365 days without booze... join me?
Discussion
tim jb said:
Can we get the general consensus on low alcohol beverages please, those no greater than 0.5% VOL alcohol.
Sober or not sober.
Everyone has their own journey and goals.Sober or not sober.
My take on it is if it works for you then do it unless and until it stops working.
If that happens then try something else.
tim jb said:
Can we get the general consensus on low alcohol beverages please, those no greater than 0.5% VOL alcohol.
Sober or not sober.
Nowadays I quite like them.Sober or not sober.
Erdinger is marketed as some sort of electrolyte rich drink rather than beer and while still palatable isn't my favourite.
I like San Miguel and Peroni and even Heineken isn't bad, (although I wouldn't be seen dead drinking the alcoholic version)
My absolute favourite is St Peter's Without which I acquire occasionally from Tesco. (I didn't realise there were three types and can't remember which one I get from Tesco now.)
https://stpetersbrewery.myshopify.com/collections/alcohol-free
On a slight tangent, last night I dreamt that I'd been out with work colleagues, (odd in itself as I WFH), and got absolutely slayed.
Then I woke up somewhat confused as I expected to have a hangover/still be pissed and I didn't/wasn't.
Was quite peculiar!
I’m coming up to 14 months without alcohol. As someone said I’m finding the abstinence easier than reducing my alcohol intake.
I’m also thinking and making decisions much clearer now.
Sleeping is generally much better but just the odd night where it’s not so good, that's normally when I’ve a project on the go.
I’ve had a few health problems in the last year or so meaning many blood tests and I think at least the booze is one thing that’s not clouding any issues.
Drink wise I’ve been having a 1664 0.0 or a Grimbergen blonde 0.0. Just the one in an evening as I’m watching sugar intake.
I’ve no idea if I will continue without drinking but at the moment it’s off my schedule.
I’m also thinking and making decisions much clearer now.
Sleeping is generally much better but just the odd night where it’s not so good, that's normally when I’ve a project on the go.
I’ve had a few health problems in the last year or so meaning many blood tests and I think at least the booze is one thing that’s not clouding any issues.
Drink wise I’ve been having a 1664 0.0 or a Grimbergen blonde 0.0. Just the one in an evening as I’m watching sugar intake.
I’ve no idea if I will continue without drinking but at the moment it’s off my schedule.
I may have posted on here before. I managed to go 3.5 years more or less drink free. I've been back on it a year now and I have really mixed feelings, I realised I like drinking (maybe just not the getting drunk part).
I found the 3.5 years a great experience but I think I also felt a touch isolated from my friends and every time I ordered a non-alco drink I knew what I really wanted was an alcoholic drink.
Don't know if I will ever find a happy medium but I'm happy for now re-discovering all those flavours and experiences I missed when sober. If drinking starts to affect me again then at least I know I can stop for a while.
I found the 3.5 years a great experience but I think I also felt a touch isolated from my friends and every time I ordered a non-alco drink I knew what I really wanted was an alcoholic drink.
Don't know if I will ever find a happy medium but I'm happy for now re-discovering all those flavours and experiences I missed when sober. If drinking starts to affect me again then at least I know I can stop for a while.
tim jb said:
Can we get the general consensus on low alcohol beverages please, those no greater than 0.5% VOL alcohol.
Sober or not sober.
Stopped drinking in 2012 and until recently was happy with lime and soda when out as AF beers were horrendous and soft drinks were just too sugary...Sober or not sober.
That has changed within the past year or so as the quality of what's on offer these days is in a different league
AF Guinness is an absolute game changer - I will have one as the odd "treat" - I will savour and enjoy it but one is plenty and I have no desire to go from that to "real" Guinness...
The Asahi AF lager is good as well, as is an AF bitter that I'm seeing more and more on draught whose names escapes me.
IMO they make a nice change/treat when out - I enjoy the taste (esp the Guinness) but I certainly don't see them as a temptation to go back to drinking.
