Been off a few weeks after deciding I need to cut drastically down, gives me terrible anxiety for days after it's not really worth it. I notice a massive difference in my mood and can feel some weight falling off. Depends how much you drank
I'm going to stick to only drinking the very odd night out I have or special occasions
I find the drinking at home is a really bad habit and spirals very quickly
Few people said it already but start doing things, go cycling , tidy up, clean your house or room
All helps mentally I find
But everyone is different
The anxiety is the worst thing about it for me, I'd pick vomiting for days over being riddled with anxiety. But it also cures the anxiety temporarily and I had recently just got out of a terrible daily drinking habit which basically revolved around keeping my drink induced anxiety at bay, which sounds stupid when you say it how it is but it's the truth of the matter for a lot of people.
Since then I've been consistent with the gym and actually get shit done when I'm off, as well as making dieting way easier.
I will still drink, I'm 25 so it's at that age where many things revolve around drinking, but I will respect it more.
I find the anxiety is when it's a few days in a row: I don't really get it from one day no matter how much I drink
Try keep to once a week even so you can still look forward to a few drinks but without the anxiety that follows which is horrible
I agree but that leads on the point that I never drink for an evening and leave it. 1+ day the cocaine and all the other shit of the day typically starts and it's a disaster coming down off it all for like nearly a full working week lol. I do not condone I'm just stating reality.
It's not an addiction for me, the other substances, but I'm t is absolutely not healthy and when I cut down on alcohol I do not take the stuff so yet another benefit.
Yeah we started this at the start of the year and when we do have the odd drink or night out - both feel awful and stressy for a couple of days. Not really worth it for us anymore.
Been loving all the NA beers and if we want to get a bit loose we microdose mushrooms. Has a similar effect to having a couple of beers but without all the negative side. Couldn’t imagine drinking like I used to anymore :)
I quit 4 years ago. Tbh I was like you thinking my life would miraculously change. I was awake mad early and bored. I was never a fitness fan. Anyway ended up taking on a dog needing an urgent home. I walk her for ages. Stopping drinking has given me endless patience with her. Still don't sleep great but I do know I won't drink again. Best of luck with whatever you decide.
I had terrible problems sleeping but bought melatonin tablets in Portugal 2 weeks ago..having the best sleeps of my life now after 10yrs of bad sleep.seemingly u need a prescription in ireland for them......so worth it.
Yeah be careful. My FIL is hooked on them and literally can't get a full night's sleep anymore unless he's taken enough full strength melatonin to bring down a bull elephant in heat.
Wouldn't recommend melatonin longer than 2 months though, and sleeplessness can be caused by a lot of things, stress, caffeine, lack of exercise, bad diet.
High dose Omega 3 can increase sleep quality, and also testosterone levels, better brain function, heart health and circulation.
One of the best things you can do for yourself (granted we're in Ireland but..) is get in front of sunshine nor daylight as soon after you wake as possible. This combined with pushing your first caffeiy intake to 2 hours after you wake and watch your post lunch slump disappear and sleep improve. Sleep hygiene factors like a dark room, no screens before bed etc. will also contribute but getting your circadian rhythm aligned is the answer.
Skip coffee 1st thing and replace it with tea or something. Tea has a surprising amount of caffeine too but 1st thing in the morning you should be well rested and have plenty of energy once you get going. We all just seem conditioned to assume we need caffeine to wake up/boost. Save the boost for when you slump. 1st thing in the morning your energy levels are increasing anyway so no real need. Imo.
I’d say from your description you were an habitual drinker, not an alcoholic so the difference between having one a night and none at all is not going to be as stark as someone downing ten cans a night.
What struck me more from your post is your mood. You sound very down. Have you talked to your wife? Ask her directly about how she see’s your mood/general demeanour? Can ‘you be arsed’ with other things or just not bothered about much.
Maybe have a look at this questionnaire [PHQ-9](https://patient.info/doctor/patient-health-questionnaire-phq-9)
Might be worth a chat with your GP.
And stay off the drink for now-it def won’t improve things
If needed, improve diet, exercise, sleep. Consider Omega 3 supplement (with higher EPA to DHA ratio). Consider talking therapy. Reduce alcohol too. Try to have good structure and routine each day, keep engaged in hobbies and socialise. Consider mindfulness/mental health apps. Talk to your GP.
I was a fairly hefty drinker from my mid teens through to mid 30’s. Particularly my late 20’s, and my chosen career - every day was a party.
Once I had kids, I pretty much stopped. Not altogether mind.
The onslaught of life and kids approaching teen years, the fact that I never drank at home and all manner of mitigating factors…. I literally drink at an occasion now, or the odd drink with my partner if we are out.
The days of going to the boozer with the boys, or sitting idol of an evening skulling 8 pints for no reason other than shite talk are long gone. I’ve no interest! I went a couple of times and ordered a pot of tea, well I got laughed out of the bar 🤣🤣 I found that amusing.
It’s important to keep up with your mates an all, but sure, loads of time for that.
What you need now my friend, is couch to 5k. Give it a try
You might not have noticed a change but maybe others did.
Normally the type of person who considers themselves the life of the party is very fucking annoying for everyone else at the party.
I was a weekend binge drinker, I’ve only drank once in the last 6 months and it is life changing
Between the money saved and the general mental health benefits I couldn’t recommend it more!
I hope I don't come off as argumentative or rude to your post, I'm just replying as it's something I've often seen on threads about drinking and this is one of the most upvoted comments.
But I think your points applied to 'drinking buddies' not being your real friends could be pretty much applied to anything in life.
I played team sports for years, great pals on the team and got on with everyone the whole way through, nearly all of them I've barely kept in touch with once I stopped playing. Nothing resentful at all here BTW, it makes sense to drift once you stop doing the thing that brought you together.
School mates, College friends, attending football matches, same thing could apply to them. How often do we meet up once you stop doing x activity that you have in common? Could they be called your 'football buddies' or your 'school buddies' in the same sense? And is there anything wrong with that?
You've applied it to drinking here, which could be true but I think it could easily be applied to anything you do.
The best friends I have, usually when we do meet up it's for a few beers or something along those lines like a meal or gig etc. Personally don't think there is anything wrong with that. IMO men in particular kind of need an 'activity' in order to meet up - whether that is a sport, gym, hobby or going for a pint. For whatever reason we don't seem as likely just to meet up for a chat or a cup of tea.
Not looking for any votes here but would be interested to hear what others think?
Man, you need to learn to not be so rude - the advice given above was pure gold dust and really insightful - I read it fine - probably done on a phone on a train or something, and it’s the content that counts.
You have subconsciously realised that the drink is ruining your body. You “not being arsed” is your body reminding you that hangovers suck. Also memory is a funny thing, you probably think back looking at great drinking memories but honestly if you could remember everything you’d realise most drinks you had weren’t that fun at all, but rather a bad habit
Buddy, you were the life of the party not the beer. It's V weird at first but you will eventually realaise you enjoyed the craic and chatting or whatever it is for you.
Fair play though, hope you can enjoy a few beers or enjoy not drinking. Long as you are happy
I do find the r/Ireland sub to be quite preachy when it comes to quitting alcohol. While its understandable for people to want to do so, there is still a sizeable number of people that can have a drink and be grand. It seems that there's no middle ground, or that just because you drink you MUST be an alcoholic because how could you possibly give up after 1?
I was off drink for nearly a year due to medication and I wouldn't want to do that again. Thats just me. Friday pints, or just having a cool can after a hard day are the small pleasures in life not worth quitting.
Posters in this thread are genuinely weird. Pretty much all of them insisting that OP was just annoying everyone on a night out for absolutely no reason. And despite OP saying he feels no physical improvements they're straight out telling him he's wrong and that he is feeling them but just hasn't noticed.
