Has anybody here quit drinking alcohol?

mikemac

Yeah, I didn't for a long time but here in the wilderness we call the Midlands, there were no taxi's and back then there were a handful of hackneys to serve 8,000 people. This was before deregulation, bad times

A two hour wait wasn't uncommon

So drove on my nights out. Having a few drinks wasn't worth it for all the hassle of getting home

Since then, the longest I was ever off drink was about 6 months, lost a lot of weight and saved plenty.
I wouldn't be a big pub drinker at all but I enjoy a bottle of sparkling Jacobs Creek and a DVD for a night in

bryaner

Right I'm off for a pint, all this talking of drinking is getting me thirsty..:D

WesternZulu

I would absolutely love to give it up.

It's something that I think about more and more the older I get. I'm 25 now and the hangovers are getting worse and worse along with the self pity feeling the day after.

Getting fed up of spending a fortune out when the money could be better spent on countless different things.
I think that once you get to your mid 20's the novelty of drinking and getting hammered every weekend wears off.

The one thing that I'm finding is that I'm not experiencing anything new or different from nights out, I'm getting bored of the whole spending a bomb, not knowing my limits, forgetting half the night and dying a death then the next day...and doing the same thing the next weekend, and the weekend after etc.

I'll admit I love the craic of drinking when everyone is out in the pub, not drunk but socially lubricated. It is hard to beat that atmosphere and if I do ever give up drinking then that is what I will miss most, not the crowed nightclubs and hangovers.

But on a whole I am getting bored of drinking but the again unfortunately there is feck all to do besides in this country.

Duckjob

nizo888 wrote: »

Expect to lose a few friends too. I used to meet up with a few guys to watch the Rugby games but after I quit the booze I was told I was only invited if I was drinking.

Good riddance. You're well rid of f**king idiots like that.


I'm not a tea-totaller, never have been - but I find myself having less and less interest in drinking a lot the older I get (in my 30s).

Last time I was really drunk - probably sometime 9-10 mths ago. Next time I'll be drunk? - no idea. I've nothing against being drunk - in the right atmosphere among the right mates it can be a right laugh, but I don't see the point in going out to "get drunk".

Also, the last few years my eyes have really opened to the amount of drunken bollockry that is accepted is normal in our going out culture.

To drink or not to drink should always be a straight decision, nothing more or less. If you have to summon up willpower to quit and are counting the days you have been without drink, then respect & good luck, but that alone should tell you you have a problem that needs to be nipped in the bud now.

Refugee from RealLife

I quit drinking 3 and a half years ago, for many reasons, the main one being I was a pi$$head who was always too drunk to realise that I was slowly losing everything.

Woke one morning and in a brief moment of lucidity I realised that I was in a bad way, living in crap, broke and in debt though I was still drinking 7 days a week.

That day I decided that was it, and haven't drank a drop since.

Life is so much better, problems are sorted, health is better, money is no longer a problem and most importantly I have regained the respect of the people most important to me.

I am now a 100% teetotaller but can still go out and enjoy myself but the reality of where I was headed is still a very sobering thought.

teresminor

Used to drink every second day or so 'cause was working 2 really social jobs and we were all mates so would head out after work. Never got to any kind of worrying state 'cause I always knew when stop but still drank way more than I should have for a few years in my early 20s, like a lot of people.

Decided to pack it in because as I got older I'd stopped drinking regularly and was getting whopper hangovers from one or two drinks. It wasn't worth it anymore, particularly as I'd started a very heavy postgrad. Hadn't drunk at all in six months til christmas when I had a few glasses of wine. Like most people here I genuinely don't miss it in the slightest. I actually hated feeling tipsy and uncoordinated at christmas and not being hungover on saturdays when you have to get up and study makes a huge difference. People always presume I've had a few anyway 'cause I've no problem getting up for a dance or sing or whatever sober. Figure you may as well fake the confidence drink once gave you!

I enjoy nights out a lot more now, less potential for drama, nights out cost a tenner or something and I can spend the saved money on clothes or nice food or something instead. Most of my friends have been cool about it, so long as I come out and have a buzz nobody cares. I think if you were standing in the corner going 'tut tut oh you drunk morons' or reporting back what they did the next morning it'd be a different story but i'm sufficiently close to my drinking days to know not to behave like a insufferable twat about it I still like pubs though I can't spend all day there, clubs and gigs are more fun then they were when I drank but it is a shame that pretty much everything in Ireland requires you to carry a pint glass to blend in.

FutureGuy

I'll have a beer now and again when out with the lads but never drink at home or when out for dinner. Benfits? Good health, good skin (compared to people my age who smoke and drink. I'm 33 but often told I look mid-twenties), lots of disposable income, productive weekends to name a few.

nizo888 wrote: »

Ah I didn't take it personally or anything. That is just the way things are here. And these are not young guys in their early 20s I am talking about. Early 40s actually. Like the groups of girls you talk about they only have the heavy drinking and 'hilarious antics' that comes with it in common.

Good fcuking riddance. I cut such friends out of my social circle many moons ago and am much the better for it. If someone can't think of a good way to pass an evening without resorting to heavy boozing, it's a sad state of affairs imho.

chicken fingers

I´m not old, but I would say that I´ve spent maybe 50k on booze since I started drinking (10 years ago).
I dont "need" alcohol to have a good time, that much is for sure. So many non-drinkers will smugly inform you that they dont "need" alcohol to have a good time. And therefore they are better human beings than a drinker.
Fhuck that shiite. I dont "need" to climb mountains, surf waves, travel around the world, swim in rivers, sunbathe on a beach, skydive, go camping etc etc to have a good time.
But I DO do those things. I dont "need" to, but it certainly does result in me having a good time. And I´ve spent more money on any of that than I have on drink

How about having a few, getting tipsy in your local, waxing lyrical about the topics of the day and enjoying yourself with friends.
IMO its much sadder to get your entertainment from smugly laughing at those who are drunk while being sober. I mean, are you in the pub alone or are you laughing at your "friends".

nacho libre

I gave it up a few months ago.

amjon.

I stop drinking for large chunks of the year due to sporting commitments. In the off season I do drink a bit and then couple of times at xmass but that is really pretty much it. Was drinking last night for what will probally be the last time before next September. Was in a serious push bike crash after drinking a few years ago and have never really looked on drink the same since. Lost any enthusiasim for it, it has gotten to the stage that I have to force the first 2 or 3 pints down if I'm drinking and even at that my mates would probally still be 2 or 3 ahead of me at that stage. It is a horrendus waste of money and time in my opinion. I really wish it wasn't as entrenched in our society as it is.

Censorsh!t

A year ago I took about 5 months off drinking because I thought it was causing a stomach problem.

I saved so much money, it was crazy, while these days, my tolerance is crazily high, so I must drink loooads to get drunk (because there really is nothing worse than being out sober with a load of drunks), and then a fifteen euro taxi on top of that. Ridiculous.
I am planning on not drinking for the next few months .

CrazyRabbit

When I stopped drinking casually, I stopped getting arrested for doing stupid things. I'm one of those people that kinda loses all sense when very drunk.

Now, I rarely drink...perhaps just a new years eve, or weddings etc. Even then, I limit my intake.

Drink is great, the more the better I say!!!!

Liam Byrne

Never needed to give it up, because I never saw any appeal in getting completely blotto and puking every weekend.

starbelgrade

JupiterKid wrote: »

I cannot think of a major social event where booze isn't involved.

No-one drinks at funerals.

Well, not if it's their own.

syklops

starbelgrade wrote: »

No-one drinks at funerals.

Well, not if it's their own.

We are on page 8 of mostly honest and mature comments by a large portion of the boards community. And then you come in with that? Do you honestly think that is funny? Are you seriously expecting thanks for that?

Grow up or leave the thread.

starbelgrade

syklops wrote: »

We are on page 8 of mostly honest and mature comments by a large portion of the boards community. And then you come in with that? Do you honestly think that is funny? Are you seriously expecting thanks for that?

Grow up or leave the thread.

Don't be such a tool.

It's very unbecoming.

mynamesjay

It'd be lovely to grow up in a country where people based there enjoyment and social circles around joint activities other than drinking. Like sports or performing arts... Currently my lifestyle is shaped around nights out and I never wanted it to be - its just what I grew into. Hard to change. Nights out without drink can be incredible, the few I've had, or horrible. Its really dependant on the venue. And most places aren't up to much in Ireland because we except such low standards because most people are tanked up. Cheap drink alone can be a basis for a nightclub in Ireland...

double GG

I haven't drank since the 3rd September, I started college in September too so it was hard at first with peer pressure but really I haven't even looked at an alcoholic drink since and to be honest I haven't even felt tempted.

It's 4 months now. My aim was to not drink till Christmas, after I spent the summer in Sunny Beach Bulgaria working in a party crew which included a lot of free and very cheap drink.

Don't get me wrong I still go out and have fun and all, just stick with my ice and water.

What can I say about the advantages of not drinking.

1. - No Hangovers
2. - Lots of money saved
3. - The joy of being able to wake at 8 the next morning
4. - Watching other people make an eejit of themselves
5. - Being able to remember the night before
6. - Not getting sick all over the place

Endless.


However as a college student money is always tight. Since I'm not drinking I have that extra bit of money to put away.

I say Congrats to those people giving up the drink.


Probably the best 4 m

Sephiroth_dude

Went off it for the month of febuary last yr,was tough enough but no hanovers,saved money,I was gasping for a pint though come march first,I was thinking of going off it for january this yr but then I decided I'd have a few beers yesterday :rolleyes:

sauso

candy_pants wrote: »

Oh yeah and one other point someone else made. When you get to the stage where you're drinking affects other people then its time to stop. Obviously this can be very dramatic (family issues,violence etc) but at a base level, when your night out ends in a friend having to mind you or be your shoulder to cry on then you just need to realise that your need for a drink ends up being a really selfish act. Can you tell I was the 'minder' more than once???

Thats to story of my life since I started experimenting with alcohol at about 13. Either my personality changes and I become aggressive and argumentative or I end up bawling my eyes out, falling over, loosing stuff and needing to be minded. Of course thats not every night but in all the years now of drinking there's been enough of those bad nights to tell me now I need to stop completely, at least for a while and then reassess whether i'm capable of being an occasional & moderate drinker. Oh and to the triathlon lad, I told myself all year my drinking wasn't a problem because I was running my first half marathon & training a lot plus having a successful career but the reality is if you are dependent on drink it doesn't matter what else you do with your life...there is a thing called a functional alcoholic/alcohol abuser. Thats me anyway!
Well done to all who've given up and wish me luck i'm going to need it.

jackthelad321

I've just quit for new year. It is actually on the advice of an ENT doctor, who advised me to quit for a few months to repair my nervous system.

Now, i think it may be a great thing. In the last year or so i've had a few altercations and 2 actual fights. Both were rooted in drink. One was the othere fellows fault, truthfully, but i was fueled with drink and eventually punched him in the head after a lot of provocation.

The other time i was in a bar, only recently, and had a feast of tequila and ended up swinging for a lad inside. Ended up losing a lot of ****, my ohone my wallet and was stranded in Dublin for 6 hours looking for my firends house.

My brother has truned into a heavy drinker (7 night) and his personality hs become very dark with it and, though hw is a good drinker and rarely gets angry, his behavious has become very erratic.

Anyway, i am worried about giving up but i hope i realise it's not for me. I don't know about all the associated benifits, but if you have patchy or dry skin i think you'll be surprised at all the skin comments you get. (gave up for 4 weeks before)

I know some of you will pick apart this and all the rest but drink causes me a lot of problems.

Also, if you're single and go into a bar, you will have a lot more chance of scoring as not all hot chicks think the pisshead in the corner is the man of their dreams.

I guess i am prematurly commenting here but i felt the need to join in.

pheasant tail

Havent drank in 21 long sad weeks due to strict medication fair play of anyone who goes of the drink and stil goes out as i certaintly cant,quiet the opposite!

starbelgrade

This thread is enough to put a thirst on you.