The question is do we consider ourselves sober if we're drinking the 0.5%'s? I can't make my mind up. I've had a few of the half percent ciders because they taste like cider, emulate the real thing but I can't feel any alcoholic effects from them. They've kept me off the strong stuff so there is that. Anything that works like someone else said but I guess the purests would disagree.
tim jb said:
The question is do we consider ourselves sober if we're drinking the 0.5%'s? I can't make my mind up. I've had a few of the half percent ciders because they taste like cider, emulate the real thing but I can't feel any alcoholic effects from them. They've kept me off the strong stuff so there is that. Anything that works like someone else said but I guess the purests would disagree.
I'd say it's an alcohol-free choice. They're billed as <0.5% but from what I've read there's practically no alcohol in them, there's no way that you could get drunk or even tipsy drinking them so for me it's a clear stance that you're not drinking. Some folk seem down on the whole thing but if you like the taste and it stops you from drinking (or even just reduces the amount that you do drink) then great!
I'm certainly giving myself the 'Stayed Dry' accolade whenever I choose to have a 0.5% beer or cider anyway.
tim jb said:
The question is do we consider ourselves sober if we're drinking the 0.5%'s? I can't make my mind up. I've had a few of the half percent ciders because they taste like cider, emulate the real thing but I can't feel any alcoholic effects from them. They've kept me off the strong stuff so there is that. Anything that works like someone else said but I guess the purests would disagree.
If someone is drinking 10 - 15 cans to get a slight buzz then no but otherwise I think they're fine.When I first stopped drinking I wouldn't even eat tiramisu as it might have a trace of booze in! I'm much more relaxed about that sort of thing now.
I only ever have 1 or 2 AF beers at a time as I find that's enough. I enjoy the taste and it makes a change from soda water.
I've noticed pubs are more and more stocking AF beers - they're generally pretty good (a far cry from Kaliber!), and if we want pubs to sell them (and brewers to make them) then we've got to buy them...!
I've remembered the name of the draught beer I sometimes have btw - Lucky Saint. It's nice but what would really make my day would be seeing AF Guinness on draught!
ETA just seen this on the Lucky Saint website Many things we consume daily contain higher trace amounts of alcohol than Lucky Saint, for example an over-ripe banana, fresh orange juice or a piece of rye bread.
Edited by funinhounslow on Thursday 18th April 11:56
Did the pub quiz tonight, had an Erdinger, a Guinness NA and a Diet Coke.
A lot of this is psychological, so used to going and the boozing being part of it, just three or four pints but enough, it felt in the past is I couldn’t drink for some reason I was missing out, and tonight just not bothered in the slightest.
Again, having a few at home, Friday night feels like a missed opportunity without a beer but when I do without I just accept it and barely give it a thought, minor pang at six pm but get a low alcohol beer and have some food don’t feel tempted.
Only been three weeks and my target is six, as have a holiday and will drink whilst I am away but am not dying to drink.
Will revert to none again when I get back, was never a massive boozer but can put some away, feels like have broken a few behaviours this time.
Only spent £26 in the pub tonight, usually double, and that included a couple of pork pies.
Feel more relaxed if that makes sense, weird as the relaxation is part of why I like alcohol, and maybe a bit sharper mentally as well, sleeping better as well.
A lot of this is psychological, so used to going and the boozing being part of it, just three or four pints but enough, it felt in the past is I couldn’t drink for some reason I was missing out, and tonight just not bothered in the slightest.
Again, having a few at home, Friday night feels like a missed opportunity without a beer but when I do without I just accept it and barely give it a thought, minor pang at six pm but get a low alcohol beer and have some food don’t feel tempted.
Only been three weeks and my target is six, as have a holiday and will drink whilst I am away but am not dying to drink.
Will revert to none again when I get back, was never a massive boozer but can put some away, feels like have broken a few behaviours this time.
