Quitting the bottle

[Kiwias]

I think I've been on here a few times flirting with giving up the booze, but I'm currently into my 3rd week off it. I wouldn't have said I had a major problem with booze, more that I just disliked being hungover as I'm too busy, didn't like getting sloppy on big nights, ans it really interfered with my training.

I've gotten through 3 work/social events in the last fortnight when I would have definitely been getting sloshed at, by drinking NA beer, plus avoided the casual beers in the house. I've also given up the nicotine snus pouches as well from the same period.

So far I've felt fantastic as a result. Head is getting clearer every day. Sleeping A LOT better. Energy levels are steadier throughout the day.

Its been great, it really has. Early days though. My confidence is growing that I can keep this up long term but will keep taking every day as it comes.

Getting a bit ahead of myself here I know, but I'm slightly anxious about a golf weekend I have coming up in November with some mates from school. I have zero doubt in my mind that it will be a 3-day bender as the lads just love getting on it when they are away from their wives and kids. I really don't want to waste a few days being pissed/hungover, but also don't want to exclude myself from hanging out with my mates, so going to have to put in a big effort! I'm toying with the idea of just coming clean and saying Lads, I'm off it, and taking the 10mins of sledging before they stop caring, or making up some bollocks about being on antibiotics or something, just to get through the weekend, until I've fully established myself as a non-drinker.

The former is obviously the right approach I know, but the 2nd is the path of least resistence. Leaning more toward the former tbf.

Jim,

I'm very impressed at how well you are doing. Seeing the benefits this clearly definitely makes it easier to continue with sobriety.

Regarding your golf weekend, I did something similar not long after stopping. My rugby team visited the Philippines for a social 10-aside tournament and I am sure I don't need to explain how heavily a rugby team tends to hit the piss when on tour. I knew I would face a lot of pressure with my teammates encouraging me to join them in a beer.

My decision was to bite the bullet, telling them all at the airport as we prepared for departure that I had decided to eliminate booze from my life. The best part was all the encouragement and support I got from the lads, not just initially but throughout the entire tour. There was never any discomfort. So I would recommend you go with the former approach.

Good luck in any case

[Slick]

I think I've been on here a few times flirting with giving up the booze, but I'm currently into my 3rd week off it. I wouldn't have said I had a major problem with booze, more that I just disliked being hungover as I'm too busy, didn't like getting sloppy on big nights, ans it really interfered with my training.

I've gotten through 3 work/social events in the last fortnight when I would have definitely been getting sloshed at, by drinking NA beer, plus avoided the casual beers in the house. I've also given up the nicotine snus pouches as well from the same period.

So far I've felt fantastic as a result. Head is getting clearer every day. Sleeping A LOT better. Energy levels are steadier throughout the day.

Its been great, it really has. Early days though. My confidence is growing that I can keep this up long term but will keep taking every day as it comes.

Getting a bit ahead of myself here I know, but I'm slightly anxious about a golf weekend I have coming up in November with some mates from school. I have zero doubt in my mind that it will be a 3-day bender as the lads just love getting on it when they are away from their wives and kids. I really don't want to waste a few days being pissed/hungover, but also don't want to exclude myself from hanging out with my mates, so going to have to put in a big effort! I'm toying with the idea of just coming clean and saying Lads, I'm off it, and taking the 10mins of sledging before they stop caring, or making up some bollocks about being on antibiotics or something, just to get through the weekend, until I've fully established myself as a non-drinker.

The former is obviously the right approach I know, but the 2nd is the path of least resistence. Leaning more toward the former tbf.

Well done mate.

You do go through ups and downs, even up to euphoria after a few weeks, but waking up in the morning knowing you don't have a hangover is still magical.

Re the golf weekend, I don't think it's unusual to already be a bit anxious, I've had weekends like those. What I've found is that I actually find it quite easy to slip off and leave the lads to it and I absolutely love the next morning when I'm feeling fine. I'd say it's unlikely you will want to stay around all night every night, but I honestly haven't worried about that.

No opinion on how you should approach it, that's your call, but I've certainly found no one gives a shit and it actually still surprises me the number of people that sidle up through the night and want to know about your experiences because they have been thinking the same

[Tichtheid]

Jim, I’m not a golfer but my brother is. He goes on these long weekends where everyone gets hammered but he doesn’t. He prefers to enjoy being somewhere different without feeling like shit and only really experiencing yet another hangover, rather than the golf course/hotel/food etc.
His companions don’t give two hoots about him not getting blootered.

