|
|
Post by dfunked on Apr 2, 2023 9:01:03 GMT
I'm always a bit conscious that posting about my journey* in the other drinking threads can come across as a bit sanctimonious and preachy, which isn't the intention at all, but perhaps they're not the most appropriate place for that kind of stuff.
So here we are. Somewhere to share progress, reach out for a bit of solidarity if you're struggling with it, or just yet another thread that'll descend into talking about wanking...
6 months in here, with a very rough estimation of £1200 saved, which is probably half what it really would've been if I was being honest with myself.
I still struggle at times, and find just checking in to the stop drinking subreddit can really help when I do.
* I'm also aware this makes me sound like a massive twat.
|
|
|
|
Post by simple on Apr 2, 2023 11:44:15 GMT
Good for you man.
I stopped about 11 years ago after my Big Break-Up™.
I don’t think I had a Problem but between the break-up (her visa extension was denied and had to leave) and losing my job (worked in local government during peak Cameron-Osborne Austerity) I was a very very unhappy person for a long time and it made me feel significantly worse. To the point where I had a flatmate who’d basically never known me happy so was surprised by the new (old) person coming out as I was on my way back up ages later.
Falling out of the habit on a personal level wasn’t enormously difficult - not keeping any in the house helps there, socialising in places with other distractions too (sport, gigs etc) - its more the awkwardness of managing everyone else’s expectations that I struggled with. A lot of people seem unable to get their heads around not wanting to do or it not making you happy. I guess I was lucky since a lot of my friends were into punk so not drinking was fairly normalised thanks to Fugazi or whoever but to my former and eventual new colleagues it was a totally alien concept. Even now working at a place that has never known me as a drinker people still act surprised or ask if I’m on medication or whatever because it couldn’t possibly that someone just doesn’t. I am way confident to just say no without any excuses now.
No comment on whether wanking increased or decreased in response.
|
|
Tomo
Junior Member
Posts: 3,481
|
Post by Tomo on Apr 2, 2023 12:14:56 GMT
Aye, I read the other thread and find it interesting but never post, partly because I have never drunk. I have never even _been_ drunk, despite being a white man who grew up in the UK. Grew up watching my friends get pissed up, enjoyed being around them in their tipsy state, but never really saw the attraction myself and being a stubborn git decided to just carry on this way.
It's probably a good thing because when I do get into things, I go far down the rabbit hole. I'd probably be a whisky drinker and have a minibar full of spirits for cocktails and such. Think the small fortune I've saved there has probably funded my gaming habits for life tbh.
|
|
Bongo Heracles
Junior Member
Technically illegal to ride on public land
Posts: 4,621
|
Post by Bongo Heracles on Apr 2, 2023 14:05:17 GMT
I’ve inadvertently become a teetotaller. I cut right back because alcohol started giving me migraines but I don’t even have a pint with lunch if we go out now.
I like beer just fine but six quid a pint can kiss my arse.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jambowayoh on Apr 2, 2023 14:16:29 GMT
I was never a big drinker growing up tbh and even now I just don't drink that much. I never drink at home alone because I've always seen, IMO, as a social thing and tbf I'm just happy with one or two drinks when going out. When I went to Prague last week with my mates they really put it away and we went out on a pub crawl on the first night and I just didn't have the energy to keep pace because I can't and also I don't get anything out of it, plus pint after pint is just uncomfortable. No judgement on people who do though.
|
|
geefe
Full Member
Short for Zangief
Posts: 8,323
|
Post by geefe on Apr 2, 2023 14:18:10 GMT
User simple referring to Fugazi is the surprise of the week.
