Giving up Alcohol

[goose2010]

Corona Cero

Beavertown Lazer Crush

Adnams Ghost Ship 

 

All decent and another shout for Guinness 0 is probably 85% as good as the real thing. 

 

[foxile5]

I'm doing dry January again - been doing it for a while - and I've been struck by a weird sense of emptiness.

 

Been fine not drinking, and I've done the odd month here and there too, but really weird this time. Just sorta devoid of inspiration this time around.

[MPH]

Interesting article..

 

https://bbc.com/future/article/20240228-how-alcohol-affects-teens-and-young-adults-brains

[CosbehFox]

A thumbs up on the Guinness Zero for me as well. 

 

Not having booze for the last few weeks (bar a weekend in Italy), I missed having a cask type pint. So most welcome that this was decent albeit it gets a bit off at the end of the can/pint. 

[spacemunky]

On 12/07/2021 at 11:33, spacemunky said:

Decided yesterday to try to get myself back on track and give up alcohol once again.

 

I had a 7 year stretch where I went without, but it's been on and off(mostly on) for the last few years and particularly excessive recently.

 

Felt better this morning and started the day with a brisk 30 minute walk!

 

 

 

 

Funny(or sad) how far I'd fallen after posting this four years ago.

 

Sometime not long after that, I'd slipped back into my old ways. The last 2 or maybe even 3 years have been kind of a blur.

 

Put back all the weight I'd lost during that clean stretch(was probably only 6 or so months that I went without alcohol) and just was not looking after myself at all.

 

When you get up in the early morning and the first thing you do is crack open a beer and was to the point that being even partly sober at any point during the day was terrifying.

 

I don't like to blame others as it's always my own decision, but I am surrounded by family/friends that all drink and I know it affects me and I can't just walk away from it, but I know I have to start doing better for myself.

 

Anyway....the last couple weeks I've mostly gone without. The two nights where I did drink, I probably could have not drank and been fine.

 

I have a notepad on my phone where I keep a list of things that I have to remember(because usually I'm too drunk or blurry headed to remember anything) and right now it just says "Do better".

 

So, that's what I'm trying to do.

[davieG]

1 minute ago, spacemunky said:

Funny(or sad) how far I'd fallen after posting this four years ago.

 

Sometime not long after that, I'd slipped back into my old ways. The last 2 or maybe even 3 years have been kind of a blur.

 

Put back all the weight I'd lost during that clean stretch(was probably only 6 or so months that I went without alcohol) and just was not looking after myself at all.

 

When you get up in the early morning and the first thing you do is crack open a beer and was to the point that being even partly sober at any point during the day was terrifying.

 

I don't like to blame others as it's always my own decision, but I am surrounded by family/friends that all drink and I know it affects me and I can't just walk away from it, but I know I have to start doing better for myself.

 

Anyway....the last couple weeks I've mostly gone without. The two nights where I did drink, I probably could have not drank and been fine.

 

I have a notepad on my phone where I keep a list of things that I have to remember(because usually I'm too drunk or blurry headed to remember anything) and right now it just says "Do better".

 

So, that's what I'm trying to do.

Don't give up you've already proved how much better you felt.

[SystonFox]

i cant give up alcohol unfortunately. i absolutely love it so much.

[Lionator]

2 hours ago, SystonFox said:

i cant give up alcohol unfortunately. i absolutely love it so much.

Same, i have an unhealthy relationship with it at the moment. Life’s a bit stressful and although I’m generally healthy, I’m drinking more than I wish I could. Will need to cut down at some point. 

[Izzy]

On 17/11/2023 at 22:21, Izzy said:

It was 7 years last month since I've drank alcohol.

 

I always feel a bit preachy when listing the numerous benefits to stopping drinking, but there are so many to me.

 

There is life after booze and in my experience, it's so much better.

Saw this thread was bumped and realized I've been off the wagon since Mum died in December after 8 years without a drink.

 

Dad offered me a whiskey the night of her passing and it tasted so good. We spent the next two weeks drinking different whiskeys every night and bam - I'm back on it again.

 

Started drinking the odd bottle of beer when the weather started getting hot and now drinking a couple every night then a few whiskeys before bedtime.

 

All the stress of this house move/renovation among other things and feels like I'm becoming dependent again.

 

I've had stretches over the last 35 years where I've been off and on the booze for years at a time.

 

I can't just seem to have just the odd drink now and again. I'm all or nothing and always have been.

[Dr Marco]

take care mate! xx

[spacemunky]

47 minutes ago, Izzy said:

I can't just seem to have just the odd drink now and again. I'm all or nothing and always have been.

I'm still trying to figure that one out myself, although I'm pretty certain I know the answer.

 

It also doesn't help when I am taking some time off drinking and I'll get someone close to me telling me that they prefer when I'm drinking.

 

Right now I'm trying to just take it day by day.

[Lionator]

1 hour ago, Izzy said:

Saw this thread was bumped and realized I've been off the wagon since Mum died in December after 8 years without a drink.

 

Dad offered me a whiskey the night of her passing and it tasted so good. We spent the next two weeks drinking different whiskeys every night and bam - I'm back on it again.