[Kiwias]

Jim, I’m not a golfer but my brother is. He goes on these long weekends where everyone gets hammered but he doesn’t. He prefers to enjoy being somewhere different without feeling like shit and only really experiencing yet another hangover, rather than the golf course/hotel/food etc.
His companions don’t give two hoots about him not getting blootered.

That is so true. Most people when drinking could not give two fucks what anyone else is or is not drinking.

[epwc]

You do get the odd one that keeps trying to get others pissed though

[Kiwias]

You do get the odd one that keeps trying to get others pissed though

It is pretty easy to ignore just one when the rest have got your back

[epwc]

You do get the odd one that keeps trying to get others pissed though

It is pretty easy to ignore just one when the rest have got your back

Yeah, and if they don't you shouldn't really be hanging round with them. I've dropped most of my old mates now.

[Harveys]

I forgot to stop by in June, I celebrated my 16th rotation of the sun liquor free.

It’s been a long time, and as the memories of that time of my life slowly fade against the weight of many wonderful ones since, I always feel the warmth of gratitude as I mark off another year sober.

I wish everyone well.

[Sandstorm]

I forgot to stop by in June, I celebrated my 16th rotation of the sun liquor free.

It’s been a long time, and as the memories of that time of my life slowly fade against the weight of many wonderful ones since, I always feel the warmth of gratitude as I mark off another year sober.

I wish everyone well.

Congrats Harvey, that's a great innings.

[Slick]

I forgot to stop by in June, I celebrated my 16th rotation of the sun liquor free.

It’s been a long time, and as the memories of that time of my life slowly fade against the weight of many wonderful ones since, I always feel the warmth of gratitude as I mark off another year sober.

I wish everyone well.

Amazing! Well done.

have to say that over the last couple of weeks I've come to the realisation that I'm not sure I really ever want to drink again. Up to this point it has always been in my head that I might try it again after a good while off it, but life is so much better without it that it now doesn't seem such a jump to just knock it on the head

[Kiwias]

I forgot to stop by in June, I celebrated my 16th rotation of the sun liquor free.

It’s been a long time, and as the memories of that time of my life slowly fade against the weight of many wonderful ones since, I always feel the warmth of gratitude as I mark off another year sober.

I wish everyone well.

Bloody room is suddenly seriously dusty.

Well done, you old mucker

[Kiwias]

I forgot to stop by in June, I celebrated my 16th rotation of the sun liquor free.

It’s been a long time, and as the memories of that time of my life slowly fade against the weight of many wonderful ones since, I always feel the warmth of gratitude as I mark off another year sober.

I wish everyone well.

Amazing! Well done.

have to say that over the last couple of weeks I've come to the realisation that I'm not sure I really ever want to drink again. Up to this point it has always been in my head that I might try it again after a good while off it, but life is so much better without it that it now doesn't seem such a jump to just knock it on the head

Slick

That is the crux -- you are not giving up anything, you are choosing to live a better life.

Good work, mate

[Ghost-Of-Nepia]

I've been a drinker for - gee, 30 years, I guess since I started going out for parties at high school when I was 15 or so.

A wake-up call from the doctor around my ferritin levels late last year, along with some personal reflection about my behaviour/state of mind after knocking a few back has prompted a change of approach.

Despite having about 100 bottles of wine in the rack (and 10 bottles of pretty good quality whisky & other spirits), a couple of months ago I decided that there was nothing positive to be gained from solo drinking at home (I live by myself in a three-bedroom house). It was too easy to open another bottle and completely ruin the next day plus it wasn't doing much for my mental health either.

Since making that call in mid-May & telling a few other people about my decision so I have some accountability, I haven't actually missed it that much. I'm still going to the pub for a few drinks with friends (for example two glasses of nice wine on Friday night with work colleagues), but even then, I'm not really feeling the need to press on for a big night/weekend - other than when I'm catching up with old mates, which only happens a few times a year.

Had a few at my local yesterday afternoon with a fellow barfly there, and as we were weighing up whether to have another beer about an hour or so after the game, I said to him "I don't see the point".

Now I just need to sort out my current sciatica issues and take the opportunity to get fit.

I'm a regular reader of this thread and the one on PR, and while I don't tend to post, it's certainly been good food for thought.

Update to this: I've been "forced" into a period of no drinking anyway due to the aforementioned sciatica which is having a real effect on my day-to-day existence. I'm taking some medication that targets nerve pain while I await to see a surgeon (can't get in until the start of November despite having private health insurance - NZ health system is a mess), and the strong advice is to avoid or limit alcohol when taking it, so I've just decided to flag it. Probably a good 3-5 month stint ahead. Will be good for me, no doubt...

