FrankieWorthoYaggedMyWife Posted 23 June 2014 Posted 23 June 2014 So, the time has come for me to stop drinking. My liver creates too much potassium and the doctors told me not to booze many years ago but I still did anyway as it's hard not to in your early twenties. Anyway i'm 30 now and i've had enough. In the last year alone i've slid down the middle bit of an escalator at Oxford Circus Tube Station and shattered my coccyx. I've slipped over on a cobbled floor in a boozer when my mate lobbed an orange at me and knocked my front tooth out and on Saturday morning i've got up to go for a piss at my mum and dads house and fell down the stairs head first. I've split my norris open, sprained my ankle and done my back in. Hahahahaa The party is over. Has anyone else stopping drinking before or doesn't drink? I'm not worried about not being able to stop as I have confidence in myself that I can. I've quit gambling for nearly a year now which I thought I was a lost cause with and I have the mental strength to do anything I put my mind to but i'm more worried about having a social life that doesn't revolve around getting plastered every weekend. I'll be fine when i'm with the missus as we've always done many things that doesn't involve copious amounts of booze but it's seeing my mates that's going to be the challenge. What do male friends do that doesn't involve either getting arseholed, going the football and invariably getting arseholed, playing some form of sport and then getting arseholed. Gambling on anything that it's possible to gamble on and going to any event where there's swig available? I don't want to be seen as boring but I just cannot put myself through boozing any longer, it's not just me that's effected. My missus and my friends and family have had to witness what a disgrace of a man I can be. I've got more stories than Enid Blyton from my boozing days but enoughs enough. Any advice or success stories from people who have quit boozing or never drank and how enjoyable they find life would be great to hear. I almost feel embarrassed by that last sentence " how enjoyable they find life " but sadly there's a lot of people in this world that spend the majority of their free time getting absolutely garried and if they couldn't do that any longer they genuinely wouldn't know what to do with themselves. Cheers You were always shit at being pissed anyway pal!!! Just become a recluse like me and get tucked into your sky telly box! Although in fairness I still swig cans everyday whilst doing so!
Tommy G Posted 23 June 2014 Posted 23 June 2014 Probably take up a new Hobbie. I wouldn't quit altogether as quitting stuff like that will make you want it more. Just slow it down, go on a bender twice a month and to the pub for a quiet few a cpl of times a month. That way you ease yourself off it. Maybe take up wine tasting as you can spit that out
Ric Flair Posted 23 June 2014 Author Posted 23 June 2014 Not something I could ever do as I like getting pissed too much but good luck. You'll need another vice though, I'd get back into punting if I were you. Hahahahaaa you're about the only person whose worse than me!!!! I've got my new food venture to concentrate on anyway, i'll end up a fat slob but it's worth a crack.
Ric Flair Posted 23 June 2014 Author Posted 23 June 2014 As Davie says, you don't come across as boring on here - anything but. However, you do come across as someone with a lot of energy and a need for excitement. You'll probably need to channel that energy into something else and find new excitement to replace the excitement that you got from benders. I wouldn't worry about boring other people, but if you bore yourself and abstinence becomes a dull, miserable experience for you, then there's every chance that you'll be back boozing (or gambling) sooner rather than later. Only you can work out what sort of booze-free stimulation / excitement will satisfy you. Cycling/hillwalking, as Moose suggests? Some other vigorous sport or adventurous activity? Something wilder? Wild sex? Abseil down the Statue of Liberty? Hitchhike to Cape Town? Or would a steadier project provide stimulation? Writing would be an obvious choice, as you clearly enjoy expressing yourself! I've been a "semi-controlled chronic binge drinker" since age 18 (I'm 51 now). I've gone tee-total for extended periods on numerous occasions over the past 20 years: 14 months was the longest; between 2 and 6 months on various other occasions. Like you, I used to get into some outrageous scrapes in my teens, 20s and early 30s: waking up in police cells or at the train terminus with no memory of how I'd got there was a speciality. Once I'd had a certain amount, my brain chemistry and psychology changed and I didn't want to come down from the booze-induced