 

Started drinking the odd bottle of beer when the weather started getting hot and now drinking a couple every night then a few whiskeys before bedtime.

 

All the stress of this house move/renovation among other things and feels like I'm becoming dependent again.

 

I've had stretches over the last 35 years where I've been off and on the booze for years at a time.

 

I can't just seem to have just the odd drink now and again. I'm all or nothing and always have been.

At least you know that it’s related to the stress. Once things settle down, it’ll be okay, you can work your way back to where you were. The main thing is not to shame yourself or feel guilty. It’s horrible how it hooks us but you know your limits and triggers and that’s a lot better than most.  

[Dr The Singh]

2 hours ago, Izzy said:

Saw this thread was bumped and realized I've been off the wagon since Mum died in December after 8 years without a drink.

 

Dad offered me a whiskey the night of her passing and it tasted so good. We spent the next two weeks drinking different whiskeys every night and bam - I'm back on it again.

 

Started drinking the odd bottle of beer when the weather started getting hot and now drinking a couple every night then a few whiskeys before bedtime.

 

All the stress of this house move/renovation among other things and feels like I'm becoming dependent again.

 

I've had stretches over the last 35 years where I've been off and on the booze for years at a time.

 

I can't just seem to have just the odd drink now and again. I'm all or nothing and always have been.

Small steps my friend.  I used to be the same, I travel alot for work, I get all my expenses paid for and get entertained, and my job is long hours and stressful.  Loads of problems at home and not being at home.  It just became a habit, and easy way of de-stressing and passing time.

 

I started with just not drinking on day 1, then 2 days, and worked slowly to a week.  I went on to not drink for a month.  

 

I still drink, I try and drink only on weekends, but its fair to say I probably drink too much still.

[SystonFox]

16 hours ago, Lionator said:

Same, i have an unhealthy relationship with it at the moment. Life’s a bit stressful and although I’m generally healthy, I’m drinking more than I wish I could. Will need to cut down at some point. 

personally i dont see it as a problem for myself. when i want to drink i go ahead and manage it. i dont drink to excess where i ruin the following days or spend hours infront of the toilet. i have a good time at the time and then move on. i thoroughly enjoy it.

i totally understand that some have a problem with alcohol as it is a drug and some are addicted, unfortunately, but there are cases like myself where i am in complete control and enjoy it

[SpacedX]

16 hours ago, Izzy said:

Saw this thread was bumped and realized I've been off the wagon since Mum died in December after 8 years without a drink.

 

Dad offered me a whiskey the night of her passing and it tasted so good. We spent the next two weeks drinking different whiskeys every night and bam - I'm back on it again.

 

 

I recall our conversations last year on the whisky thread, so I feel somewhat complicit in this. Remember though, the joy of scotch is to savour - enjoy the nose and the after taste. It doesn't need to be to excess because that becomes a blur. Remember the Glenfiddich 15 I bought last Christmas? I still have half a bottle remaining. I've always regarded scotch as a winter luxury. I greatly enjoy walking the dog for miles over frosty fields and then stopping in at the local for a pint of stout and a cheeky dram of smokey/peaty Laphroaig. I have just come out of a very brutal consultation/redundancy process at work and I'm grateful to say that I survived it and am still in a job. Had a few pints the other night culminating in the top shelf and thought of you whilst supping the exquisite Glenlivet 12. 

 

I try to avoid drinking at home as much as possible because its so easy for it to become habitual and an evening ritual. 

[grobyfox1990]

22 hours ago, spacemunky said:

Funny(or sad) how far I'd fallen after posting this four years ago.

 

Sometime not long after that, I'd slipped back into my old ways. The last 2 or maybe even 3 years have been kind of a blur.

 

Put back all the weight I'd lost during that clean stretch(was probably only 6 or so months that I went without alcohol) and just was not looking after myself at all.

 

When you get up in the early morning and the first thing you do is crack open a beer and was to the point that being even partly sober at any point during the day was terrifying.

 

I don't like to blame others as it's always my own decision, but I am surrounded by family/friends that all drink and I know it affects me and I can't just walk away from it, but I know I have to start doing better for myself.

 

Anyway....the last couple weeks I've mostly gone without. The two nights where I did drink, I probably could have not drank and been fine.

 

I have a notepad on my phone where I keep a list of things that I have to remember(because usually I'm too drunk or blurry headed to remember anything) and right now it just says "Do better".

 

So, that's what I'm trying to do.

Mate it sounds like you are 'doing better' - incredible to go mostly without the last few weeks after what you describe before. Well done and keep it going, you are a smart and funny person. I often read your non-league, F1 and Notts county posts. You need to post more about Canada though !

[The Quick Brown Fox]

I recently attended my for AA meeting. I never thought I had a problem, but was convinced to go and see what it was about. 

Listening to everyone talk about their lives and telling their stories made me realise, yes I have a problem. So much resonated with me, made me think about what I do and how I do it. 

 

Am I fully blown alcoholic no, do I have an unhealthy relationship with Alcohol? Absolutely, I'm going to try and not drink at all, first off I'm aiming to go through August without a drop. 