Only spent £26 in the pub tonight, usually double, and that included a couple of pork pies.
Feel more relaxed if that makes sense, weird as the relaxation is part of why I like alcohol, and maybe a bit sharper mentally as well, sleeping better as well.
Well done to everyone!
20 days for me today, the longest I have done since dry Jan in 2021, managed 19 days this year for dry Jan..
Have attempted 30 days many many times and always fail but I’m confident I’ll do it this time, main reason to give it a break if to cut out the Coca Cola I always buy after a few pints, already feeling major benefits, never drunk at home but would be out at least once a week, few pints after work then return to some kitchen to chat the night away, which started off once every few weeks as a special occasion then turned into any night of the week..
Got a stag do in Marbella in June, would love to stay dry till then, and see what happens, got a friend coming who has been drink and drug free for over 100 days now and said he’s not having a drop there so for some support if I stay dry.. spend most of my days arguing with myself about what I’m going to do there, but have talked some sense into myself to not worry about it as it’s so far away and just concentrate on not drinking or using today..
Typing this out at 6am whilst on a dog walk and about to hit the gym, many times in the past would be laying on my bed sleepless listening to the birds thinking I’ve got work in a few hours..
20 days for me today, the longest I have done since dry Jan in 2021, managed 19 days this year for dry Jan..
Have attempted 30 days many many times and always fail but I’m confident I’ll do it this time, main reason to give it a break if to cut out the Coca Cola I always buy after a few pints, already feeling major benefits, never drunk at home but would be out at least once a week, few pints after work then return to some kitchen to chat the night away, which started off once every few weeks as a special occasion then turned into any night of the week..
Got a stag do in Marbella in June, would love to stay dry till then, and see what happens, got a friend coming who has been drink and drug free for over 100 days now and said he’s not having a drop there so for some support if I stay dry.. spend most of my days arguing with myself about what I’m going to do there, but have talked some sense into myself to not worry about it as it’s so far away and just concentrate on not drinking or using today..
Typing this out at 6am whilst on a dog walk and about to hit the gym, many times in the past would be laying on my bed sleepless listening to the birds thinking I’ve got work in a few hours..
mattuk89 said:
Well done to everyone!
20 days for me today, the longest I have done since dry Jan in 2021, managed 19 days this year for dry Jan..
Have attempted 30 days many many times and always fail but I’m confident I’ll do it this time, main reason to give it a break if to cut out the Coca Cola I always buy after a few pints, already feeling major benefits, never drunk at home but would be out at least once a week, few pints after work then return to some kitchen to chat the night away, which started off once every few weeks as a special occasion then turned into any night of the week..
Got a stag do in Marbella in June, would love to stay dry till then, and see what happens, got a friend coming who has been drink and drug free for over 100 days now and said he’s not having a drop there so for some support if I stay dry.. spend most of my days arguing with myself about what I’m going to do there, but have talked some sense into myself to not worry about it as it’s so far away and just concentrate on not drinking or using today..
Typing this out at 6am whilst on a dog walk and about to hit the gym, many times in the past would be laying on my bed sleepless listening to the birds thinking I’ve got work in a few hours..
The top bit in bold is vital. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow may never happen, what you have is today. Get to bed without picking up a drink and you've had a successful day!20 days for me today, the longest I have done since dry Jan in 2021, managed 19 days this year for dry Jan..
Have attempted 30 days many many times and always fail but I’m confident I’ll do it this time, main reason to give it a break if to cut out the Coca Cola I always buy after a few pints, already feeling major benefits, never drunk at home but would be out at least once a week, few pints after work then return to some kitchen to chat the night away, which started off once every few weeks as a special occasion then turned into any night of the week..
