots of energy. Also my general outlook has improved coupled to weight loss (which in itself makes you feel batter).
To do it though you have to initially keep telling yourself that this constant daily upside (from the second you wake up) outweighs the benefits of a few drinks and the effects of those. After a while the need to have a drink just goes away and in my case now I see it as a threat to my well being and thin body! There is no chance of coming home at night and grabbing a glass of wine - too much work has been done to risk it. You just have to break the habit.
Socially it's strange. In a drinking group you're an observer to a certain extent and it's not always comfortable. However, mind over matter as you know you're going to have a good day tomorrow. This doesn't stop you joining in but you have to allow for people's strange behaviour when they get going!
My advice is go for it, stick with it and enjoy the benefits.
Assuming you don't actually have an addiction and it's just a social thing, then try cutting down, not out. Perhaps think about how much you drink on a night out and look at drink 25% less each month. You could do a pint then a soft drink (if necessary, tell your friends you fancy a triple vodka and coke when you buy it but "forget" to order the vodka). Or just tell your friends that you're getting pains in your liver or something.
If you do have an addiction and find you're downing 2 bottles a night when you're home alone then the only way is to go cold turkey.
If you do have an addiction and find you're downing 2 bottles a night when you're home alone then the only way is to go cold turkey.
t load!80% of income is on drink?! Bloody hell
If I tell myself I need to quit doing something, the one thing I want to do more than most is that one thing I can't do.
Maybe think of doing something else instead, for example, rather than giving up drinking, you will hit the gym and aim to lose weight. Drinking will stop you from hitting this new goal.
Basically don't think of not drinking as missing out, you could drink if you want but you'd rather have the other goal.
Don't make it that you are missing out one something. If you miss it, you'll return to it.
If I tell myself I need to quit doing something, the one thing I want to do more than most is that one thing I can't do.
Maybe think of doing something else instead, for example, rather than giving up drinking, you will hit the gym and aim to lose weight. Drinking will stop you from hitting this new goal.
Basically don't think of not drinking as missing out, you could drink if you want but you'd rather have the other goal.
Don't make it that you are missing out one something. If you miss it, you'll return to it.
I have done 2 weeks so far and can feel the affects in a good way, although mine was more forced due to injury and subsequent medication meaning I cant take alcohol in any shape or form.
After the 6 weeks of medication I might just keep it up and see how it goes and keep drinking for the once in a blue moon occasion rather than twice/three times a week.
After the 6 weeks of medication I might just keep it up and see how it goes and keep drinking for the once in a blue moon occasion rather than twice/three times a week.
I got it out my system between the ages of 15 and 20 I think. Wouldn't bother me if I didn't drink for months on end, tend to go out once a fortnight now unless there's lots of social stuff on.
Like yourself I struggle to enjoy a night out without a drink. Maybe you just need to remove yourself from those situations if that's the case? Then again, no point in still being able to run a mile on your own at 70 when all your mates have spent their life having a great time. I think there's a balance to be struck somewhere.
Like yourself I struggle to enjoy a night out without a drink. Maybe you just need to remove yourself from those situations if that's the case? Then again, no point in still being able to run a mile on your own at 70 when all your mates have spent their life having a great time. I think there's a balance to be struck somewhere.
Art0ir said:
Then again, no point in still being able to run a mile on your own at 70 when all your mates have spent their life having a great time. I think there's a balance to be struck somewhere.
Absolutely!OP - You say you spend a lot on booze and want to quit - Is that a Sat & maybe Fri and 80% of not a terrible lot or is that rather more wannabe Ollie Reid? The answer, while not 100% wholesome either way, probably matters more than you think.
Then again, genetic luck (or lack of) matters more than that, as may short-term finances.
If you're genuinely on a slippery slope then abstinence may be the answer. However, the Methodist road isn't always quite the panacea it might be painted as by the moral minority.
As always, the correct answer involves something from A and something from B, the mix being dependent on your on specific circumstances.
So, a bit more info required.
I stopped drinking by accident after I noticed that I'd be more likely to make a driving mistake after drinking. This is not an admission to drinking and driving, just noticed a connection on the drive home at the end of the day after a lunchtime couple down the pub that more likely to make an error of judgement, arrive at a roundabout a bit quickly. Never had an incident as such, just not happy with myself.
Decided to make a rule that would not drive within 12 hours of having a drink, which didn't feel like a major commitment, but in time pretty much effectively becomes 24 hours due to logistics.
Talking to a surgeon mate, he realised he was having similar issues, and he started a regime where he stopped drinking the day before theatre.
We're both pretty much TT now, and agree all the better for it.
I can still enjoy an odd drink particularly on holiday, but it's only one. Sitting by the Med in early evening soaking in the sun and sipping a pre dinner pastis still fills me with delight. When I was student used to get the feeling of need, real need for a drink by the time it got to evening. At one time if went to a party did any time after 10pm exist? Out of control basically.
Decided to make a rule that would not drive within 12 hours of having a drink, which didn't feel like a major commitment, but in time pretty much effectively becomes 24 hours due to logistics.
Talking to a surgeon mate, he realised he was having similar issues, and he started a regime where he stopped drinking the day before theatre.
We're both pretty much TT now, and agree all the better for it.
I can still enjoy an odd drink particularly on holiday, but it's only one. Sitting by the Med in early evening soaking in the sun and sipping a pre dinner pastis still fills me with delight. When I was student used to get the feeling of need, real need for a drink by the time it got to evening. At one time if went to a party did any time after 10pm exist? Out of control basically.
I used to drink a fair bit and decided to knock it on the head in the week. Now only drink at weekend enjoy drinking to much to stop completely.
I get a better nights sleep and feel loads better in genral for not drinking evey night. Really glad I did it and I actually enjoy a pint a lot more at a weekend now.
Bring on the Cider tonight = yum
I get a better nights sleep and feel loads better in genral for not drinking evey night. Really glad I did it and I actually enjoy a pint a lot more at a weekend now.
Bring on the Cider tonight = yum
I drank a lot at uni, I got it under control by limiting myself to a unit a day average for the year. Started off saving up for benders, then the benders were phased out without any conscious thought. Now I drink occasionally, haven't been drunk for years and don't give it a thought.
I don't drink at all in January and have not done for a good few years,I used to say I didn't feel any better for it but the last couple of years I could feel the benefit so this time round I think I will go for longer period and may be just to stop all together because for me it's"All or Nothing"........
Allen Carr's book "the easy way to control alcohol" would be worth getting hold of. I haven't touched a drop since reading it a couple of months ago - more surprisingly I don't miss it at all - and I was a heavy drinker. Carr is the anti smoking guru who died a couple of years ago. The ideas in the book are simple yet effective.
It is probably also worth hunting down the lengthy thread 365 days without booze on this forum. Well worth a read.
It is probably also worth hunting down the lengthy thread 365 days without booze on this forum. Well worth a read.
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff