365 days without booze... join me?

[Joscal]

Hodgie that’s great. I had absolutely no idea how much drink played in my mood either, I mentioned above that I drank once at Christmas and felt like complete crap for days after and it has completely cemented the fact that it just isn’t for me anymore. Best of luck!

[Narcisus]

8th of September for me. The bizarre thing is there was no conscious effort involved. I just didn’t feel like a drink so didn’t have one !

[steveT350C]

Sebo said:

steveT350C said:

Does anyone here attend AA? I went once earlier in the year but it did not feel right

How about trying a different AA meeting? Was the "God thing" an issue?

Read Allen Carr's book on 29th December; it was very very good! I'm only 5 days dry so far, but can already feel the difference. I cannot remember ever having the energy that I had yesterday.

Good luck to everyone!

[Scabutz]

3 days and still feel st. I know from the past it takes me 2 weeks to really start to feel better. I need to start training again as I can only sleep well when not drinking by rinsing myself in training.

Have ordered those books above. My immediate target is a year without it and I hope at the end I will want to give up for good.

Booze does nothing for me really. Makes me fat, misserable, in debt.

[HTP99]

Just chatting to a colleague about my dry January as I am on day 4 now.

The wife was out last night; normally I'd have a cider whilst making dinner, have another when eating, wash up and then flop in-front of the sofa from about 20:00 and drop off at about 21:30, after consuming a 3rd Henry Westons and in the morning will have zero recollection of what I had watched on the telly. Wake up at 6:00 with a hazy head to feed the dogs and slope off back to bed for half an hour with a coffee, vowing not to drink that coming evening!

Last night I made dinner, washed up, took the dog for a walk, prepped dinner for tonight; 2 spaghetti bolognaise, one veggie and the other to be slow cooked whilst at work today, then I sat in-front of the telly and watched a bit until 22:30, went to bed with my tablet and put Netflix on for 30-45 minutes.
Woke up at 6:30 with a clear head, fed the dogs and got breakfast, all the while feeling really positive and not at all a bit grim.

Looking at the above, why on earth do we drink!!

[Joscal]

Be warned HTP99 the waking up fresh becomes addictive!

Edited by Joscal on Friday 4th January 19:11

[steveT350C]

Hope all who are trying to give up are doing well.

I’m am on day 11, the longest I have gone without alcohol for 27 years. My previous best was 5 days in February last year when my wife left me. Had been on between 5 and 10 pints a day for last 10 years.

I had my last drink 10pm on the 28th December. First big challenge was New Years Eve in my local pub where I was dj-ing and hosting bringing in the new year. Being busy, and being paid, helped enormously.

The biggest challenge has been the boredom. I am still going to my local pub for an hour or two everyday, though it’s tough when a group of the regulars get together, starting sinking a few pints and all the stupid banter starts. Sunday afternoon was interesting; six of us sat round a table, with me on soda water. The smell of alcohol was alarming, and the repetition of conversation got boring, even annoying.

Benefits? I’ve saved over £200 already, and I’ve noticed my energy levels increasing a lot. Additionally I am considerably less stressed and depressed about divorce and my current job situation.

[Bob-iylho]

steveT350C said:

The smell of alcohol was alarming, and the repetition of conversation got boring, even annoying.

One of the amazing things about being off booze, I'm long term recovery, is that you realise drunks are so dull, hilarious moments but 95% of the time it's repetative st. These so called mates will try to get you drinking again, they don't like non drinkers what ever they say. Go out and enjoy your freedom, you are not tied to the pub anymore.

Edited by Bob-iylho on Tuesday 8th January 13:21

[HTP99]

steveT350C said:

Hope all who are trying to give up are doing well.

On day 8 of complete abstinance, however after the 25th December I did cut down considerably but not 100%.

I feel great, I'm waking with a clear head, the dog is getting more walks, I'm not dropping off infront of the telly, my snoring has almost stopped and I've lost 2kg.

[ThorB]

Bob-iylho said:

These so called mates will try to get you drinking again, they don't like non drinkers what ever they say.

To me that's the hardest part of giving up - friends, colleagues, clients, all expect you to drink and if you don't they think you're boring. As has been said in this thread before, it often places a mirror in front of their own drinking habits and they don't like it.

[steveT350C]

Bob-iylho said:

steveT350C said:

The smell of alcohol was alarming, and the repetition of conversation got boring, even annoying.

One of the amazing things about being off booze, I'm long term recovery, is that you realise drunks are so dull, hilarious moments but 95% of the time it's repetative st. These so called mates will try to get you drinking again, they don't like non drinkers what ever they say. Go out and enjoy your freedom, you are not tied to the pub anymore.

Edited by Bob-iylho on Tuesday 8th January 13:21

One of my so called 'mates' was doing exactly that. He must have drunk a bottle of rose wine (slightly odd choice for a 25 stone builder) in an hour, started going on about how i can have a drink if i want. It was then i knew it was time to go home!

[JamesD74]

Day 8 here.

Habitual drinker over the years that gradually crept up to everyday evening drinking of approx 80ish units per week. Functioning I believe the correct term!

Mid 40s now and have known for a fair few years to be honest that it needed to change. Moderation does not work (for me) no matter how good the intention so I have chose to quit.

30 years - it's been a good run but it is now taking more than it gives so time for the next chapter and this is quite exciting. I have read so many books etc to help my chances of success and the one that really struck a chord personally was Alcohol Explained by William Porter. His website has the first 5 chapters available to read if you want to have a look.

How do I feel on day 8? Pretty good today actually. It's been tough in parts and I have no doubt that this will not be easy but I am one week in and I never thought I would say that. Next target 30 days then 100. Forever is a big word!

Good luck to all on this journey.

[fishseller]

JamesD74 said:

Day 8 here.

Habitual drinker over the years that gradually crept up to everyday evening drinking of approx 80ish units per week. Functioning I believe the correct term!

Mid 40s now and have known for a fair few years to be honest that it needed to change. Moderation does not work (for me) no matter how good the intention so I have chose to quit.

30 years - it's been a good run but it is now taking more than it gives so time for the next chapter and this is quite exciting. I have read so many books etc to help my chances of success and the one that really struck a chord personally was Alcohol Explained by William Porter. His website has the first 5 chapters available to read if you want to have a look.

How do I feel on day 8? Pretty good today actually. It's been tough in parts and I have no doubt that this will not be easy but I am one week in and I never thought I would say that. Next target 30 days then 100. Forever is a big word!

Good luck to all on this journey.

Hey I've been there and it's still here. The alcohol thing. It never really goes away. You just get through it. After a while it's not so present. It's a bit like grief, it comes over you in waves. There are many methods. Rehab. Clubs. Councillors. It's inside you though and it goes inside out eventually if you're lucky. Thing is never give up. Have courage. Be proud

[HTP99]

JamesD74 said:

Day 8 here.

Habitual drinker over the years that gradually crept up to everyday evening drinking of approx 80ish units per week. Functioning I believe the correct term!

Mid 40s now and have known for a fair few years to be honest that it needed to change. Moderation does not work (for me) no matter how good the intention so I have chose to quit.

30 years - it's been a good run but it is now taking more than it gives so time for the next chapter and this is quite exciting. I have read so many books etc to help my chances of success and the one that really struck a chord personally was Alcohol Explained by William Porter. His website has the first 5 chapters available to read if you want to have a look.

How do I feel on day 8? Pretty good today actually. It's been tough in parts and I have no doubt that this will not be easy but I am one week in and I never thought I would say that. Next target 30 days then 100. Forever is a big word!

Good luck to all on this journey.

Sounds similar to me, similar age too but I reckon I was doing more than 80 units a week, but I've not been struggling or finding it difficult though.

Also just realised that I've had no heartburn or indegestion since stopping, it used to be a daily occurrence.

[JamesD74]

HTP99 said:

Sounds similar to me, similar age too but I reckon I was doing more than 80 units a week, but I've not been struggling or finding it difficult though.

Also just realised that I've had no heartburn or indegestion since stopping, it used to be a daily occurrence.

Yes agreed re the indigestion and also, sleep is becoming so much better as each day passes. The 4am regular wake up has gone which is pretty awesome although I am still feeling pretty groggy first thing.

Away in a hotel on my own tonight for work. This would normally mean a travel companion bottle of red wine packed for the evening in my room, after a couple of beers in the bar with the resulting disturbed sleep and a less than productive day tomorrow. Not this time.

