365 days without booze... join me?

[Meoricin]

I've set myself a rule. I really really enjoy 'socially' getting drunk with friends during the holiday period (most of them are still at Uni), and my enjoyment of some of these gatherings suffers seriously if I don't drink.

Because I don't want to sacrifice these, I decided that I would buy no alcohol unless it was for one of these specific gatherings, and I was planning to share it. No buying for myself alone regardless of the situation. I'm allowed to drink whatever and whenever (so free stuff offered by others is fine - I had one beer at my Mother's house on Christmas day), but without the supply I find I'm not drinking.

It is definitely a get-out clause/excuse/whatever, to allow me to avoid giving up completely - but I'm satisfied with it for now. If I look at it like a diet, these social gatherings are infrequent enough that they can qualify as 'cheat days' (which they are, really - since alcohol is anathema to the Paleo diet).

Massive respect to OP, and anyone else willing to give up completely.

[nick_j007]

Ki3r said:

ha! Opps, I was tired though xD.

I meant...'year today since my last drink, going for two years now.'

So you've done one year and going for the second year now is that right?

Good work! How do you feel about not drinking now one year in? Can I ask how much you were drinking before you stopped?

Thanks and well done.

Nick

[nick_j007]

JFReturns said:

Well, I've told everyone I'm stopping drinking for a year so yes! Too late to turn back now....

I saw this thread back in November and have been thinking about stopping for a while. I can relate to almost every point you said - I don't feel anywhere near being an alcoholic (don't drink during the week... normally) but can easily drink six pints each night over the weekend, and my partner has commented about drinking too much. Longest I have gone without booze is two weeks iirc, when I was studying. My reasons for wanting to quit:

- Health (worried about liver)
- Looks (want to cut down the fat, I'm 5' 11 and 14.5 stone but already gym five times a week so this should really help)
- Tiredness, feeling low (hangover basically, wasting the weekend)
- Re-igniting interests (see above, I just want to do nothing Sat and Sun at the mo)
- Finances (beer costs quite a bit!)
- Prepare for kids (if I'm feeling tired now, whats it going to be like in two or three years with little ones!?)

There are times when I know I'm going to really miss a beer - getting home Friday night and playing xbox, going for a curry, meeting old friends (all we do is get smashed together). But the one I'm worried about is a wedding - I hate them at the best of times, and this one I won't know anyone.... Hopefully someone who feels the same will have some tips on not drinking in these social situations

Bring on the 1st January!

I can relate to all you say just as you can relate to what I'm saying It's becoming a regular alcohol support group here lol.

It does strike me that you might be a good advocate for a 'moderate drinking' programme/approach though, especially give that you can go without all week? Just a thought for you.

You see, I'm not on a recruitment drive, but I know that I'm not alone in having tried (and invariably failed) with the whole moderate drinking approach.

Nick

[nick_j007]

Saddlebag said:

3212 days as of today.

290-320 units week before that.

All is good.

RESPECT.

[nick_j007]

Digger said:

You're not helping. I'm on Day 6!

Oh wow! I'm intrigued that you decided to stop just before Xmas day though. Anyway how are you coping? I think Christmas and NY is the hardest time to stop or experience staying sober. Even the ads on TV are practically ramming it down your throat and god help you if you watch Corrie or Emmerdale as it's based in the pub it seems.

So, you in for the year now?

[Digger]

nick_j007 said:

Digger said:

You're not helping. I'm on Day 6!

Oh wow! I'm intrigued that you decided to stop just before Xmas day though. Anyway how are you coping? I think Christmas and NY is the hardest time to stop or experience staying sober. Even the ads on TV are practically ramming it down your throat and god help you if you watch Corrie or Emmerdale as it's based in the pub it seems.

So, you in for the year now?

As per my earlier posts ... I have no choice but to cope, as I am taking Disulfiram, as a medicated deterrent. About 4 years ago I decided to stop drinking at the same time of year, logic being if I could get through Xmas & new year then that should help kick-start sobriety. It worked ... for a time.

I'll continue this particular route for six months ... Let's see.

[Ki3r]

nick_j007 said:

So you've done one year and going for the second year now is that right?

Good work! How do you feel about not drinking now one year in? Can I ask how much you were drinking before you stopped?

Thanks and well done.

Nick

Yeah.

Don't really think about it, feels good to have made it to the year though. I was never a big drinker, maybe a couple a month and a big session on mates birthdays or on holiday, so it wasn't that hard to do.

[AcidReflux]

cheadle hulme said:

nick_j007 said:

So if you're sick of drinking this Christmas and new year, consider joining me as of Monday 2nd Jan? Only if you fancy it of course

I am sick of drinking this Christmas. I'm tired and lethargic and only drinking out of habit it seems.