Latchy

Haven't quit it and I dont have a rigid routine of when,when not to have a drink but when my kidneys tell me it's had enough ( for now ) I listen and unless your a serious drinker ( would consider myself moderate ) your liver only needs 3 days without alcohol to recover to a stable , healthier position .My last drink was on new years eve and it will be wednesday before I have another drink ,meeting up with some peeps I didn't get to have a christmas drink with .

syklops

mynamesjay wrote: »

Its really dependant on the venue. And most places aren't up to much in Ireland because we except such low standards because most people are tanked up. Cheap drink alone can be a basis for a nightclub in Ireland...

Its so true! The number of times you go to meet friends, and they say "Yeah we're going to O'hooligans Club in town" and you go "Isn't that the place with the asbestos, that was closed because of the rat infestation, where that girl fell into the hole thats in the middle of the dance floor and got impaled on the beer taps. and the paramedic couldn't get there in time, and we listened to her take her last breath?" and they say "Yeah but they have 'Buy one get one free on Vodka tonight!'"

syklops

starbelgrade wrote: »

This thread is enough to put a thirst on you.

You again. Can you not just leave us alone, instead of trying to be funny?

starbelgrade

syklops wrote: »

You again. Can you not just leave us alone, instead of trying to be funny?

You should start drinking again.

You used to be fun when you drank.

Micky Dolenz

syklops wrote: »

You again. Can you not just leave us alone, instead of trying to be funny?

If you want love and support, go here.

I'm off for a pint.

syklops

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

If you want love and support, go here.

I'm off for a pint.

As I stated before, its nice to see a thread on AH where people are giving honest and mature answers to the question at hand. And there has to be a couple of idiots who try to be funny and get a few laughs out of it.

As a mod you should be disgusted with yourself for a comment like that.

starbelgrade

syklops wrote: »

As I stated before, its nice to see a thread on AH where people are giving honest and mature answers to the question at hand. And there has to be a couple of idiots who try to be funny and get a few laughs out of it.

As a mod you should be disgusted with yourself for a comment like that.

I don't think you fully understand the concept behind After Hours.

It's "pub talk", not an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

Micky Dolenz

syklops wrote: »

As I stated before, its nice to see a thread on AH where people are giving honest and mature answers to the question at hand. And there has to be a couple of idiots who try to be funny and get a few laughs out of it.

As a mod you should be disgusted with yourself for a comment like that.

Are you for real?

While I respect your choice for not drinking, respect mine for not giving up.

There is a dedicated forum for those who want to discuss it, use it if you don't want to be mixing with drinking types.

Logical Fallacy

Gave up drinking over 2 years ago. Never really plan on drinking again. Sure, i used to enjoy the booze, but i just had to admit that it was bad for me.

The funniest thing is people's reactions to that fact that you don't drink at all, they normally look at you like you have two heads for the first minute or two, then they forget and ask you if you want a pint.:pac:

syklops

starbelgrade wrote: »

I don't think you fully understand the concept behind After Hours.

It's "pub talk", not an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

I have been a member of Boards for over 6 years. I understand the concept behind After Hours, and appreciate it has changed significantly in that time. Its just a shame it has become less "pub chat" and more a kind of Irish 4chan.

Are you for real?

While I respect your choice for not drinking, respect mine for not giving up.

There is a dedicated forum for those who want to discuss it, use it if you don't want to be mixing with drinking types.

Not once, has one non-drinker, or ex-drinker suggested to you or anyone else that they give up. There has been no preaching what so ever. All that has happened is people have come and told their stories in relation to alcohol in a main stream forum.

There is a dedicated forum for those who want to discuss it, use it if you don't want to be mixing with drinking types.

Funnily enough I do drink, and have no problem being around people who do. That is not what I am objecting to. I am objecting to people trying to make light of a serious issue for 'thanks'.

Now if you think that this thread is not suited to After Hours, that the majority of the users of After Hours can not act in a mature enough manner to treat a serious discussion topic seriously, then lock it or move it elsewhere.

