How Was Your Day?

[Countryfox]

10 hours ago, Alf Bentley said:

My 3rd anniversary of non-drinking, today.

Yep, 30th May 2015 was the last occasion on which a pint or eight passed my lips.

 

I still don't feel any temptation to start boozing any time soon.....though I do recognise mindsets in which I'd be heading for a session if I was drinking at all. 

It's when life seems dull and pointless, mainly. Not in response to stress or social pressure. I never felt pressurised to "fit in" as an adult and tended to drink to alleviate boredom and inertia, not stress, which I quite like (within reason).

 

Staying off the booze still seems an easy choice at the moment - mainly for reasons of health and responsibility and despite remembering the joys of inebriation (& the frustration of hangovers, failing to get stuff done, annoying people etc.).

The only way it'd be sane or responsible for me to drink in the near future would be if I did it in moderation....and I've never really managed that or even seen the point of drinking in moderation. I see the point of sobriety and can enjoy that. I can absolutely see the point of drunkenness and have an outstanding record at achieving that state. But moderation?! If you're going to drink in moderation, you might as well have soft drinks and feel 100% ready for other activities, not 95%, surely?

 

Teenage daughter + still being young enough to do a few things in life = 2 good reasons to try to stay healthy.

Heart defect that can be exacerbated by boozing + tendency to drink to excess some of the time = 2 good reasons not to take a risk

After all the personal traumas of the last 3-4 years, I'd also be a bit concerned that I'd go completely haywire and cause some outrageous incident.....fireworks in a bad way.

 

Mind you, I'd be very disappointed in myself if I thought I was never going to booze again. I do massively enjoy the swimming thoughts, soaring dreams, social chaos, turbulent emotions, good company, music and laughs that often come with booze. Also, life is ultimately a magnificent joke and not to be taken over-seriously, surely?

When daughter is fully grown and I've no longer any chance of achieving anything else, I'd like to think that the balance of the argument will be different and I'll be justified in sinking into an old-age swamp of moderately immoderate boozing. 

 

Sorry for boring on.....anniversaries are a time for review, I suppose.

 

Well done Alf ...   a stronger man than me.   The doc managed to get me to quit smoking but then when he said let’s talk about your drinking, I said, “Let’s not” and gave him the CF stare ...    

[The Doctor]

Got locked out of my office this morning and had to break in through the roof. Annoyingly that's covered in fibreglass and itches like hell

[Alf Bentley]

8 hours ago, MattP said:

Well played my friend, I hope you have found good from this and it appears you have. Maybe one day you'll come back and enjoy a pint in moderation but this is something that is clearly working for you at the minute. It's a position one day I know I'll have to take and I do see a lot of inspiration in what you have done. (It wasn't a pint with me in 2015 that put you off for good was it?)

 

I've just gone past a year without online betting, it's quite an achievement for someone who had an addiction to the level I did (losing every payment within hours) - it's still hard, I still look at odds, I still look at money in the bank and want to bet it, I still dream about being on bet fair and the first ten minutes waking up are clearing that out the mind before I can start the day. It's really, really hard though. 

 

That sounds tough avoiding the lure of gambling. Well done on the battles won thus far and hope it gets a bit easier for you with time. Psychological addictions are strange things and I don't pretend to understand them, particularly not gambling. Some people have issues with both boozing and gambling, yet I can go and place a few bets without the slightest inclination to overdo it (just placed a few World Cup bets, probably the first for 2-3 years). While personal psychology comes into it, I wonder if the change in brain chemistry that alcohol causes then feeds a particular psychological need/addictive tendency in me. I was going to say that gambling sounds a bit more obsessive in nature (not meant as an insult; I have some obsessive tendencies myself). But maybe not, maybe it's the anticipation of the thrill and that does something to your brain or feeds a psychological tendency? As I say, I don't really understand problem gambling, fortunately for me.

 

Nah! Nothing to do with drinking with you - an enjoyable and moderate encounter, as I recall. I'd got pissed off with wasting too much time recovering from hangovers, as usual, and was planning some time off - but then had a session that triggered an abnormal heart rhythm. The main cause was my genetic defect, identified by chance about 7 years ago, but heavy boozing can trigger abnormal rhythms (a risk for stroke) due to the existing weakness. Funny enough, I've had 2 more arrhythmias since stopping the booze, one triggered by shoving a heavy box across the floor, the other by a chest infection. Without the genetic issue, there's every chance that I'd have had no heart problem, at least until late in life, despite the boozing. Everything's a bit of a lottery for everyone, but the booze risks are higher for me because of genetic inheritance. It's likely that I will drink again in the distant future, when I'm a bit older and even less inclined to overdo it - already in my 40s-50s my drinking, while still a bit excessive, was a good bit less than when I was younger as your body can consume/process less physically as you get older - without it being unpleasant, anyway. 

[Alf Bentley]

43 minutes ago, Countryfox said:

 

Well done Alf ...   a stronger man than me.   The doc managed to get me to quit smoking but then when he said let’s talk about your drinking, I said, “Let’s not” and gave him the CF stare ...    

 

Smoking is the bigger, more important challenge, I'm sure.

 

If he mentions any other issues you're not ready to discuss, just show him your topless photo in the orange shorts. He'll be fleeing out of the door in panic.

(About time I stopped with the orange shorts references, I know!)

[Izzy]

11 hours ago, Alf Bentley said:

 

Maybe @Izzy Muzzett feels the same way, but I've certainly found it easier due to my health issue. It simplifies things. I don't even need to think about any other pros and cons. I know that if I drink to any significant extent, I'd be playing Russian roulette with my health - and I've always drunk to a significant extent when I've drunk at all. Even then, if my daughter was at a less vulnerable age and if I was just gambling with a slight risk of death, I might well gamble - and might do that in a few years time. But the idea of needlessly leaving daughter without the much-appreciated benefits of my wise guidance () - and, on a more selfish level, the idea of having a major stroke and NOT dying are strong arguments against. I had a cousin who had a bad stroke but lived on, severely debilitated, for 10 years in a nursing home and I'd hate to bring that on myself needlessly.

 

 

I feel exactly the same way Alf.

 

It's just not worth the pain and inconvenience for me to drink anymore. Most (if not all) people who have the same condition as me don't drink - it's just the way it is. The trade off isn't worth it for me. Sitting at home getting pissed for no reason vs being up all night with stomach cramps and diarrhea is a no brainer for me really.

 

And I just can't do 'moderation' as I've found out over the years. I'm sure I'd be O.K. with one glass of wine but if I open the bottle I have to finish it. I was totally dependent but now I'm not and I feel free of it. I also don't want my two young kids seeing me drink. I'm sure they'll experiment with it when they're older but I'd rather they followed the example of going to the gym and keeping fit. I suppose my wife and I are trying to role model a healthy lifestyle to them best we can.

 

It's weird not having alcohol in the house anymore - especially when people come over to visit. I feel guilty not being able to offer people a beer but they understand. 

[Jattdogg]

Ive never been a big drinker to begin with.  Might have a pint or two once every 2 weeks or something but in the last year its gone downhill. I bought a 6 pack of beer and it took me 6 months to drink it out. 1 beer a month lol.

 

The wife doesnt drink alcohol at all and ive always felt odd drinking alone. Lets just say im not buying anymore booze. 

 

The whiskeys and rum i have will go to guests at this point. 

 

More money in my pocket

 

[Alf Bentley]

21 minutes ago, Izzy Muzzett said:

It's weird not having alcohol in the house anymore - especially when people come over to visit. I feel guilty not being able to offer people a beer but they understand. 

 

I do buy booze for others, be that in a round in the pub or something to have in the house. It doesn't bother me doing that as I'm clear in my head that I'm not anti-booze, it's just that I've taken a personal decision (for the immediate future) not to drink. I even have some Irish whiskey miniatures in a cupboard that were left at my Dad's flat after he died, which I keep for sentimental reasons. If I ever drink again in the future, maybe I'll drink them in his memory - or maybe I'll give them to someone else who knew him and would appreciate them. I've never felt tempted to drink them yet and don't expect to - unless some day I take an active, considered decision to start drinking alcohol again. I don't find it a problem having someone else drink in the house or sitting in a pub with someone who's boozing (though it can get boring after a couple of hours if they start talking shite, as I would have done if imbibing).

 

I don't say that to criticise your stance in any way. These are personal decisions and the important thing is for each person to do what they feel comfortable with. It's just that what matters to me is not whether alcohol is available (it's always available - even at 4am if you're desperate enough to go to a 24-hour supermarket). I know that I won't be influenced by availability or other people's actions or comments. It's what goes on inside my skull that determines whether I drink or not - and so far, for 3 years, my brain has been quite clear that I'm best off avoiding it.