high. Fortunately, now that I'm older, my digestion is slower and I have less surplus energy, so it would be physically unpleasant to drink so much or so quickly - the prospect of downing 9 pints in 3 hours or whatever has as much appeal as eating a sack of potatoes - so I don't get in such states. If you're serious about this, I'd consider occasional counselling sessions. I've been to them before and it's not like being lectured or being a victim or whatever. It can just provide a focus to think about why the negatives of boozing outweigh the positives, and what you can do differently in your life instead. If you've been off the booze for a while, it can also act as a useful reminder. Because complacency is so easy to fall into - you've not had a drink for 3 months or whatever, the negatives seem vague and distant, life seems a bit dull recently....."Why don't I have a couple of drinks?"...and you're back into the old cycle. I've been to AA meetings a few times in the distant past, too, and met a lot of intelligent, interesting people there. But that didn't suit me as I found the approach too negative and pseudo-religious. To stay sober, I needed to feel that life was better, not worse! Funny enough, once I'm off the booze for a few days and am clear in my head that I'm not drinking, I don't find it a problem at all to go to pubs or other places where people are boozing. As I'm a contrary fvcker, if someone tries to persuade me to have a drink, it'll just make me even less likely to do so! You might find that your sobriety will make some of your drinking mates uneasy, though. Sitting drinking lime-and-soda with blokes on the beer didn't bother me (at least until they reached the drunken drivel stage), but it bothered some of them... You should be OK in/around live/TV football, though, as there's another focus. These days, as I'm not physically capable of my ridiculous binges of old, I concentrate on not wasting too much time on boozing (sometimes succeed, sometimes fail). I wish you all the best, though, Mr. Flair. Once you've been off the booze for a couple of weeks, you probably won't miss it at all....but watch out for complacency a few weeks further on. And don't lead a dull life! If you're not a dull person, it'll drive you to drink! Oh, health & safety! I'm assuming you're not someone who drinks every day, but if anyone else is: don't just stop drinking without medical advice. If you have a physical dependency on daily booze, going cold turkey without supervision can be very dangerous. Let us know how you get on, Mr. Flair! Cheers mate, some sound advice there. I'm actually a fully qualified Hypnotherapist and EFT Practitioner which is scandalous really given the way I behave at times. I've used such techniques to overcome many of my negative hang-ups such as gambling and i'll be sure to do so on quitting boozing.
Ric Flair Posted 23 June 2014 Author Posted 23 June 2014 You were always shit at being pissed anyway pal!!! Just become a recluse like me and get tucked into your sky telly box! Although in fairness I still swig cans everyday whilst doing so! That might be the answer, only swig whilst in my house. Most people go the other way and only drink when out!! I should probably move in to a bungalow though where there's no stairs.
Ric Flair Posted 23 June 2014 Author Posted 23 June 2014 Probably take up a new Hobbie. I wouldn't quit altogether as quitting stuff like that will make you want it more. Just slow it down, go on a bender twice a month and to the pub for a quiet few a cpl of times a month. That way you ease yourself off it. Maybe take up wine tasting as you can spit that out Until I can prove to myself that I am capable of doing anything in moderation i'll just abstain and focus on the benefits of stopping drinking. I've been close to death on several occasions and that hasn't ever made me ease off for longer than a few weeks as the brain forgets once a few ice cold ales have flown down your gregory and it's like nothing has changed. Fair play if you can stick to it Ric. Cheers pal, i'll crack this.
Grandad. Posted 23 June 2014 Posted 23 June 2014 Cheers pal, i'll crack this. I struggle at doing 'dry Jan' because I'm a social person and can't sit round mates in the pub over a weekend without having a beer. Hopefully you will find something else to crack on with, like you say your cooking. I've just had a quick think about alcohol and how much it has an impact on my social life and the big events I will do within the year are so alcohol dependent. Cheltenham Festival, a day at a Test match, yearly stag do, Golf trip to Sandilands and my mates birthday in Liverpool, all heavy drinking sessions that I don't think I would ever want to miss and I could never do them without having a drink. Scary really.
