365 days without booze... join me?

[nick_j007]

Hi all.

Starting today I am going to go 365 days without booze. Why one year and why at all?

Good question. Whilst not an alcoholic I definitely drink too much and it's having health affects with weight, sleep, tiredness, enthusiasm, moods - you get the picture.

I have been on this part of the forum before talking about drinking and getting involved with others that have raised similar issues. Why tell everyone about what I'm doing? I'm not entirely sure lol, but I would like to encourage some fresh dialogue about drink and I'm sure others are out there that may struggle with it in a similar way. Not alcoholic, but knowing it's a growing issue in day to day life and how it affects your performance and enjoyment of life and the opportunities before you. I know I can do this but would appreciate a bit of communication here.

IIRC I have had 2 long periods without drinking in the last three years, and both lasted about 10 months. The last time I thought I had made it for good, but got to about 11 months went for a curry one night and just thought 'why not'? That night I had 2 pints and went home a happy boy. Since then I've put the three stone I lost back on and am squarely back at the beginning in that respect. How depressing. I simply cannot carry on like this. I could list a load of other issues that are drink related, but don't want this to be some weird, needy public self-exploitation. I am however quite open about drink and the way it can affect my life. I am I believe a normal bloke.

I am really keen to make it to the 1 year mark. Part of me feels that if I can make it for one whole year I can then build that up year on year.

Alcohol forms a large part of my life. ANY social situation I would drink. All my friends drink, all my family drink, my OH drinks. We both work hard and feel the pressure. The drink has become an all too often way of escape and recreation.

So there it is. I have been toying with the idea on and off for some time. Little did I know I would wake up this morning with my mind made up already...that WAS weird. Also, the first song I heard on BBC R2 as I awoke was by 'New Order'.

I am happy to set off on this journey alone. If anyone has been looking for a good reason to stop and likes the idea of this one...why not join me?

Nick

[nick_j007]

JonnyFive said:

Easy! I haven't had alcohol in over 2 1/2 years so far.. And I'm 21, so prime getting lashed age.

I just don't see alcohol appealing, can have a nice cold Coke or something and it tastes alot better imo.

Good luck with it! If you get it into your train of thought that you don't need alcohol you'll be fine with it.

Well I far prefer a well brewed beer over coke and it's not so easy for me, but I'll cope

Thanks JF.

[nick_j007]

D4MJT said:

Aye go on then Nick count me in, I've dropped you an email.

Got it thanks.

[nick_j007]

Digger said:

You don't smoke? Why? Because it's an expensive drug you or your body have no use for. Same for booze.

It's still an issue for me and somehow I've managed to cut it back but as always, I'd prefer to stop!

Then why not join me for the year? We can do it!

[nick_j007]

Digger said:

an I start when I return from my Thailand holiday in jan ... please?

Haha. Holidays are the scourge of the 'non-drinker' I know!

Please send a post dated cheque for January to start your subscription then

This raises an interesting point though. When is there a GOOD time or a BAD time to start going tea total? In my experience, there isn't. I have done Christmases, weddings, funerals and nights out with my better half - all not drinking. Even holidays abroad.

I am well aware some will say 'big deal'. Yes for me it was a big deal, but it is doable.

[nick_j007]

D4MJT said:

haha, I'm not the only one to want to start post holiday then!

I suspect the best time to start is straight away, so I'm going to, it may be I don't drink on my holiday. I've attempted to stop before with limited success, I usually get a few months down the line then have a quick pint, then I'm back to square one.

My drinking is by and large social, at times my job is pretty stressful, so I often wind up at the pub after work with a few of the guys from work, and have a pint. Then you get home, pick up a few cans on the way back, have a one or two in the house to relax after work. I reckon my other big issue is I just really enjoy a nice beer, I'm not a carlsberg drinker Although I can whack through the Foster's, I love my real ales, and trying different local beers.

When I was a younger man this didn't matter as much, I had the metabolism for it, these days it's slowly down fast, and I'm 13.5 stone not 11. Nothing wrong with being 13.5 stone, except I'm not the largest of gentlemen anyway, and the only thing that's ending up powerfully built is my new beer gut.

I'm going on holiday for a week during December, and I may well end up having a beer while I'm away, but for the meantime, I'm cracking on with being booze free. Roll on christmas.

Ok then. I have tried all of the above permutations. Drink at weekends only. Only drink on holiday. Stop drinking high carb value beer and wine stick to Gin and slimlines only. Try this try that. Feck, they all failed. I have been round and round in so many circles I am dizzy and stressed and that's before I go to bed and when I wake up! I made so many conditions and deals with myself that none of them worked more that 2 weeks max. I am more than a little pissed off that I am unable to drink in moderation either in terms of amount or frequency, as it actually means I have to stop. I'll be honest, I rather envy those that can be moderate.

If you feel you can drink in moderation (I realise moderation is open to definition), then it strikes me as an excellent middle road to travel.

I want to say I am not here to persuade anyone to do anything

I am here to make an account of my own thoughts and feelings on the subject and to know that someone else is reading it and a few might identify - and if they'd like to go on the journey with me then fantastic.

You see, I know that down the line after the initial months of breaking the habits (that's the hardest part frankly IME) there begins a powerful and almost enlightening experience when you start to enjoy many other things far more. Smaller things become enjoyable and you wonder how you coped before. As I've felt that contrast about three times now, I am excited and relieved to know that I'm back on the road to being lighter in body, mind and spirit.

My bags are packed ready for the journey. It so happens that I have come to the point where I know I am ready for the journey. I sincerely hope I can make it. Part of me thinks no problem, the other thinks hell I know how hard it is at the week 2 phase.

