365 days without booze... join me?
Discussion
RMDB9 said:
OK, let me try again. Why did you want to drink while moving the lawn? Or, as it is not about you as a person, but in general - why do some people drink alcohol while doing some quite ordinary day-time activities?
I'll bow out after this as I'm not sure exactly what you're trying to achieve but this can be answered exactly the same as before. Because they, we, I wanted to. No more, no less. It's not because they think it will help them get the job done or if it's of an evening maybe it is to simply enjoy the taste while winding down. Same question back to you then - what do you think the answer is to why some people choose to drink while going about their normal activities, chores, projects, whatever.
I think I need to admit that it is time for me to join the fold and take a serious look at my alcohol consumption. This might be a bit of a ramble, so feel free so glaze over - if nothing else it feels good to write it out and have something to look back on (hopefully). I've been reading this thread a lot recently, and it looks like a great resource.
I've been drinking heavily for the last probably 8 years, the usual thing of getting drunk with mates at 21, then realising I prefer to just do it myself. Probably doesn't help that I am quite introverted and have always been fine in my own company. It was a bottle of wine a night or a few beers for a while, but in the past 2 years it has really ramped up to worrying levels. Think a bottle of wine a night during the week, and then probably 6 beers and probably a third of a bottle of whisky on Friday and Saturday. Sunday will be a slow wander to the shops for 4 big cans of stella to "ride it out", which turns into drinking all of them and probably some more whisky. Pretty safe to say that is unsafe levels of drinking by anybody's standards.
The thing is, I have come to the conclusion that I am drinking out of boredom. There have been times where I have gone dry for a week or so and never had withdrawal or anything like that, but I always slide back in to where I was. Watching netflix or playing video games just doesn't seem as enjoyable without at least a few drinks, so that is just the way things go. I live on my own, so there is no real pressure to moderate. I don't think anyone knows that I drink this much, at least if they do they haven't said so yet.
So where do things stand now? Well, a couple of weekends ago (12th / 13th June) was a pretty heavy one even by my standards. It reached the point I was sitting on my couch at 2am opening another beer, and being aware that I didn't really feel that drunk (I was) and that this just wasn't enjoyable any more. Ended up falling asleep on the couch, waking up at 6am, pouring the rest of the beer down the sink and going to bed. Safe to say that was the point I decided enough was enough. I didn't drink on Sunday, and didn't feel "right" until probably Tuesday.
I haven't drunk since then (13th June), and it has actually been ok so far. Sleeping much better, generally feel a lot better, although my head does feel a bit fuzzy until about lunch time. Been consuming a lot of tonic water and herbal tea, and I have taken up going for walks in the evenings instead of just sitting around getting pissed. I really don't want to end up back where I was, looking back really makes me cringe, so I am sticking with teetotal for now. Even went for a drive into the countryside last night for no reason at all, first time I have done that in years.
Well, there we go. At least I can admit that I was in a bad place, and things are looking better now even if it has just been a week and some change. Only up from here. Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread, as I mentioned I have been reading it a lot this week especially so it is good to see so many folk moving away from alcohol and seeing a positive impact on their life.
I've been drinking heavily for the last probably 8 years, the usual thing of getting drunk with mates at 21, then realising I prefer to just do it myself. Probably doesn't help that I am quite introverted and have always been fine in my own company. It was a bottle of wine a night or a few beers for a while, but in the past 2 years it has really ramped up to worrying levels. Think a bottle of wine a night during the week, and then probably 6 beers and probably a third of a bottle of whisky on Friday and Saturday. Sunday will be a slow wander to the shops for 4 big cans of stella to "ride it out", which turns into drinking all of them and probably some more whisky. Pretty safe to say that is unsafe levels of drinking by anybody's standards.
The thing is, I have come to the conclusion that I am drinking out of boredom. There have been times where I have gone dry for a week or so and never had withdrawal or anything like that, but I always slide back in to where I was. Watching netflix or playing video games just doesn't seem as enjoyable without at least a few drinks, so that is just the way things go. I live on my own, so there is no real pressure to moderate. I don't think anyone knows that I drink this much, at least if they do they haven't said so yet.