Fox92 Posted 23 June 2014 Posted 23 June 2014 Sorry, but your stories in that first paragraph made me laugh! Anyway, I wouldn't worry about being "boring". Plenty of people don't drink, and I've always thought if people can't respect your decisions in life then what's the point in even giving them the time of day. The first time I drank was on my 18th birthday, and before that when I was at school, people started drinking and I'd never do it. I wasn't bothered what the others thought about me. If I was told I had to stop for my health, then I would and I don't think I'd be overly bothered. At the minute, at 22, I enjoy going out, getting drunk with my mates and doing stupid yet harmless things but I could never see myself doing it when I'm older. Alcohol isn't an essential aspect in life and many people have proved that. Hangovers are nasty anyway, something I'll never miss, as I spend the following day doing fvck all just recovering. I didn't really help there, but good luck with it. You've quit gambling for a year which is impressive, so there's no doubt that you can ease yourself away from alcohol. You've always seemed a decent poster on here and I wish you luck with it.
FrankieWorthoYaggedMyWife Posted 23 June 2014 Posted 23 June 2014 That might be the answer, only swig whilst in my house. Most people go the other way and only drink when out!! I should probably move in to a bungalow though where there's no stairs. The problem I have after periods of none drinking is I just love getting pissed, and therin lies the problem! I other news my missus goes in Wednesday to have my son and heir, was gonna say we should go for an ale to celebrate
Ric Flair Posted 23 June 2014 Author Posted 23 June 2014 I struggle at doing 'dry Jan' because I'm a social person and can't sit round mates in the pub over a weekend without having a beer. Hopefully you will find something else to crack on with, like you say your cooking. I've just had a quick think about alcohol and how much it has an impact on my social life and the big events I will do within the year are so alcohol dependent. Cheltenham Festival, a day at a Test match, yearly stag do, Golf trip to Sandilands and my mates birthday in Liverpool, all heavy drinking sessions that I don't think I would ever want to miss and I could never do them without having a drink. Scary really. There's literally no way I could have got through the last decade without drinking, but I actually think i'm ready to not put myself in situations that require me to drink such as events like you've listed. I'll still go to certain things that i'd usually go wild at, but i'll go because i've an interest in the occasion rather than an excuse to get larrupsed up. One of my excuses for stopping gambling was that I actually loved horse racing as a sport rather than an outlet for gambling on. The truth is, I didn't. Since quitting betting, i've had little interest in horse racing and it surprised me. It made me realise how clouded your judgement can be. I'd never have said I could go on a stag doo without putting some serious ale away and the test will be on the next one I go on. It might well be that i've little interest in going on stag doos, which will probably be more of an indictement of whose stag doo it is. I'd ordinarily go on any twats stag doo as it's a great buzz but in future if they ain't tickling my fish then there might be more to it.
Ric Flair Posted 23 June 2014 Author Posted 23 June 2014 The problem I have after periods of none drinking is I just love getting pissed, and therin lies the problem! I other news my missus goes in Wednesday to have my son and heir, was gonna say we should go for an ale to celebrate Well in mate! Didn't even know she was up the Damian!!! You've kept that quiet? We'll go for a beer, i'll have a ginger one like my brothers hair.
FrankieWorthoYaggedMyWife Posted 23 June 2014 Posted 23 June 2014 Well in mate! Didn't even know she was up the Damian!!! You've kept that quiet? We'll go for a beer, i'll have a ginger one like my brothers hair. Haha! How I miss Azza!!! I have my doubts as to whether you will stick at this. But I did knock the chemicals and fags on the head so Im sure it could be done! Flashback to Reading circa 2004!!!!!
Ric Flair Posted 23 June 2014 Author Posted 23 June 2014 Haha! How I miss Azza!!! I have my doubts as to whether you will stick at this. But I did knock the chemicals and fags on the head so Im sure it could be done! Flashback to Reading circa 2004!!!!! Hahahahaaa that was an abysmal gig for behaviour, frightening.
