Am OK my mate just been very tired recently and not getting out much but will soldier on and thank you for asking
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Giving up the booze/drugs
- Thread starter Idlewild Mackem
- Start date
Zak's Dad
Striker
@Ned Land @xmfd @Charlestonian
fantastic going, hope to one day match your efforts, gives me hope that I can do better.
in a cycle of getting to around 30/40 days and then slipping up, its better than before but not great. Had some crap news this week, followed by having to go to the doctors, so ended up having 9 pints to cope, hit me like a brick 2 days later. biggest binge for quite sometime if I am honest.
Talking about pros and cons, my biggest issue atm is replacing the booze with food, being stuck in the house and not moving as much as I should my weight has ballooned, have a "beer belly" from giving up the booze. Kind of stress eating, half the time not even noticing I am doing it.
Thats the next thing to tackle removing food as my crutch because i give up booze as a crutch!
At least with food its only me I am self harming and not my loved ones like what happens with the booze.
being mental sucks
I mentioned earlier in the thread I develop a bloody sweet tooth - in my 50s! - when I gave up booze.
Only realised when I wrote down a food diary as part of a weight loss plan and thought "you've never had a sweet tooth - why did you start eating this crap?!"
But if you can kick booze into touch you can kick cakes and biscuits too.
It'll do that - it's actually (I think) one of its most destructive and insidious effects - because before you know it you're using it to "decompress" from a stressful job and if you tie it (as I did) into an enjoyable wine pairing with dinner you don't realise why you're doing it.
WRT "counting the days"?
I tried this but found it didn't work for me because I ended up defining myself by my relationship with booze in a different way, counting made me think about it more why eroded my willpower.
I found ring fencing the days I did drink then reducing them until it was finally weeks and then months between drinking worked for me. By then the 2 day hangovers we the final nail in the coffin. I don't actually know which bloody year I gave up now.
But we're all different - do whatever works for you.
FishburnMackem
Winger
Not a bad shout that. Might stick to Friday nights for a month then push it to once a fortnight.I mentioned earlier in the thread I develop a bloody sweet tooth - in my 50s! - when I gave up booze.
Only realised when I wrote down a food diary as part of a weight loss plan and thought "you've never had a sweet tooth - why did you start eating this crap?!"
But if you can kick booze into touch you can kick cakes and biscuits too.
It'll do that - it's actually (I think) one of its most destructive and insidious effects - because before you know it you're using it to "decompress" from a stressful job and if you tie it (as I did) into an enjoyable wine pairing with dinner you don't realise why you're doing it.
WRT "counting the days"?
I tried this but found it didn't work for me because I ended up defining myself by my relationship with booze in a different way, counting made me think about it more why eroded my willpower.
I found ring fencing the days I did drink then reducing them until it was finally weeks and then months between drinking worked for me. By then the 2 day hangovers we the final nail in the coffin. I don't actually know which bloody year I gave up now.
But we're all different - do whatever works for you.
Went through a phase of only drinking every 6 weeks years ago. Lasted for 9 months or so, was class and saved a tonne of money.
Zak's Dad
Striker
You do save a ton mind. The one thing I daren't do is add up how much I spent on it.
Cutting back can be done really gradually.
I went from 4 or 5 days a week to a rigid 4 nights a week for a month.
Then 3 for a month.
Then 2 (so no more weeknights)
Then 1.
Then 1 night every 2 weeks...
Etc. You get the picture.
By the end it was twice a year - one summer party and Xmas day - for a few years.
Then I stopped altogether because my resistance to booze was so crap I got embarrassingly drunk every time I touched it.
And having a boxing day tradition of a day in bed with a hangover was the final straw.
I never set out to give up completely - but I couldn't go back now.
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Ned Land
Winger
I think that I spent more on alternatives to booze during the first couple of months.
I tended to drink 3-4 pints at a local micropub @ £4ish each. I’d drink a few vodkas at home but they were delivered with food shopping.
When I stopped in January I mainly drank 0.5% lucky Saint (£42 for x24 cans 330ml) and 0% Guinness/IPA. Lucky Saint can be expensive in some pubs - £5 each for a 330ml bottle.
Then I stocked up with supplements (not really related to abstinence) mostly from Holland & Barrett, 3 months supply.
But now after 3 months I’m rarely in a pub, I spent £22 last Saturday for a round of 4 drinks.
I’ve spent quite a bit on 2 gigs in April, and a trip to the match -v- man United that can be expensive when there’s a 3 hour journey each way.
Zak's Dad
Striker
Did the alternatives help?
If they did then it's money we'll spent mate to get you through the transition.
I used a soft drink - I think it was a pink grapefruit type thing?
(I wasn't disciplined enough with willpower to use booze substitutes because they would just remind me of alcohol and start me thinking about a real one.)
Ned Land
Winger
Yes mate deffo helped but I tended to drink them faster as they obviously aren’t as strong. Then I’d pee like a race horse (explained earlier in this thread iirc).
I didn’t lose much weight as I indulged a bit with chocolate.
CraigyWatt
Striker
Haven’t posted on this thread for a while.
I hope everyone is keeping their heads above water.
It’s almost 5am so I have only one contribution to make:
I hope everyone is keeping their heads above water.
It’s almost 5am so I have only one contribution to make:
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The soap powder
Striker
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Ned Land
Winger
I saw James on Tuesday night for the first time, they were very good and played that in the encore.
Darlo1973
Striker
It's when the hangover extends past 24 hours. For some reason the second day is worse than the first.
I only get that bad a couple of times a year but today is one of those days. Started at midday on Sunday and not sure when I finished.
I really don't want to quit but need to stop these occasional destructive days
Shady Lane
Goalkeeper
It’s a horrible feeling mate. I drink too much but it’s ages since I’ve had a proper destructive binge, thank God.
Darlo1973
Striker
I've been fairly lucky that nothing bad has happened but I know that eventually that it will lead to big trouble
connolly_31
Winger
How we all doing? Had 2 pints after my 5k race on Wednesday but aside from that I've been off it and keeping relatively well. Did crave a glass of wine on Saturday mind but abstained - the bloody kids had me round the bend, full day of soft play, parks and feeding the inconsiderate gits whilst owa lass was at work just tipped me close to breaking point. It's OK, I love them again now...ish.
One thing I've noticed, is that I am missing a drink again and I'm not sure if that's because I've had the odd drink here and there again. And back in Feb/March of this year, I didn't miss it at all as I had that goal to work towards. Anyway, I'm rambling on, all going well and think I may have to set another target/goal to get it out of my mind.
Hope everybody is well - keen to hear people's updates.
One thing I've noticed, is that I am missing a drink again and I'm not sure if that's because I've had the odd drink here and there again. And back in Feb/March of this year, I didn't miss it at all as I had that goal to work towards. Anyway, I'm rambling on, all going well and think I may have to set another target/goal to get it out of my mind.
Hope everybody is well - keen to hear people's updates.
wschmidt
Midfield
good job marra, harder to resist the wine when the weathers so nice
Ned Land
Winger
I still have nothing more than a few lucky saints or 0% Guinness and tbh I just consider it normal now. Last year when it was sunny after work I was clamouring for a drink in the garden but I’m not fussed now.
My big test will be on holidays this year and finding low/no alcohol alternatives.
xmfd
Striker
I remember reading something about when you go back to having a couple of drinks you’re reinforcing the reward pathway in your brain which associates drinking with positive feelings, relaxation, good times. etc. You condition your brain to think that alcohol is what you need to be happy.
It’s why I struggled for years trying to “moderate” yet I’ve found it much easier to just cut it out completely.
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While I don’t want to imply that we’re all addicted to alcohol - although the definition probably applies to some of us - it undoubtedly an addictive chemical. It’s why it’s so f***ing hard to stop
I’m the same now. The alcohol free beers have came a long way in a few years. A lot of places do AF craft beers, and pubs have Lucky Saint etc. on draft. I’ve been on loads of nights out and gigs and haven’t missed anything except a shot of dopamine from the first couple of pints.
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connolly_31
Winger
Yeah, my knee is buggered at the minute as well so don’t have a run to look forward to at the minute - but stayed clear and feeling good
Yeah I do agree about the weather, although I’ve not had that after work two or three I would have had last year.
I think I’ve managed my intake and the relationship more just conscious that I’d had a few moments of thinking I “need” a drink and I hadn’t had that previously.
I know I’ve stated it previously but this wasn’t about going tee-total but more managing my relationship with the drink, which I think I’ve done. Although Saturday was the first time I’ve really thought I need a glass of wine to destress. I grabbed a lucky saint and that cured the itch.
That’s very interesting! That “reward” piece is exactly it. Tough day at work, I’ve earned a beer. Good race ran, I deserve a pint. Managed to keep the kids alive, where’s the corkscrew?!I remember reading something about when you go back to having a couple of drinks you’re reinforcing the reward pathway in your brain which associates drinking with positive feelings, relaxation, good times. etc. You condition your brain to think that alcohol is what you need to be happy.
It’s why I struggled for years trying to “moderate” yet I’ve found it much easier to just cut it out completely.
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While I don’t want to imply that we’re all addicted to alcohol - although the definition probably applies to some of us - it undoubtedly an addictive chemical. It’s why it’s so f***ing hard to stop
I’m the same now. The alcohol free beers have came a long way in a few years. A lot of places do AF craft beers, and pubs have Lucky Saint etc. on draft. I’ve been on loads of nights out and gigs and haven’t missed anything except a shot of dopamine from the first couple of pints.
It is a reward thing for me. Previously it was a way of hiding mind. Saying that, I haven’t cashed in on those rewards this year, I’ve had 5 separate occasions of having a beer or glass of wine (sometimes only one) this year. I’d have 5 separate occasions in a week last year.
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Ned Land
Winger
I used to reach a Thursday night (the start of my weekend) and I’d associate that with having a few beers to de-stress.Yeah, my knee is buggered at the minute as well so don’t have a run to look forward to at the minute - but stayed clear and feeling good
Yeah I do agree about the weather, although I’ve not had that after work two or three I would have had last year.
I think I’ve managed my intake and the relationship more just conscious that I’d had a few moments of thinking I “need” a drink and I hadn’t had that previously.
I know I’ve stated it previously but this wasn’t about going tee-total but more managing my relationship with the drink, which I think I’ve done. Although Saturday was the first time I’ve really thought I need a glass of wine to destress. I grabbed a lucky saint and that cured the itch.
That’s very interesting! That “reward” piece is exactly it. Tough day at work, I’ve earned a beer. Good race ran, I deserve a pint. Managed to keep the kids alive, where’s the corkscrew?!
It is a reward thing for me. Previously it was a way of hiding mind. Saying that, I haven’t cashed in on those rewards this year, I’ve had 5 separate occasions of having a beer or glass of wine (sometimes only one) this year. I’d have 5 separate occasions in a week last year.
But I think that I’ve already said earlier that it was a catch-22 for me: alcohol alleviated some short-term stress but caused long term anxiety. I seem to have trained my brain to accept that my job/life is boring so I don’t need the alcohol fix to make me relaxed for a few hours.
I’ve faced a difficult personal situation over the past month and usually I’d have tried to dull the feelings by drinking. It’s been more bearable by having mental clarity (I’m beginning to sound like a Buddhist monk FFS).
I found being at a gig sober was great… I used to continually worry about squeezing through people to go for a piss… my social life was planned around toilet stopsI remember reading something about when you go back to having a couple of drinks you’re reinforcing the reward pathway in your brain which associates drinking with positive feelings, relaxation, good times. etc. You condition your brain to think that alcohol is what you need to be happy.
It’s why I struggled for years trying to “moderate” yet I’ve found it much easier to just cut it out completely.
You must be logged on to see external links
While I don’t want to imply that we’re all addicted to alcohol - although the definition probably applies to some of us - it undoubtedly an addictive chemical. It’s why it’s so f***ing hard to stop
I’m the same now. The alcohol free beers have came a long way in a few years. A lot of places do AF craft beers, and pubs have Lucky Saint etc. on draft. I’ve been on loads of nights out and gigs and haven’t missed anything except a shot of dopamine from the first couple of pints.
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connolly_31
Winger
Hope you’re getting through whatever shit you’re trying to sort mate. You’re doing an amazing job this year. Should be proud of yourself.I used to reach a Thursday night (the start of my weekend) and I’d associate that with having a few beers to de-stress.
But I think that I’ve already said earlier that it was a catch-22 for me: alcohol alleviated some short-term stress but caused long term anxiety. I seem to have trained my brain to accept that my job/life is boring so I don’t need the alcohol fix to make me relaxed for a few hours.
I’ve faced a difficult personal situation over the past month and usually I’d have tried to dull the feelings by drinking. It’s been more bearable by having mental clarity (I’m beginning to sound like a Buddhist monk FFS).
I found being at a gig sober was great… I used to continually worry about squeezing through people to go for a piss… my social life was planned around toilet stops