I stopped drinking around 2007. Last did drugs in 05. No interest in it and the costs are crazy. Rather just have a tea in my garden and enjoy the ambient sounds of birds than be at a pub, these days.
|
|
wunty
Full Member
Pastry Forward
Posts: 6,672
|
Post by wunty on Apr 2, 2023 14:21:42 GMT
Coming up for a year for me with the odd blip. Don’t miss it and it’s getting to the stage that even the thought of it is alien to me. My only regret is not stopping years ago.
|
|
cubby
Full Member
doesn't get subtext
Posts: 6,354
|
Post by cubby on Apr 2, 2023 18:07:29 GMT
I'll just be over here with a lime and soda.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jambowayoh on Apr 2, 2023 18:48:20 GMT
Ooh, sounds nice.
|
|
RobEG
Junior Member
Posts: 4,549 
|
Post by RobEG on Apr 2, 2023 18:58:12 GMT
I’m not teetotal but I drink very little these days. A few family members are fairly big drinkers and I enjoy having a few with them, but anymore than that I just feel rough. I used to get a bit of stick for starting to drink soft drinks or coffee after a few but meh, don’t really care.
I enjoy a beer at home now and then but I’ve got loads of beers still left over from Christmas.
I think having kids did it for me.
|
|
alastair
Junior Member
A-List Star
Posts: 1,734
Member is Online
|
Post by alastair on Apr 3, 2023 7:39:32 GMT
I've cut right back on drinking.
Partly as I'm training for a half ironman this summer and partly because I started to notice how much is was impacting my sleep quality and resting heart rate.
I maybe have a small can of beer or two on a Friday or Saturday (not both) and then tend to regret it the next morning. As an alternative I've discovered that the Brewdog alcohol free beers are pretty good. Elvis AF is the best. Lucky Saint is also pretty good.
I still like beer and wine which makes the whole thing a pain.
I don't get any vibes off work colleagues or friends which is nice.
|
|
|
|
Post by dfunked on Apr 3, 2023 8:04:59 GMT
Yeah, resting heart rate is one of the many bonuses to stopping for me. At my drinking every day and stressed to the max peak in my last job, I don't think I ever saw it go below 80. I was clearly pushing myself to an early grave but didn't want to admit it at the time.
It's down to low 60s now (job change and regular exercise are obviously helping too)
Solid poos every time too. I've lost count of the number of times I've blocked the toilet since stopping.
Like wunty I just wish I'd done it much sooner.
|
|
EMarkM
Junior Member
Well, quite...
Posts: 2,150
|
Post by EMarkM on Apr 3, 2023 8:42:01 GMT
I'll chip in, as I was certainly guilty of "contaminating" the other thread! I haven't drunk since 2 October 2022, and am not missing it a bit. The most alcoholic things I've had since then are anything that was in the gluten-free mince pies at Christmas (probably nothing, or as good as) and the balsamic vinegar I use for cooking (  ). So, realistically, nothing. I genuinely feel great. My current regime of gluten-free, alcohol-free, intermittent fasting (eating window of eight hours per day, often much less) and trying to get a bit more exercise (mainly pushups and aspiring to walk three miles a day) have brought a massive improvement to my general wellbeing. I am disappointed that my blood pressure doesn't seem to have improved. I have my six-monthly check-in with the nurse this afternoon, and my recent home tests don't look all that great. As my previous doctor said, whilst commenting on the fact that my hypertension seems to be more inherited than lifestyle-based, "the only thing you're doing wrong is being your mother's son, and there's nothing I can do to help change that." Good luck to us all. |
|
|
|
Post by pierrepressure on Apr 3, 2023 8:47:38 GMT
Pretty much teetotal now, after finally realising that I had quite a dangerous relationship with the stuff a little while back. I'll only have the very odd drink with a meal now and generally try to avoid nights out with friends/workmates as the mindset is to just go out and get wasted which I just can't do to myself anymore.
|
|
geefe
Full Member
Short for Zangief
Posts: 8,323
|
Post by geefe on Apr 3, 2023 18:01:15 GMT
User Mark, how has the fasting helped? Always thought it seemed another bullshit trend
|
|
EMarkM
Junior Member
Well, quite...
