Haven't touched a drop in...

Late 40's and would not count myself a heavy drinker. When I was younger I definitely drank alot more. Since covid started have really cut down big time on the booze. Pre covid was out every Saturday night, maybe 8-10 pints, maybe a cure on Sunday. Since covid happened have almost stopped drinking completely even when the pubs opened back up I could not be bothered going out. Did not go out at all over the Christmas and had maybe 2 cans. Its the hangovers that kill me at this stage, its just not worth teh hassle. Drying for days and feeling like sh1te. Life is definitely easier without the drink.

I went to the pub the other night with a couple of buddies and had three pints of Heineken Zero. If I was at home I wouldn't bother but being out in a pub with friends having 'pints' was a nice experience and kind of scratched the itch when you're off the booze.

Does it depend on the individual person as to wether its 'safe' to drink non ac beers? Esp when some do contain some tiny amount of alcohol. Being back in the pub culture, around others drinking is that not a step towards making it easier to relapse or does it depend on the individual. My oh I know would be dragged back into the culture and temptation if he started going to pubs and having non alc beers. At a family bbq he would have non alc beers so he doesn't feel left out I think the more it tastes like real beer the more tempting it is and could lead him to thinking ah sure I'm grand on this just ran out so will try a regular one. I know it's out of my control but I do think he's kidding himself. But up to him at the end of the day. I will not be there if he relapses again though for my own sake.

Yeh I guess if you were never find of the taste and just he effect it can be easier not to bother with them. Would you still go to pubs now and just drink a coke or whatever or do you not bother now? My oh always liked the taste apparently so that may be one reason and he n ay want to just fit in but to be it's a slippery sloap.

Before Covid I used to go to the pub on my own quite often, once a week anyway, but during the day time. Had a tea/coffee, OJ or something.

I'm in my 40's now, so "the lads" all meet up for a night out maybe only once or twice a year now instead of every week. I don't enjoy that night out as much as I did in my early 20's, but here's the thing, I can see that they clearly aren't having as much fun as they did in their 20's either. It's just a part of getting older.

So I know I'm not missing out on much. It's still nice to see them and catch up, but as I say none of us are having the blast that we did when we were 20.

That's what my oh found, the relief of not having to plan how to get enough beer every day and how to hide it and how to get away with it, how to find enough money for it. It was like a military plan every day and the strain of it was head wrecking in the end.

I've found my battle with addiction really interesting over the last 18 months. All the urges, one or two can't harm, worry about it tomorrow, the depression, the hopelessness (whats the point in life without drink) - looking back on it all, it was my addiction fuelling all this angst. It took about 12 months for these symptoms to abate, and for me to start truly enjoying life without alcohol. The depression and hopelessness lingered for a long time, but it did improve slowly and is very much under control now. I currently have no desire to drink, but I know I am still addicted, and if I open that door just a small bit it's game over. Everyone's story is different, but your experience is quite similar to mine and I just want to backup your point on keeping the door shut.. best of luck!

That's great, it makes all the difference when you actually want to do it yourself rather than feeling obligated to do it or just giving yourself a break from it. Sometimes it just takes time and it's never to late to start changing habits. Just ensure you have support around you even if you can do it yourself it's nice to have back up there if you're having a low day or just stressed. You don't even have to be craving a drink it can be just if things get on top of you that you have someone to chat to. My OH quit after nearly 30 years of hard drinking he's 5 years sober and turned his life around in such a short space of time. No point in regretting what you could have done everyone has regrets drinkers or not, just look forward to what's ahead.

The feeling of freedom is definitely an unexpected bonus. I wasn't expecting that as I never felt it in previous stunts off the drink. I suppose the difference is that back then I was only off the drink and what was keeping me going was the thoughts of a several day session when I went back on it. This time I'm not off the beer, I've given it up. It's a totally different mindset.

On the weight loss, I have lost weight but that's because I'm exercising a lot. I always did a bit of exercise anyway but not nearly as much as I needed to because I simply wasn't able while I was drinking. The reason I've lost weight is because I now have the energy and more importantly the time to do more exercise. There's no point giving up the drink and just staying at home watching TV trying to kill time. You need to make at least one other positive change in your life.

I was similar to you, I gave up drinking "permanently" and lasted 4.5 months the first 3 times. This 4th time will be 7 years in a couple of weeks so I hope it is permanent. The first 3 times were all triggered by some catastrophic night drinking, losing phones etc. Those times are posted on this thread.

This last time I was on a beach holiday at Christmas and I had time to look back over the previous year. Even though I had clocked up 4.5 months sober that year I didn't have anything to show for it. No progress in finances, career etc, though I had gotten into a bit of running while sober.

I came up with an idea for a side business and realised that if I kept drinking that I would probably work on it only on a Wednesday if I'm lucky. I would either spend me free time drinking or recovering from drinking.

Then over the course of a few days everything just clicked and I saw that there close to zero benefits from continuing to drink while there were dozens of ways my life would be better. It was kinda an epiphany or "The Emperor isn't wearing any clothes" moment. I saw what now seems obvious.

I've no regrets about drinking, I particularly had a blast when I was in college, and then kinda in my 20's. I stopped at 36 and I think for most people the really good times drinking are in the rear view mirror at that point. It was a good time to stop.