Got a stag do in Marbella in June, would love to stay dry till then, and see what happens, got a friend coming who has been drink and drug free for over 100 days now and said he’s not having a drop there so for some support if I stay dry.. spend most of my days arguing with myself about what I’m going to do there, but have talked some sense into myself to not worry about it as it’s so far away and just concentrate on not drinking or using today..
Typing this out at 6am whilst on a dog walk and about to hit the gym, many times in the past would be laying on my bed sleepless listening to the birds thinking I’ve got work in a few hours..
The second part shows some of the many rewards on offer.
Your life will change and you'll be free.
Joscal said:
swanseaboydan said:
The biggest change to me in not drinking is the new lack of anxiety. . . If I never drink again it’s worth it just to sleep well and not worry about stuff all the time .
Amazing isn’t it! Waking up without regret is priceless.We think we are ok with booze, but it does affect us, and it needs more than a day or two off to feel the benefits, and the benefits are much more subtle than the lovely feeling of warmth and fuzziness from booze, like many things in life its easy short term gratification vs the hard, long term, but ultimately more satisfying type.
Its nice not having to think about the logistics of boozing, can drive and dont need taxis or lifts, no feeling a bit sub par in the morning due to drink, or any planning around it, can go to the gym the following morning, its pretty liberating.
These are very good, have these alot at home or at the pub (if I am ever in a pub these days...) Edinger Alkoholfrei
£1.75 from Morrison's or Asda I've had them from, apparently they give these to the cyclists after tour's - they are very good 0.5%.
£1.75 from Morrison's or Asda I've had them from, apparently they give these to the cyclists after tour's - they are very good 0.5%.
Edited by 7 5 7 on Sunday 21st April 15:01
7 5 7 said:
These are very good, have these alot at home or at the pub (if I am ever in a pub these days...) Edinger Alkoholfrei
£1.75 from Morrison's or Asda I've had them from, apparently they give these to the cyclists after tour's - they are very good 0.5%.
They were given out at the end of the Manchester marathon last week as well £1.75 from Morrison's or Asda I've had them from, apparently they give these to the cyclists after tour's - they are very good 0.5%.
Edited by 7 5 7 on Sunday 21st April 15:01
Had that in the pub the other night, was alright but prefer Becks Blue or the Corona zero one.
Another booze free weekend, went to a gathering at the neighbours, was perfectly happy on the zero stuff and was funny watching people getting hammered, not tempted in the slightest.
Had a day doing jobs outside, ordered a Pizza and that is usually a cue to crack a beer open, must admit that's the first discernible pang but as soon as I start eating, not bothered, I do think a big part is wanting the calories, was ravenous, I think that is a big part of it, for me anyway. Got up and went to the gym, often bail if feel a bit ropey as have had a drink the night before.
Wife had just over half a bottle of red and was snoring away halfway into a film, she usually moans at me for that
Just under three weeks until I go away, that will be six weeks, no way I will get away without drinking but think will go back to this when I come back. Not going 100 percent no alcohol but will make it the exception rather than the rule.
Been through all my usual situations that previously involved a drink without and its fine, sort of breaking down the mindset that if I dont have a beer it wont be any good.
Another booze free weekend, went to a gathering at the neighbours, was perfectly happy on the zero stuff and was funny watching people getting hammered, not tempted in the slightest.
Had a day doing jobs outside, ordered a Pizza and that is usually a cue to crack a beer open, must admit that's the first discernible pang but as soon as I start eating, not bothered, I do think a big part is wanting the calories, was ravenous, I think that is a big part of it, for me anyway. Got up and went to the gym, often bail if feel a bit ropey as have had a drink the night before.
Wife had just over half a bottle of red and was snoring away halfway into a film, she usually moans at me for that
Just under three weeks until I go away, that will be six weeks, no way I will get away without drinking but think will go back to this when I come back. Not going 100 percent no alcohol but will make it the exception rather than the rule.
Been through all my usual situations that previously involved a drink without and its fine, sort of breaking down the mindset that if I dont have a beer it wont be any good.
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