NPR

C69 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 25, 2022 6:51 pm Enjoying a Christmas drink today. Not getting shit faced, just having a few drinks.
This for me is a massive, huge positive. I am in total control.
This feels very different and knowing that I can now moderate my drinking and know when enough is enough is a massive break though.
Sorry for the selve indulgence but it means a lot to share and I wasn't sure if I could manage juts a few drinks.

C69 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 25, 2022 6:51 pm Enjoying a Christmas drink today. Not getting shit faced, just having a few drinks.
This for me is a massive, huge positive. I am in total control.
This feels very different and knowing that I can now moderate my drinking and know when enough is enough is a massive break though.
Sorry for the selve indulgence but it means a lot to share and I wasn't sure if I could manage juts a few drinks.

Kiwias wrote: ↑Sun Dec 25, 2022 11:40 pm

C69 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 25, 2022 6:51 pm Enjoying a Christmas drink today. Not getting shit faced, just having a few drinks.
This for me is a massive, huge positive. I am in total control.
This feels very different and knowing that I can now moderate my drinking and know when enough is enough is a massive break though.
Sorry for the selve indulgence but it means a lot to share and I wasn't sure if I could manage juts a few drinks.

Good to hear. Not wishing to sound a negative note but please be aware that managing a few drinks can lead to confidence in your ability to control the booze, meaning you can convince yourself to have just another one "seeing how it is under control".

Wishing you good luck.

C69 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 26, 2022 5:17 pm

Kiwias wrote: ↑Sun Dec 25, 2022 11:40 pm

C69 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 25, 2022 6:51 pm Enjoying a Christmas drink today. Not getting shit faced, just having a few drinks.
This for me is a massive, huge positive. I am in total control.
This feels very different and knowing that I can now moderate my drinking and know when enough is enough is a massive break though.
Sorry for the selve indulgence but it means a lot to share and I wasn't sure if I could manage juts a few drinks.

Good to hear. Not wishing to sound a negative note but please be aware that managing a few drinks can lead to confidence in your ability to control the booze, meaning you can convince yourself to have just another one "seeing how it is under control".

Wishing you good luck.

Thanks, I know I need to work at it and will never be in the place I was 2 years ago. My family are too important for me to fall into my previous ways.
I respect your opinion and you are a real rock.
Tnaks for your insight.

Ymx wrote: ↑Sun Jan 01, 2023 1:20 am Happy New Year guys !

I’m looking at hitting 1000 days in May I just worked out.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Fri Jan 06, 2023 3:03 pm I had "just the one" towards the beginning of December and it took off from there - no bad behaviour or blackouts - those were never my thing anyway, just a ton of alcohol, the bottle of single malt that I opened on Christmas day was finished by New Years eve and that was just a smidgeon of what I drank.
4 am on New Years Day I put a lid on it.

So if I count Sunday, this is day six and so far only my sleep is playing up - I have no urge to drink alcohol and will definitely complete Dry January for starters

I’m walking much more and doing half an hour each evening on the static bike which has been covered with stuff in the spare room for a couple of years.
I put a lap top on the table in front of it and watch cycling videos – so far this week I’ve cycled along the California coast, though mountainous Norwegian terrain, through Manhattan and last night I biked along the Seine, across one of the large bridges and up to the Eiffel Tower.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Fri Jan 06, 2023 3:03 pm I had "just the one" towards the beginning of December and it took off from there - no bad behaviour or blackouts - those were never my thing anyway, just a ton of alcohol, the bottle of single malt that I opened on Christmas day was finished by New Years eve and that was just a smidgeon of what I drank.
4 am on New Years Day I put a lid on it.

So if I count Sunday, this is day six and so far only my sleep is playing up - I have no urge to drink alcohol and will definitely complete Dry January for starters

I’m walking much more and doing half an hour each evening on the static bike which has been covered with stuff in the spare room for a couple of years.
I put a lap top on the table in front of it and watch cycling videos – so far this week I’ve cycled along the California coast, though mountainous Norwegian terrain, through Manhattan and last night I biked along the Seine, across one of the large bridges and up to the Eiffel Tower.