My mother didn't raise a quitter.

starbelgrade

syklops wrote: »

I have been a member of Boards for over 6 years. I understand the concept behind After Hours, and appreciate it has changed significantly in that time. Its just a shame it has become less "pub chat" and more a kind of Irish 4chan.

It hasn't really. The majority of posters come here for a bit of craic & discussion, the same as you would do in any pub.

It's also well modded, in that the trolls usually get stopped before they get started & the Mods aren't afraid of using the ban hammer if needs be.

You're suggestion that it has become less like pub chat, is a bit rich too - in that you keep pulling up anyone who tries to make a lighthearted comment on what you consider to be a serious discussion.

Now, the last time I was in the pub, every serious discussion is open to lighthearted comments. That's the nature of pub talk. As Mickey said, there are dedicated forums for serious discussions... and there are also many discussions here that are mostly serious & aren't shipped off to specialist forums, because they are open to all to discuss seriously or to throw in a funny comment, as people see fit.

If you want to go around policing the forum as you have been doing the last few days, maybe you should try & become a Mod, or just stay clear of AH, as it really doesn't seem to suit you very well.

syklops

starbelgrade wrote: »

If you want to go around policing the forum as you have been doing the last few days, maybe you should try & become a Mod, or just stay clear of AH, as it really doesn't seem to suit you very well.

This will be the last thing I say on the matter. I have not been policing the forum. The only person I said anything to was you. That's because in six pages of comments spanning 7 days the only stupid comments and 'thanks whoring' was done by you.

starbelgrade

syklops wrote: »

This will be the last thing I say on the matter. I have not been policing the forum. The only person I said anything to was you. That's because in six pages of comments spanning 7 days the only stupid comments and 'thanks whoring' was done by you.

I've been posting in AH for a long time & refuse to allow anyone other than the Mods to tell me in which threads I can post or what I can post in them.

If you have a problem with me or my posts, then report them, take it to feedback or use the ignore button. It's that simple.

Micky Dolenz

Ok, I know I am partly to blame for this little debate. so I include myself in the following.

Lads, let it go.

fonecrusher1

syklops wrote: »

This will be the last thing I say on the matter. I have not been policing the forum. The only person I said anything to was you. That's because in six pages of comments spanning 7 days the only stupid comments and 'thanks whoring' was done by you.

In all fairness this is After Hours. Last stop before Seriousville.

Hug?

jackiebaron

I feel sorry for those who don't drink. They wake up in the morning and that's the best they'll feel all day.

- Dean Martin.

mrsdewinter

I would LOVE to stop drinking. Not a big drinker at all but the prospect of facing a social situation without a glass of vino fills me with fear.

Plus, as I draw on memories of my twenties, how do non-drinkers last the pace until the crucial 10-to-2 rush to score in a nightclub?

I can see how non-drinking men will be swamped by single women in awe of such a magical creature, but how do equally abstemious young women fare? Any wimmins have first hand experience on this?

mrsdewinter

mrsdewinter wrote: »

I would LOVE to stop drinking. Not a big drinker at all but the prospect of facing a social situation without a glass of vino fills me with fear.

Plus, as I draw on memories of my twenties, how do non-drinkers last the pace until the crucial 10-to-2 rush to score in a nightclub?

I can see how non-drinking men will be swamped by single women in awe of such a magical creature, but how do equally abstemious young women fare? Any wimmins have first hand experience on this?

Not big into nightclubs, would leave by midnight

DepecheHead101

I find rolling around and relishing your newfound slick, sharp as a tack sober weekend persona can help in beating the booze. That's how I done it about a year ago. They may be pissed but you can get off in your own way in the knowledge that you are the fastest head in the room, you know exactly what's going on and you are going to be the first person people come to in those distressed, wasted states. Your job is the intake of information and the dispensing of statements that make the impaired ones laugh or perk their interest.

