365 days without booze... join me?
Discussion
Davie_GLA said:
Today marks 5 years for me. I’ll never say I’ve got it beat but it’s almost a non event now.
Just been on a days since calculator and tomorrow marks 1500 days for me, (4 years a month and a few days) and I have to say I will never booze again, had no desire or urge to since 9th May 2020. Well, my booze-free streak (42 days) came to an end on holiday - somewhat planned as my wife and I had a rare opportunity to go out for dinner without the kids and I thought it would be a shame to have fresh seafood while sat on the seafront without a glass of prosecco and then several glasses of rose, rounded off by a G&T in the hotel bar. It was good, and I wasn't overly hungover the next day (there was a storm anyway) but I'm still disappointed with myself. I then had a couple of beers and another glass of wine later in the week.
I can't work out what I want from this - it's much easier just to stick to AF drinks, and it keeps the "shall I drink tonight, if so, how much?" loops from getting out of hand but I do enjoy a cold beer in the sunshine. That said, I only had three days out of seven when earlier this year it would have been every day at lunchtime and dinner so there are benefits!
I am going to try for a longer streak from now forward (I like the Try Dry app and its little yellow teacups!) and see how I go. I have been following a few Sober groups on Facebook and will listen to some podcasts I think for inspiration, I have it in me. My wife also commented that she prefers it when I don't drink because we don't wind up having stupid arguments!
I can't work out what I want from this - it's much easier just to stick to AF drinks, and it keeps the "shall I drink tonight, if so, how much?" loops from getting out of hand but I do enjoy a cold beer in the sunshine. That said, I only had three days out of seven when earlier this year it would have been every day at lunchtime and dinner so there are benefits!
I am going to try for a longer streak from now forward (I like the Try Dry app and its little yellow teacups!) and see how I go. I have been following a few Sober groups on Facebook and will listen to some podcasts I think for inspiration, I have it in me. My wife also commented that she prefers it when I don't drink because we don't wind up having stupid arguments!
dirtbiker said:
I can't work out what I want from this - it's much easier just to stick to AF drinks, and it keeps the "shall I drink tonight, if so, how much?" loops from getting out of hand but I do enjoy a cold beer in the sunshine.
This is it I’m afraid. You either drink or don’t, there’s no “dipping in and out” - eventually your alcohol consumption will rise to its previous level. There are plenty of accounts on this thread of people stopping, having a couple of drinks one night and pretty soon they’re back to square one.
Alcohol’s addictive- so this is normal.
Trying to moderate is destined to fail - and do you really want to be considering if you want to drink, and if so how much every time you go out?
Far far easier to just quit imo.
And as I mentioned before decent AF beers are really becoming widespread now - Guinness, Erdinger and Lucky Saint are all remarkable I think.
Regenesis said:
Regenesis said:
Regenesis said:
Happy New Year everyone.
I don’t normally do this sort of thing (baring one’s soul type stuff) but wanted to put something down so there was some sort of record I could follow or look back on.
I’m mid fifties, married, a parent, very moderately successful (average earnings (that’s real average earnings, not PH bs averages) and a mortgagee). Not very fit but enough to get by in normal life. I’ve never been a happy person. Never had any confidence. Have never really liked who I am. In truth I’ve never had any drive or ambition or much in the way of self esteem. I came to terms with who I was as a teenager and just muddled through - or at least that’s what I’ve been saying to myself for thirty odd years!
I drink every day and have done since I was in my late teens. Genuinely cannot recall a single day off in that time. The drinking is mostly in secret, which is a little pathetic but there we are. In the order of 12-16 units a day. All at home. Being a genuinely average earner and living in London I’ve never had the money for drinking out. So I can’t blame the drinking on socialising!
I’ve had enough and want to stop. I don’t want the kids to lose their Dad - either to poor health or from a potential breakdown in their parents’ relationship.
I actually have stopped. Last drink was on December the 29th. Nothing since. In truth I’ve not particularly wanted one since. Which confuses me. Hopefully I can just keep carrying that forward.
Thanks for listening.
As you were.
Well that’s a week successfully navigated with very little drama. Let’s hope things continue in the same manner.I don’t normally do this sort of thing (baring one’s soul type stuff) but wanted to put something down so there was some sort of record I could follow or look back on.
I’m mid fifties, married, a parent, very moderately successful (average earnings (that’s real average earnings, not PH bs averages) and a mortgagee). Not very fit but enough to get by in normal life. I’ve never been a happy person. Never had any confidence. Have never really liked who I am. In truth I’ve never had any drive or ambition or much in the way of self esteem. I came to terms with who I was as a teenager and just muddled through - or at least that’s what I’ve been saying to myself for thirty odd years!
I drink every day and have done since I was in my late teens. Genuinely cannot recall a single day off in that time. The drinking is mostly in secret, which is a little pathetic but there we are. In the order of 12-16 units a day. All at home. Being a genuinely average earner and living in London I’ve never had the money for drinking out. So I can’t blame the drinking on socialising!
I’ve had enough and want to stop. I don’t want the kids to lose their Dad - either to poor health or from a potential breakdown in their parents’ relationship.
I actually have stopped. Last drink was on December the 29th. Nothing since. In truth I’ve not particularly wanted one since. Which confuses me. Hopefully I can just keep carrying that forward.
Thanks for listening.
As you were.