Colleagues & friends so far have been good about it. Off to Aussie in 10 days for a mixture of work and holiday - my friends on the GC are kind of prepared for me to not be on the alcohol, although I'm not sure they believe it. Just got to cope with sitting in an airline seat for 3 hours.

[Kiwias]

Ghost-Of-Nepia

It sounds as if this could be a good time for you to clarify what you want to do about your drinking going forward. Good luck with your sciatia, mate.

[Wyndham Upalot]

One year sober, I should have done it far sooner. The benefits are wholesale : health, relationships and general wellbeing all improved immeasurably. Reasons too many to list, but reading this thread has been genuinely invaluable.

[Kiwias]

One year sober, I should have done it far sooner. The benefits are wholesale : health, relationships and general wellbeing all improved immeasurably. Reasons too many to list, but reading this thread has been genuinely invaluable.

Mate, even if we all take different paths to reach the point of choosing sobriety, one thing we recovering alcoholics all agree on is that we should have done it sooner. As you say, the benefits are amazing.

Well done and good luck from here on.

[Sandstorm]

One year sober, I should have done it far sooner. The benefits are wholesale : health, relationships and general wellbeing all improved immeasurably. Reasons too many to list, but reading this thread has been genuinely invaluable.

Well done sir, very impressive

[Slick]

That's 9 months today and feeling extremely positive about it all.

[Tichtheid]

That's 9 months today and feeling extremely positive about it all.

Congrats, Slick.

[Slick]

That's 9 months today and feeling extremely positive about it all.

Congrats, Slick.

Thanks mate, really appreciate that

[Kiwias]

That's 9 months today and feeling extremely positive about it all.

Keep on rockin', my friend

[Kiwias]

It is always a good feeling to wake up on New Year’s Day with the knowledge that I made it through another calendar year without having a drink.

May there be many more NYDs like this one and best wishes to all those sharing this journey.

[Kiwias]

That's 9 months today and feeling extremely positive about it all.

By my calculations, today marks your first year sober. Way to go, mate.

[Slick]

That's 9 months today and feeling extremely positive about it all.

By my calculations, today marks your first year sober. Way to go, mate.

Ha! Beat me to it! Thanks mate, really appreciate this and all your support. Will report back with some thoughts when I’m not so bloody tired after a sober night at a Hogmanay party!

[Kiwias]

At today's AA meeting, I received an award for 20 years sober. I remember the first meeting as if it was yesterday, the words of the group leader at the time piercing my mind and heart: "unless you desire sobriety from the depths of your heart, joining this group will not help you remain sober".

These words have never left my mind once. Stopping drinking is not the ultimate objective. The goal remains to this day to live a decent life and staying sober (never drinking again) is the means by which I can achieve this goal.

I humbly admit to patting myself quietly on the back and saying to myself "Well done, lad".

[Sandstorm]

At today's AA meeting, I received an award for 20 years sober. I remember the first meeting as if it was yesterday, the words of the group leader at the time piercing my mind and heart: "unless you desire sobriety from the depths of your heart, joining this group will not help you remain sober".

These words have never left my mind once. Stopping drinking is not the ultimate objective. The goal remains to this day to live a decent life and staying sober never drinking again) is the means by which I can achieve this goal.

I humbly admit to patting myself quietly on the back and saying to myself "Well done, lad".

Congrats Kiwias, a great achievement.

[Slick]

At today's AA meeting, I received an award for 20 years sober. I remember the first meeting as if it was yesterday, the words of the group leader at the time piercing my mind and heart: "unless you desire sobriety from the depths of your heart, joining this group will not help you remain sober".

These words have never left my mind once. Stopping drinking is not the ultimate objective. The goal remains to this day to live a decent life and staying sober never drinking again) is the means by which I can achieve this goal.

I humbly admit to patting myself quietly on the back and saying to myself "Well done, lad".

That's awesome Kiwias, many congratulations.

Thats me also patting you on the back

[Kiwias]

Thanks, guys. I admit I never in my wildest dreams imagined I could ever stay sober for two fucking decades.

[Gumboot]

Well done Kiwias, that's bloody awesome mate!


Early doors, but tomorrow's 10 months for me.

[Kiwias]

Well done Kiwias, that's bloody awesome mate!


Early doors, but tomorrow's 10 months for me.

Thanks for the comment. 10 months is a bloody decent spell. Hang in there, mate.

[Slick]

Well, that's me done a year, and what a year it has been.

I don't want to bore and go over old ground, but I think pretty much everything in my life is better, Relationships, health, mental health, work, the number of new, and old, hobbies and pastimes I'm enjoying etc.

I'm actually really pleased to have the year out of the way, it has been at the back of my mind over the last couple of months that a year was the initial target and maybe that was an opportunity to dabble again but now that it's been and gone I can just get on with things. There were never any serious thoughts about going back to it full time, but could I pick a few nights and just drink then but:

1) Almost definitely not
2) Why would I, I still remember how shite the next mornings and days were.

I do still find it difficult to attend big piss ups and there is always the feeling that I'm missing out and losing mates but to be honest my life has moved away from that and I don't really want to be part of it. I've build up a whole new group of mates who I guess are more aligned with how I want my life to be going forward. Also worth saying though that the thought of attending these events is always much worse than the actual reality, it's usually fine and I'm quite happy to slip away earlier and enjoy the almost euphoria of waking up early the next day and feeling good and getting on with one of my numerous new pastimes.

All in all I'm really content with this path I've chosen and very comfortable with the decision that this isn't just a year, it's a whole lifestyle change.

[Sandstorm]

Great job Slick

[Kiwias]

Well, that's me done a year, and what a year it has been.

I don't want to bore and go over old ground, but I think pretty much everything in my life is better, Relationships, health, mental health, work, the number of new, and old, hobbies and pastimes I'm enjoying etc.

I'm actually really pleased to have the year out of the way, it has been at the back of my mind over the last couple of months that a year was the initial target and maybe that was an opportunity to dabble again but now that it's been and gone I can just get on with things. There were never any serious thoughts about going back to it full time, but could I pick a few nights and just drink then but:

1) Almost definitely not
2) Why would I, I still remember how shite the next mornings and days were.

I do still find it difficult to attend big piss ups and there is always the feeling that I'm missing out and losing mates but to be honest my life has moved away from that and I don't really want to be part of it. I've build up a whole new group of mates who I guess are more aligned with how I want my life to be going forward. Also worth saying though that the thought of attending these events is always much worse than the actual reality, it's usually fine and I'm quite happy to slip away earlier and enjoy the almost euphoria of waking up early the next day and feeling good and getting on with one of my numerous new pastimes.

All in all I'm really content with this path I've chosen and very comfortable with the decision that this isn't just a year, it's a whole lifestyle change.

That is an absolutely awesome post, Slick. Really chuffed for you.

[dpedin]

Well done guys!

I am on my regular three month break from all alcohol and enjoying it. Quit on 1st January and not had a drop since then. Lost nearly a stone in weight already, sleep patterns are better and resting heart rate (already very low) has dropped by about 10%. I will return to the odd drink come April but, as with last year, I am constantly amazed just what a bad impact alcohol has on my physical well being. My motivation is more about weight and fitness but as most folk will testify it is too easy to be the last one to realize that you're drinking too much! Another 52 days alcohol free to go!

[Kiwias]

dpedin

Great to hear that you are feeling the benefits of abstinence so quickly, as that makes it easier to continue either cutting it out altogether or cutting right down as you have chosen.

Well done, mate.

[Sandstorm]

Get food poisoning. You won’t want to go near a drink for days. Trust me.

[Enzedder]

Get food poisoning. You won’t want to go near a drink for days. Trust me.

I am currently battling strep throat. I don't even want food or coffee.

On a lighter note, I went to an AA meeting last night

AA Meeting.jpg (104.04 KiB) Viewed 3737 times

[dpedin]

Well done guys!

I am on my regular three month break from all alcohol and enjoying it. Quit on 1st January and not had a drop since then. Lost nearly a stone in weight already, sleep patterns are better and resting heart rate (already very low) has dropped by about 10%. I will return to the odd drink come April but, as with last year, I am constantly amazed just what a bad impact alcohol has on my physical well being. My motivation is more about weight and fitness but as most folk will testify it is too easy to be the last one to realize that you're drinking too much! Another 52 days alcohol free to go!

Almost 2 months, 58 days, done without alcohol. Not missed it at all despite 6Ns and being at a formal Dinner with free food and drink all night! Had a couple of Guiness 0% which was ok. Weight loss slowing down but lost about 16lbs so far, running at 2-3lbs a week loss which I reckon is sustainable until I hit my target weight. However working hard in the gym so expect a few lbs of muscle have been added. Trying to do 28 days of gym or 18 holes of golf everyday in February which I will do. Now into a rhythm with the changes and feeling much better for no alcohol, diet and fitness regime. Still sticking to diet and had no bread, pasta, potatoes and only a serving or two of rice since I started. Eating tons of vegetables/salads and chicken which I enjoy anyway, as long as I have it in bulk! Will check in at end of March.

NB - A good mate of mine was in need of a fairly urgent operation on his arm pre Xmas but was cancelled on the day as his blood sugars were too high. Surgeon said due to blood sugars and his obesity the risk of stroke, heart attack and poor wound management post op meant he couldn't go ahead. Already Type2 diabetic he was told lower the blood sugar or operation couldn't go ahead with resulting long term impact on his arm. It was the scare he needed and is now on a very low sugar diet which means no or very little alcohol. He hadn't appreciated, or chose to ignore more likely, the amount of sugar in beer/cider which was his tipple of choice. He has lost almost 2 stone since Xmas, got his sugars back under control and had his op earlier this week. He has surprised himself and hopefully will keep on the diet and low alcohol!

[Sandstorm]

Well done guys!

I am on my regular three month break from all alcohol and enjoying it. Quit on 1st January and not had a drop since then. Lost nearly a stone in weight already, sleep patterns are better and resting heart rate (already very low) has dropped by about 10%. I will return to the odd drink come April but, as with last year, I am constantly amazed just what a bad impact alcohol has on my physical well being. My motivation is more about weight and fitness but as most folk will testify it is too easy to be the last one to realize that you're drinking too much! Another 52 days alcohol free to go!

Almost 2 months, 58 days, done without alcohol. Not missed it at all despite 6Ns and being at a formal Dinner with free food and drink all night! Had a couple of Guiness 0% which was ok. Weight loss slowing down but lost about 16lbs so far, running at 2-3lbs a week loss which I reckon is sustainable until I hit my target weight. However working hard in the gym so expect a few lbs of muscle have been added. Trying to do 28 days of gym or 18 holes of golf everyday in February which I will do. Now into a rhythm with the changes and feeling much better for no alcohol, diet and fitness regime. Still sticking to diet and had no bread, pasta, potatoes and only a serving or two of rice since I started. Eating tons of vegetables/salads and chicken which I enjoy anyway, as long as I have it in bulk! Will check in at end of March.

NB - A good mate of mine was in need of a fairly urgent operation on his arm pre Xmas but was cancelled on the day as his blood sugars were too high. Surgeon said due to blood sugars and his obesity the risk of stroke, heart attack and poor wound management post op meant he couldn't go ahead. Already Type2 diabetic he was told lower the blood sugar or operation couldn't go ahead with resulting long term impact on his arm. It was the scare he needed and is now on a very low sugar diet which means no or very little alcohol. He hadn't appreciated, or chose to ignore more likely, the amount of sugar in beer/cider which was his tipple of choice. He has lost almost 2 stone since Xmas, got his sugars back under control and had his op earlier this week. He has surprised himself and hopefully will keep on the diet and low alcohol!

Good for you dpedin, well done!

We have a bird in the office who at 52 has been diagnosed as Type 2 and it scared the shit out of her. She's off the booze (3 different French Chardonnay importers have since gone bust) & sugars and 5 months later has lost 3 stone and is feeling great.

[Kiwias]

Almost 2 months, 58 days, done without alcohol. Not missed it at all despite 6Ns and being at a formal Dinner with free food and drink all night! Had a couple of Guiness 0% which was ok. Weight loss slowing down but lost about 16lbs so far, running at 2-3lbs a week loss which I reckon is sustainable until I hit my target weight. However working hard in the gym so expect a few lbs of muscle have been added. Trying to do 28 days of gym or 18 holes of golf everyday in February which I will do. Now into a rhythm with the changes and feeling much better for no alcohol, diet and fitness regime. Still sticking to diet and had no bread, pasta, potatoes and only a serving or two of rice since I started. Eating tons of vegetables/salads and chicken which I enjoy anyway, as long as I have it in bulk! Will check in at end of March.

NB - A good mate of mine was in need of a fairly urgent operation on his arm pre Xmas but was cancelled on the day as his blood sugars were too high. Surgeon said due to blood sugars and his obesity the risk of stroke, heart attack and poor wound management post op meant he couldn't go ahead. Already Type2 diabetic he was told lower the blood sugar or operation couldn't go ahead with resulting long term impact on his arm. It was the scare he needed and is now on a very low sugar diet which means no or very little alcohol. He hadn't appreciated, or chose to ignore more likely, the amount of sugar in beer/cider which was his tipple of choice. He has lost almost 2 stone since Xmas, got his sugars back under control and had his op earlier this week. He has surprised himself and hopefully will keep on the diet and low alcohol!

dpedin

Sounds all good so far, mate. Good news about your mate.