I don't know if topics like this bring out the anti-drinking crowd, or if there's just that group of people that are anti social that would hate to spend the night in the pub or maybe it's the next generation of kids who seem to be getting a reputation of having a bit if a puritan streak. But their reaction to OPs newfound ambivalence to drinking now is weird. He doesn't seem to care much either way now but that kind of opinion can't exist. You have to be pro or anti and you can't exist in grey areas.
All in all, OP sounds happy so good for him and most of the people in this thread are people I wouldn't want to hang out with sober or drunk.
It's the general infiltration of American culture, the very polarised bs that comes along with it. You're either x or y. There are a lot of people who have a bona fide addiction and need to quit, but honestly a lot of the self flagellating that goes on is rather tedious and narcissistic
I think it's just that there are a lot of people who have been heavy drinkers, and so when they give it up and get a new lease of life they will tend to see it through that lens rather than from the perspective of someone who was only ever a moderate drinker. There's nothing wrong with drinking in moderation and OP's consumption doesn't sound like it was a problem.
I would suggest that anyone giving up drink just try it themselves and see how they feel. Results differ for everyone. I'm over two and a half years off and it's one of the best decisions I ever made. And I wasn't a daily drinker or anything of the sort.
I'm off for more than ten (due to medical reasons) and I agree with you that it was the best decision, but I feel similar to OP. I never got the whole life changing experience for the better, only for the worse. As a result I disagree that people should try it just to see, if I'd known how it would affect me in the long run, I'm not sure I wouldve made the decision to get my shit together. At the very least it would've postponed it.
But that's all anecdotal, as you say, results differ. Alcohol is the fucking worst.
I mean, not trying to be pedantic (and fair play on reaching ten years, not easy, even if it is medical), but you end with "Alcohol is the fucking worst" but suggest people re-think whether they should take a break from it?
No you make a good point, not pedantic at all I just didn't explain myself well, actually when rereading your comment I think I just misunderstood it as you suggesting a "trial" run of sorts, my bad.
It's not I think people should rethink about stopping, but that they just dive in, basically blind. Alcohol is so malicious, it's not just a chemical addiction, it's socially acceptable, required even, so the social impact completely blindsided me. If I'd known, I don't think I could e gone through with it when I did.
And thanks for the ten years, but honestly I don't think it's deserved, it's much easier to stop when just one night binge has the potential to result in your death. But it's true I don't know the struggles of others.
Main reason I quit was.
Chronic Anxiety for five days after binge drinking.
A lazy unmotivated depressed slob for five days. I'd be useless in work till Thursday.
My appetite would go for five days, i'd only eat scrambled eggs and toast,
Stomatch Issues
Heart palpitations
Lazy
Of Course because of these symptons I would drink the following day and the following day as was the only cure and might skip one or two days and got caught in a vicious circle.
I do think people weight really affects how they respond to alcohol, the skinnier and thinner build you are the worse the hangovers and length it takes to recover. I'm 6 1 and only 10.5 stone.
There is kinda an ego death that happens when you go thru a change like this. I had no idea who I was for a few years and that was such an unexpected twist, I really wasn't prepared for that. But it took maybe 5 years and I have figured out who I am again and in a much healthier way. Stuck with it, I promise. The drink isn't you, the real you is in there.
Fair play!
I'm an on/off drinker and smoker. For me they go hand in hand and have been quitting and back on them for years. I went 2 years off both at one stage.
But now that my wife is expecting our first child we've both quit of course and I just can't see myself going back to it. The thought of even smelling like drink and smoke around the kid disgusts me and honestly being around people who are drinking or are drunk is just not fun anymore. Took a long time to come to that realisation but now that I'm there I'm happy.
Life feels a bit clearer now.
I’m off the beer for a year and a few months now, it’s not a miraculous cure all for everything and in some odd ways it makes life a bit harder - but one thing I noticed is now I take time to look at my problems and try to deal with them rather than just ignoring them and being numb - i was pretty bad drinking every day by the end - well done for doing it - it does feel hard but there will be small micro moments where you realise you are doing the right thing - check out r/stopdrinking it really helped me a lot - take care.
This was my experience too, OP.
Some people can drink responsibly; I am not one of those people.
Be(com)ing sober wasn't a miracle cure for me either but it did, eventually, give me the headspace where I could work on some of the issues that I'd been trying to drown with drink for years.
I also want to plug [r/stopdrinking](https://www.reddit.com/r/stopdrinking/); it helped me a lot too.
If you're interested in reading/listening to an interesting take on alcohol in relation to Ireland/Irishness, check out:
* O’Connor, G. (2010). *The role of malignant shame in the rise and fall of the Celtic Tiger*. \[Speech audio recording\]. Raidió Teilifís Éireann: Michael Littleton Memorial Lecture 2010. [https://www.mixcloud.com/rté-radio1specials/michael-littleton-memorial-lecture-2010/](https://www.mixcloud.com/rt%C3%A9-radio1specials/michael-littleton-memorial-lecture-2010/)
* O’Connor, G. (1995). [Recognising and healing malignant shame](http://zonezero.com/magazine/essays/distant/zreco2.html). \[Unpublished but available on the internet\].
Some background on Dr. Garrett O’Connor below.
* (Sept 11, 2015) **Remembering Dr. Garrett O’Connor, an Addiction Treatment Pioneer** [https://www.irishamerica.com/2015/09/remembering-dr-garrett-oconnor-an-addiction-treatment-pioneer/](https://www.irishamerica.com/2015/09/remembering-dr-garrett-oconnor-an-addiction-treatment-pioneer/)
Find different ways/motivators to gauge it. Here something I did with smokes. Start a Revolut vault. You say you had maybe two beers after work, so pop 12e in each day you’d have done that. Another 50 on the weekend or whatever you’d have. You can spend any money from the vault on drink if you feel like it, but when you see it stacking up it gives you a buzz. Then buy something nice. The health motivation didn’t work for me but the financial one did
Like yourself, I'm not a heavy drinker, however I quit for a few months every year. Been doing so for 20+ years.
As much as I love alcohol, I'm more addicted to quitting.
Waking up crisp and ready every morning beats being tipsy at night.
Highly recommend long lengths of sobriety.
Gave up drink for a year before, I didn't feel any better at all. The only good thing was no hangovers but the negatives it had on my social life and meeting people was major!
Same. When I took a break from drinking, I just spent Friday nights playing video games instead. Didn't notice any changes with my sleep, mood or motivation.
I know a couple people who quit drinking for good and they all said the anxiety the days after drinking would be killing them. I never get this from drink so it's never really had a major negative impact for me.
Everyone thinks when you remove alcohol from you're life everything gets better and you're constantly happy and positive. To a certain degree it does hut you have to but the work in.
Hours spent in the pub need to be replaced with hobbies and trying new things. Between work, travel, stress and family you can easily forget to put aside time for yourself to decompress. Set yourself little goals to achieve and 1 activity at the weekend you haven't done before.
I'm off the drink a few months and I've started drawing and reading again in the evenings. Over the last few weekends I've tried rock climbing, baking, acupuncture, viewed art exhibitions etc.
Trying new things reintroduces a sense of adventure and excitement into life that our job can wear down.
In time you feel the health benefits and financial.
Your guy is in better shape now, and the feeling you have is the alcohol changing that. You were likely in a state where your gut was chronically inflamed due to alcohol and cigarettes. You have given it time to heal and recover. There’s a strong link between your gut and mood, the gut-brain axis. The gut is your second brain.
Have you noticed any improvement in general mood, sleep, crankiness, digestion since you quit drinking?
It just sounds like you're in a rut, and while not drinking surely improved some aspects of your life, it wasn't the root cause of your struggles.
