Alcohol, hints, tips, advice etc.

[bluemanchester]

About 12 years ago I had to wait for an op and couldn't drink whilst waiting, had the op and couldn't drink for a couple of months till I healed inside. I was off it for about 10 months and when I was told it was ok to drink I thought why bother, I enjoyed the bright mornings, the extra energy being able to get in the car anytime. I stayed off it until a couple of months into covid. Now I enjoy a drink but in moderation. Since I started after covid I have probably being drunk about 3 times and after always wonder why I got drunk as the next day is wasted and one I wont get back. So my message is stick with it, avoid temptation, avoid mates who won't respect your decision and you will come to realise you dont have to drink to have a good time. Then when your ready, and you will know the time, you can enjoy the occasional tipple and be able to walk away when and for how long you decide. Break the habit, avoid temptation, keep the willpower strong and you will be ok. Good luck to everybody who jumps on the wagon.

 

[bluegirl74]

About 12 years ago I had to wait for an op and couldn't drink whilst waiting, had the op and couldn't drink for a couple of months till I healed inside. I was off it for about 10 months and when I was told it was ok to drink I thought why bother, I enjoyed the bright mornings, the extra energy being able to get in the car anytime. I stayed off it until a couple of months into covid. Now I enjoy a drink but in moderation. Since I started after covid I have probably being drunk about 3 times and after always wonder why I got drunk as the next day is wasted and one I wont get back. So my message is stick with it, avoid temptation, avoid mates who won't respect your decision and you will come to realise you dont have to drink to have a good time. Then when your ready, and you will know the time, you can enjoy the occasional tipple and be able to walk away when and for how long you decide. Break the habit, avoid temptation, keep the willpower strong and you will be ok. Good luck to everybody who jumps on the wagon.

Great, inspiring post and well done to you, but I will take issue with one aspect of.

For some people (me included) moderation just isn't a possibility. I'm all or nothing. I was exceptionally good at drinking when I used to do it, and now it turns out that I'm pretty good at not drinking.

But I was never (and suspect I won't ever) be very good at having one or two now and then.

The constant decision making and bargaining and justification from trying to moderate intake is simply more difficult that just saying no to the first drink could ever be.

 

[SK14BLUE]

About 12 years ago I had to wait for an op and couldn't drink whilst waiting, had the op and couldn't drink for a couple of months till I healed inside. I was off it for about 10 months and when I was told it was ok to drink I thought why bother, I enjoyed the bright mornings, the extra energy being able to get in the car anytime. I stayed off it until a couple of months into covid. Now I enjoy a drink but in moderation. Since I started after covid I have probably being drunk about 3 times and after always wonder why I got drunk as the next day is wasted and one I wont get back. So my message is stick with it, avoid temptation, avoid mates who won't respect your decision and you will come to realise you dont have to drink to have a good time. Then when your ready, and you will know the time, you can enjoy the occasional tipple and be able to walk away when and for how long you decide. Break the habit, avoid temptation, keep the willpower strong and you will be ok. Good luck to everybody who jumps on the wagon.

Avoid mates who won’t respect your decision is so true. They’d love to be able to do it but haven’t the mindset. Keep up the good work everyone .

 

[blue44]

It can take a while for the physical benefits to show. Especially if you've been drinking quite a bit for quite a while.
Can I ask, would you be trying to cut out alcohol if you hadn't been given an ultimation? Is this something that you're doing for you or because someone else wants this?
I only ask as the prospects of you commiting to it, having the mindset to recognise the positives, and ultimately succeeding, are far better if you're doing this because you recognise that its the right thing at the right time for you.

Its for those reasons you cite and more actually.
The ultimatum from my mrs was the ultimate reason to stop,something I'v been thinking about for years,especially with my age ,late 50's.
Iv said to myself i would stop completely one day but Iv never comitted 100%,so its just dragged on and continued,I'm starting to realise how daft its all been,even though i knew that all along,if that makes sense !
Its just been a ridiculous habit that I'v fallen into and I'm starting to see breaking the habit isn't that bad,I can get by without drinking myself into a drunken zombiefied state.
I miss it so much even though its stupid and achieves nothing.
Iv just got home from work now and my natural instinct is to drink,through force of habit I guess.

 

[bluegirl74]

Its for those reasons you cite and more actually.
The ultimatum from my mrs was the ultimate reason to stop,something I'v been thinking about for years,especially with my age ,late 50's.
Iv said to myself i would stop completely one day but Iv never comitted 100%,so its just dragged on and continued,I'm starting to realise how daft its all been,even though i knew that all along,if that makes sense !
Its just been a ridiculous habit that I'v fallen into and I'm starting to see breaking the habit isn't that bad,I can get by without drinking myself into a drunken zombiefied state.
I miss it so much even though its stupid and achieves nothing.
Iv just got home from work now and my natural instinct is to drink,through force of habit I guess.

I get it completely.

I'd wanted to stop, and knew that I needed to stop for a few years before I did. But when I did stop it, the timing of the decision was primarily down to wanting to show someone else that they too could stop, and would have my absolute support if they really wanted to and put their mind to it.

I think it's natural to miss it, and think about what you're "missing out on" so I try to remember to think about all the good things I've gained through not drinking than what I'm "missing".

 

[Grassland Blue]

I reached a point where I wasn't really enjoying drinking and my bodys' demand for it had ebbed away.
So in June '22, on my 64th birthday, I stopped.
In September I went on a pre- arranged jolly to Europe for a week and had a few drinks during my time there. I have had just 2 pints (on seperate occasions) since my return.
There are certain beers which I do enjoy and if the opportunity presents itself, I will certainly partake. I will not, however, actively seek them out.
The position I have taken, assuring myself that somewhere along the line I will have a couple of pints, has definitely helped me resist temptation.

 

[blue44]

Great, inspiring post and well done to you, but I will take issue with one aspect of.

For some people (me included) moderation just isn't a possibility. I'm all or nothing. I was exceptionally good at drinking when I used to do it, and now it turns out that I'm pretty good at not drinking.

But I was never (and suspect I won't ever) be very good at having one or two now and then.

The constant decision making and bargaining and justification from trying to moderate intake is simply more difficult that just saying no to the first drink could ever be.

All or nothing
That was me to a tee
Me and my mrs both working through covid made me worse the last few years.
I know it will be " nothing " from now on for me.

 

[Man_City_Loyal]

nearly 4 years no booze.. its great.

 

[MCFC Wirral]

All or nothing
That was me to a tee
Me and my mrs both working through covid made me worse the last few years.
I know it will be " nothing " from now on for me.

If you do still yearn for a drink then is professional help a route you could take?

We’ll have 1800 in Split on Saturday for Croatia v Wales. Knowing the Welsh, there’ll be some sights but most of us are pretty conservative characters so it’ll be good and drink somewhere away from the party.

 

[Zubrman]

A year and a half for me today. It gets easier and easier and I really feel good. Not showing off, just trying to put out more positives for those struggling. Keep strong, it's worth it.