What benefits have you noticed since you quite drinking?

AARRRGH

I've been off the booze for about a month now. I also quit caffeine and junk food (chocolate, sweets, crisps, fried food) so I am sure that's having an effect on me too!

These are the benefits I've noticed so far:

1. Money. I'm spending hardly any money now, and I'm finding it really easy to keep track of exactly how much I'm spending and exactly how much I have in the bank.
2. Energy. I need less sleep, and my energy levels are much more even throughout the day.
3. Mood. My mood has always been fairly balanced, but gone is the depressed feeling I used to get sometimes when I had a hangover.
4. Skin. My skin seems a lot clearer now.
5. Motivation. I am a lot more motivated, and I'm able to fit a lot more into my day.
6. Health. I feel much more healthy and clean now that I'm not boozing anymore.

What about you guys?

fonpokno

i've only been off it about two weeks but having extra cash rocks. i've saved a good hundred quid already and i love that nice feeling of only having to spend a tenner on the taxi home after a night out dancing instead of 40quid on drinks and all. being a rather poor student, its like the best feeling in the world!

NonDrinkersClub

I've saved lots of cash (to spend on holidays, clothes, dvds, music stuff, a really nice rented house, a car in the near future) - I'm much much healthier -I don't get hangovers - I don't wake up and think 'aw no, what have I done?' - I've accomplished so much (writing & recording songs, playin' music, painting pictures, learning how to drive (written test soon), reading books, organising gigs, etc) - I don't get hangovers - Get to spend real quality time with family & friends - the list goes on!

Not drinking was a blessing in disguise because it made me rethink my lifestyle...there are pros and cons to it, but really, if I was told I could drink again tomorrow, I don't think I would if it meant I would lose out on any of the things I mentioned above.

Caoimhín

All of the above.:)

ntlbell

dublindude wrote: »

I've been off the booze for about a month now. I also quit caffeine and junk food (chocolate, sweets, crisps, fried food) so I am sure that's having an effect on me too!

These are the benefits I've noticed so far:

1. Money. I'm spending hardly any money now, and I'm finding it really easy to keep track of exactly how much I'm spending and exactly how much I have in the bank.
2. Energy. I need less sleep, and my energy levels are much more even throughout the day.
3. Mood. My mood has always been fairly balanced, but gone is the depressed feeling I used to get sometimes when I had a hangover.
4. Skin. My skin seems a lot clearer now.
5. Motivation. I am a lot more motivated, and I'm able to fit a lot more into my day.
6. Health. I feel much more healthy and clean now that I'm not boozing anymore.

What about you guys?

If all this is after one month.

I would have to say it's all in your head.

NonDrinkersClub

ntlbell wrote: »

If all this is after one month.

I would have to say it's all in your head.

Positive thinking is a nice side effect though - wouldn't you say? :cool:

ntlbell

NonDrinkersClub wrote: »

Positive thinking is a nice side effect though - wouldn't you say? :cool:

Oh for sure.

It's just I wouldn't like the reality of the placebo affect wearing off driving him to drink.

Sorry

NonDrinkersClub

ntlbell wrote: »

Oh for sure.

It's just I wouldn't like the reality of the placebo affect wearing off driving him to drink.

Sorry

No need to be sorry! I know what you mean, except that I reckon it really depends on what kind of person you are. If someone is serious about giving up long-term, it helps a lot if to think of it as 'replacing' the drink instead of 'giving up' or 'quitting'.

Being a non-drinker is a way of life, and it can be very rewarding, productive and healthy. I think one of the main things that can drive people back to drink is the social scene. That's the one to be careful of...make sure you find an alternative!

AARRRGH

ntlbell wrote: »

If all this is after one month.

I would have to say it's all in your head.

Nah, not in my head!

Money... definitely have more of that.
Energy... definitely have more of that.
Mood... definitely feel mellow.
Skin... many people have commented I look good. Things like, "Did you get a tan? You look different." I really think it's just the nice, hydrated skin I now have.
Motivation... could be in the head. It's working though, so I don't care
Health... definitely feeling good!

Clink

Have only been off it three weeks but so far my apartment is cleaner than it's ever been and I'm doing much better workouts in the gym.

Caoimhín

I'm off the booze a good while now, 6 months +. I am curious why other people seem to be stopping as-well. I stopped simply because I was sick of hangovers, having no money and making a fu*kin ass of myself.
I could NEVER leave it at one or two drinks, had to get pissed so I reasoned it was best to stop completely.
I'm pretty sure I'm not an alcoholic since i had no problem stopping and most people never noticed that i stopped.
Or maybe my conception of an alcoholic is the messy lads on the park bench with the Special Brew.
Anyone else like this.

311

caoibhin wrote: »

I'm off the booze a good while now, 6 months +. I am curious why other people seem to be stopping as-well. I stopped simply because I was sick of hangovers, having no money and making a fu*kin ass of myself.
I could NEVER leave it at one or two drinks, had to get pissed so I reasoned it was best to stop completely.
I'm pretty sure I'm not an alcoholic since i had no problem stopping and most people never noticed that i stopped.
Or maybe my conception of an alcoholic is the messy lads on the park bench with the Special Brew.
Anyone else like this.

I stopped about a month ago for the very same reason. Of all the benefits so far for me ,staying focused is the best of all.
Days go by now without spending money and the takeaways are almost at nill.

mikemac

Can't say I'm a total non-drinker but I only realy drank on Fridays after work.
But that always went wrong and I ended up eating some takeaway ****e and then woke up hangover on Saturday.

I think if you are going to stop drinking it's important to find alternatives. No point in stopping drinking but then going home to stare at the four walls in your gaff.

So now I just go for a diet 7up or two after work and go to League of Ireland games. It's great and there's always a game on. Ok, this realy only works in Dublin though. Have to go on my own as my mates think nothing of flying to Manchester or Liverpool to watch a Premiership game but won't come with me to an Eircom league game:mad:

3 weeks off drink now. Never hungover and I'm making progress over in the Boards fitness challenge

Can't say I'm saving much money but at least Saturday mornings aren't a write-off anymore.

So my advice is find something to do if you want to cut down on going to the pub. Go to the cinema or play indoor soccer, something!

LaVidaLoca

If a doctor came up to you and said. "Hey there's this amazing new pill in from Pfizer, it's a sort of combination anti-depressant/energy booster type thing. The effects are:

- More energy. You pretty much bounce out of bed every day. Always get a much better night's sleep.
- No unwarranted black moods descending out of nowhere.
- Improved self-confidence
- Improved sense of humour
- Improved sex drive and performance (especially for males)
- Improved concentration/Memory/ability to recall things.
- Weight Loss - sometimes dramatic.
- More interest in life in general, from music to art to politics and general wonder at the world.
- Less anxiety, increased ability to deal with stress.
- Helps you make better decisions: i.e. you only hang out with people you actually like, sleep with people you actually fancy and dance to music you actually enjoy.

You'd say "**** doc, that sounds fantastic, sign me up for this wonderdrug! How much does it cost?"

And Imagine your surprise when the doc says. "Not only does this drug cost nothing, but we will PAY YOU to take it. Anywhere from 100 to 200 Euro a week."

Granted you'd be suspicious as hell. But Im telling you, this wonderdrug does exist! And there are no negative side effects.

AARRRGH

I can relate to all the posts here.

I gave up the booze because...

1. I find it hard to keep track of my money when I go drinking 2 ot 3 times a week.
2. I have very little free time (none, in fact) so I can't afford to be hungover
3. I've done a few foolish things when drunk which I am not proud of
4. I'm quite health conscious (I've given up all bad food - it gets easier every week.)

I've been reading how binge drinking damages your brain. That's not something I want to continue doing, so I'm confident I will never drink again.

When you're off the booze you realise how many people are trapped in the booze lifestyle. I live in town and see it all around me. It's sad.

Caoimhín

I really don't want to become one of those "demon drink" born again sobriety freaks. I do find it hard to put up with drunks now though. I think this only alienates people.

zero_nine

LaVidaLoca wrote: »

If a doctor came up to you and said. "Hey there's this amazing new pill in from Pfizer, it's a sort of combination anti-depressant/energy booster type thing. The effects are:

- More energy. You pretty much bounce out of bed every day. Always get a much better night's sleep.
- No unwarranted black moods descending out of nowhere.
- Improved self-confidence
- Improved sense of humour
- Improved sex drive and performance (especially for males)
- Improved concentration/Memory/ability to recall things.
- Weight Loss - sometimes dramatic.
- More interest in life in general, from music to art to politics and general wonder at the world.
- Less anxiety, increased ability to deal with stress.
- Helps you make better decisions: i.e. you only hang out with people you actually like, sleep with people you actually fancy and dance to music you actually enjoy.

You'd say "**** doc, that sounds fantastic, sign me up for this wonderdrug! How much does it cost?"

And Imagine your surprise when the doc says. "Not only does this drug cost nothing, but we will PAY YOU to take it. Anywhere from 100 to 200 Euro a week."

Granted you'd be suspicious as hell. But Im telling you, this wonderdrug does exist! And there are no negative side effects.

Love that post, thank you!