Did you suddenly/What made you stop drinking alcohol?
Discussion
A couple of weeks ago I got utterly wasted at a family party. I, unusually for me, didn't eat anything and 'got straight on it' with my BiL, passing out about 11pm. The next day I felt bloody awful predictably and my stomach was killing me. No surprise. But since then I've barely touched a drop and even when I could I have opted for a soft drink in preference. I've never felt so off alcohol in my life. Then I was watching a programme where a guy said that he used to go to the pub all the time and then one day realised he wasn't enjoying being in a pub, put his pint down and never had another.
Have you ever done anything like this?
Have you ever done anything like this?
About 7 years ago I was black out drunk and woke up in hospital with a saline drip in my arm. I think I stopped for about 6 months after that.
I was naive and honestly unaware back then as to how bad alcohol can be for you in the long term. I was berating a friend around that time about his drug use and he hit back at me about how much I binge drink. I thought it was just something people *did* but at that point it clicked. I drink very rarely and much less now, I'm usually the sensible one.
I was naive and honestly unaware back then as to how bad alcohol can be for you in the long term. I was berating a friend around that time about his drug use and he hit back at me about how much I binge drink. I thought it was just something people *did* but at that point it clicked. I drink very rarely and much less now, I'm usually the sensible one.
How hard is it though? The whole world is based on a social drinking scene. Its not like people generally meet up for drugs or smoking. I find that alcohol relaxes me and i have more fun as a result. Whenever I've been a non-drinker (designated driver for example) I find social events a bit lengthy and always want to go home before I would if drinking.
A combination of being diagnosed with a hiatus hernia & a warning that I'd get type 2 diabetes if I continued eating rubbish and not exercising. Lansoprazole keeps it in check on the rare occasion I do have a drink which is once every few months or so.
An old school friend of mine has the same but drinks heavily every night, he's progressed to acquiring type 2 & hasn't changed his lifestyle whatsoever. He'll be dead in 10 years.
An old school friend of mine has the same but drinks heavily every night, he's progressed to acquiring type 2 & hasn't changed his lifestyle whatsoever. He'll be dead in 10 years.
Edited by CharlieCrocodile on Tuesday 5th May 14:06
I was diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis a few years ago - not what you want to hear when approaching your 30s that your joints are destroying themselves.
It's under control with medication, but the medicine is particularly harsh on the liver, so I was told to limit my alcohol consumption to 2 units a week max. That was initially very tough - on the tube home after the diagnosis I couldn't stop thinking about how it was the end of life as I knew it given how big a part alcohol played in my social circle, but I was actually quite glad after a few months as I was starting to get worried about how I would always get drunk on social occasions anyway.
Initially socialising without being drunk was hard work, but over time I've found it much easier to relax and don't need the booze to lubricate. I have often gone home early though, as once the rest of the group becomes utterly incoherent there's little more to be gained. Stag dos, weddings and ski trips are probably the most difficult, and I often find people treat me with some suspicion because I don't drink much (even though it's for medical reasons).
About 6 or 7 weeks ago I was diagnosed with depression, I haven't touched a drop since. Over the years, the amount I drink on a weekly basis has creeped up beyond the 2 unit limit, but given it's a depressant I decided to just get rid of it altogether.
Not sure if this is for life now, but going on a stag do on Friday so we'll see.
It's under control with medication, but the medicine is particularly harsh on the liver, so I was told to limit my alcohol consumption to 2 units a week max. That was initially very tough - on the tube home after the diagnosis I couldn't stop thinking about how it was the end of life as I knew it given how big a part alcohol played in my social circle, but I was actually quite glad after a few months as I was starting to get worried about how I would always get drunk on social occasions anyway.
Initially socialising without being drunk was hard work, but over time I've found it much easier to relax and don't need the booze to lubricate. I have often gone home early though, as once the rest of the group becomes utterly incoherent there's little more to be gained. Stag dos, weddings and ski trips are probably the most difficult, and I often find people treat me with some suspicion because I don't drink much (even though it's for medical reasons).
About 6 or 7 weeks ago I was diagnosed with depression, I haven't touched a drop since. Over the years, the amount I drink on a weekly basis has creeped up beyond the 2 unit limit, but given it's a depressant I decided to just get rid of it altogether.
Not sure if this is for life now, but going on a stag do on Friday so we'll see.
Never actually discussed it on here, but, here goes. November 2001, my 22nd birthday, started out as any ordinary Friday at the office. As it was payday and end of quarter we decided to go have a business "lunch" at all bar one in New Oxford Street (our offices were above there at the time) where awards were handed out and lunch time drinks were had. and kept being had until very late at night.
As it was my birthday I did not once have to dip my hand in my pocket, however, I was provided with many cocktails, some of which were plain nasty, none of which I remember. I do recall throwing a piece of celery across the bar as it was doing something in my drink, and it nearly starting a fight because some guy got hit with the wet end.
Either way I headed downstairs to the gents and proceeded to hurl the contents of my stomach into the nearest cubicle, I'm sure some of it went in the loo. I then headed upstairs for more cocktails and a sit down outside the pub.
