The booze-quittin' buddy thread!

[333]

Hey guys, sorry I didn't realise you had replied to my post!

I don't binge drink now to be honest, so just really a bottle of wine and maybe a beer a couple of times a month max, nothing too bad but just fancied going tee-total to try and improve my fitness as I'm back on the bike after a long lay off.

Its not an easy thing though when you have a social event, but nowadays with even only a few beers I feel like a dried out leaf the next day and what with the world cup AND Tour De France coming this summer!

Nevertheless I will stick to my guns!

 

[david k]

I have a funny feeling I will be quitting booze again in the morning

 

[Roscoe]

This weekend will mark 26 weeks/6 months since I stopped drinking.

That is a major achievement for someone that used to be able to get through 5 bottles of wine and 8 cans of beer a week, every week.

Loving being teetotal

 

[HLaB]

Well done Roscoe et al. I'll socially drink but can go for months or weeks without touching the stuff; its probably the only reason I'm not a fat sod given the amount of crap I eat

 

[petergc]

Hi all I'm also wanting in with this.

I stopped about two years ago for 6 months and again last year for at least 4. Once I got past the first 3 weeks it was easy. I don't understand myself as to why I started again. I quit full time smoking about 8 years ago but when I drink I find myself having the odd smoke, not all the time just every now and then. I then wake in the morning feeling dung.

I can't seem to go out, show my face, have a couple and come home, oh no, not me. I have to get completely wreaked. Then I come home wake up the whole house fall out with my wife because I snore. My drinking has really put stain on my home life and I feel now its time to knock it on the head for good.

I had my last drink a week ago when England lost, Yes it was a heavy one finished with a BANG!!

Wish me luck

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

I can't seem to go out, show my face, have a couple and come home, oh no, not me. I have to get completely wreaked.

I could never just have a couple either, didn't understand it. If I was out, then I was out! Although I do sometimes think about the fun times I had I certainly don't want to go back. I love the new non drinking lark. Keep with it, it's a good thing.

 

[brand]

In reply to your deleted post Brand, I don't blame everything on beer, but it wasn't helpful. I do regret drinking too much of it for 40 years, and it certainly did have a negative affect on many aspects of my life. I'm not sure that the 'pleasure' gained was actually worth the tens, hundreds of thousands £ spent over the years either.

Not the only thing that was deleted, I was for a while. The money you spent is not relevant only the negative effects. Sounds to me like you were drowning your sorrows? So in your case giving up is a must and cutting down is pointless. I go to the pub for a chat and the benefits of knowing people in a rural area. It can be very beneficial. I tried cycling with a trailer to collect firewood, okay for the odd bit close by. But when I looked at the pathetic pile after 5 rides 8 miles each way I decided better to find someone with a car/van and trailer. Result I have mainly heated my house with free wood for 6 years. As my central heating is LPG at least twice the cost of natural a massive saving. IE I once spent only £280 in 18 months on LPG as opposed to at least £1000+ in a year. I have even had people I have met in the pub deliver me wood for nowt. Sometimes I swap someone else's cooking apples for beer. Etc etc.
On the other hand... I could do with cutting down not because alcohol effects my health directly but sometimes when I have a little to much I have rather a lot of crashes. At the moment I am covered in nettle stings. Painful I can tell you!
Anyway stick with it alcohol is by no means bad for your health. In my case its good for my pocket!!

 

[brand]

I could never just have a couple either, didn't understand it. If I was out, then I was out! .

Uhmm bit like me. Although cycling 6 miles to the pub makes it considerable less likely that I will just stay for a few. No excuse on rounds as nobody does them.
Anyway I am going to stick with it and try and stick to 5 pints but over the whole night. Furthermore I will buy the weaker beer even think about buying one below 4% if they have one. And no Old Rosy 7.5% cider is thirst quencher when you get to the pub but to high as starter.

 

[brand]

Uhmm bit like me. Although cycling 6 miles to the pub makes it considerable less likely that I will just stay for a few. No excuse on rounds as nobody does them.
Anyway I am going to stick with it and try and stick to 5 pints but over the whole night. Furthermore I will buy the weaker beer even think about buying one below 4% if they have one. And no Old Rosy 7.5% cider is thirst quencher when you get to the pub but to high as starter.

Not doing bad. I Tell the landlord no more than 5 beers a night. He ignores me and sells me 6. Doesn't look good I know but I am definitely slowing down constantly keeping an eye on what I drink. We, the British have simply not got the hang of going to bar and drinking 10% beers and leaving sober. Like I saw Belgium. People will go to the pub and sit there all day nursing a beer. I am aiming for similar..... not the same but similar!

 

[david k]

Are we still sticking to this?

I've not managed it but have cut down a lot. I dont drink often but i drink too much, i started drinking at home around 10 years ago and found i like it, problem is (or maybe not) im not around people so cannot upset anyone, theres no filter to say enough is enough, so i keep drinking! I still have a drink at home now and then but have made the effort to do it far less, we drink with friends more now and this reduces my intake
i wouldnt be surprised if i have drank half of what i did by this time last year

 

[petergc]

Are we still sticking to this?

I've not managed it but have cut down a lot. I dont drink often but i drink too much, i started drinking at home around 10 years ago and found i like it, problem is (or maybe not) im not around people so cannot upset anyone, theres no filter to say enough is enough, so i keep drinking! I still have a drink at home now and then but have made the effort to do it far less, we drink with friends more now and this reduces my intake
i wouldnt be surprised if i have drank half of what i did by this time last year

I'm still a non drinker. Since the 21st June, haven't had a drop, and recently went on holiday. I thought it would be hard but I actually found it a lot easier. I think once you've broken the habit then it's easy !

 

[ColinJ]

That is 2 years for me now!

Every now and then I miss the booze, but overall I feel much better without it.

 

[Kevoffthetee]

Drinking is my only vice but I'm open to a spell without. Has anyone replaced it with anything like snacking, caffeine etc

"This response is brought to you by a fuzzy head following 2 bottles of Rioja"

 

[brand]

Are we still sticking to this?

I've not managed it but have cut down a lot. I dont drink often but i drink too much, i started drinking at home around 10 years ago and found i like it, problem is (or maybe not) im not around people so cannot upset anyone, theres no filter to say enough is enough, so i keep drinking! I still have a drink at home now and then but have made the effort to do it far less, we drink with friends more now and this reduces my intake
i wouldnt be surprised if i have drank half of what i did by this time last year

Haven't been out for 10 days had to go to Manchester to see my old dear and I couldn't be arsed when I got back. BUT was drinking at mums house not much. A couple of pints a night. When I got back bottled some Sloe cider and some cyser (cider with honey). Only had 2 a night but they were powerful. Must have passed the 10% mark. Slept well!!
Pub today checked my receipts landlords a right liar he sells me 7/8 pints a night. He just cannot think long term. If I crash there is a good chance I will miss a day or 2!!!

 

[talisman50082]

Gave up the booze 5 years. Used to drink for one reason only to get pissed. Never enjoyed " a pint". Gave up smoking over 2 years ago. Now im addicted to exercise lol, with its inevitable aches and pains.