Alf Bentley Posted 23 June 2014 Posted 23 June 2014 Cheers mate, some sound advice there. I'm actually a fully qualified Hypnotherapist and EFT Practitioner which is scandalous really given the way I behave at times. I've used such techniques to overcome many of my negative hang-ups such as gambling and i'll be sure to do so on quitting boozing. Hypnotherapist, hypnotise thyself! EFT Practitioner, free thine own emotions! Don't know about gambling as I've never had an issue with that, but in the past I only ever managed to curtail my boozing through abstinence, not moderation. I could see the point of both drunkenness and sobriety but struggled to see the point of moderation even when I was sober - no chance after a couple of pints. Some people can change their ways through self-denial and "negative motivation": e.g. "I don't want to get in a state and upset my partner/family/friends again". I'm not one of those people. My motivation needs to be more "positive" - more selfish, even. Of course, I don't want to upset people I care about, but what kept me off the booze for long periods was the sense that my life had changed for the better by replacing the fun of booze with other sorts of fun - and with genuine achievements. I don't know you, so might be wrong, but your posts suggest that you are more of an "alternative fun" than a "self-denial" sort of person. Good luck, anyway, whatever you do!
FrankieWorthoYaggedMyWife Posted 23 June 2014 Posted 23 June 2014 Hypnotherapist, hypnotise thyself! EFT Practitioner, free thine own emotions! Don't know about gambling as I've never had an issue with that, but in the past I only ever managed to curtail my boozing through abstinence, not moderation. I could see the point of both drunkenness and sobriety but struggled to see the point of moderation even when I was sober - no chance after a couple of pints. Some people can change their ways through self-denial and "negative motivation": e.g. "I don't want to get in a state and upset my partner/family/friends again". I'm not one of those people. My motivation needs to be more "positive" - more selfish, even. Of course, I don't want to upset people I care about, but what kept me off the booze for long periods was the sense that my life had changed for the better by replacing the fun of booze with other sorts of fun - and with genuine achievements. I don't know you, so might be wrong, but your posts suggest that you are more of an "alternative fun" than a "self-denial" sort of person. Good luck, anyway, whatever you do! fancy a pint then? I always gag for one about 4?!
Alf Bentley Posted 23 June 2014 Posted 23 June 2014 fancy a pint then? I always gag for one about 4?! No thanks. Things to do tonight. I fancy a quiet week. Maybe a jar or three in front of tomorrow's match (masochist), then a solid week of sober achievement....before getting "micked off my tits" at the weekend.
purpleronnie Posted 23 June 2014 Posted 23 June 2014 Not something I could ever do as I like getting pissed too much but good luck. You'll need another vice though, I'd get back into punting if I were you. Trying to make money off his sobriety? As for quitting drinking I tried that once, got into heroin, it was a bit more expensive but at least I don't have a beer belly anymore.
FrankieWorthoYaggedMyWife Posted 23 June 2014 Posted 23 June 2014 Trying to make money off his sobriety? As for quitting drinking I tried that once, got into heroin, it was a bit more expensive but at least I don't have a beer belly anymore.
PAULCFC Posted 23 June 2014 Posted 23 June 2014 I was in a similar postition to you and a friend recomended Jason Vales book "kick the drink easily".I was very sceptical for a start and it can be a bit of a preachy read in places,but igave it a go and haven't touched a pint in 6 months.If nothing else it's interesting how a book can kind of change your way of thinking.
DANGEROUS TIGER Posted 23 June 2014 Posted 23 June 2014 It's not easy. I used to down a bottle of brandy daily, plus a bottle of beer sometimes. After having major surgery a few years ago, I was told to stop. Although I have not totally stopped, I now only drink at weekends, (half bottle of brandy, plus two bottles of real ale) I'm about to remove the brandy entirely, and know it wont be easy, but I will get there. Good luck to you. You're a wise man.
Webbo Posted 23 June 2014 Posted 23 June 2014 Remember alcohol is legal, so where is the problem? Don't be a pr1ck
Unabomber Posted 23 June 2014 Posted 23 June 2014 Gave up for 4 months at the start of last year and was going to do the same again this year, the only problem is that it doesn't seem to have happened yet. A friend of mine doesn't drink and has never even tried it, and he will always come to the pub/round people's houses and has a laugh with everyone. The only place that he won't go to is clubs which I can understand as it must be shit sober.
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