Going booze free
Discussion
Committed to trying this, at least for a month or two but hopefully way longer. Bored of expensive nights with nothing more to show than cash machine withdraw receipts and a sore head, can see how I would be healthier and can realise the (apparent) oddness of thinking you can't have a laugh without it (I have a laugh during the day, why can't that continue into the night?)
What will I miss? A nice glass of red...and not much else really. Maybe a cold pint on a hot day.
Anyone tried it? Any stories or tips?
What will I miss? A nice glass of red...and not much else really. Maybe a cold pint on a hot day.
Anyone tried it? Any stories or tips?
Garlick said:
Anyone tried it? Any stories or tips?
Lots: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=107...I have been thinking the same thing for a while now - got fed up of the hangovers, horrendous credit card receipts and occasionally the feeling of guilt you get after being a complete arse at some point during a night out.
I haven't given up fully, will be enjoying a beer or two when I go skiing later in the week, but I haven't had any alcohol since 2 March (weekend away in Stockholm - beer was a golden ale called Empress and was aboslutely lovely) - so I'm on track for no booze in the UK in March, just about my best alcohol related achievement to date.
I'd say it is worth trying - I'd like to get to a point where a few beers are an occasional treat not a weekly occurrence, and a night out again is a rarity.
Luckily I haven't had any particularly big social events this month anyway, there has been some work drinks which have been easy to just stick to lemonade for on the basis that they were fairly tame - my problem is that I don't want to miss out on a decent night/story etc due to the fact I'm not drinking. I think being the only sober one out is only acceptable to a certain point as well - once people start getting a bit too tipsy you either have to be drunk with them, or have to head home and leave them to it (something I'm not sure I'd have the willpower to do!).
In conclusion: I need to cut back, have done so fairly successfully this monthly, hopefully will continue that trend. Give it a go and let us know how you get on!
I haven't given up fully, will be enjoying a beer or two when I go skiing later in the week, but I haven't had any alcohol since 2 March (weekend away in Stockholm - beer was a golden ale called Empress and was aboslutely lovely) - so I'm on track for no booze in the UK in March, just about my best alcohol related achievement to date.
I'd say it is worth trying - I'd like to get to a point where a few beers are an occasional treat not a weekly occurrence, and a night out again is a rarity.
Luckily I haven't had any particularly big social events this month anyway, there has been some work drinks which have been easy to just stick to lemonade for on the basis that they were fairly tame - my problem is that I don't want to miss out on a decent night/story etc due to the fact I'm not drinking. I think being the only sober one out is only acceptable to a certain point as well - once people start getting a bit too tipsy you either have to be drunk with them, or have to head home and leave them to it (something I'm not sure I'd have the willpower to do!).
In conclusion: I need to cut back, have done so fairly successfully this monthly, hopefully will continue that trend. Give it a go and let us know how you get on!
I went booze free from the age of 17 to about 35. The reason I started again was that meals out with clients were becoming more of a pain with not drinking at all. People thought I was some kind of recovering alcoholic. These days I'll have a glass of red, the odd bourbon with ice and a G&T in the summer. I guess on average about 2 units a week.
I'm at day 17 without any booze and to be honest I'm not fussed about it. Considering I was quite the drinker (as others on PH will testify) I've not had any urges to sample a few...not one bit.
Weekends/days would normally consist of nursing a hangover of some state but now I just keep things busy. Going to the gym regularly and other activities are keeping me preoccupied.
I guess If you want to quit/reduce you will....If you want too.
Weekends/days would normally consist of nursing a hangover of some state but now I just keep things busy. Going to the gym regularly and other activities are keeping me preoccupied.
I guess If you want to quit/reduce you will....If you want too.
Garlick said:
Didn't realise there was a thread running. Thanks, I'll have a read.
I'm committed to having a go, feeling positive and no worries so far. Will keep you posted
For the last 3 months I have gone from drinking 4/5 times a week to once a week max. Feel quality. Spending less and have a great deal more energy. Would not want to go totally booze free as I do enjoy a few beers/wine/G&T, but a reduction is definitely beneficial. I'm committed to having a go, feeling positive and no worries so far. Will keep you posted
Sign in on the 365 thread and buy Allen Carr's book "Easy Way to Control Alcohol". It changed my view of it and really helps with the willpower element.