I'll be joining you from Sunday 1st.

I'm tempted to do the same. I enjoy the taste of decent alcoholic drinks but I think I drink more out of habit to unwind at the end of a day than for any good reason.

[AcidReflux]

Just finished a party sober. Feels great. Everybody falling over around me and girls flirting all over the place, and I enjoyed it all. I think I will try and keep this going for a while. Dunno whether the OP is still reading this, but thanks for the inspiration.

[steveT350C]

Happy New Year all!

I am now on day 5. I think this is the longest time I have gone without alcohol since i was 18 at university. I am now approaching 39.

The last few years I have been drinking daily, primarily premium 5% lager, averaging 5 pints a day. Very occasionally wine, single malt whisky or VSOP brandy.

Basically about 100 units a week. No binging though. I am normally in my local pub by 4:30pm, out by 6, then a couple of drinks at home.

I have had mild cravings early evening but nothing major.

Not sure how long I will carry on, but I do feel much better, more motivated and actually looking forward to getting back to work Tuesday.

Good luck to everyone!

[oldbanger]

Well I'm going to join you. See how long I last. I'll aim for 6 months with the option to extend then.

[oilandwater]

I'm tempted to join in, but don't want to 'sign' up for 12 months.
I fancy trying a month first, but you see I really enjoy red wine, too much I think. Every night as soon as 6 o'clock comes around I fancy a glass of red, or two.

If I say I'm giving it up for a month that's OK, but if someone was to advise me to give it up for a month, I'd object.

Now I've written this I think I may see a problem developing in the future if I don't try the month free now.

[nick_j007]

AcidReflux said:

Just finished a party sober. Feels great. Everybody falling over around me and girls flirting all over the place, and I enjoyed it all. I think I will try and keep this going for a while. Dunno whether the OP is still reading this, but thanks for the inspiration.

Just back from a short break and yes I'm still looking in. Still going strong but would have liked a drop of Champers last night...I never did. Still, bright as a button today and grateful for it. Even doing a bit of work in the office. Lol.

Edited by nick_j007 on Sunday 1st January 20:12

[boobles]

I am amazed how so many people can give up alcohol just like that without side effects.
You're body will crave it & giving it up "just like that" is not the answer. Giving it up slowly is the answer.

[nick_j007]

boobles said:

I am amazed how so many people can give up alcohol just like that without side effects.
You're body will crave it & giving it up "just like that" is not the answer. Giving it up slowly is the answer.

Quite correct, though it somewhat depends on your intake levels at the time of stopping.

A couple of interesting links I've found :

http://m.wikihow.com/Quit-Drinking-Alcohol

http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/withdrawal/a/aa0001... This one has a questionnaire you can follow re withdrawal symptoms.

Edited by nick_j007 on Sunday 1st January 22:27

[AcidReflux]

boobles said:

I am amazed how so many people can give up alcohol just like that without side effects.
You're body will crave it & giving it up "just like that" is not the answer. Giving it up slowly is the answer.

I can't speak for the others, but I don't think I'm addicted to alcohol. I'm not an alcoholic. In my case it's just habit that means I open a bottle of wine as I cook each evening, or throw down a thirst-quenching beer rather than taking a glass of water. I only want to break those habits; I don't have any physical cravings for alcohol.

Tonight was a typical night in which I fancied a glass of wine as I cooked. Instead I had a pint of Diet Coke and with our meal I had some sparkling water. It wasn't a difficult decision and now that we've finished eating I'm not gnawing my fingers because I'm sober. All I have to do is get through the initial urge each evening and I'm fine after that.

Edited by AcidReflux on Sunday 1st January 22:32

[Funk]

I stopped drinking in June for a couple of reasons. I was by no means an alcoholic, but I would think nothing of putting away a bottle or two of wine on a weekend evening. Rarely drank in the week.I was mostly a red wine drinker with the odd beer here and there. Never really been into spirits. 6 months down the line and despite early 'pangs', I don't really miss it. I also gave up smoking 12 months ago today.

It's amazing how much you think you'll miss things that you actually don't after a while.

[AcidReflux]

What do you drink at home instead when you'd normally have had a glass of wine? I'm drinking Coke because it's in the fridge, but I guess I need to find some low-calorie alternatives to alcohol to provide variety.

[Funk]

Tea or water.

I've dropped sugar from my tea as well.

[Digger]

Diet Coke, diet Ginger Beer (stop sniggering) with lime, tomato, pineapple and orange juices, herbal teas Also going to buy a juicer this week, whether it gets used or not remains to be seen! Oh, and plenty of water.