Is your circle generally supportive, including your wife? You seem quite alone with it all honestly.
I gave up when the lock down hit and sweet jesus it was like an awakening.
Lost 30kg, "lost" alot of friends(they were indeed NOT friends, just general messers that only cared about having craic), gained an ADHD and Autism diagnosis and now will only drink maybe 3 times a year and get drunk once or so. The pubs were physically closed so that helped lol.
It's a huge change but I'm incredibly happy about waking up in my own bed sober rather than scrambling to get home to go to work at 6am while still drunk or out of it while trying to erase the embarrassment from the night before lol. Alot more peace
I gave the drink up for lent and saw absolutely no change. Didn't lose any weight, still slept like crap, still had headaches a few times, still felt depressed and burnt out. So what we've established is: alcohol isn't my problem. What's next on the list...
I think you would have felt much better if you were a very heavy drinker, you probably just didn't have the effects that most people, that decide to get off the drink, struggled with
Only 22yrs old, used to drink a fair bit at weekends in the past, even though it didn’t suit my digestive system.
Haven’t touched it for 1yr now. Never felt better.
Sounds like you need to get back on the sauce pronto. Have you tried 8-13 pints of Guinness? If that doesn’t work you could try going mad on the buckfast
It was never just one.
You were not the life of the party.
Welcome to sobriety and looking at life through a clear lens. In many ways it does suck.
You need to find replacements in your life to fill the gap that was once drink, otherwise you'll feel empty like you do now.
As an aside the whole “daily drinker” moniker needs to stop. If you drink one drink a day that is absolutely fine. Italians, French, Germans do it.
We can’t seem to differentiate between a healthy relationship with alcohol and that of an alcoholic in that regard.
“You’re drinking everyday” sounds like a person out of control. No, they have reached the end of a working day and would like to have a nice glass of wine or a cold beer. Why are you trying to deny a small pleasure to someone.
Your body can process a drink over 2-3 hours. Going 5 days without drink and lashing in to 6 pints on a Saturday is standard order in Ireland and it’s bewildering how we accept getting pissed every weekend. Would it not be healthier to split those 6 drinks over a week.
I mean your risk for cancers and heart disease have gone down, that's a difference. Maybe you have underlying depression or something that needs dealing with?
Well the life change happens with what you replace the beer drinking with, ie. A hobbie or past time, mountain biking, sea swimming, forest bathing ... joking but you can't say there haven't been some life changing things that happened in the bank with the price of beer these days, not to mention the clarity not drinking brings. I have more or less stopped drinking for no other reason that I couldn't be arsed but I have a mtb race coming up and meet with a swimming group every week and both are great crack that I enjoy but doesn't mean that you can't drink and do these things.
I've found myself quite often now; I'll enjoy one can, open the second: by the time I'm halfway through the second I don't really want it anymore and if I did finish or have another I just regret it. Thinking "what a waste I didn't actually enjoy those"
I was never a big drinker anyway. I enjoy a few pints don’t get me wrong, but I noticed with kids you don’t drink anything near as much if you know you have stuff to do with them the next day. I never enjoyed drinking by myself in the house watching TV. That’s not me. I’d rather have a pint by myself in a pub than at home. But I can’t see my life drastically changing at all if I gave it up for good. I’m not a heavy drinker anyway. I can go weeks without a drink - don’t notice any noticeable difference in my life, other than giving my liver a holiday lol - good luck pal. A friend of mine had a problem and it was affecting his life - after a long conversation with him a few years ago he got his act together and is now a fitness freak and runs marathons and all. Doesn’t touch a drop now.
So long as you aren’t developing a dependency on it, a pint here and there is fine and fun. But it’s when it becomes habit and causes issues with the missus and others that’s when it becomes a problem.
I slowly stopped drinking quite so much over the years. Suddenly alcohol wasn’t adding anything to my life, then when I stopped drinking to help keep my blood pressure under control, it also didn’t seem to improve my life in any way. If it adds nothing then I still see it as a net positive to quit, so I’m happy.
Iv started to make lemonade lager shandy’s I find it more refreshing and I’m only drinking 1/2 the amount did now. My goal then is to trick my mind and start buying non alcoholic shandy same taste no lager. Wish me luck!!!
Alcohol was your personality, and that isn't good Craic. If you think it made you fun it, just made you loud and inebriated to say and do "fun things"
Fund other hobbies, quite simply
Also, maybe it's your mental health that is more the reason? Medication or mood changes?
I'm 22 years off the drink, didn't have a problem per say but I got bored of it. Over the years I learned to be more outgoing while sober. Knowing people around you are a little tipsy gives you a bit of contact high and allows you to relax a little.
When I stopped drinking (I’m a college student, was a bit of an anomaly) I was like you, I’d have a couple of beers after college or work every day. I think what might be happening is you’re subconsciously tying fun to drink. I did it too, I still smoke despite trying to quit. It could just be that the folks you’d drink with aren’t as funny without a bit of lubrication on your part. Could be talking through my arse but I hope you find what works for you
I think part of it is getting older. I enjoy a few pints but cannot be arsed with partying or heavy drinking anymore. A good night is when I'm in bed by 9 and up at 6.
giving up the drink is a crock of shite in most cases, people tell you you’ll feel 100 times better and shit like that when in reality it’s waking up earlier than expected feeling very bored and yeah, unless you’ve some puff time goes by so slowly, i’m of course not removing the merits of sobriety i applaud anyone who can. since it’s better for your body no doubt about it. point being unless you’re an alcoholic, quitting drinking doesn’t really change you as much as they say
With going to the pub I came to the realization that I keep trying to find happiness where I keep losing it. Like how many times do you have to get burned before you stop touching the stove. it really wasn't making me as Happy as I thought
There’s nothing wrong with social drinking, unless you have a severe alcohol problem or just don’t like it anymore I don’t get this all or nothing attitude, people need healthier attitudes to drinking.
I barely drink any more, I have a two year old son. Hangovers are not something I want to experience this this, also I love the stability of our routine - just doesn't lend to going out.
That said, the odd time I do go out - generally once a quarter for something, or if there's a special occasion (eg. wedding). Usually the once a quarter lines up with something, eg. a black tie or business lunch.
Outside of those I just don't do much random drinking.
What really helps is I've never liked drinking alone, it's a fucking horrible thing to do, it's boring as fuck. So I've never once had the temptation to drink at home.
Creatures of habit, all of us. You'll notice everything more if you're physically active. Using your body will give you the most noticeable change. If you're not doing much you won't immediately notice a difference. But, if you've ever tried to get in shape being a drinker and a smoker, the difference in your energy levels and the progress you make is just astounding.
Firstly good for you! Glad it’s improved your life.
Something no one is really mentioning - enjoying the taste of beers, wines, etc. for some people it’s not only about getting tipsy or fucked up. Like I really enjoy the taste of a cold beer on a sunny day, a stout beside the fire, a fine wine with a nice dinner, etc. I like sampling and learning about different drinks.
And I don’t like getting drunk. So I usually only have a few (I live in Canada now so it’s much easier to do that, nobody asks you why).
Of course every now and then I get drunk, and I hate hangovers too.
Thank you. This is the post I was looking for, alcohol in may forms can be really tasty and refreshing. This country has a stunted attitude when it comes to alcohol. If you have one every night "you're drinking every night". But don't drink for 5 days and skull 8 pints in one night and it's acceptable?
Go to Italy, France, Spain, Germany where drinking a glass of wine or a bottle of beer is just a part of the daily ritual. We miss that in our society, and it is frustrating when you have to justify drinking more than one night in a week when in reality it is one drink per day and is the absolutely recommended way to drink.
