Alcohol, hints, tips, advice etc.

Been following this topic for a while, and there's some really helpful and inspirational posts in here that I'm thankful for reading.

I've been slowly coming to the conclusion that I have a problem with alcohol. I've probably had a drink most days over the course of the last 16/17 years (since university basically). For the most part, a couple of beers on a weekday, then anywhere between 4 to 8 pints on a Friday and on a Saturday. I always said to myself that it was OK, and figured I was perfectly in control of it, and was simply making a choice to drink because I enjoyed it, not because I was craving it.

During periods of high stress, my weekday consumption would almost always increase, and then I'd reign it in again a bit (but not stop). Over the last 18 months, with the lockdowns, that alcohol intake has probably doubled. Weekday evenings easily Knocking back 4,5,6 beers, and god knows how much at the weekends. Working from home, and not having to drive in the mornings definitely impacted my attitude towards how much I was allowing myself to drink. I started noticing that sometimes I was opening a beer when I didn't even really want one. Kind of forcing it down and then feeling like absolute crap. Put on about 2.5 stone, blood pressure shot up (apparently far too high for a 36 Yr old), mood all over the place.

After reading posts in here, and the William Porter book (which really resonated a lot) I thought I'd test myself out and see how I got on without the booze for a bit. Did a couple of weeks without any, and after about a week noticed my sleep dramatically improved. I hadn't actually realised how bad sleep had been before. Swapped out an evening beer for an evening kombucha, which was actually alright too. Lost almost half a stone in those two weeks aswell. Blood pressure readings come right down (though I did also start meds for that). Got back into the gym a bit, and started using the usual drinking time to be more productive. Then yesterday, went to the match, was on the beer all day as per usual, slept terribly, and feel dreadful and irritable today. I hadn't realised what impact drinking was having on how I felt and behaved.

Stupid thing is, I have a bone marrow disorder, and while I'm 'allowed' to drink, the docs always advise in moderation. Time to re-evaluate and change this relationship with the booze.
 
Crabbers said:
Been following this topic for a while, and there's some really helpful and inspirational posts in here that I'm thankful for reading.

I've been slowly coming to the conclusion that I have a problem with alcohol. I've probably had a drink most days over the course of the last 16/17 years (since university basically). For the most part, a couple of beers on a weekday, then anywhere between 4 to 8 pints on a Friday and on a Saturday. I always said to myself that it was OK, and figured I was perfectly in control of it, and was simply making a choice to drink because I enjoyed it, not because I was craving it.

During periods of high stress, my weekday consumption would almost always increase, and then I'd reign it in again a bit (but not stop). Over the last 18 months, with the lockdowns, that alcohol intake has probably doubled. Weekday evenings easily Knocking back 4,5,6 beers, and god knows how much at the weekends. Working from home, and not having to drive in the mornings definitely impacted my attitude towards how much I was allowing myself to drink. I started noticing that sometimes I was opening a beer when I didn't even really want one. Kind of forcing it down and then feeling like absolute crap. Put on about 2.5 stone, blood pressure shot up (apparently far too high for a 36 Yr old), mood all over the place.

After reading posts in here, and the William Porter book (which really resonated a lot) I thought I'd test myself out and see how I got on without the booze for a bit. Did a couple of weeks without any, and after about a week noticed my sleep dramatically improved. I hadn't actually realised how bad sleep had been before. Swapped out an evening beer for an evening kombucha, which was actually alright too. Lost almost half a stone in those two weeks aswell. Blood pressure readings come right down (though I did also start meds for that). Got back into the gym a bit, and started using the usual drinking time to be more productive. Then yesterday, went to the match, was on the beer all day as per usual, slept terribly, and feel dreadful and irritable today. I hadn't realised what impact drinking was having on how I felt and behaved.

Stupid thing is, I have a bone marrow disorder, and while I'm 'allowed' to drink, the docs always advise in moderation. Time to re-evaluate and change this relationship with the booze.
Click to expand...
Acknowledging the problem is the first step to addressing it. Hope you get it under control and get yourself back on track health wise.
 
MadchesterCity said:
www.healthline.com

Sober October: Rules, Benefits, and More

Ready for a booze break? Sober October might be just what you’re looking for.
www.healthline.com www.healthline.com

Anyone participating or just see this as a gimmick?
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Bit of both, definitely a bit gimmicky as most people will do it then celebrate by getting twatted

I’ve done it before and found it useful. Opened my eyes to the benefits of not drinking (better sleep, saved a fortune, lost weight etc) so it’s well worth a go for some, good place to start if you’re worried about how much you’re drinking (people in general, not you!)
 
mike1923 said:
Bit of both, definitely a bit gimmicky as most people will do it then celebrate by getting twatted

I’ve done it before and found it useful. Opened my eyes to the benefits of not drinking (better sleep, saved a fortune, lost weight etc) so it’s well worth a go for some, good place to start if you’re worried about how much you’re drinking (people in general, not you!)
Click to expand...
I'm thinking to do it this year, not for charity but for myself, if I go to the end of October that will be 85 days no booze
 
The alcohol free lager option has been a great addition to my life. Similar to others, I have times where I drink too much. Having an alcohol free beer is now a viable option and I'm not under 20 units a week for the first time in ages. A few (alcoholic) beers on a Saturday & that's it. Feel loads better and just as importantly I haven't got that nagging concern at the back of my mind
 
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