 

I have tried before, but the temptation is always there, anytime I'm invited out by friends, it's always "fancy a beer". I fear my social life will take a hammering but it's better than the alternative. 

[VLC86]

I’ve only had 2 pints in 6 weeks (both on the same day at a Gig after 5 weeks) and I’ve not found it too bad.

 

I can’t say I really feel a massive benefit but I do tend to massively binge drink when I drink and forget what a twat I’ve made of myself which is usually the way.

 

I think it’s made me decide to only really drink on special occasions but we will see how that goes after one of them crops up and I’ve spent a couple of days drinking.

[spacemunky]

4 hours ago, The Quick Brown Fox said:

I have tried before, but the temptation is always there, anytime I'm invited out by friends, it's always "fancy a beer". I fear my social life will take a hammering but it's better than the alternative. 

There's always something that's tempting or a "reason" to have a drink. 

 

Was with a couple family members last night and something got said that bothered me and I came home and was tempted to drink(I still have beers in my fridge), but I didn't and I'm happy about that.

 

That's just one tiny little thing and it triggered me. Day by day...

 

The social thing is tough too. I've always struggled in any social situation. One of the main reasons I've leaned on alcohol for most of my life.

 

I'm certainly not the person to give out advice to anyone, but if you are struggling and you do give in on a day, for whatever reason, don't beat yourself up over it.

 

 

[fleshdaddy]

Good luck to all who are looking to either reduce their alcohol intake, or kick it entirely. I did the latter just prior to the New Year, but I've never been a big drinker - I'd only drink perhaps once a fortnight prior to that for a few years - so knocking it fully on its head for me has been fairly easy. Once I got into my running a few years back and got a proper Garmin watch, seeing the negative effects of any alcohol on my system, was a bit of a lightbulb moment for me. Literally only having a pint or two would increase my stress levels massively, impact my sleep and make my body need more time to recover - and if I had a proper night out, you could write me off for the next couple of days, with the hangxiety. 

In the end, it just wasn't worth it, and I have to say I've only really had benefits from stopping drinking. My physical and mental health are so much better now, and I've lost weight and managed to kept it off. As others have mentioned, I did used to enjoy a drink for the social side of things, but I've found now I'm in a better place mentally, I can still go out and have a good time and I really don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. I've also just started getting into trying some alcohol free beers and there are some decent ones out there - previously I fell into the 'whats the point' camp. Clincher on them for me was being in Spain on holiday a few weeks back, and I tried a few 0% beers and found they scratched that 'holiday beer' itch pretty nicely, in terms of taste and almost a placebo like effect of helping me loosen up and stuff, it's a bit hard to articulate.

Good luck fellas, whatever your end goal is!

Edited 30 July 2025 by fleshdaddy

[Steve_Guppy_Left_Foot]

I’m in a group in Nottingham.

best thing I’ve ever done. Been sober for 2 months now, and have every intention of staying that way. It’s all about emotional deregulation for me, always has been now I look inward properly. The best thing I can do is stay sober and try and never kid myself again I’m just doing it for reason x or y, I’ll only ever do it again because I can’t cope with the stress life is throwing at me and I’ll be using it as a way to cope.

[Parafox]

7 hours ago, The Quick Brown Fox said:

I recently attended my for AA meeting. I never thought I had a problem, but was convinced to go and see what it was about. 

Listening to everyone talk about their lives and telling their stories made me realise, yes I have a problem. So much resonated with me, made me think about what I do and how I do it. 

 

Am I fully blown alcoholic no, do I have an unhealthy relationship with Alcohol? Absolutely, I'm going to try and not drink at all, first off I'm aiming to go through August without a drop. 

 

I have tried before, but the temptation is always there, anytime I'm invited out by friends, it's always "fancy a beer". I fear my social life will take a hammering but it's better than the alternative. 

 

When I was working, I attended an AA meeting as part of a training course and when I listened to some of the awful experiences that were shared, it sure made me take a look at myself.

 

It's remarkable how some of the people there managed to pull themselves back from the brink.

[The Quick Brown Fox]

17 minutes ago, Parafox said:

 

When I was working, I attended an AA meeting as part of a training course and when I listened to some of the awful experiences that were shared, it sure made me take a look at myself.

 

It's remarkable how some of the people there managed to pull themselves back from the brink.

Absolutely, some real struggles going on. With some proper strong people getting through it one day at a time. 

[Parafox]

2 minutes ago, The Quick Brown Fox said:

Absolutely, some real struggles going on. With some proper strong people getting through it one day at a time. 

 

Some of them attended AA meetings at different venues on different days just to avoid drinking. 

 

I'm not sure but most of the meetings seem to take place in the evenings for obvious reasons I guess.

[Steve_Guppy_Left_Foot]

23 minutes ago, Parafox said:

 

When I was working, I attended an AA meeting as part of a training course and when I listened to some of the awful experiences that were shared, it sure made me take a look at myself.

 

It's remarkable how some of the people there managed to pull themselves back from the brink.

Where I am, it’s not AA but not a million miles off, there are some truly harrowing stories, plenty of people who literally have to drink to stay safe, who need to be medically detoxed before they can start enacting the changes they want to make.