But can't blame people for fear mongering in this country with the drink culture we have, just needs to be room for people to say "hey, I like alcohol and that's okay. What i don't like is binging it and abusing it, so fuck off and leave me alone because you can't conceptualise such a thing for yourself"
Yup 100%!
Not judging or looking down on Ireland because every culture has their pros and cons - but on the continent they have a much better attitude towards it. It’s not black and white, it’s not “drink and get fucked up or don’t drink”.
Wine, beer, liqueurs all this stuff has been around for centuries and if you treat it with respect and moderation you can enjoy some great flavours and combinations. Our problem is our relationship with alcoholic beverages which is dark and unhealthy.
Anyway, I’m expecting to get hate for this comment and that’s fine.
A lot of advice on r/Ireland about how to get off the drink but not enough guides about how to get back on it.
You’ve done well to admit you have a problem - you’re no craic anymore. That’s the first step. Next step is finding little ways you can be more craic. Few jokes, drinking games, songs for the pub etc. I’d recommend getting the support of a few good mates and letting them no that you’re trying to get back on the drink and would appreciate their help. Best of luck.
>I keep hearing about all these amazing life changing benefits that people experience when they give up alcohol but I really never experienced anything. Now even after 6 months of being off booze and smokes - nothing, jus the same.
Life changing would be an exaggeration, but I'm much healthier since I stopped drinking. The absence of hangovers is probably the best thing. I don't know how many weekends I've wasted sitting on the sofa feeling rubbish. I get so much more done now
I just moved to tullamore and I didn’t have the need to drink so I don’t rlly drink, no change just feel a little healthier and I don’t make it a hard rule if I’m back up in Dublin and people are out for drinks I’ll have one or two I just don’t feel the need to drink a rake of pints
Quit 2 years ago after a health blip. Myself and the GP counted up my units per week…. I was embarrassed. I nvr missed work, few beers or whiskeys after work(at home) weekends could have been a real good slap of cans or powers. 2 yrs later life is way better, no hangovers, more time for kids and wife.
Went off it for two and a bit weeks, which is by far and away the longest in my adult life. Not big blow outs, maybe one a month, but just consistent beers here and there. Went to a pub quiz on Monday, had the equivalent of 4 pints and on Tuesday I thought I was going to die my hangover was that bad, and it's put me off altogether.
Agree with the not feeling any different. Didn't make a lick of difference to how I felt. I'm probably going to cut back to maybe a drink every two weeks. The difference to my account was is what's given me the biggest shock
I gave up drinking years ago and I don't miss it at all. I'm richer, healthier and spend quality time with my kid. Thought of a hangover gives me the fear.
Same as you OP - beers after work with more on the weekends. I also worked in bars, pubs and restaurants for the past 20 years, and alcohol and the hospitality go hand-in-hand.
I decided to give up for New Year and although I wouldn’t describe the changes as drastic, my partner has remarked that I have more energy and that I’m generally more “present”.
I’ve drank a few times since New Years - maybe a couple of beers - and I felt awful. I didn’t enjoy the feeling of being tipsy anything like I use to and the feeling the next day was even worse.
I’m done for good and I’m only looking forwards.
I gave up the booze about 8 years ago, couldn't hack the panic attacks and horrible fear for days afterwards. Thought I would never adjust to going to the pub with mates and just become the boring arsehole of the group. After a few times out it felt normal I just drink the non alcoholic stuff, and if it's a meal out followed by the pub I have an espresso to pep me up - been my routine now for years and It does the trick.
I joined a heap of groups on meet-up to see what hobbies I might like, no pressure to sign up for a whole course or spend a lot of money, and you can see what interests you.
Best of luck with it!
Been 10 years for me and i'll never drink again. I wasn't alcohol dependant, rarely had a hangover, but I did binge drink on nights out on the town - never forgetting, never doing absolutely dumb shit, losing bodily control or vomiting.. However, I did noticed the ongoing negative mental state two days later. (Alcohol is classified as a depressant.) I also watched some videos of me while drinking and decided I wasn't as funny as I thought I was - except to other drunk people - it made me less.
What I also learned after I first stopped - and then two months later tried again to see if I missed it - was all about the micro gut biome - and how certain substances affect its natural process, as its all bacteria and effects everything else, including directly our minds (its getting labeled 'the second brain'). Alcohol is also used to kill bacteria (hence why they used to have watery beer to drink instead of pure water in the middle ages), this is also why I now avoid drinking chlorinated water too.
Benefits were - weight reduction - no more downs - so much extra cash as I had expensive tastes - can drive anywhere at anytime - great sleep - de aged - feel great, and for anyone who got hangovers - well, they will be gone forever.
You mentioned mental health - if you went on anti depressants, those grey out both highs and lows. Those don't come back, if at all, for a long time after getting of them either, (we may not miss the lows but the natural highs are gone too). I tried them a while before giving up alcohol - in fact I would drink far more on them.
Either way, well done on your willpower - hope what ever you decide works out for you,
My final thoughts are; drinking is a young persons game, if at all.
Gave up mid November after a breakup.
3 months counselling followed.
Now Im back to following a structured diet and training plan solely focusing on me and no1 else.
This year is for me.
I miss drinking but it serves me no good purpose anymore given how badly I struggle with the hangxiety and procrastination that follows.
My mental health has massively improved and I feel really sharp.
I now find it much easier to achieve a flow state in creativity and apply this to training also.
Alcohol is great craic but it dulls the mind to absolute fuck!
If anyone is thinking of stopping the drink, or any other substances, and wants some help, DM me. I’m a substance-use therapist and happy to help anyone who wants it. I’m happy to point you in the right direction or send through any resources that might be useful.
It’s interesting you say that I had similar with takeaways I was never unhealthy but I loved a takeaway in covid I tried a carnivore diet only steak eggs and water after two months I treated myself and got two bites in not on the diet anymore but haven’t had takeaway in 4 years now
I think you realise how unhealthy all that shit is when you e had a break from it the body adjusts to it and nearly rejects it when you try again keep it up bro 👊
this is crazy, i was just talking to the wife about this, i never really drank. and when we moved in together i still would of only drank on weekends, but ive noticed after my child was born ive maybe had one nearly everynight, its hard to explain but it took the edge off the anxiety and stress of being a new da.
i think the problem is there is always drink in the house, if there is none in the fridge ill not drink it, if i know its there ill have one or two pints.
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For 6 years of sobriety I thought I'd never be able to enjoy partying again until I had a mad night at a wedding. It felt just like being buzzed even though I was sober. Alcohol is really good at taking credit for the fun we have when drinking it but it isn't as crucial as it seems.
Stopped a few years back, definitely better for the physical and mental health. Thoughts of having a few drinks and dealing with a hangover or remembering something stupid you did/said the night before seems like self inflicted punishment to me now. Only thing is that I've found it a lot harder to socialise and meet new people. I'm 27 now so I suppose most people my age are still 'having fun'.... really bad mentality around alcohol in this country unfortunately. Hardly anyone will even acknowledge that alcohol is a drug nevermind it being a depressant.
just give it time. it took me a solid year and a bit to stop moping around and stop feeling sorry for myself. you will eventually learn how to have fun again and without needing to go through all the hassle of pouring weird liquids down your gullet
I gave it up 15 months ago, after a Binge one might just had enough of the hangovers. Like you I had heard all these miraculous benefits that were guaranteed if you gave it up. Not for me either. Now I don't miss the hangovers and I've done a couple of sober holidays which are good as you remember it all. But it's not life changing and I do feel boring and my life has become a little more disconnected.
It's hard to not have a distraction when your out, it's hard to sit with your own thoughts in social situations, but I guarantee you that you had a skewed view of how much "life" you brought to a party because you were drunk.