Posts: 2,150
|
Post by EMarkM on Apr 3, 2023 18:35:05 GMT
User Mark, how has the fasting helped? Always thought it seemed another bullshit trend Yeah, I’ve said on here before that I don’t really believe the “magic” – it’s just a way for me to eat less and not too late at night. I don’t couple it with any other kind of restriction (calories, carbs, whatever) and just eat what I want (but good, homemade stuff, mostly) between 12:00 and 20:00, often tighter. |
|
EMarkM
Junior Member
Well, quite...
Posts: 2,150
|
Post by EMarkM on Sept 30, 2023 14:21:35 GMT
Almost a year now for me without touching a drop, and I feel FUCKING FANTASTIBLES.
There's so much that's better about this lifestyle, mainly not having to worry about family duties and so on, as I was wittering on about in the other thread.
Hope everyone is doing okay: I'm a less frequent visitor to FG these days, but think of you all often.
(Well, apart from THAT guy...)
|
|
wunty
Full Member
Pastry Forward
Posts: 6,672
|
Post by wunty on Sept 30, 2023 14:34:05 GMT
Well done man. 18 months for me and for the first time since my teens I can finally say that the thought of drinking alcohol is actually alien to me now.
|
|
Ulythium
Full Member
Lily-livered
Posts: 7,084
|
Post by Ulythium on Sept 30, 2023 14:35:13 GMT
Kudos to both of you!
|
|
EMarkM
Junior Member
Well, quite...
Posts: 2,150
|
Post by EMarkM on Sept 30, 2023 14:35:51 GMT
Thanks, Wunty. Hope you're doing alright – I know things have been up and down.
|
|
|
|
Post by dfunked on Sept 30, 2023 14:38:50 GMT
Nicely done guys! Hit 12 months a week ago and I meant to post something, but completely forgot.
High fives all around.
|
|
cubby
Full Member
doesn't get subtext
Posts: 6,354
|
Post by cubby on Sept 30, 2023 15:42:05 GMT
Well done guys!
It's weird talking to people who *have* to drink now isn't it?
|
|
wunty
Full Member
Pastry Forward
Posts: 6,672
|
Post by wunty on Sept 30, 2023 16:13:02 GMT
Yeah it is actually. Not in a superior way, but very much a “I don’t quite get it now” kind of way.
|
|
wunty
Full Member
Pastry Forward
Posts: 6,672
|
Post by wunty on Sept 30, 2023 16:13:57 GMT
Thanks, Wunty. Hope you're doing alright – I know things have been up and down. Thanks man. Yeah it’s a bit like that but I’m definitely better for not drinking. Take each day as it comes kind of thing. |
|
geefe
Full Member
Short for Zangief
Posts: 8,323
|
Post by geefe on Sept 30, 2023 16:35:47 GMT
Errrrr I quit drinking in 2007 so that makes it 16 years! Last did drugs/ smoked in 06. Quite happy to be home by 11 and in bed.
|
|
|
|
Post by elstoof on Sept 30, 2023 17:07:06 GMT
WHATS WRONG WIV YA, HAVE A DRINK AND ENJOY YOURSELF
|
|
|
|
Post by elstoof on Sept 30, 2023 17:07:11 GMT
WHATS WRONG WIV YA, HAVE A DRINK AND ENJOY YOURSELF
|
|
cubby
Full Member
doesn't get subtext
Posts: 6,354
|
Post by cubby on Sept 30, 2023 18:53:25 GMT
Oh shit, why am I seeing double?
|
|
|
|
Post by Nanocrystal on Sept 30, 2023 20:46:55 GMT
Feeling pretty dumb now as I always thought it was spelled "tea total".
|
|
cubby
Full Member
doesn't get subtext
Posts: 6,354
|
Post by cubby on Sept 30, 2023 20:48:49 GMT
It'd make sense as that's all I drink.
|
|
).