Monkey Magic wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 12:59 am Great work Kiwias- going by the PR threads I can imagine you've helped innumerable people on their own journey in that time as well

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Nov 18, 2022 12:08 pm

Kiwias wrote: ↑Fri Nov 18, 2022 3:58 am The truth is that other people don't care whether or not you are drinking alcohol anywhere near as much as you think they will.

This, this , this. If anything, you get people quietly approaching you asking how you are finding it and telling your their story.

Ymx wrote: ↑Sat Jan 14, 2023 1:56 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Nov 18, 2022 12:08 pm

Kiwias wrote: ↑Fri Nov 18, 2022 3:58 am The truth is that other people don't care whether or not you are drinking alcohol anywhere near as much as you think they will.

This, this , this. If anything, you get people quietly approaching you asking how you are finding it and telling your their story.

How are the dips going Slick? You still partaking?

The cold showers when on full cold feels like it’s burning at the moment. But I’m out of form.

Ymx wrote: ↑Sat Jan 14, 2023 1:56 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Nov 18, 2022 12:08 pm

Kiwias wrote: ↑Fri Nov 18, 2022 3:58 am The truth is that other people don't care whether or not you are drinking alcohol anywhere near as much as you think they will.

This, this , this. If anything, you get people quietly approaching you asking how you are finding it and telling your their story.

How are the dips going Slick? You still partaking?

The cold showers when on full cold feels like it’s burning at the moment. But I’m out of form.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Fri Jan 06, 2023 3:03 pm I had "just the one" towards the beginning of December and it took off from there - no bad behaviour or blackouts - those were never my thing anyway, just a ton of alcohol, the bottle of single malt that I opened on Christmas day was finished by New Years eve and that was just a smidgeon of what I drank.
4 am on New Years Day I put a lid on it.

So if I count Sunday, this is day six and so far only my sleep is playing up - I have no urge to drink alcohol and will definitely complete Dry January for starters

I’m walking much more and doing half an hour each evening on the static bike which has been covered with stuff in the spare room for a couple of years.
I put a lap top on the table in front of it and watch cycling videos – so far this week I’ve cycled along the California coast, though mountainous Norwegian terrain, through Manhattan and last night I biked along the Seine, across one of the large bridges and up to the Eiffel Tower.

Ymx wrote: ↑Sat Jan 14, 2023 6:47 pm 5 !!!

I tried to measure the shower temp, and it was about 14. But I was using a meat thermometer so don’t know the accuracy. So that’s probably tepid to you!!

I’m not worthy.

5 degrees. That’s nuts.

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Jan 14, 2023 6:55 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Fri Jan 06, 2023 3:03 pm I had "just the one" towards the beginning of December and it took off from there - no bad behaviour or blackouts - those were never my thing anyway, just a ton of alcohol, the bottle of single malt that I opened on Christmas day was finished by New Years eve and that was just a smidgeon of what I drank.
4 am on New Years Day I put a lid on it.

So if I count Sunday, this is day six and so far only my sleep is playing up - I have no urge to drink alcohol and will definitely complete Dry January for starters

I’m walking much more and doing half an hour each evening on the static bike which has been covered with stuff in the spare room for a couple of years.
I put a lap top on the table in front of it and watch cycling videos – so far this week I’ve cycled along the California coast, though mountainous Norwegian terrain, through Manhattan and last night I biked along the Seine, across one of the large bridges and up to the Eiffel Tower.

Well done mate. I’ve been dreading coming back to this thread but this has cheered me up

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Jan 14, 2023 6:55 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Fri Jan 06, 2023 3:03 pm I had "just the one" towards the beginning of December and it took off from there - no bad behaviour or blackouts - those were never my thing anyway, just a ton of alcohol, the bottle of single malt that I opened on Christmas day was finished by New Years eve and that was just a smidgeon of what I drank.
4 am on New Years Day I put a lid on it.

So if I count Sunday, this is day six and so far only my sleep is playing up - I have no urge to drink alcohol and will definitely complete Dry January for starters

I’m walking much more and doing half an hour each evening on the static bike which has been covered with stuff in the spare room for a couple of years.
I put a lap top on the table in front of it and watch cycling videos – so far this week I’ve cycled along the California coast, though mountainous Norwegian terrain, through Manhattan and last night I biked along the Seine, across one of the large bridges and up to the Eiffel Tower.