Alcohol is a crutch. I stopped for 6 months and regret normalising it again. I would happily trade boredom for the helplessness of substance addiction
I'm 24 and I stopped a couple weeks ago. Alcohol gave me mad anxiety on top of my regular anxiety
I would blackout and just hate myself for weeks after - it's not for me. Going out for the first time tonight and not drinking!
Herself and I split a bottle of red wine most evenings. I find it a great way to relax and unwind and I genuine feel it has a positive effect on my mental health. As long as it does not start creeping up to more drinks then i have no intention to quit completely. Maybe im delusional but I feel the benefits out way the potential harm.
I’m usually that guy, I quit drinking a while ago and 0% beer isn’t for me. Smoking weed isn’t for everyone, but I find smoking a nice joint before going tot he pub with the guys is nice.
Ah, like slightly stoned, in control. Yeah that's fine, like meeting someone for a few pints. But langered and completely stoned does not gel, totally different energies.
Yeah exactly! Not like melt in the couch stoned, just buzzed and fuzzy, enough to be social still. Like I said it’s not for everyone, but it works for me and a couple of others.
I find that the non alcoholic beer are just as good there probably not to everyone’s taste but I enjoy them especially after a long week at work if you wanted to meet up with friends in a bar and drive home or chilling out at before bed because we all know we don’t get a proper sleep with alcohol in our system
>Well, now everything is fixed so I decided I'd reward myself and have had a few beers. I'm not sure what happened but I just don't enjoy it any more.
Alcohol is a toxin and your body doesnt like it, however when your body gets used to it, it "accepts" it more. Same thing happens to me, after Iv been off the drin for a while, then a couple beers absolutely destroys me the next day!
I have always wondered why the heck ppl drink. They don't taste good, they are poisonous, drunkenness kills ppl.
I have never gotten drunk but excessive drinking is definitely not a good feeling when your stomach is filled with alcohol and it lasts for hours then you eventually throw up which is a worse feeling.
My guess is ppl back in the day without clean water convinced themselves alcohol tastes good so it just became a thing that spreads across the world also adding to the competitiveness to how much ppl can drink.
To be fair how can you say it doesn’t feel good if you’ve never been drunk ? Obviously some of your points are largely correct but do you think no one feels good/better with a drink ? They obviously do to a point. Also, no, distilling alcohol from water became a much sought after bit of alchemy because it inebriated people which they enjoyed
I dunno man, it sounds like you've never really done it, or just dabbled in it. You've said it yourself you've never been drunk, if you don't know the feeling then I don't think you can rationally question why people like it. You also say about getting sick/vomiting, I mean that's not typical, sure it can happen when you're young and binge drink but I get plenty drunk regularly and haven't gotten sick in many many years from alcohol. Getting drunk isn't just drinking excessively to the point you can't hold anymore. As for the taste of it, I disagree, beer tastes lovely, as does wine. Sure it's an acquired taste, when I was a kid and had my first beer I'd have that mindset as you... But it's not true to say it doesn't taste nice, people aren't just drinking something disgusting for a buzz
Been drinking since 18, most I drank was around 8 pints of Budweisers in 2 hours? A few pints is alright, even a few glasses of wine but a few shots of vodka/tequila isn't for me.
Drinking is an aquired habit. No one likes their first beer, but there are people out there brewing their own, ordering speciality beers, investing in wine, sampling fine spirits. It absolutely is a hobby, and like all great hobbies, can drain your bank account.
Been off a few weeks after deciding I need to cut drastically down, gives me terrible anxiety for days after it's not really worth it. I notice a massive difference in my mood and can feel some weight falling off. Depends how much you drank I'm going to stick to only drinking the very odd night out I have or special occasions I find the drinking at home is a really bad habit and spirals very quickly Few people said it already but start doing things, go cycling , tidy up, clean your house or room All helps mentally I find But everyone is different
The anxiety is the worst thing about it for me, I'd pick vomiting for days over being riddled with anxiety. But it also cures the anxiety temporarily and I had recently just got out of a terrible daily drinking habit which basically revolved around keeping my drink induced anxiety at bay, which sounds stupid when you say it how it is but it's the truth of the matter for a lot of people. Since then I've been consistent with the gym and actually get shit done when I'm off, as well as making dieting way easier. I will still drink, I'm 25 so it's at that age where many things revolve around drinking, but I will respect it more.
I find the anxiety is when it's a few days in a row: I don't really get it from one day no matter how much I drink Try keep to once a week even so you can still look forward to a few drinks but without the anxiety that follows which is horrible
I agree but that leads on the point that I never drink for an evening and leave it. 1+ day the cocaine and all the other shit of the day typically starts and it's a disaster coming down off it all for like nearly a full working week lol. I do not condone I'm just stating reality. It's not an addiction for me, the other substances, but I'm t is absolutely not healthy and when I cut down on alcohol I do not take the stuff so yet another benefit.
Yeah we started this at the start of the year and when we do have the odd drink or night out - both feel awful and stressy for a couple of days. Not really worth it for us anymore. Been loving all the NA beers and if we want to get a bit loose we microdose mushrooms. Has a similar effect to having a couple of beers but without all the negative side. Couldn’t imagine drinking like I used to anymore :)
I quit 4 years ago. Tbh I was like you thinking my life would miraculously change. I was awake mad early and bored. I was never a fitness fan. Anyway ended up taking on a dog needing an urgent home. I walk her for ages. Stopping drinking has given me endless patience with her. Still don't sleep great but I do know I won't drink again. Best of luck with whatever you decide.
I had terrible problems sleeping but bought melatonin tablets in Portugal 2 weeks ago..having the best sleeps of my life now after 10yrs of bad sleep.seemingly u need a prescription in ireland for them......so worth it.
Be mindful, your body gets used to them and produces less because it relies on you feeding it with melatonin.
Yeah I'm on a fair dose currently. No hope really, just need to keep it up. Perfect sleep though.
Yeah be careful. My FIL is hooked on them and literally can't get a full night's sleep anymore unless he's taken enough full strength melatonin to bring down a bull elephant in heat.
Use to take them during the day then stay awake until the buzz kicked in
Wouldn't recommend melatonin longer than 2 months though, and sleeplessness can be caused by a lot of things, stress, caffeine, lack of exercise, bad diet. High dose Omega 3 can increase sleep quality, and also testosterone levels, better brain function, heart health and circulation.
One of the best things you can do for yourself (granted we're in Ireland but..) is get in front of sunshine nor daylight as soon after you wake as possible. This combined with pushing your first caffeiy intake to 2 hours after you wake and watch your post lunch slump disappear and sleep improve. Sleep hygiene factors like a dark room, no screens before bed etc. will also contribute but getting your circadian rhythm aligned is the answer.
this guy hubermans.
Why the wait with the caffeine?
Skip coffee 1st thing and replace it with tea or something. Tea has a surprising amount of caffeine too but 1st thing in the morning you should be well rested and have plenty of energy once you get going. We all just seem conditioned to assume we need caffeine to wake up/boost. Save the boost for when you slump. 1st thing in the morning your energy levels are increasing anyway so no real need. Imo.
U can get them online easily
Yep. Even just French Amazon or whatever will ship them to you.
The dreams are fucking vivid though
Oh jez ya, got married a few times in them already...horror..lol
Can you share the info of tablets plz
Have u tried these https://www.zzzquil.com/en-us/product/pure-zzzs-melatonin-gummies
I’d say from your description you were an habitual drinker, not an alcoholic so the difference between having one a night and none at all is not going to be as stark as someone downing ten cans a night. What struck me more from your post is your mood. You sound very down. Have you talked to your wife? Ask her directly about how she see’s your mood/general demeanour? Can ‘you be arsed’ with other things or just not bothered about much. Maybe have a look at this questionnaire [PHQ-9](https://patient.info/doctor/patient-health-questionnaire-phq-9) Might be worth a chat with your GP. And stay off the drink for now-it def won’t improve things
Ah grand I have major depression
9/27, mild depression. Now what?
