Sobriety

[sendô]

Excellent work gents, you made it....now who is continuing into Feb?

Not completely dry, but I certainly want to continue not drinking in the week, and limit what I have at the weekend, rather than previously getting to Friday night and feeling like every minute not doing stuff for the kids needed to be filled with booze.

[WHU Independent]

Yeah I'll make it through today no probs.

When will I drink next? Dunno is the answer - I've got nothing lined up for Feb but March is another matter.

I don't fancy a drink, don't want a drink, but in the future - who knows.

I must confess that I'm disappointed in some aspects of not drinking:

No noticible weight loss - despite not drinking and training 5/6 days a week for a month. (and I'm not eating a lot either!)

No social life.

Terrible, terrible sleep.

I'm missing something i really enjoy (the taste, the relaxation etc - I never get "totally smashed.")

That said I'm sure that there are unseeen benefits:

I'm sure my liver/kidneys appreciate it.

I'm pretty sure my BP has gone down.

My whole body is probably better off not dealing with toxins on a weekly basis.

As I don't have "a problem" with booze, I think I'm happy to be a "once in a while" drinker, who realises that its inherently bad for you, so will lmit my intake.

[Ozza]

The mrs and I said (when we gave it up last year), that we would never say never, you stick too much pressure on yourself...each day as they come and all that....

well done to all of you, thats an impressive month

[Tenbury]

As I tried to say before,I've found the lack of alcohol bit dead easy.I've realised,though, that I only find socialising in groups just about bearable when I'm drinking.
The 2 times I've been out since Christmas,and I've sat drinking Guiness zero( which is ) have been embarrassing for me and the people I 've been around.

This is ,very much, a personal shortcoming and I absolutely take my hat off to everyone who goes along the alcohol free path.More power to you all

[SxHammer]

As I tried to say before,I've found the lack of alcohol bit dead easy.I've realised,though, that I only find socialising in groups just about bearable when I'm drinking.
The 2 times I've been out since Christmas,and I've sat drinking Guiness zero( which is ) have been embarrassing for me and the people I 've been around.

This is ,very much, a personal shortcoming and I absolutely take my hat off to everyone who goes along the alcohol free path.More power to you all

You might want to reflect some more on that. I used to use drinking as a crutch to get through some social occasions that I didn't really want to be in. Now I just don't go to those or leave early before it gets intolerable. It took me a while to realise that I didn't want to be there though and drinking was the only way to make it through. I still have an active social life, I've just been to the pub after work, but I'm more choosy about who I'll spend time with now. Getting on a bit, my time is precious so I've got no interest on wasting it in places where I have to drink to "enjoy" it.

[Captain Corelli]

40 years clean and sober today!! Get in!


For those just setting out on the path, remember, it's the first one that does the damage. The first one that puts you back on the merry-go-round. And if you're wondering, it has been the best decision of my life. I know the missus and kids think so, too!!

[Igor_E7]

Big up, Captain Corelli!

[dasnutnock3]

40 years fills me with the right kind of envy. Confirms I did the right thing (only should have started long before I did).

[Rover's returned]

40 years clean and sober today!! Get in!


For those just setting out on the path, remember, it's the first one that does the damage. The first one that puts you back on the merry-go-round. And if you're wondering, it has been the best decision of my life. I know the missus and kids think so, too!!

Respect CC! I’m 30 years on Tuesday God willing. A newcomer compared to you.

[Jennings]

Back of the net you two! 30 years and 40 years are awesome achievements. Inspiring stuff.

I had almost two years but went back to it after thinking I was missing out and everyone else was having fun except me. Stupid decision. I won't make that mistake again.

Only 10 months in this time round but hey, you can't get to 40 years without getting to 10 months first, eh!

[WHU Independent]

38 days so far. Was tempted due to sleep issues but have had 2 reasonable consecutive nights sleep so all ok.

[mushy]

Great work Indy, keep it up and good luck with the sleep.

[btajim - mcfc]

RE: Social life. We’re all built differently but I can drink Diet Coke in a pub quite easily. Nobody has ever said anything either. They’re mature enough to realise I just don’t fancy a drink that time.

[WHU Independent]

39 days today - prettyy easy staying outta pubs and not drinking at home.

I'm off to Ireland in March - probably have a few there, but we will see.

[WHU Independent]

Day 40 - a milestone of sorts.

[Het-Field]

Day 40 - a milestone of sorts.

Well done! It is a milestone, and you can be well proud of it! In the early days you'll count in the metic of days and weeks. All of a sudden you're talking in metrics of months. For others on here, its years. Keep it up!

[WHU Independent]

Day 43 - sorta lost the taste for it.

[The Old Man of Storr]

40 years clean and sober today!! Get in!


For those just setting out on the path, remember, it's the first one that does the damage. The first one that puts you back on the merry-go-round. And if you're wondering, it has been the best decision of my life. I know the missus and kids think so, too!!

Either you're quite old or you gave up drinking at a very early age - whichever , well done , CC .




I finally gave up in my early 50s after one or two attempts proved fruitless .


Do I wish I'd never started ?

No , not really , I had some great nights out with friends over the years , had I restricted it to the odd night out I'd have been fine .

Do I wish I'd given up earlier.....most definitely - had I managed to stop completely in my 40s my health might have had a better outlook .


There was alcoholism in my family going back to my Grandfather [ possibly further back ] , I'm just pleased it hasn't been passed on to my children who are both sensible like their Mum .

[ironilunga]

I’ve changed my lifestyle now. Cut out all the crap food and limit myself to the occasional drink. It’s working for me.

I found I had to replace alcohol with something else on the days that anxiety got the better of me and I would previously buy a bottle of red. I now head off to a spa, do a steam room or a sauna or just sit in a hot tub - it’s enough time to recharge and for the anxiety to dissipate.

[Igor_E7]

Ironilunga, don't know if you can, but if so, consider running, weightlifting or any kind of physical activity in general. This is my working cure against anxiety and mental management in general. I live with a high level of anxiety all my life, and currently while trying to find a job, I am sure I'd be in thousands pieces atm if not the gym.

All the best sir!