It was during this sit down, when people started chucking coins into my lap I started to re-evaluate my situation, I decided I should go home, at which point I thought the best way to stop a bus was to walk in front of it.
A good friend who was enjoying the party atmosphere with me pulled me out the way, and then we walked back to his flat, me stopping occasionally to puke in one of the many dustbins/mailboxes on the way from the bar to his flat in Paddington.
(The above may all be lies as I was told most of this happened, apart from the celery incident, I remember that)
The below is what I can recall of the morning after:
I woke up to find myself sleeping on my friends sofa, with no shoes on (he had thoughtfully removed them for me), and a bucket of bile and chunks next to me, and one hell of a headache. I decided to make myself sick so I chugged 3 pints of water, and made haste to the bathroom, where I once again set about trying to throw the contents of my stomach into the loo via my mouth and nose.
About 10 minutes in I realise my leg is starting to hurt, no wait, it's f
king burning! I was resting up against the radiator! and now I have a nifty scar on my right thigh to remind me.
That's really about it, I'd made a fool of myself in front of my work colleagues, pissed off a good friend, and couldn't find half my birthday presents I'd gotten the day before
But, I made it home alive, I phoned my boss and colleagues and apologised (most of them saw the funny side, and one had rescued my presents!), and since then I do not drink except at celebrations where I will toast or have 1 and then stop.
TL:DR version, got pissed, made a fool of myself, scarred for life.
As it was my birthday I did not once have to dip my hand in my pocket, however, I was provided with many cocktails, some of which were plain nasty, none of which I remember. I do recall throwing a piece of celery across the bar as it was doing something in my drink, and it nearly starting a fight because some guy got hit with the wet end.
Either way I headed downstairs to the gents and proceeded to hurl the contents of my stomach into the nearest cubicle, I'm sure some of it went in the loo. I then headed upstairs for more cocktails and a sit down outside the pub.
It was during this sit down, when people started chucking coins into my lap I started to re-evaluate my situation, I decided I should go home, at which point I thought the best way to stop a bus was to walk in front of it.
A good friend who was enjoying the party atmosphere with me pulled me out the way, and then we walked back to his flat, me stopping occasionally to puke in one of the many dustbins/mailboxes on the way from the bar to his flat in Paddington.
(The above may all be lies as I was told most of this happened, apart from the celery incident, I remember that)
The below is what I can recall of the morning after:
I woke up to find myself sleeping on my friends sofa, with no shoes on (he had thoughtfully removed them for me), and a bucket of bile and chunks next to me, and one hell of a headache. I decided to make myself sick so I chugged 3 pints of water, and made haste to the bathroom, where I once again set about trying to throw the contents of my stomach into the loo via my mouth and nose.
About 10 minutes in I realise my leg is starting to hurt, no wait, it's f
king burning! I was resting up against the radiator! and now I have a nifty scar on my right thigh to remind me.That's really about it, I'd made a fool of myself in front of my work colleagues, pissed off a good friend, and couldn't find half my birthday presents I'd gotten the day before
But, I made it home alive, I phoned my boss and colleagues and apologised (most of them saw the funny side, and one had rescued my presents!), and since then I do not drink except at celebrations where I will toast or have 1 and then stop.
TL:DR version, got pissed, made a fool of myself, scarred for life.
oilydan said:
GT03ROB said:
Yep.
Came to Kuwait....
I moved to Saudi.Came to Kuwait....
Although I'm on the wine tonight in Bahrain
Now it's a case of getting an invite to US or Brit embassy bar!
Seriously though after a while without the temptation you don;t even notice you don;t drink alcohol anymore.
GT03ROB said:
Seriously though after a while without the temptation you don;t even notice you don;t drink alcohol anymore.
I understand but that's easier in a place where its not the culture to drink, in the UK and many other places socialising is based around alcohol. TBH I always wondered what people who don't drink do to socialise. I always imagined they had/have pretty dull social lives (no offence to anyone).
I suppose I was always aware that my intelligent, articulate and (apparently) very attractive Mother drank too much. Though I hardly ever saw her with a drink....
I left home young and did drink, sometimes to excess but more often than not, just to be 'sociable'. Never really liked it much.
Moved back home at about 25 (split with the GF) and really noticed how much the old girl was going downhill. Spent many a happy hour cleaning empty and near empty bottles out of various hidey holes - they were everywhere.
I stopped drinking then.
Still spent a lot of time in pubs as I had become my step fathers 'minder' and it wasn't a job I enjoyed as he was a far worse pisshead than my Mum! The things you see at 2:00 a.m. when the clubs kick out would make you stop drinking for ever!
Over the next few years spent lots of time in A&E with my Mum, lots of time at AA meetings and Alanon, non of which was to much avail. She'd dry out for a few months then declared that she had never had a drinking problem and off we'd go again.
I warned her repeatedly that I wouldn't always be there for her, and then, warned her that after I'd dried her out for the hundredth time, there would never be another! When she did start again, I walked away and never spoke to her again. The hardest decision I've ever had to make, but she was destroying me as well. She thought nothing of stealing from me/taking whatever cash I had. It was all, most unpleasant....