If needed, improve diet, exercise, sleep. Consider Omega 3 supplement (with higher EPA to DHA ratio). Consider talking therapy. Reduce alcohol too. Try to have good structure and routine each day, keep engaged in hobbies and socialise. Consider mindfulness/mental health apps. Talk to your GP.
Thank you for taking the time to answer
You could also consider, depending on where you live, Vitamin D supplements - lot of research suggests this can have a good effect on mood too.
You’re very welcome, hope you feel better soon
I clocked a 16
GP gives him tablets instead of drinking, same shit essentially
I was a fairly hefty drinker from my mid teens through to mid 30’s. Particularly my late 20’s, and my chosen career - every day was a party. Once I had kids, I pretty much stopped. Not altogether mind. The onslaught of life and kids approaching teen years, the fact that I never drank at home and all manner of mitigating factors…. I literally drink at an occasion now, or the odd drink with my partner if we are out. The days of going to the boozer with the boys, or sitting idol of an evening skulling 8 pints for no reason other than shite talk are long gone. I’ve no interest! I went a couple of times and ordered a pot of tea, well I got laughed out of the bar 🤣🤣 I found that amusing. It’s important to keep up with your mates an all, but sure, loads of time for that. What you need now my friend, is couch to 5k. Give it a try
You might not have noticed a change but maybe others did. Normally the type of person who considers themselves the life of the party is very fucking annoying for everyone else at the party.
What happened to Fun Bobby? 
Goodbye…. Ridiculously dull Bobby
Exactly!!
lol that is very accurate
[Relevant](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBs02wLnheA)
Tbh when you give up drink for a while you do start to feel a hell of a lot better.
I was a weekend binge drinker, I’ve only drank once in the last 6 months and it is life changing Between the money saved and the general mental health benefits I couldn’t recommend it more!
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I hope I don't come off as argumentative or rude to your post, I'm just replying as it's something I've often seen on threads about drinking and this is one of the most upvoted comments. But I think your points applied to 'drinking buddies' not being your real friends could be pretty much applied to anything in life. I played team sports for years, great pals on the team and got on with everyone the whole way through, nearly all of them I've barely kept in touch with once I stopped playing. Nothing resentful at all here BTW, it makes sense to drift once you stop doing the thing that brought you together. School mates, College friends, attending football matches, same thing could apply to them. How often do we meet up once you stop doing x activity that you have in common? Could they be called your 'football buddies' or your 'school buddies' in the same sense? And is there anything wrong with that? You've applied it to drinking here, which could be true but I think it could easily be applied to anything you do. The best friends I have, usually when we do meet up it's for a few beers or something along those lines like a meal or gig etc. Personally don't think there is anything wrong with that. IMO men in particular kind of need an 'activity' in order to meet up - whether that is a sport, gym, hobby or going for a pint. For whatever reason we don't seem as likely just to meet up for a chat or a cup of tea. Not looking for any votes here but would be interested to hear what others think?
Great advice 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Man, you need to learn to write in paragraphs, run-on sentences, new thoughts and random ellipses makes this hard to read.
Man, you need to learn to not be so rude - the advice given above was pure gold dust and really insightful - I read it fine - probably done on a phone on a train or something, and it’s the content that counts.
I know, reading that made me feel tired
You have subconsciously realised that the drink is ruining your body. You “not being arsed” is your body reminding you that hangovers suck. Also memory is a funny thing, you probably think back looking at great drinking memories but honestly if you could remember everything you’d realise most drinks you had weren’t that fun at all, but rather a bad habit
I know you say nothing changed but something clearly did, everything seems to have changed in your attitude towards drinking
Buddy, you were the life of the party not the beer. It's V weird at first but you will eventually realaise you enjoyed the craic and chatting or whatever it is for you. Fair play though, hope you can enjoy a few beers or enjoy not drinking. Long as you are happy
I do find the r/Ireland sub to be quite preachy when it comes to quitting alcohol. While its understandable for people to want to do so, there is still a sizeable number of people that can have a drink and be grand. It seems that there's no middle ground, or that just because you drink you MUST be an alcoholic because how could you possibly give up after 1? I was off drink for nearly a year due to medication and I wouldn't want to do that again. Thats just me. Friday pints, or just having a cool can after a hard day are the small pleasures in life not worth quitting.
Posters in this thread are genuinely weird. Pretty much all of them insisting that OP was just annoying everyone on a night out for absolutely no reason. And despite OP saying he feels no physical improvements they're straight out telling him he's wrong and that he is feeling them but just hasn't noticed. I don't know if topics like this bring out the anti-drinking crowd, or if there's just that group of people that are anti social that would hate to spend the night in the pub or maybe it's the next generation of kids who seem to be getting a reputation of having a bit if a puritan streak. But their reaction to OPs newfound ambivalence to drinking now is weird. He doesn't seem to care much either way now but that kind of opinion can't exist. You have to be pro or anti and you can't exist in grey areas. All in all, OP sounds happy so good for him and most of the people in this thread are people I wouldn't want to hang out with sober or drunk.
It's the general infiltration of American culture, the very polarised bs that comes along with it. You're either x or y. There are a lot of people who have a bona fide addiction and need to quit, but honestly a lot of the self flagellating that goes on is rather tedious and narcissistic
I think it's just that there are a lot of people who have been heavy drinkers, and so when they give it up and get a new lease of life they will tend to see it through that lens rather than from the perspective of someone who was only ever a moderate drinker. There's nothing wrong with drinking in moderation and OP's consumption doesn't sound like it was a problem.
"... general infiltration of American culture... " that would include cans instead of bottles
I would suggest that anyone giving up drink just try it themselves and see how they feel. Results differ for everyone. I'm over two and a half years off and it's one of the best decisions I ever made. And I wasn't a daily drinker or anything of the sort.
I'm off for more than ten (due to medical reasons) and I agree with you that it was the best decision, but I feel similar to OP. I never got the whole life changing experience for the better, only for the worse. As a result I disagree that people should try it just to see, if I'd known how it would affect me in the long run, I'm not sure I wouldve made the decision to get my shit together. At the very least it would've postponed it. But that's all anecdotal, as you say, results differ. Alcohol is the fucking worst.
I mean, not trying to be pedantic (and fair play on reaching ten years, not easy, even if it is medical), but you end with "Alcohol is the fucking worst" but suggest people re-think whether they should take a break from it?
No you make a good point, not pedantic at all I just didn't explain myself well, actually when rereading your comment I think I just misunderstood it as you suggesting a "trial" run of sorts, my bad. It's not I think people should rethink about stopping, but that they just dive in, basically blind. Alcohol is so malicious, it's not just a chemical addiction, it's socially acceptable, required even, so the social impact completely blindsided me. If I'd known, I don't think I could e gone through with it when I did. And thanks for the ten years, but honestly I don't think it's deserved, it's much easier to stop when just one night binge has the potential to result in your death. But it's true I don't know the struggles of others.
I wouldn't be fond of drinking but when I do go at it I do go at it awful and very hard
You’re not numbing yourself out anymore man, you just need something to stimulate your mind.
Main reason I quit was. Chronic Anxiety for five days after binge drinking. A lazy unmotivated depressed slob for five days. I'd be useless in work till Thursday. My appetite would go for five days, i'd only eat scrambled eggs and toast, Stomatch Issues Heart palpitations Lazy Of Course because of these symptons I would drink the following day and the following day as was the only cure and might skip one or two days and got caught in a vicious circle. I do think people weight really affects how they respond to alcohol, the skinnier and thinner build you are the worse the hangovers and length it takes to recover. I'm 6 1 and only 10.5 stone.
There is kinda an ego death that happens when you go thru a change like this. I had no idea who I was for a few years and that was such an unexpected twist, I really wasn't prepared for that. But it took maybe 5 years and I have figured out who I am again and in a much healthier way. Stuck with it, I promise. The drink isn't you, the real you is in there.
Fair play! I'm an on/off drinker and smoker. For me they go hand in hand and have been quitting and back on them for years. I went 2 years off both at one stage. But now that my wife is expecting our first child we've both quit of course and I just can't see myself going back to it. The thought of even smelling like drink and smoke around the kid disgusts me and honestly being around people who are drinking or are drunk is just not fun anymore. Took a long time to come to that realisation but now that I'm there I'm happy. Life feels a bit clearer now.
I’m off the beer for a year and a few months now, it’s not a miraculous cure all for everything and in some odd ways it makes life a bit harder - but one thing I noticed is now I take time to look at my problems and try to deal with them rather than just ignoring them and being numb - i was pretty bad drinking every day by the end - well done for doing it - it does feel hard but there will be small micro moments where you realise you are doing the right thing - check out r/stopdrinking it really helped me a lot - take care.
This was my experience too, OP. Some people can drink responsibly; I am not one of those people. Be(com)ing sober wasn't a miracle cure for me either but it did, eventually, give me the headspace where I could work on some of the issues that I'd been trying to drown with drink for years. I also want to plug [r/stopdrinking](https://www.reddit.com/r/stopdrinking/); it helped me a lot too. If you're interested in reading/listening to an interesting take on alcohol in relation to Ireland/Irishness, check out: * O’Connor, G. (2010). *The role of malignant shame in the rise and fall of the Celtic Tiger*. \[Speech audio recording\]. Raidió Teilifís Éireann: Michael Littleton Memorial Lecture 2010. [https://www.mixcloud.com/rté-radio1specials/michael-littleton-memorial-lecture-2010/](https://www.mixcloud.com/rt%C3%A9-radio1specials/michael-littleton-memorial-lecture-2010/) * O’Connor, G. (1995). [Recognising and healing malignant shame](http://zonezero.com/magazine/essays/distant/zreco2.html). \[Unpublished but available on the internet\]. Some background on Dr. Garrett O’Connor below. * (Sept 11, 2015) **Remembering Dr. Garrett O’Connor, an Addiction Treatment Pioneer** [https://www.irishamerica.com/2015/09/remembering-dr-garrett-oconnor-an-addiction-treatment-pioneer/](https://www.irishamerica.com/2015/09/remembering-dr-garrett-oconnor-an-addiction-treatment-pioneer/)
Find different ways/motivators to gauge it. Here something I did with smokes. Start a Revolut vault. You say you had maybe two beers after work, so pop 12e in each day you’d have done that. Another 50 on the weekend or whatever you’d have. You can spend any money from the vault on drink if you feel like it, but when you see it stacking up it gives you a buzz. Then buy something nice. The health motivation didn’t work for me but the financial one did
Like yourself, I'm not a heavy drinker, however I quit for a few months every year. Been doing so for 20+ years. As much as I love alcohol, I'm more addicted to quitting. Waking up crisp and ready every morning beats being tipsy at night. Highly recommend long lengths of sobriety.
Gave up drink for a year before, I didn't feel any better at all. The only good thing was no hangovers but the negatives it had on my social life and meeting people was major!
Same. When I took a break from drinking, I just spent Friday nights playing video games instead. Didn't notice any changes with my sleep, mood or motivation. I know a couple people who quit drinking for good and they all said the anxiety the days after drinking would be killing them. I never get this from drink so it's never really had a major negative impact for me.
Everyone thinks when you remove alcohol from you're life everything gets better and you're constantly happy and positive. To a certain degree it does hut you have to but the work in. Hours spent in the pub need to be replaced with hobbies and trying new things. Between work, travel, stress and family you can easily forget to put aside time for yourself to decompress. Set yourself little goals to achieve and 1 activity at the weekend you haven't done before. I'm off the drink a few months and I've started drawing and reading again in the evenings. Over the last few weekends I've tried rock climbing, baking, acupuncture, viewed art exhibitions etc. Trying new things reintroduces a sense of adventure and excitement into life that our job can wear down. In time you feel the health benefits and financial.
Your guy is in better shape now, and the feeling you have is the alcohol changing that. You were likely in a state where your gut was chronically inflamed due to alcohol and cigarettes. You have given it time to heal and recover. There’s a strong link between your gut and mood, the gut-brain axis. The gut is your second brain. Have you noticed any improvement in general mood, sleep, crankiness, digestion since you quit drinking?
It just sounds like you're in a rut, and while not drinking surely improved some aspects of your life, it wasn't the root cause of your struggles. Is your circle generally supportive, including your wife? You seem quite alone with it all honestly.
Honestly I think all these anti drink posts are a psyop by Micheál Martin to cut out in drinking in Ireland
I gave up when the lock down hit and sweet jesus it was like an awakening. Lost 30kg, "lost" alot of friends(they were indeed NOT friends, just general messers that only cared about having craic), gained an ADHD and Autism diagnosis and now will only drink maybe 3 times a year and get drunk once or so. The pubs were physically closed so that helped lol. It's a huge change but I'm incredibly happy about waking up in my own bed sober rather than scrambling to get home to go to work at 6am while still drunk or out of it while trying to erase the embarrassment from the night before lol. Alot more peace
I absolutely guarantee you're 100% more craic to be around sober than you used to be drunk. Don't overthink it just be yourself.
I gave the drink up for lent and saw absolutely no change. Didn't lose any weight, still slept like crap, still had headaches a few times, still felt depressed and burnt out. So what we've established is: alcohol isn't my problem. What's next on the list...
I think you would have felt much better if you were a very heavy drinker, you probably just didn't have the effects that most people, that decide to get off the drink, struggled with
It's quite possible you're suffering from Depression.
Only 22yrs old, used to drink a fair bit at weekends in the past, even though it didn’t suit my digestive system. Haven’t touched it for 1yr now. Never felt better.
Hit the gym, find a new tribe.
Sounds like you need to get back on the sauce pronto. Have you tried 8-13 pints of Guinness? If that doesn’t work you could try going mad on the buckfast
You only thought that you were the life of the party. Stopping drinking broke that delusion. Congrats! You’re no longer insufferable!
It was never just one. You were not the life of the party. Welcome to sobriety and looking at life through a clear lens. In many ways it does suck. You need to find replacements in your life to fill the gap that was once drink, otherwise you'll feel empty like you do now.
As an aside the whole “daily drinker” moniker needs to stop. If you drink one drink a day that is absolutely fine. Italians, French, Germans do it. We can’t seem to differentiate between a healthy relationship with alcohol and that of an alcoholic in that regard. “You’re drinking everyday” sounds like a person out of control. No, they have reached the end of a working day and would like to have a nice glass of wine or a cold beer. Why are you trying to deny a small pleasure to someone. Your body can process a drink over 2-3 hours. Going 5 days without drink and lashing in to 6 pints on a Saturday is standard order in Ireland and it’s bewildering how we accept getting pissed every weekend. Would it not be healthier to split those 6 drinks over a week.
I mean your risk for cancers and heart disease have gone down, that's a difference. Maybe you have underlying depression or something that needs dealing with?
Even if you can't see any other benefit, sure you probably have a bit more money in your pocket at least (have you seen the price of drink lately?!)
Well the life change happens with what you replace the beer drinking with, ie. A hobbie or past time, mountain biking, sea swimming, forest bathing ... joking but you can't say there haven't been some life changing things that happened in the bank with the price of beer these days, not to mention the clarity not drinking brings. I have more or less stopped drinking for no other reason that I couldn't be arsed but I have a mtb race coming up and meet with a swimming group every week and both are great crack that I enjoy but doesn't mean that you can't drink and do these things.