It sounds pretentious as hell I know but ride with it. I also find giving up drink and cigarettes frees you up to be more blisfully ignorant in other areas of ones life. It's not the most scientific system in the world I know but if I'm stoned out of my brains wolfing down bacon double cheese burgers in Burger King I always use the defense 'well I don't smoke or drink' and it puts my mind at ease.

Luckily I never rated booze against dope so I had an easy time giving up I guess. Even that 'it's social, innit?' for me holds more water with smoking weed. I smoke outside pubs, come back in just as chatty as anyone else, and wake up feeling a lot better the next morning.

With a fat wallet. Ready to do the same thing all over again to Saturday morning cartoons. But I understand that's not everyones thing. Just always found it a more interesting, concequence free ride. And for some reason I have that Shorty from Scary Movie thing going on and have just as little inhibition as someone pissed, whereas most people I know smoking the doob would make them more reserved.

Naos

DepecheHead101 wrote: »

I find rolling around and relishing your newfound slick, sharp as a tack sober weekend persona can help in beating the booze. That's how I done it about a year ago. They may be pissed but you can get off in your own way in the knowledge that you are the fastest head in the room, you know exactly what's going on and you are going to be the first person people come to in those distressed, wasted states. Your job is the intake of information and the dispensing of statements that make the impaired ones laugh or perk their interest.

It sounds pretentious as hell I know but ride with it. I also find giving up drink and cigarettes frees you up to be more blisfully ignorant in other areas of ones life. It's not the most scientific system in the world I know but if I'm stoned out of my brains wolfing down bacon double cheese burgers in Burger King I always use the defense 'well I don't smoke or drink' and it puts my mind at ease.

Luckily I never rated booze against dope so I had an easy time giving up I guess. Even that 'it's social, innit?' for me holds more water with smoking weed. I smoke outside pubs, come back in just as chatty as anyone else, and wake up feeling a lot better the next morning.

With a fat wallet. Ready to do the same thing all over again to Saturday morning cartoons. But I understand that's not everyones thing. Just always found it a more interesting, concequence free ride. And for some reason I have that Shorty from Scary Movie thing going on and have just as little inhibition as someone pissed, whereas most people I know smoking the doob would make them more reserved.

Hate to break it to you, but you're hardly the fastest head in the room if you're stoned.

hellyeah

Naos wrote: »

Hate to break it to you, but you're hardly the fastest head in the room if you're stoned.

lol:D

colc1

candlegrease wrote: »

What have been the benefits and drawbacks, and how have you found the experience in general?

Yeah best thing I ever did...just regret ever starting benefits really outweigh any negatives...

colc1

mrsdewinter wrote: »

I would LOVE to stop drinking. Not a big drinker at all but the prospect of facing a social situation without a glass of vino fills me with fear.

Plus, as I draw on memories of my twenties, how do non-drinkers last the pace until the crucial 10-to-2 rush to score in a nightclub?

I can see how non-drinking men will be swamped by single women in awe of such a magical creature, but how do equally abstemious young women fare? Any wimmins have first hand experience on this?

As a non-drinking bloke I can tell you I had much greater success when I drank women seem to get all uptight and self-conscious when you let out your 'dark secret' haha I would love to meet a lass who didnt drink most seem to be pissheads to be honest who cant stop once they start the idea seems to be to drink into oblivion.

AckwelFoley

I drink - i do on occasion like getting so ****faced that THIS happens

However that been said it it a very rare occasion i get intoxicated, i dont have the patience for hangovers and ive too many responsibilities to be getting smashed. I enjoy a social drink, but my biggest saving grace is that i couldnt care less if i never had a drink again -too many of my extended family relatives were heavily burdened by drinking and its long term effects on their lives, and i swore it would never happen to me - so in essance when i was 22 and working in my first full time job after college i gave up drinking for a few years until i done some things i wanted to do - like build a house etc etc.

Coming up on my ninth year. I was at deaths door, rock bottom as they say. Havent looked back since. I almost gave up though. The doctors at the Hospital didnt want me to leave when I wanted to leave, with one saying to me, you'll be back here within the week.

Well, Doc, you were wrong.

As they say in AA, not glad Im an alcoholic, but glad to know I am one.