Alcohol, hints, tips, advice etc.

[crublue1]

Wow ma
Wow mate

Welcome to our world.
Where alcohol is your best friend, and your worst enemy.
But your enemy is better than your best friend, he has total control over your mind, body and at times, your mortality, and sometimes, even your morality.
He makes you hate the people you love, this friend you keep secret. He has you in his grip and you can't let go because he's you're best friend, but also your worst enemy remember.
He's clever. Very clever. Cleverer than you, he briefly shares it with you, when he has you in his vice like grip and he makes you feel invincible, top of the world, a man amongst men, a hero.
Then he leaves you, this best friend, this shoulder to cry on, this thing you thought you could rely on.
And all that's left in the morning is a head that needs a friend.
And guess who comes fucking knocking.
We keep opening that door.
That's it really..
Don't answer the door.
I wish it were that easy

 

[Zubrman]

Don't answer the door.
I wish it were that easy

It can be easy but you have to really want that door kept shut, as it is only you who can open it. Your evil friend can not open it without your help. You control the situation.

 

[Avenue Blue]

Welcome to our world.
Where alcohol is your best friend, and your worst enemy.
But your enemy is better than your best friend, he has total control over your mind, body and at times, your mortality, and sometimes, even your morality.
He makes you hate the people you love, this friend you keep secret. He has you in his grip and you can't let go because he's you're best friend, but also your worst enemy remember.
He's clever. Very clever. Cleverer than you, he briefly shares it with you, when he has you in his vice like grip and he makes you feel invincible, top of the world, a man amongst men, a hero.
Then he leaves you, this best friend, this shoulder to cry on, this thing you thought you could rely on.
And all that's left in the morning is a head that needs a friend.
And guess who comes fucking knocking.
We keep opening that door.
That's it really..
Don't answer the door.
I wish it were that easy

Be fucking strong mate. This time of year can be really challenging with social events and alcohol almost rubbed in your face.

Also a great time of year to set up some new habits and hobbies. Getting out on a walk always helps me, even if it's only for 10 or 15 minutes at a time. Clears any of the shite thoughts and impulses.

Cold water immersion and open water swimming is another good one I started doing back in March. That is the best antidepressant I've ever found and a better high than a pint. Just been to a lake over in Cheshire to get my fix and it's really lifted my mood. It's turned into something I can't live without doing a few times a week.

 

[BlueHammer85]

Fortunately i don't have a drinking issue

but this year i've really been hitting it hard with my pals, will go pub till closing and then back to someones kicthen and carry on

as i'm getting older i've realised i just can not sustain this

so.. i'm knocking these nights out on the head. simply have to.

got a 2 year old and another on the way and feeling like sh*t for days after a night out is the worst

I'm happier when i don't have hangovers, feel fresh, go for runs etc.

- I do constantly feel pressured to be going out, would say every day on watsapp groups there is mates asking who's about or mentioning there going pub etc, it is tempting but just have to ignore it.

 

[BlueHammer85]

Anyone else doing dry January? Post on here if you are (if you want) it may help and encourage me and others. Share your thoughts, highs and lows etc.
Otherwise it will just be me reporting on a daily basis, and trust me, you don't want that ;-)

Yep, have done this for years.

Drank so much over xmas and feel crap. can't wait to have a month off it.

 

[heslops barnet]

I'm not an alcoholic, but I definitely was a binge drinker with a really poor relationship with booze.

Other than the amount of time you win back without it (seriously, you don't realise how much time you lose whilst pissed and on autopilot for days after), you realise things about yourself and your personality.

I've been out a fair few times sober this year, and realised some of my problem was a bit of social anxiety. I'm quite a chatty person but the need to almost have a prop in my hand like a pint or a cigarette. Quite a fast drinker so that can turn into a 20 or 30 drink night on the piss. Now I'll have 3 or 4 pints of diet coke and be ready for my bed. You do become the taxi service home for your mates though.

One thing I hated when drinking (I only drinked to excess, blackout drunk or none at all), was the feeling of dread the days after a session when you're piecing together what you've said and done around people you know. I got that same feeling of dread walking back to the car after a sober do last week. That must be years of binge drinking that's conditioned me to feel like that.

You maintain your authenticity and your dignity when you have control of your sobriety. That allows decent relationships to flourish and not so decent ones to die out. As I say, by no means am I an alcoholic but I did have a poor relationship with it. 12 months ago I was feeling like a kid opening their Christmas presents when I had a pint of Guinness in front of me, and trawling pubs after last orders for "one more beer mate, come on". Quite proud of the progress I've made and feel quite confident saying I'll never have a drink again in my life.

Binge drinking is a form of alcoholism, people who say I’m not an alcoholic just a binge drinker are in denial…….

 

[Indaparkside]

Going on the piss today limited it from 7 days to 6 now a week:)

 

[Ilovehappyendings]

Interesting to hear the views on binge drinking.

I am definitely all or nothing. I can go days, weeks, months without a drink. And have the willpower to do it. But if I have a beer, I'm having 15. Or I open a bottle of wine it's getting finished.

Id like to have the ability to just have 2 and call it quits.

 

[heslops barnet]

Interesting to hear the views on binge drinking.

I am definitely all or nothing. I can go days, weeks, months without a drink. And have the willpower to do it. But if I have a beer, I'm having 15. Or I open a bottle of wine it's getting finished.

Id like to have the ability to just have 2 and call it quits.

There lies the problem……..all or nothing……1 to many 10 not enough ….

 

[Avenue Blue]

Binge drinking is a form of alcoholism, people who say I’m not an alcoholic just a binge drinker are in denial…….

For me it's probably more of a guilt or feeling unworthy of calling myself an alcoholic when I know loads of other people are struggling way worse than I was. It's a form of self-harm really drinking when you don't want to, or overdrinking.