I gave up for 4 months last year, then started again in December - really wish I hadn't. You feel so much better not drinking, more energy, sleep better, clearer mind, less grumpy and more patience. I stopped again at New Year and haven't touched a drop since and feel great. I still go to the pub, although the hardest part of it is persuading your mates you won't turn into a complete bore.
I gave up for 4 months last year, then started again in December - really wish I hadn't. You feel so much better not drinking, more energy, sleep better, clearer mind, less grumpy and more patience. I stopped again at New Year and haven't touched a drop since and feel great. I still go to the pub, although the hardest part of it is persuading your mates you won't turn into a complete bore.
My O/H can't drink alcohol due to her medication so I thought I'd give it a try too. That was around two and a half years ago and quite honestly, I don't miss it at all. I have wine and spirits in the house but I'm never tempted to open it other than to put some red wine in cooking.
Friends know that when we're out and asked what we'd like to drink it'll be sparkling mineral water with a slice of lime. No one minds, no one tries to persuade us otherwise; it's just 'us'. Same at a dinner out, we have a large bottle of mineral water when other people order wine; it just seems the normal thing to do.
Friends know that when we're out and asked what we'd like to drink it'll be sparkling mineral water with a slice of lime. No one minds, no one tries to persuade us otherwise; it's just 'us'. Same at a dinner out, we have a large bottle of mineral water when other people order wine; it just seems the normal thing to do.
My best mate got throat cancer ( curable but very nasty) and I was frequently picking him up as he had daily radiation, so I decided, as a feature of solidarity not to have any alcohol until he was well enough to have a drink himself, whenever that would be.
It was about nine months, ( and I discovered he had been having a nip a month before he told me!!). There were no issues, lost some weight, no cravings, so no problems to report.
Probably a good idea to set an achievable goal with a defined timeline..i.e three months, rather than one of those " I'll never drink again" deals.
It was about nine months, ( and I discovered he had been having a nip a month before he told me!!). There were no issues, lost some weight, no cravings, so no problems to report.
Probably a good idea to set an achievable goal with a defined timeline..i.e three months, rather than one of those " I'll never drink again" deals.
I'm coming up to the three month mark now. The cravings lasted a couple of weeks, but the habit of wanting a drink while watching TV on the sofa in an evening is more difficult to break.
Personally I don't really like going to the bar and being sober, I find it stressful, so for me it's easier not to bother.
Just means some evenings when working away with a big crew can be a little dull sitting in my hotel room.
I feel a lot healthier, both physically and mentally for it though.
Personally I don't really like going to the bar and being sober, I find it stressful, so for me it's easier not to bother.
Just means some evenings when working away with a big crew can be a little dull sitting in my hotel room.
I feel a lot healthier, both physically and mentally for it though.
lepetitoeuf said:
I've been virtually booze free for nearly 2 years and it's made me rethink so many aspects of my life.
From family engagements, to meeting friends and my home life plus my work life, everything has changed and is more engaging and rewarding. Since stopping drinking I've felt a much greater sense of myself, rather than constantly changing who I am through booze.
That's deep From family engagements, to meeting friends and my home life plus my work life, everything has changed and is more engaging and rewarding. Since stopping drinking I've felt a much greater sense of myself, rather than constantly changing who I am through booze.
In a good way
Yes. You can.
I'm drinking again at the moment, but I'm typically much happier when not drinking. Not that I'm a raving alcy, but it's easier to conform to social 'pressure' than not. Sleep, health, bodyfat, etc are all better without alcohol - it's a crutch for the weak.
touch paper lit...
I'm drinking again at the moment, but I'm typically much happier when not drinking. Not that I'm a raving alcy, but it's easier to conform to social 'pressure' than not. Sleep, health, bodyfat, etc are all better without alcohol - it's a crutch for the weak.
touch paper lit...
LordGrover said:
Yes. You can.
I'm drinking again at the moment, but I'm typically much happier when not drinking. Not that I'm a raving alcy, but it's easier to conform to social 'pressure' than not. Sleep, health, bodyfat, etc are all better without alcohol - it's a crutch for the weak.
touch paper lit...
Amen brotherI'm drinking again at the moment, but I'm typically much happier when not drinking. Not that I'm a raving alcy, but it's easier to conform to social 'pressure' than not. Sleep, health, bodyfat, etc are all better without alcohol - it's a crutch for the weak.
touch paper lit...
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