Well done mate. I’ve been dreading coming back to this thread but this has cheered me up

Ymx wrote: ↑Sat Jan 14, 2023 7:09 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Jan 14, 2023 6:55 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Fri Jan 06, 2023 3:03 pm I had "just the one" towards the beginning of December and it took off from there - no bad behaviour or blackouts - those were never my thing anyway, just a ton of alcohol, the bottle of single malt that I opened on Christmas day was finished by New Years eve and that was just a smidgeon of what I drank.
4 am on New Years Day I put a lid on it.

So if I count Sunday, this is day six and so far only my sleep is playing up - I have no urge to drink alcohol and will definitely complete Dry January for starters

I’m walking much more and doing half an hour each evening on the static bike which has been covered with stuff in the spare room for a couple of years.
I put a lap top on the table in front of it and watch cycling videos – so far this week I’ve cycled along the California coast, though mountainous Norwegian terrain, through Manhattan and last night I biked along the Seine, across one of the large bridges and up to the Eiffel Tower.

Well done mate. I’ve been dreading coming back to this thread but this has cheered me up

You really shouldn’t have been … Christ.

Everyone is in a different boat. We are all just muddling through this life, and we have a common realisation. Booze has adversely affected us and we are keen to make a lifestyle change because of it.

No judging on this thread.

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Jan 14, 2023 6:58 pm

Ymx wrote: ↑Sat Jan 14, 2023 6:47 pm 5 !!!

I tried to measure the shower temp, and it was about 14. But I was using a meat thermometer so don’t know the accuracy. So that’s probably tepid to you!!

I’m not worthy.

5 degrees. That’s nuts.

Apparently it gets to its coldest at the end of Feb but I can’t see it getting much lower than this in the sea.

The lochs are a couple of degrees colder and some of them froze over near Christmas- some of the guys cut a hole and did a dip… was quite jealous

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Jan 14, 2023 6:55 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Fri Jan 06, 2023 3:03 pm I had "just the one" towards the beginning of December and it took off from there - no bad behaviour or blackouts - those were never my thing anyway, just a ton of alcohol, the bottle of single malt that I opened on Christmas day was finished by New Years eve and that was just a smidgeon of what I drank.
4 am on New Years Day I put a lid on it.

So if I count Sunday, this is day six and so far only my sleep is playing up - I have no urge to drink alcohol and will definitely complete Dry January for starters

I’m walking much more and doing half an hour each evening on the static bike which has been covered with stuff in the spare room for a couple of years.
I put a lap top on the table in front of it and watch cycling videos – so far this week I’ve cycled along the California coast, though mountainous Norwegian terrain, through Manhattan and last night I biked along the Seine, across one of the large bridges and up to the Eiffel Tower.

Well done mate. I’ve been dreading coming back to this thread but this has cheered me up

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Jan 14, 2023 7:17 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Jan 14, 2023 6:55 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Fri Jan 06, 2023 3:03 pm I had "just the one" towards the beginning of December and it took off from there - no bad behaviour or blackouts - those were never my thing anyway, just a ton of alcohol, the bottle of single malt that I opened on Christmas day was finished by New Years eve and that was just a smidgeon of what I drank.
4 am on New Years Day I put a lid on it.

So if I count Sunday, this is day six and so far only my sleep is playing up - I have no urge to drink alcohol and will definitely complete Dry January for starters

I’m walking much more and doing half an hour each evening on the static bike which has been covered with stuff in the spare room for a couple of years.
I put a lap top on the table in front of it and watch cycling videos – so far this week I’ve cycled along the California coast, though mountainous Norwegian terrain, through Manhattan and last night I biked along the Seine, across one of the large bridges and up to the Eiffel Tower.

Well done mate. I’ve been dreading coming back to this thread but this has cheered me up

Cheers Slick, day 14 now and I've no urge to drink alcohol - I thought watching rugby would be tough but it's not.

I have developed a taste for Fever Tree tonic with ice and lemon and that does me fine.

Kiwias is a bit of an inspiration, I have to say.
Though 19 years seems like a huge mountain, I'm just not going to drink today.