So where do things stand now? Well, a couple of weekends ago (12th / 13th June) was a pretty heavy one even by my standards. It reached the point I was sitting on my couch at 2am opening another beer, and being aware that I didn't really feel that drunk (I was) and that this just wasn't enjoyable any more. Ended up falling asleep on the couch, waking up at 6am, pouring the rest of the beer down the sink and going to bed. Safe to say that was the point I decided enough was enough. I didn't drink on Sunday, and didn't feel "right" until probably Tuesday.
I haven't drunk since then (13th June), and it has actually been ok so far. Sleeping much better, generally feel a lot better, although my head does feel a bit fuzzy until about lunch time. Been consuming a lot of tonic water and herbal tea, and I have taken up going for walks in the evenings instead of just sitting around getting pissed. I really don't want to end up back where I was, looking back really makes me cringe, so I am sticking with teetotal for now. Even went for a drive into the countryside last night for no reason at all, first time I have done that in years.
Well, there we go. At least I can admit that I was in a bad place, and things are looking better now even if it has just been a week and some change. Only up from here. Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread, as I mentioned I have been reading it a lot this week especially so it is good to see so many folk moving away from alcohol and seeing a positive impact on their life.
phil_983 said:
The thing is, I have come to the conclusion that I am drinking out of boredom.
Hold onto that thought. I had never thought about how much of a time sink drinking was. I found myself sitting in front of the TV wondering why and how I had ever sat there most nights watching all this crap. Then remembering "how". I don't even own one now.
You'll want a hobby or two. On the plus side, you can now afford them!
grumbledoak said:
phil_983 said:
The thing is, I have come to the conclusion that I am drinking out of boredom.
Hold onto that thought. I had never thought about how much of a time sink drinking was. I found myself sitting in front of the TV wondering why and how I had ever sat there most nights watching all this crap. Then remembering "how". I don't even own one now.
You'll want a hobby or two. On the plus side, you can now afford them!
The amount of time you get back is incredible!
500 Miles said:
Not had a drop now for 121 days - definitely the longest I’ve gone since about 15..
Just realised that’s almost a third of a year... think lockdown has helped, no pub distractions so easier.
Top job. 362 days here. Just need a clean bill of health from the docs and I’m a happy man.Just realised that’s almost a third of a year... think lockdown has helped, no pub distractions so easier.
Davie_GLA said:
500 Miles said:
Not had a drop now for 121 days - definitely the longest I’ve gone since about 15..
Just realised that’s almost a third of a year... think lockdown has helped, no pub distractions so easier.
Top job. 362 days here. Just need a clean bill of health from the docs and I’m a happy man.Just realised that’s almost a third of a year... think lockdown has helped, no pub distractions so easier.
Good going, both - it gets easier, if anything!Davie_GLA said:
500 Miles said:
Not had a drop now for 121 days - definitely the longest I’ve gone since about 15..
Just realised that’s almost a third of a year... think lockdown has helped, no pub distractions so easier.
Top job. 362 days here. Just need a clean bill of health from the docs and I’m a happy man.Just realised that’s almost a third of a year... think lockdown has helped, no pub distractions so easier.
500 Miles said:
Nice one Dave, that’s a great achievement - Has health improved over the (very almost) year?
Well, it has from an "I'm probably going to make it to see 41" perspective but overall I haven't lost much weight, sleeping is only marginally improved. That said my skin and eyes are like night and day from this time a year ago.
For me, it's different though as it really was as close as it gets to a final outcome if I didn't stop it so I'm still a bit podgy and tired but I'm alive. It was about making some promises to my family that I would be here for them and in general a massive wake up call.
The best thing about not drinking? Hangovers. They were the worst. They put me into such a dark hole that I actually feel sick just thinking about them The taste in your mouth, nausea, lightheadedness, and anxiety. Driving to work the next day where I'm 99% positive that I wouldn't have passed a breath test had I been pulled.
Davie_GLA said:
My sole reason for drinking the way I did was not being able to sleep. I tried everything from pills, therapy, acupuncture more therapy, more pills etc.
Same for me in the old days. The only way to sleep was to get out and party and drink. Dont even talk about the quality of my sleep.It took a lot of work to find out why i could not sleep. And to realize why i preferred to drink instead of working out in the evening, which actually made me sleep like a baby.
But "I drink because I have unresolved issues, and one of the symptoms is not being able to sleep", that conclusion took a while. For me it was "I drink because I cannot sleep".
(Well that, and the money)
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