365 days without booze... join me?

[dirtbiker]

Really interesting stuff, we are completely conditioned to link alcohol to fun so I totally get your concerns around holidays!

I managed to do the anniversary dinner without alcohol which was probably a massive blessing as the food took 45 minutes to arrive - past me would have definitely finished a bottle of wine in that time and started on a second, and my wife would have probably only had 1/3 of it. That said, I did feel like our conversation was more stilted and worried that I was missing out - ridiculous, I know, and the ability to drive, remember everything and feel fine for work the next day well outweigh that!

I'm now approaching my longest streak so wondering if I have it in me to do the sober holiday at the start of June and really break the habit. I think I do.

[funinhounslow]

dirtbiker said:

I'm now approaching my longest streak so wondering if I have it in me to do the sober holiday at the start of June and really break the habit. I think I do.

Sober holidays are great - and I'm usually the only non drinker when we go away.

Try not to think of it as "missing out" that you're not drinking but an opportunity to enjoy a different type of holiday.

An early morning walk or swim instead of shaking off a hangover for example.

If you're going with a group, don't be afraid to "cut the night short" if it looks like it's going to develop into a lengthy drinking session. You really aren't missing anything...

And you will come back from your break far, far more relaxed and rested than if you'd been drinking most days.

[Davie_GLA]

I'm approaching 5 years this June by far the last three months have been the most testing. Incident after incident, issue after issue, worry after worry... Back in the day i'd have sank at least a litre of (insert whatever spirit is on special here) and gone into oblivion.

I know that i cant touch it, and to do so almost guarantees that i will not live to see the following year; but complacency is always there, waiting, and ready!

So, what I did do i book a holiday to Florida for the family for next year (doing that was more painful on the wallet than drinking for 5 years mind you) but it's something great to look forward to. It comes with it's own health warning.

THe last time i messed around was in Orlando, where i returned bright yello after a 9 hour flight over the atlantic, was told i had weeks to live if i didn't sort it out. So i have a score to settle with you, Florida!

Still haven't started that book / journal / whatever....

[mooseracer]

funinhounslow said:

dirtbiker said:

I'm now approaching my longest streak so wondering if I have it in me to do the sober holiday at the start of June and really break the habit. I think I do.

Sober holidays are great - and I'm usually the only non drinker when we go away.

Try not to think of it as "missing out" that you're not drinking but an opportunity to enjoy a different type of holiday.

An early morning walk or swim instead of shaking off a hangover for example.

If you're going with a group, don't be afraid to "cut the night short" if it looks like it's going to develop into a lengthy drinking session. You really aren't missing anything...

And you will come back from your break far, far more relaxed and rested than if you'd been drinking most days.

This in spades. I was worried about my first dry holiday but they are brilliant.

I've since been on a number, including an all inclusive and enjoyed the positives you list above.

[Wayne1989]

Not sure what I'm expecting by putting this out there but this thread feels non-judgemental and open so here goes.

I have always been a big drinker (35 at present) and over the last year it has slowly got out of hand seeing me sinking a bottle of spirits a day for some time. Finally decided in January to completely cut it out which ended up with a serious seizure and in hospital, refused further help at this point and just carried on as before.

A few weeks ago decided I need to hit it head on and did the same with the same result, this time accepting a week in hospital and meds to ease the initial issues to help start the detox.

Tomorrow marks 2 weeks of sobriety and I can't see me going back now, off on holiday as a few posters mentioned above in 3 weeks and can't wait to actually remember it all and not just abuse the bar.

As I say don't know what I want from posting this but good to get it out there and I'm happy to admit I'm proud of myself thus far, good luck all

[Blib]

Thanks for sharing that.

Simply writing your experience down for the first time can be very helpful to you and others.

[mooseracer]

Great work, you've taken a massive step.

Too damn right you should be proud of yourself
Keep posting if it helps.

[Davie_GLA]

Wayne1989 said:

Not sure what I'm expecting by putting this out there but this thread feels non-judgemental and open so here goes.

I have always been a big drinker (35 at present) and over the last year it has slowly got out of hand seeing me sinking a bottle of spirits a day for some time. Finally decided in January to completely cut it out which ended up with a serious seizure and in hospital, refused further help at this point and just carried on as before.

A few weeks ago decided I need to hit it head on and did the same with the same result, this time accepting a week in hospital and meds to ease the initial issues to help start the detox.

Tomorrow marks 2 weeks of sobriety and I can't see me going back now, off on holiday as a few posters mentioned above in 3 weeks and can't wait to actually remember it all and not just abuse the bar.

As I say don't know what I want from posting this but good to get it out there and I'm happy to admit I'm proud of myself thus far, good luck all

Nice, good luck to you.

In a similar theme i've started re-watching things i know i watched while drunk. I KNOW that i've watched the whole series but watching things now is like watching for the first time. Occasionally i'll get a feeling like de ja vu where i know i clearly watched this will pissed.

[tim jb]

Wayne1989 said:

I can't see me going back now

Be careful of that.

[sir humphrey appleby]

I think I need to join this thread. Not necessarily due to my heavy drinking, but I cannot even deal with a couple of pints anymore, and I have noticed this getting worse lately.

Had two pints of Doom bar at the pub after a bike ride last night.

Feel dreadful today. This has been happening for a while now and time to hand in my gun and badge.

I quite like the 0% beers and the Erdinger as above is particularly my favourite so that is going to be my night out drink.

I just cannot stand hangovers and getting one after a couple of pints cannot be right.