Edited 31 May 2018 by Alf Bentley

[Countryfox]

26 minutes ago, Alf Bentley said:

 

I do buy booze for others, be that in a round in the pub ...

 

 

You don’t drink but buy a round for others in the pub ?!?! ...   you’re my type of bloke Alf ! ...   what you doing about 5.30 tonight ! ...  

[ScouseFox]

what do you drink in a pub if it’s not ale? 

 

ocassionally i end up in pubs having driven somewhere and i never know what to buy when i’m obviously unable to down pint after pint. 

[Izzy]

49 minutes ago, Alf Bentley said:

 

I do buy booze for others, be that in a round in the pub or something to have in the house. It doesn't bother me doing that as I'm clear in my head that I'm not anti-booze, it's just that I've taken a personal decision (for the immediate future) not to drink. I even have some Irish whiskey miniatures in a cupboard that were left at my Dad's flat after he died, which I keep for sentimental reasons. If I ever drink again in the future, maybe I'll drink them in his memory - or maybe I'll give them to someone else who knew him and would appreciate them. I've never felt tempted to drink them yet and don't expect to - unless some day I take an active, considered decision to start drinking alcohol again. I don't find it a problem having someone else drink in the house or sitting in a pub with someone who's boozing (though it can get boring after a couple of hours if they start talking shite, as I would have done if imbibing).

 

I don't say that to criticise your stance in any way. These are personal decisions and the important thing is for each person to do what they feel comfortable with. It's just that what matters to me is not whether alcohol is available (it's always available - even at 4am if you're desperate enough to go to a 24-hour supermarket). I know that I won't be influenced by availability or other people's actions or comments. It's what goes on inside my skull that determines whether I drink or not - and so far, for 3 years, my brain has been quite clear that I'm best off avoiding it.

 

You're obviously far more disciplined than me mate 

 

I'll quite happily sit in a pub while others drink and I enjoy seeing them have a good time. I know booze is available almost 24/7 these days but we live out in the sticks so it's a bit of a drive if I was really desperate!

 

Not having it in the house just removes the temptation for me. I know when I'm feeling down or stressed I sometimes want a drink but because it's out of sight, it's out of mind too I guess.

 

I do sometimes miss the feeling of being drunk though. Some of the best times I ever had were when I was pissed but as I said earlier, I've probably had my lifetimes limit during my 20's and early 30's and my body just can't handle it anymore 

 

[Izzy]

4 minutes ago, ScouseFox said:

what do you drink in a pub if it’s not ale? 

 

ocassionally i end up in pubs having driven somewhere and i never know what to buy when i’m obviously unable to down pint after pint. 

For me it's usually an Orange & Passion-fruit J20. 

 

I know, I'm a big girl 

[Alf Bentley]

57 minutes ago, ScouseFox said:

what do you drink in a pub if it’s not ale? 

 

ocassionally i end up in pubs having driven somewhere and i never know what to buy when i’m obviously unable to down pint after pint. 

 

Mainly pints of lime and soda with ice and lime slice - rehydration, a bit of bite and usually cheap (I've paid everything from 2p to £3, usually £1 or less). Gets a bit boring after a couple, though.

 

Occasionally, tomato juice with Worcester sauce for a bit of taste and added excitement. 

[Dr The Singh]

3 hours ago, Izzy Muzzett said:

For me it's usually an Orange & Passion-fruit J20. 

 

I know, I'm a big girl 

Do you ask for straw and umbrella with that?

[Beliall]

4 hours ago, Izzy Muzzett said:

For me it's usually an Orange & Passion-fruit J20. 

 

I know, I'm a big girl 

dude what the **** are you doing outside? 

[Steve_Walsh5]

4 hours ago, ScouseFox said:

what do you drink in a pub if it’s not ale? 

 

ocassionally i end up in pubs having driven somewhere and i never know what to buy when i’m obviously unable to down pint after pint. 

Becks blue.

[Lovejoy]

Had a few at lunch in the Prince Of Wales Feathers on Warren Street, top pub.

[egg_fried_rice]

Can recommend Brew Dog Nanny State for those looking for a non-alcoholic alternative - it blows all the watery takes on lager away in my opinion. It doesn't quite have the body of a proper beer, but it's got a nice aroma and good hoppy bite you'd expect from a regular pale ale. It's actually 0.5% abv, but that's the same as a shandy bass. I've found it does help scratch the itch, so to speak. Plus a 4-pack is ~100 calories so little danger of enhancing the beer gut either!