I’m two months or so into the endeavour. I’m not sure I have much else to contribute particularly but fwiw I’m just plugging on every day trying not to overthink things too much. I haven’t found abstinence remarkably hard, for which I am grateful, and while I kid myself I don’t feel any different it’s hard to know and I’m sure I am healthier really. It just doesn’t manifest itself to me.
The wife noticed I wasn’t having the odd beer of an evening, so I confessed I was trying to cut back. Seemed better not to overcommit.
Anyway, it’s not all about me!
Carry on.
I appreciate I’m no particular use to anyone else in this endeavour but I genuinely wish you all my very best.
Hopefully see you again sometime.
Regenesis said:
Well that’s six months. Yay, me.
I appreciate I’m no particular use to anyone else in this endeavour but I genuinely wish you all my very best.
Hopefully see you again sometime.
Well done. I am close to 2 people whose lives have been massively improved by giving up booze so I'll always encourage those that are also doing that. The most important thing in each case is the benefit to their families.I appreciate I’m no particular use to anyone else in this endeavour but I genuinely wish you all my very best.
Hopefully see you again sometime.
A few weeks ago I commited to 90 days alcohol free from July 1st (wanting to get a family holiday and Euros out the way first (being Scottish they were over pretty soon...)).
Done Dry Jan and Stoptober before. Longest dry period 40 odd days so this may be a bit of a challenge.
Had 5 AF beers on Sunday followed by 4 actual beers and still feel the effects today due to rubbish food and rubbish sleep.
One part of the brain seems incredibly excited thinking you don't particularly enjoy drinking and what's the point of a come-down even just after a few pints. Warmer and drier weather, get the running shoes and road bike out and smash it, back get into those 32" jeans.
The other part of the brain keeps reminding me that I have a concert, Edinburgh Fringe, start of the football season and a 40th all within the next 90 days so what the **** you thinking going dry for all that. And likes to drip little bits of anxiety in when I think about these pre-planned commited social events.
Anyway the 90 dry period is in the journal and logged here too for extra accountability so here goes.
Done Dry Jan and Stoptober before. Longest dry period 40 odd days so this may be a bit of a challenge.
Had 5 AF beers on Sunday followed by 4 actual beers and still feel the effects today due to rubbish food and rubbish sleep.
One part of the brain seems incredibly excited thinking you don't particularly enjoy drinking and what's the point of a come-down even just after a few pints. Warmer and drier weather, get the running shoes and road bike out and smash it, back get into those 32" jeans.
The other part of the brain keeps reminding me that I have a concert, Edinburgh Fringe, start of the football season and a 40th all within the next 90 days so what the **** you thinking going dry for all that. And likes to drip little bits of anxiety in when I think about these pre-planned commited social events.
Anyway the 90 dry period is in the journal and logged here too for extra accountability so here goes.
I've had very similar thoughts but have done a good few dry activities this year and found that I enjoyed myself. Including ceilidh dancing at a wedding which I was quite terrified at the thought of but had a great time and was then able to drive us all home and feel great the next morning.
Like Blib says, one day at a time and I've seen it in a few other places but "f**k the zero" regarding restarting the sober day counter!
I'm on day 15 of my current streak but have managed a 42-day one and 152 dry days this year - feeling much better.
The other thing that has surprised me is how interested folk are when you mention giving up drinking, attitudes are changing!
Like Blib says, one day at a time and I've seen it in a few other places but "f**k the zero" regarding restarting the sober day counter!
I'm on day 15 of my current streak but have managed a 42-day one and 152 dry days this year - feeling much better.
The other thing that has surprised me is how interested folk are when you mention giving up drinking, attitudes are changing!
NaePasaran said:
The other part of the brain keeps reminding me that I have a concert, Edinburgh Fringe, start of the football season and a 40th all within the next 90 days so what the **** you thinking going dry for all that. And likes to drip little bits of anxiety in when I think about these pre-planned commited social events.
It's ingrained in our culture that you drink at these things, but you'd be surprised how you don't actually need it to enjoy the things you like. Weddings, gigs, parties, barbecues, holidays, Christmas... We put a lot of emphasis on the boozing, but that's really not the reason for those events or even why we attend them. You'll be surprised at how supportive friends and family can be. Don't mind anyone trying to make you/guilt you into drinking, they're probably struggling and your sobriety is a reminder of that. Be strong!
donkmeister said:
NaePasaran said:
The other part of the brain keeps reminding me that I have a concert, Edinburgh Fringe, start of the football season and a 40th all within the next 90 days so what the **** you thinking going dry for all that. And likes to drip little bits of anxiety in when I think about these pre-planned commited social events.
It's ingrained in our culture that you drink at these things, but you'd be surprised how you don't actually need it to enjoy the things you like. Weddings, gigs, parties, barbecues, holidays, Christmas... We put a lot of emphasis on the boozing, but that's really not the reason for those events or even why we attend them. You'll be surprised at how supportive friends and family can be. Don't mind anyone trying to make you/guilt you into drinking, they're probably struggling and your sobriety is a reminder of that. Be strong!
Most early abstainers will logically approach these situations with the nervous mindset of 'This is a dangerous situation for me. I mustn't/shouldnt'. etc. This is entirely sensible.
However, a more positive attitude can often be the better choice.
Rather than fixate on the non-drinking bit, instead see the event, be it a wedding, a concert or a match as an opportunity to experience something without drinking. This is a far more positive attitude.
Be aware of your thoughts and feelings as you do something you've not done for years - attendance at an event while sober.
Reframing can work very effectively. It can certainly allay some of the fears inherent in the lead up to an event.
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