[Castrol for a knave]

4 years today

[Blib]

Castrol for a knave said:

4 years today

[donkmeister]

sir humphrey appleby said:

I think I need to join this thread. Not necessarily due to my heavy drinking, but I cannot even deal with a couple of pints anymore, and I have noticed this getting worse lately.

Had two pints of Doom bar at the pub after a bike ride last night.

Feel dreadful today. This has been happening for a while now and time to hand in my gun and badge.

I quite like the 0% beers and the Erdinger as above is particularly my favourite so that is going to be my night out drink.

I just cannot stand hangovers and getting one after a couple of pints cannot be right.

Maybe you were already dehydrated from the bike ride, but probably best get yourself checked out, just in case something has changed from the norm to cause that reaction. However, I've known plenty of people who, whilst fit young and healthy, would feel rotten after two pints.

At the end of the day, there is no level of alcohol consumption where any small benefits outweigh the damage, so knocking it on the head is no bad thing. I think TV and movies has conditioned us all to think that people only stop drinking after some dreadful "rock bottom" moment. For some that is absolutely the case, but for many it is not. You may be one of the lucky folk who just decide they've gone off alcohol.

[Badda]

donkmeister said:

Maybe you were already dehydrated from the bike ride, but probably best get yourself checked out, just in case something has changed from the norm to cause that reaction. However, I've known plenty of people who, whilst fit young and healthy, would feel rotten after two pints.

At the end of the day, there is no level of alcohol consumption where any small benefits outweigh the damage, so knocking it on the head is no bad thing. I think TV and movies has conditioned us all to think that people only stop drinking after some dreadful "rock bottom" moment. For some that is absolutely the case, but for many it is not. You may be one of the lucky folk who just decide they've gone off alcohol.

For goodness sake, this health anxiety is bonkers. You probably don’t need to ‘get yourself checked out’ because you felt grotty the morning after a couple of pints. Sometimes, it’s just like that and sometimes you can wake feeling grotty after no pints.

[Drew106]

Currently listening to "Alcohol Explained" on audiobook. Very good, I'm sure most have heard of it. I've already listened to Alan Carr's, Easy Way. Twice. Wasn't that easy I guess as I'm still drinking lol.

[Big Rod]

donkmeister said:

sir humphrey appleby said:

I think I need to join this thread. Not necessarily due to my heavy drinking, but I cannot even deal with a couple of pints anymore, and I have noticed this getting worse lately.

Had two pints of Doom bar at the pub after a bike ride last night.

Feel dreadful today. This has been happening for a while now and time to hand in my gun and badge.

I quite like the 0% beers and the Erdinger as above is particularly my favourite so that is going to be my night out drink.

I just cannot stand hangovers and getting one after a couple of pints cannot be right.

Maybe you were already dehydrated from the bike ride, but probably best get yourself checked out, just in case something has changed from the norm to cause that reaction. However, I've known plenty of people who, whilst fit young and healthy, would feel rotten after two pints.

At the end of the day, there is no level of alcohol consumption where any small benefits outweigh the damage, so knocking it on the head is no bad thing. I think TV and movies has conditioned us all to think that people only stop drinking after some dreadful "rock bottom" moment. For some that is absolutely the case, but for many it is not. You may be one of the lucky folk who just decide they've gone off alcohol.

I guess it depends how far you've ridden and how your body has accommodated the exertion.

After a short ride, (15-20 miles), during summer, a short pitstop at the pub in the next village is a welcome folly with only about 3 miles to go.

After a 'workout', (50+ miles), while tempting, I know it'd wreck me and be struggling to get home and also regret it the next day.

Your metabolism plays it's own tune and you really need to get into the same groove.

[Digga]

Depends how well cellar is kept. Detergent not being rinsed out of lines properly is, I suspect, the reason a couple of pints of Cobra at my local curry house used to give me a slightly sore throat and a thick head next day.

[donkmeister]

Digga said:

Depends how well cellar is kept. Detergent not being rinsed out of lines properly is, I suspect, the reason a couple of pints of Cobra at my local curry house used to give me a slightly sore throat and a thick head next day.

That sounds more like the effects of knock-off booze. Counterfeit drink is a big business, and I had similar whenever I bought wine at a nearby off-licence/corner shop. Same wine from the supermarket, no issues.

For what it's worth, pipe cleaner solution tastes so horrible you wouldn't be able to get through a whole tainted pint without giving up and saying something. It's sodium hydroxide, it tastes like someone stirred soap into your drink.

Citation: used to clean the pipes in the bar I worked in and as part of that tested the beer after to check the solution was all gone.

[donkmeister]

Badda said:

donkmeister said:

Maybe you were already dehydrated from the bike ride, but probably best get yourself checked out, just in case something has changed from the norm to cause that reaction. However, I've known plenty of people who, whilst fit young and healthy, would feel rotten after two pints.

For goodness sake, this health anxiety is bonkers. You probably don’t need to ‘get yourself checked out’ because you felt grotty the morning after a couple of pints. Sometimes, it’s just like that and sometimes you can wake feeling grotty after no pints.

I've bolded the bits you clearly missed in your rush to crank your neck out to its full extent. Sheesh, who put sodium hydroxide in your pint?

[swanseaboydan]

Over 8 months since my last drink, doing a bit of a tour around Vietnam and Thailand at the moment and it’s lovely to be able to get up each morning with a clear head and experience the holiday 100% rather than dragging my arse from one bar to the next every night and dying in bed until midday each day like I used to on holiday . I’m never going back to drinking , this is awesome .