[StanSP]

devastating news today as I'm out of the World Cup having suffered an achilles injury yesterday

[Izzy]

Nice to meet up with @Milo this afternoon for a few hours and chew the fat.

 

I don’t know many Leicester fans living down here so great to talk with a fellow fox and also discuss what we think of you lot behind your backs 

 

Enjoyed your company mate, top man 

[Milo]

Cheers bud - you, too!! 

 

Thoroughly enjoyable way to end the week. 

 

 

 

And they said you weren’t the type to go all the way on a first date.. 

 

 

[Buce]

14 minutes ago, Izzy Muzzett said:

Nice to meet up with @Milo this afternoon for a few hours and chew the fat.

 

I don’t know many Leicester fans living down here so great to talk with a fellow fox and also discuss what we think of you lot behind your backs 

 

Enjoyed your company mate, top man 

 

 

Fvck.

 

That's someone else blocking me then...

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

On ‎30‎/‎05‎/‎2018 at 22:46, Izzy Muzzett said:

Good on ya Alf and congratulations on the anniversary mate 

 

I can relate quite a bit to your post! I've been off the booze since last October so just the 7 months so far for me  But as it stands, I can't see myself drinking again. I don't miss the hangovers and I'm certainly better off financially, physically and mentally I think. 

 

If I'm tempted again then I know what will happen. Before too long I'll be back on a bottle of wine a night and it will play havoc with my guts. I suppose I'm an 'all or nothing' sort of bloke and I'm happy at the moment not having alcohol as part of my life.

 

I don't go out and socialise much anyway these days. I've been to the odd BBQ recently and watched others getting pissed and it's quite amusing being the only sober one. I've had my time on the piss and drank for England over the years so feel like I've had my fill really.

 

Good luck keeping off it mate and stay healthy 

 

On ‎30‎/‎05‎/‎2018 at 22:32, Alf Bentley said:

My 3rd anniversary of non-drinking, today.

Yep, 30th May 2015 was the last occasion on which a pint or eight passed my lips.

 

I still don't feel any temptation to start boozing any time soon.....though I do recognise mindsets in which I'd be heading for a session if I was drinking at all. 

It's when life seems dull and pointless, mainly. Not in response to stress or social pressure. I never felt pressurised to "fit in" as an adult and tended to drink to alleviate boredom and inertia, not stress, which I quite like (within reason).

 

Staying off the booze still seems an easy choice at the moment - mainly for reasons of health and responsibility and despite remembering the joys of inebriation (& the frustration of hangovers, failing to get stuff done, annoying people etc.).

The only way it'd be sane or responsible for me to drink in the near future would be if I did it in moderation....and I've never really managed that or even seen the point of drinking in moderation. I see the point of sobriety and can enjoy that. I can absolutely see the point of drunkenness and have an outstanding record at achieving that state. But moderation?! If you're going to drink in moderation, you might as well have soft drinks and feel 100% ready for other activities, not 95%, surely?

 

Teenage daughter + still being young enough to do a few things in life = 2 good reasons to try to stay healthy.

Heart defect that can be exacerbated by boozing + tendency to drink to excess some of the time = 2 good reasons not to take a risk

After all the personal traumas of the last 3-4 years, I'd also be a bit concerned that I'd go completely haywire and cause some outrageous incident.....fireworks in a bad way.

 

Mind you, I'd be very disappointed in myself if I thought I was never going to booze again. I do massively enjoy the swimming thoughts, soaring dreams, social chaos, turbulent emotions, good company, music and laughs that often come with booze. Also, life is ultimately a magnificent joke and not to be taken over-seriously, surely?

When daughter is fully grown and I've no longer any chance of achieving anything else, I'd like to think that the balance of the argument will be different and I'll be justified in sinking into an old-age swamp of moderately immoderate boozing. 

 

Sorry for boring on.....anniversaries are a time for review, I suppose.

Very well done indeed, sirs.   

[Dr The Singh]

Went into town, had a few beers, went to the local the Mrs has a couple of cocktails.

 

I'm just now having a some whisky

[the fox]

3 hours ago, StanSP said:

devastating news today as I'm out of the World Cup having suffered an achilles injury yesterday

wish you a fast recovery, Stan!

[the fox]

Happy for @Alf Bentley and @Izzy Muzzett. It isn't worth it throwing your health away getting pissed. Keep up the good work, fellas.