Life without alcohol

[5 Hit Gibbon]

How did you go about giving up ?
I’d love to never have a drink again but I don’t think that’ll ever happen , moderation is the key but it’s getting to that point of having enough and stopping instead of carrying on

I would say I was a functioning alcoholic. I wasn't putting gin on my cornflakes and never missed work. But I drank every night after work and all weekend. I was easily doing over 200 units a week and if going on a session on the weekend way more than that.

I used to sometimes get weird panic attacks that I was going to die if I didn't change my ways. I had tried to pack it in many times but always had an excuse not to stick with it. Not really sure what was different that time but I just decided that was it and thankfully something clicked in my brain. I did contact my GP and they were talking about maybe needing medication, so that I didn't have withdrawl symptoms and he told me not to just stop, but I thought that if I keep drinking and tring to ween myself off it I'd never stop. So I didn't take their advice or the medication. I did get referred to a treatment centre to attend two group cognitive therapy sessions a week, for people with alcohol & substance abuse issues. To be honest they didn't help in the way intended but did help in the sense that I went to a few and thought I don't want to end up like the people there, somehow that just convinced me to stay off it. Some of the people in the sessions really were in a bad way sadly and were actually at rock bottom.

 

[BlueMoonday]

In the past couple of years I've stopped properly going out, I don't remember the last bad hangover I've had where the following day is a write off. I also avoid works doos, they end up messy and dont think the night justifies a blackout or the following few days of hangover blues.

I love meeting up with the pals but I always think the day/night goes downhill after 5 or 6 pints. The optimum experience is those first 2 - 3 pints where you are having good craic with your mates catching up. I've learnt to leave on a high and not stay out as you are chasing something that isn't there.

I don't normally touch wine or spirits but I do enjoy a couple of beers at home on Saturday and Sunday watching sport or listening to music.

Booze is something you need to control, you dictate the run of play, don't let the drink do it. Go out, have a strict plan and stick to it.

 

[vmsuhail]

Sober, conscious and accountable. Awesome !

 

[MCFC Wirral]

I’m cutting down all the time. I think I’m below my recommended 14 units a week (7 average strength pints, IIRC.) It was the pub or nothing else with my circle so I had to stop going or it would just get out of hand again.

Genuinely unsure what has happened but everywhere locally is dead these days. You’re often talking just a handful out on a Saturday night when it was often very busy. I’m glad I’m not in the local pub industry.

 

[City Hobgoblin]

I’m cutting down all the time. I think I’m below my recommended 14 units a week (7 average strength pints, IIRC.) It was the pub or nothing else with my circle so I had to stop going or it would just get out of hand again.

Genuinely unsure what has happened but everywhere locally is dead these days. You’re often talking just a handful out on a Saturday night when it was often very busy. I’m glad I’m not in the local pub industry.

Pubs are probably finding it hard to compete against supermarkets.
A couple of pub pints can cost more than a bottle of strong wine from the shop. More people are staying home and getting soused in front of the telly.

 

[M18CTID]

I binge drink no such thing as one can’t help it , go out with good intentions then after 10 pints the double vodkas kick in

This is my weakness too. Binge drinking and especially round City games. In the space of around 4 hours on Sunday I went from being totally sober when having my first drink in town around 3pm to getting completely wankered by 7pm and not knowing how I got home. Also lost a phone - luckily it's not my main works one but a burner phone I use for matched betting. Still a pain in the arse though, and worrying into the bargain.

It's times like this when I'm actually losing things that I need to re-evaluate. Trouble is, you get into a round and like you say you just can't help it at times. I'll be at Burnley on Friday and will be getting the train over around 4-ish. I'm going to try and be a bit more sensible.

I wouldn't mind but I've enough alcohol in the house to sink a battleship, yet I hardly touch a drop at home!

 

[BlueMoonday]

Pubs are probably finding it hard to compete against supermarkets.
A couple of pub pints can cost more than a bottle of strong wine from the shop. More people are staying home and getting soused in front of the telly.

I was out Saturday day time and it was £6.70 for a pint of a Tiny Rebel in Manchester. In most other places it's typically £5 to £6 for a premium lager.

For £10 to £12 at the supermarket you can buy 12 x 330ml bottles of premium lager which is just over 7 pints. Draught is always superior but you can understand why people are choosing to stay in.

 

[Saddleworth2]

I don't binge drink. I don't think I ever have, well maybe when I was a teenager. Never lost a day at work through drinking. What I can do is drink consistent amounts over prolonged periods - a bottle and a half of wine a night without getting in the slightest bit drunk or having what you would call a hangover. When I retired it became even easier to fall into this bad habit and as I got older, it starts to have an impact health wise. Now I do my best to have a break of two or three days every week and to reduce the amount I do drink on the other nights. That's mainly working. Sometimes I wish I could give up 100% as it is a constant struggle to 'stick to my rules' but fuck it I do like a nice glass or six of wine. If I had my time again I would have ideally given up in my 20s.

 

[PragueBlue]

After 3 weeks on holiday in Prague eating and drinking too much, I'm going to get myself back into shape. No alcohol and a strict diet for a month.

 

[Stephen230]

Despite been a pisshead for 40 years, I could quite easily knock alcohol on the head if I wanted to. I virtually never drink at home. I probably should do as well, as it’s clearly causing me health problems as I get older.

But if I did my whole life would basically consist of going to work and sitting at home watching tele. And what’s the point in that? Might as well have another two years fun than 20 years complete boredom.

I can’t even imagine I’d keep going to City with drinking off the table. Certainly couldn’t contemplate an away game without a good drink. Even home games are probably 90% about meeting the lads and having a drink and only 10% the football. Reckon I’d probably soon get in the habit of sacking it off and watching it on TV, without the boozing. Sad but true.