Over the next few years, various people tried to 'guilt' me into getting involved: when she was in hospital, when the landlord had had to take all her furniture out and burn it as she had pee'd on everything and maggots were growing everywhere, including in her hair. She finally snuffed it after even the Doctors got sick of her and refused her demands for them to come out to her for the umpteenth time. Unfortunately, on that occasion she was ill. Appendicitis that went untreated and resulted in peritonitis and death.
I found out she was dead, five years after the event.
I will now have a drink on occasion, usually Christmas or if it's really hot a nice cold shandy outside a pub is most pleasant. I first had a drink to see if I was an alcoholic as well! It had been 17 years since my last drink and I was curious... I wasn't.
I don't really like the taste of much of it (Baileys is the exception!) and I hate what it does to people when they drink too much. I am, without booze, the life and soul of the party! Seriously, if I'm in the mood to go (if I'm not, I don't go!) then I have a great time and when people start being stupid/ridiculous/aggressive/violent and so on, I leave.
I wish there was a ban on booze I really do. So many people drink to excess and the things that get done while under the influence are not nice.
I left home young and did drink, sometimes to excess but more often than not, just to be 'sociable'. Never really liked it much.
Moved back home at about 25 (split with the GF) and really noticed how much the old girl was going downhill. Spent many a happy hour cleaning empty and near empty bottles out of various hidey holes - they were everywhere.
I stopped drinking then.
Still spent a lot of time in pubs as I had become my step fathers 'minder' and it wasn't a job I enjoyed as he was a far worse pisshead than my Mum! The things you see at 2:00 a.m. when the clubs kick out would make you stop drinking for ever!
Over the next few years spent lots of time in A&E with my Mum, lots of time at AA meetings and Alanon, non of which was to much avail. She'd dry out for a few months then declared that she had never had a drinking problem and off we'd go again.
I warned her repeatedly that I wouldn't always be there for her, and then, warned her that after I'd dried her out for the hundredth time, there would never be another! When she did start again, I walked away and never spoke to her again. The hardest decision I've ever had to make, but she was destroying me as well. She thought nothing of stealing from me/taking whatever cash I had. It was all, most unpleasant....
Over the next few years, various people tried to 'guilt' me into getting involved: when she was in hospital, when the landlord had had to take all her furniture out and burn it as she had pee'd on everything and maggots were growing everywhere, including in her hair. She finally snuffed it after even the Doctors got sick of her and refused her demands for them to come out to her for the umpteenth time. Unfortunately, on that occasion she was ill. Appendicitis that went untreated and resulted in peritonitis and death.
I found out she was dead, five years after the event.
I will now have a drink on occasion, usually Christmas or if it's really hot a nice cold shandy outside a pub is most pleasant. I first had a drink to see if I was an alcoholic as well! It had been 17 years since my last drink and I was curious... I wasn't.
I don't really like the taste of much of it (Baileys is the exception!) and I hate what it does to people when they drink too much. I am, without booze, the life and soul of the party! Seriously, if I'm in the mood to go (if I'm not, I don't go!) then I have a great time and when people start being stupid/ridiculous/aggressive/violent and so on, I leave.
I wish there was a ban on booze I really do. So many people drink to excess and the things that get done while under the influence are not nice.
I have and will continue to have the occasional bottle of quality cider. I only ever have the one, as I find I don't enjoy the second bottle so much. Even then, I'd rather just have a can of coke. If I'm out with friends I'll either just drink soft drinks, or have a coupe of pints at the most.
I decided this weekend that I'm probably done with spirits too. I had a bottle of Kraken rum recently, which was admittedly very nice, but with a bottle of spirits costing as much as a good cigar, I came to the conclusion that I'd rather have a single cigar than a whole bottle of rum, bourbon etc. I'm just not a drinker.
I decided this weekend that I'm probably done with spirits too. I had a bottle of Kraken rum recently, which was admittedly very nice, but with a bottle of spirits costing as much as a good cigar, I came to the conclusion that I'd rather have a single cigar than a whole bottle of rum, bourbon etc. I'm just not a drinker.
Frimley111R said:
I understand but that's easier in a place where its not the culture to drink, in the UK and many other places socialising is based around alcohol.
TBH I always wondered what people who don't drink do to socialise. I always imagined they had/have pretty dull social lives (no offence to anyone).
Depends on how you define pretty dull. By most people's standards, I suppose I'm pretty dull when it comes to nights out. Maybe I just need new drinking partners. However...TBH I always wondered what people who don't drink do to socialise. I always imagined they had/have pretty dull social lives (no offence to anyone).
thelittleegg said:
Although maybe not as happy as I used to be at 10pm on a Friday night with a few sambuccas inside me, I can guarantee I'm a lot happier 99% of the rest of the time.
I decided after the hospital incident I want to do other things on a Sunday. I took up snowboarding and I became a race marshal. I've handled F1 cars, met world famous drivers and most importantly I've made new friends. As with thelittleegg, Friday nights might not be as great but many other aspects have improved. Now I feel my life is a lot more interesting than that of my beer buddies. I hold nothing against them, I just wish they would broaden their horizons.Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff