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Quitting Drinking (pg. 2)
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| SYSTEM-J |
I had five weeks working away once. I was living in a different city and I didn't know anyone, so I just didn't go out and socialise for the whole time. It didn't occur to me at the time, but afterwards I realised I'd gone the whole time without a single drop of alcohol.
For me, drinking is very much a social experience. I never, ever drink on my own, I never crack open a beer after work and I don't keep alcohol at home. The problem is it's hard to find a social situation that doesn't involve alcohol in some way, so if you keep a busy social life you end up drinking quite a lot without even realising it. The other problem is that my girlfriend loves wine and she drinks it with every meal or even when we're chilling out.
At the moment I'm staying off alcohol because it just makes me feel unhealthy. Even one pint in the afternoon makes me feel like a couple of hours later. It's been about a week since I had an alcoholic drink. |
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| pkcRAISTLIN |
| i think once you've developed a taste for something you need to keep an eye on it. quitting for months at a time can't do any harm. but never say never :) |
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| pkcRAISTLIN |
| quote: | Originally posted by SYSTEM-J
For me, drinking is very much a social experience. I never, ever drink on my own, I never crack open a beer after work and I don't keep alcohol at home. The problem is it's hard to find a social situation that doesn't involve alcohol in some way, so if you keep a busy social life you end up drinking quite a lot without even realising it. |
see that was totally me. until i got old and could only be bothered getting out for special occasions (or cheesy trance djs, who visit here hardly ever).
this is when i discovered that it wasn't all social. it had crept up on me like a librarian :D |
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| Syntonic |
| quote: | Originally posted by Godking5
Why exactly are you momentarily quitting? |
Lowering his tolerance so he doesn't drink 30k. |
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| Vivid Boy |
| Btw I released my own tequila in North America. With that money I bought a tesla and modded it with a gas engine. in baller! |
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| OrangestO |
I've been trying to quit drinking since I entered rehab in the military. Well, that's where the idea of stopping entered my mind. It's been a struggle since, as I've basically lived my entire adult life - military and college - in an environment where drinking was not only done heavily but also celebrated. Luckily, even as a Pollack, I've grown to hate liquor - especially Vodka.
I've always had a weakness for beer. Now even after the military and college, I take part in social activities that trigger the response to want to have a beer - watching sports, attending parties, just shooting the with someone and having a good convo. Hell, many of my most memorable and meaningful conversations have been done over a beer. I've enjoyed some great times because of alcohol.
But, for me, there's a dark side to it. I know most people don't deal with it other than a horrible hangover. I've tried quitting so many times - promising myself I wouldn't do it ever again - and then letting myself down a week or two later when I've caved in without a second thought and had a cold one. I think this, in and of itself, has been a bit torturous psychologically. Constantly feeling like there's this one thing in life you keep failing at. Sure, you can blame external factors for it, like genetics (alcoholism runs in my family) or societal customs and pressures, but it's ultimately down to me and that's when I get down about it.
Then there are the blackouts like you mentioned Eric. I used to get these more on liquor back in my army days, but my issue with alcohol has always been overdoing it. I can reach that point on brewskis, too. We used to call it 'going on autopilot.' That's when some scary can happen, and it has happened numerous times in my life since I was 18. But some of us never seem to ing learn.
Although I think I've made significant strides at times in finally winning this battle, I still deal with alcohol issues. I'll go a couple weeks clean and love it. I'll feel as energized as ever, using that break from alcohol as a source of empowerment (it's a psychological obstacle you feel you're overcoming). And then, bam, there's a party coming up or something going on and I dive in. Or I succumb to an urge because I'm at home jamming out to some music. And on most mornings I feel like I'm all the way back to square one in my life - again.
At our ages, those who have been on this roller coaster have become accustomed to the ups and downs you experience when riding it. There are good times, bad times, memorable moments, storms - anything can happen at any time. Yes, there's drama associated with the way we consume alcohol at times, but life gets to seem rather boring when you don't get that from time to time.
I had what some might call a problematic stretch last week. Drank for five nights straight, at least a six pack each night. A few day parties. Then I woke up yesterday and told myself it was a new week. I know I'm putting pressure on myself psychologically by doing that, but I can't help but hoping that one of these times it finally becomes my stepping stone to sobriety. Just not the AA kind, cause all that . Or maybe I just finally let go and embrace the madness, since It's bound to occur, which is also advice I've gotten. |
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| SYSTEM-J |
| quote: | Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN
see that was totally me. until i got old and could only be bothered getting out for special occasions (or cheesy trance djs, who visit here hardly ever).
this is when i discovered that it wasn't all social. it had crept up on me like a librarian :D |
I can't realistically see that happening to me because I just don't enjoy alcohol enough. I find no innate pleasure in being pissed. It's an effective social lubricant but in that respect it's merely a means to an end. |
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| Silky Johnson |
I actually don't drink that much and do try to limit my consumption to weekends and/or social events. I can and have gone weeks, months without touching it.
I did used to drink wine more regularly - before I worked 12 hour shifts and didn't mind squandering my days off. The thing about wine is you can't just open a bottle and leave it - you have to finish it in two or three days before it turns to vinegar. That's at least two nights of consumption right there.
Anyway, like others have said I just feel better without it. |
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| Dykes_on_Jay |
| Might as well quit living. Alcoholism is a gift. |
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| Lews |
Not drinking sounds ing awful. Good alcohol is absolutely delicious and makes good food even better, and the intoxication process is a great way to break social tensions and make friends - not to mention relax.
That said, I've been limiting my intake the past week, since I handed in my dissertation. Will try to take it slow for the next while, until I have a job to celebrate. |
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| KiNeTiC ENeRgY |
| Yea I like my rum too much to quit. I've stopped drinking for a week or so, without any issues, but then jump back on after I get home from a crazy day at work. I work in a high stress, time sensitive field, so not having that unwinding at the end of the day sounds plain awful. Working-out helps with that as well but having a drink just gets me relaxed. |
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| Jon_Snow |
| quote: | Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN
this is when i discovered that it wasn't all social. it had crept up on me like a librarian :D |
Gotta watch out for those librarians :stongue:
Seems like everyone here should be in AAA. I don't drink much because it makes me tired. I've never had a problem so it's hard to believe so many people have so little self control. |
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