Over the coming year I'll lose about three stone, improve my back and knee issues, get in and out of the Elise like a young man again (Lol) and also next year I want to be fit enough to get into cycle touring again. I have all the kit here, much it it new this year. I can't carry those 40 odd lbs around my waist as well as the kit you see!

I made a list of all the benefits of stopping drinking...it was extensive I can tell you.

Nick

[nick_j007]

I don't know what the definition of an alcoholic is. I always thought that a good place to start that definition is 'do you need a drink in the mornings? ' My answer is no never. I don't have a physical dependency on alcohol.
I also can go a week without and cope well enough.

Why a year? I just need to start somewhere. I hope to get to one year and then reassess it. I don't intend to start again at that point I can see a year ahead without drink, much further is beyond me currently.

[nick_j007]

TameRacingDriver said:

You say that but then you also just said:-

I am more than a little pissed off that I am unable to drink in moderation either in terms of amount or frequency, as it actually means I have to stop. I'll be honest, I rather envy those that can be moderate.


Which makes me think otherwise.

I've always thought that there is a scale of alcoholism, of which you and I are probably at the bottom end. Regardless, good luck. I'd join you but I would fail after a week because I enjoy it too much

I know I'm full of contradiction and a degree of uncertainty. I shall work that out in time. I'd rather you support me for the year ahead than to get into semantics to define my condition. I'm beyond defining anyway

Thanks.

[nick_j007]

BoRED S2upid said:

I will join you for the next 4 days! Alcohol in moderation is good for you and im sticking to that.

Thank you!

I'm not disagreeing with the 'moderate drinking' theme by the way.

[nick_j007]

T40ORA said:

I won't be joining you, but I wish you luck.

One thing though; have you tried to analyse why you get sucked in? Is it the taste? Effect of the alcohol? Social acceptance? Or just the nasty subliminal "drink me! Drink me" addiction that all stimulants send out?

Anyway, Damned good luck and I raise me glass to you

Thank you very much. I'm 0.82% in so far

The answer to your above question is 'All of the above'! Lol. So for that reason T400RA, 'I'm out'.

I think at the end of the year (it strikes me as a significant period and a sound land mark) I can look at it again. I sincerely hope I'll be that far along that I enjoy the complete sobriety and stay that way.

[nick_j007]

This conversation is always a matter of perspective. Take smoking for example. I don't smoke, pretty much hate the idea of smoking and IF I ever had a cigarette feel no need to smoke more and more thereafter. It may or may not be a good analogy, but hopefully you get my point.

I've already openly said that I wished I could be more moderate in my drinking, but find that rather difficult. I don't brush my teeth in gin and have never been that far, but know that it does affect my health physically and mentally in terms of how 'sharp' I feel.

I think age plays a big part also. Whilst I still think I'm in my mid 20's, I'm actually approaching my mid 40's and the body is answering back a lot more nowadays. I have experienced in the past high levels of physical fitness and can make the comparison as to what I would like back again, knowing it's quite achievable albeit for a man at my age.

As I see it I have 3 choices:

1) Carry on as I am (not a very attractive/safe prospect)
2) Drink in moderation (I have endlessly failed at that)
3) Stop altogether and be all I can be

Number 3 is inevitably the hardest for me, but I've done good long stints in the past and know it is achievable. This time I need to think about the much bigger picture.

Cheers. I mean thanks.

[nick_j007]

Jimslips said:

Compromise. Binge (ish) at weekends and be healthy during the week. No need to cut off your nose to spite your face.

Tried it. Before I know it, my weekends become Friday to Monday, Thursday to Tuesday...you see where it goes.

Also, when I would drink at weekends I would end up hung over as I over do it. Bang goes my weekend during the day mooching about feeling st. Just about ready in the evening ready for another session whereby I brighten up again lol.

[nick_j007]

Busa_Rush said:

You sound like me . . . 16 years ago. I gave up because I couldn't drink like my friends . . . couple of pints and go home happy and couple of times a week.

Now I wonder how I found the time to drink, most of my friends don't drink or drink very little and driving is a great excuse, nobody wants to drink and drive. You'll be amazed at how your life changes if you decide to stop.

Thank you for that. When I was not drinking for 10 months over a year ago I used the Elise a lot. In the last year we became rather distant I look forward to more use again.

I look forward to all the benefits that sobriety brings.

[nick_j007]

3 weeks today and sober as a judge

Find it hard Friday and Saturday nights, but a clear head and half a stone lost so far

Nick

[nick_j007]

A quick update. Was pretty busy in December finishing a Masters project. Drum roll...come the 7th Jan I'll be sober for 2 months! I've lost nearly a stone in weight and beginning to reap the benefits. I want to shift another 2 stone to get to my ideal weight of 12-7 or similar.

I love being fresh and more energetic. I've been on a 15 mile bike ride with the dog today (highly unlikely if I'd been drinking last night!). I aspire to do some cycle touring in the Spring, so that's spurring me on.

I have missed drinking for sure, but the benefits outweigh the negatives. I'm going away in the caravan for new year to avoid big parties and me having to avoid them. I'm pretty excited about getting away actually! I have found a lovely field on the Welsh border an hour from me.

So, as of the 7th Jan I'll have another 10 full months ahead of me and then I'll review it when it comes to an end. I'd like to stop for good, but more importantly NOT feel that I'm missing out all the time...that will most likely be my biggest problem. I hope after 12 months I'll be well away from feeling that way.

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

[nick_j007]

cheadle hulme said:

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.

Fantastic...for how long?

[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?