Have also now signed up for the Alcohol Experiment - an online 30 day project set up by Annie Morris, author of This Naked Mind (another great book to read to help understand the true effects of alcohol).

[LordGrover]

Four months for me today - quit 9 September.

Great, if quiet Christmas and New Year - not tempted at all. The reason I quit in September was a week long session on holiday the week before. I'm off to the seaside this Sunday for a week so may be testing - but I'm felling pretty confident right now.

[Scabutz]

Day 9 here. First day I woke up feeling better, despite not a great nights sleep.

Im using then drink free days app. You put in what you currently drink, it helpfully told me that 95% of mem my age drink less than me, then how many days a week you'll be drink free. The progress tells you how many calories and how much money you have saved. Although the cost is assuming you are drinking in the pub asbitsbusing about 17 quid a bottle of wine. I halve that.

I put in what I was drinking in December. Rather worryingly and embarrassingly I was necking 143 units a week, possibly more.

[K12beano]

LordGrover said:

Four months for me today - quit 9 September.

Great, if quiet Christmas and New Year - not tempted at all. The reason I quit in September was a week long session on holiday the week before. I'm off to the seaside this Sunday for a week so may be testing - but I'm felling pretty confident right now.

I quit just before you, and before the August Bank Holiday.

I’ve commented above about Christmas; my most “testing” times to date, though, have really been two mornings last week when locked in an office and getting stressed about getting stuff done!

They were both mornings when I felt myself drift back to thinking... “oh, a few more hours to go and then I can sink some booze and forget about all this!”

Pleased to say I survived that, and the idea of some time at the seaside, or anywhere on holiday, sounds a real pleasure and off the stress that would otherwise, perhaps see the pressures to be reaching for the bottle!

So I have every confidence in you.

[Sebo]

Sebo said:

grumbledoak said:

Sebo said:

What are people's thoughts on Erdinger Alcohol Free?

I've not tried that one, but Becks Blue is quite nice. Bavaria is okay at a push, but the farts...

It depends what your goal is. They are next to no alcohol, so healthier. But you are keeping the habit alive, which isn't good if you really want to stop for good.

And that's the rub. I went out last week and had 3 bottles of this stuff (after 3 lime and soda's). It tasted good, I didn't stick out like a sore thumb (and the guys I were with were much more relaxed when they could see I was "drinking") *but* it does still contain alcohol, albeit 0.5% by Vol.

It did mean that I didn't do my usual of just going out for a quick couple:

1st Pint - fine
2nd Pint - getting a taste for it
3rd Pint - what a great night this is turning into !
4th pint - no point heading home now, i'd miss dinner anyway
Pints 5 to 10 - no point going home now, I'll only get a bking anyway
Pints 11+ with spirits etc

Because at no point did I not feel in control. Not sure what would happen if I had 10 bottles though (and don't plan to find out).

Am re-quoting one of my old posts from 2014 (page 27 in this thread using the view settings I have).
I lasted 9 months without a drink (Sept 2013 to June 2014) and figured that I must have cracked this drinking lark so moved on from Erdinger Frei to 4% lager, to strong lager, to strong lager and vodka and to be frank, the wheels came off.

It took until July 2018 for me to realise the wheels were off and I then finally did something about it.

I've not had an alcoholic drink since (inc low alcohol beer) and don't intend to either. Life is immeasurably better since i stopped drinking. I had found it uncomfortable until recently to post back in this thread (I guess i felt embarrassed that I should have cracked this in 2014 but I suppose I wasn't ready to give up the old dog) but I guess I hope that in doing so, it might help someone that is struggling with drink or trying to stop.

[Smitters]

Sebo said:

I had found it uncomfortable until recently to post back in this thread (I guess i felt embarrassed that I should have cracked this in 2014 but I suppose I wasn't ready to give up the old dog) but I guess I hope that in doing so, it might help someone that is struggling with drink or trying to stop.

Only my 2p, but the failure would have been not learning anything. You tried a route, it didn't work, you came to a conclusion and you're moving forward in a way that helps you, and may help others. Sounds like success to me. Nothing easy ever came quickly. Well done.