Kiwias wrote: ↑Sun Jan 15, 2023 12:18 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Jan 14, 2023 6:55 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Fri Jan 06, 2023 3:03 pm I had "just the one" towards the beginning of December and it took off from there - no bad behaviour or blackouts - those were never my thing anyway, just a ton of alcohol, the bottle of single malt that I opened on Christmas day was finished by New Years eve and that was just a smidgeon of what I drank.
4 am on New Years Day I put a lid on it.

So if I count Sunday, this is day six and so far only my sleep is playing up - I have no urge to drink alcohol and will definitely complete Dry January for starters

I’m walking much more and doing half an hour each evening on the static bike which has been covered with stuff in the spare room for a couple of years.
I put a lap top on the table in front of it and watch cycling videos – so far this week I’ve cycled along the California coast, though mountainous Norwegian terrain, through Manhattan and last night I biked along the Seine, across one of the large bridges and up to the Eiffel Tower.

Well done mate. I’ve been dreading coming back to this thread but this has cheered me up

slick

Everybody is welcome here, regardless of their back story or any recent mishaps. Good to see you again.

Slick wrote: ↑Sun Jan 15, 2023 3:06 pm

Kiwias wrote: ↑Sun Jan 15, 2023 12:18 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Jan 14, 2023 6:55 pm

Well done mate. I’ve been dreading coming back to this thread but this has cheered me up

slick

Everybody is welcome here, regardless of their back story or any recent mishaps. Good to see you again.

Thanks mate, I know.

Genuinely loved the 5 months without it and agonised over dropping it for the 3 weeks. Not sure I massively regret it but very pleased to be back off it

Canes4Eva wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 1:30 am Belated happy new year & all the best for 2023 to you all

After falling off the wagon late Nov/early Dec I somehow got to the stage where I don't miss the booze at all, and the physical health benefits are starting to show.
In terms of mental health it's a lot more challenging for me. Facing up to some not so pleasant realities instead of self-medicating. Definitely the better option though.

yermum wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 6:14 pm

Spoiler

Show

A very inspiring thread and Kiwias you really do give a lot to folk through your posts on it.

I haven't felt that it is an appropriate place for me to post until recently.

My journey is slightly different to quitting the bottle.

I would describe myself as having been a regular drinker.

I would drink three beers four times a week or so, with regular weeks off.

Misspent youth showed me the folly of heavy binging and that hasn't been a feature of my drinking for a while.

I felt that despite the obvious damage to health such regular imbibing could cause I felt I didn't have a "problem" per se.

Over the last 18 months both of my daughters have been diagnosed with ADHD and have started to use medication to manage the symptoms.

Given the genetic component of ADHD (74% heritability) and the slightly concerning number of "traits" I display I got myself tested.

I am now taking stimulant meds to help with production and retention of dopamine and norepinephrine in my brain.

This has completely got rid of any desire to drink alcohol this is a good thing as they dont mix well with booze.

Turns out that undiagnosed ADHD folk have much much higher rates of addiction (various forms booze drugs gambling etc). I feel that I have dodged a bullet.

Anyway best of luck to everyone on there own personal journey

Canes4Eva wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:57 pm Thanks Kiwias, really appreciate what you are doing for all of us here.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Tue Jan 31, 2023 12:33 pm Well, unless I spectacularly fall off the wagon tonight, unlikely on a Tuesday evening when I'm not going anywhere, that's Dry January done and dusted.

I'm going to keep it going for February. My sleep took ages to adjust, three weeks, but it's getting there.

I've found a new drink that I love for the weekend - sinless gin (ha! I typed ginless gin and it autocorrected to sinless, I'll leave it there), tonic, a couple of drops of Angostura bitters, ice and lemon.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Tue Jan 31, 2023 12:33 pm Well, unless I spectacularly fall off the wagon tonight, unlikely on a Tuesday evening when I'm not going anywhere, that's Dry January done and dusted.

I'm going to keep it going for February. My sleep took ages to adjust, three weeks, but it's getting there.

I've found a new drink that I love for the weekend - sinless gin (ha! I typed ginless gin and it autocorrected to sinless, I'll leave it there), tonic, a couple of drops of Angostura bitters, ice and lemon.