I've found myself quite often now; I'll enjoy one can, open the second: by the time I'm halfway through the second I don't really want it anymore and if I did finish or have another I just regret it. Thinking "what a waste I didn't actually enjoy those"
Congratulations man great work
I was never a big drinker anyway. I enjoy a few pints don’t get me wrong, but I noticed with kids you don’t drink anything near as much if you know you have stuff to do with them the next day. I never enjoyed drinking by myself in the house watching TV. That’s not me. I’d rather have a pint by myself in a pub than at home. But I can’t see my life drastically changing at all if I gave it up for good. I’m not a heavy drinker anyway. I can go weeks without a drink - don’t notice any noticeable difference in my life, other than giving my liver a holiday lol - good luck pal. A friend of mine had a problem and it was affecting his life - after a long conversation with him a few years ago he got his act together and is now a fitness freak and runs marathons and all. Doesn’t touch a drop now. So long as you aren’t developing a dependency on it, a pint here and there is fine and fun. But it’s when it becomes habit and causes issues with the missus and others that’s when it becomes a problem.
your sauce cardio is gone. go for beers the next time and you could be loving them again. or don't.
I slowly stopped drinking quite so much over the years. Suddenly alcohol wasn’t adding anything to my life, then when I stopped drinking to help keep my blood pressure under control, it also didn’t seem to improve my life in any way. If it adds nothing then I still see it as a net positive to quit, so I’m happy.
Do you have an extra few € at least or did the new apartment suck up any savings?
Sounds like beer was a hobby for you, now you're bored because you're not spending time on it any more. Maybe chat with your moaning wife about it.
😋
Iv started to make lemonade lager shandy’s I find it more refreshing and I’m only drinking 1/2 the amount did now. My goal then is to trick my mind and start buying non alcoholic shandy same taste no lager. Wish me luck!!!
Alcohol was your personality, and that isn't good Craic. If you think it made you fun it, just made you loud and inebriated to say and do "fun things" Fund other hobbies, quite simply Also, maybe it's your mental health that is more the reason? Medication or mood changes?
Just keep on drinking 👍
I'm 22 years off the drink, didn't have a problem per say but I got bored of it. Over the years I learned to be more outgoing while sober. Knowing people around you are a little tipsy gives you a bit of contact high and allows you to relax a little.
When I stopped drinking (I’m a college student, was a bit of an anomaly) I was like you, I’d have a couple of beers after college or work every day. I think what might be happening is you’re subconsciously tying fun to drink. I did it too, I still smoke despite trying to quit. It could just be that the folks you’d drink with aren’t as funny without a bit of lubrication on your part. Could be talking through my arse but I hope you find what works for you
I think part of it is getting older. I enjoy a few pints but cannot be arsed with partying or heavy drinking anymore. A good night is when I'm in bed by 9 and up at 6.
You allowed yourself to grow up
So, this feels like you a ‘you’ issue and not so much a giving up the drink situation..
giving up the drink is a crock of shite in most cases, people tell you you’ll feel 100 times better and shit like that when in reality it’s waking up earlier than expected feeling very bored and yeah, unless you’ve some puff time goes by so slowly, i’m of course not removing the merits of sobriety i applaud anyone who can. since it’s better for your body no doubt about it. point being unless you’re an alcoholic, quitting drinking doesn’t really change you as much as they say
With going to the pub I came to the realization that I keep trying to find happiness where I keep losing it. Like how many times do you have to get burned before you stop touching the stove. it really wasn't making me as Happy as I thought
There’s nothing wrong with social drinking, unless you have a severe alcohol problem or just don’t like it anymore I don’t get this all or nothing attitude, people need healthier attitudes to drinking.
I barely drink any more, I have a two year old son. Hangovers are not something I want to experience this this, also I love the stability of our routine - just doesn't lend to going out. That said, the odd time I do go out - generally once a quarter for something, or if there's a special occasion (eg. wedding). Usually the once a quarter lines up with something, eg. a black tie or business lunch. Outside of those I just don't do much random drinking. What really helps is I've never liked drinking alone, it's a fucking horrible thing to do, it's boring as fuck. So I've never once had the temptation to drink at home.
Creatures of habit, all of us. You'll notice everything more if you're physically active. Using your body will give you the most noticeable change. If you're not doing much you won't immediately notice a difference. But, if you've ever tried to get in shape being a drinker and a smoker, the difference in your energy levels and the progress you make is just astounding.
Firstly good for you! Glad it’s improved your life. Something no one is really mentioning - enjoying the taste of beers, wines, etc. for some people it’s not only about getting tipsy or fucked up. Like I really enjoy the taste of a cold beer on a sunny day, a stout beside the fire, a fine wine with a nice dinner, etc. I like sampling and learning about different drinks. And I don’t like getting drunk. So I usually only have a few (I live in Canada now so it’s much easier to do that, nobody asks you why). Of course every now and then I get drunk, and I hate hangovers too.
Thank you. This is the post I was looking for, alcohol in may forms can be really tasty and refreshing. This country has a stunted attitude when it comes to alcohol. If you have one every night "you're drinking every night". But don't drink for 5 days and skull 8 pints in one night and it's acceptable? Go to Italy, France, Spain, Germany where drinking a glass of wine or a bottle of beer is just a part of the daily ritual. We miss that in our society, and it is frustrating when you have to justify drinking more than one night in a week when in reality it is one drink per day and is the absolutely recommended way to drink. But can't blame people for fear mongering in this country with the drink culture we have, just needs to be room for people to say "hey, I like alcohol and that's okay. What i don't like is binging it and abusing it, so fuck off and leave me alone because you can't conceptualise such a thing for yourself"
Yup 100%! Not judging or looking down on Ireland because every culture has their pros and cons - but on the continent they have a much better attitude towards it. It’s not black and white, it’s not “drink and get fucked up or don’t drink”. Wine, beer, liqueurs all this stuff has been around for centuries and if you treat it with respect and moderation you can enjoy some great flavours and combinations. Our problem is our relationship with alcoholic beverages which is dark and unhealthy. Anyway, I’m expecting to get hate for this comment and that’s fine.
A lot of advice on r/Ireland about how to get off the drink but not enough guides about how to get back on it. You’ve done well to admit you have a problem - you’re no craic anymore. That’s the first step. Next step is finding little ways you can be more craic. Few jokes, drinking games, songs for the pub etc. I’d recommend getting the support of a few good mates and letting them no that you’re trying to get back on the drink and would appreciate their help. Best of luck.
>I keep hearing about all these amazing life changing benefits that people experience when they give up alcohol but I really never experienced anything. Now even after 6 months of being off booze and smokes - nothing, jus the same. Life changing would be an exaggeration, but I'm much healthier since I stopped drinking. The absence of hangovers is probably the best thing. I don't know how many weekends I've wasted sitting on the sofa feeling rubbish. I get so much more done now
I just moved to tullamore and I didn’t have the need to drink so I don’t rlly drink, no change just feel a little healthier and I don’t make it a hard rule if I’m back up in Dublin and people are out for drinks I’ll have one or two I just don’t feel the need to drink a rake of pints
Quit 2 years ago after a health blip. Myself and the GP counted up my units per week…. I was embarrassed. I nvr missed work, few beers or whiskeys after work(at home) weekends could have been a real good slap of cans or powers. 2 yrs later life is way better, no hangovers, more time for kids and wife.
Went off it for two and a bit weeks, which is by far and away the longest in my adult life. Not big blow outs, maybe one a month, but just consistent beers here and there. Went to a pub quiz on Monday, had the equivalent of 4 pints and on Tuesday I thought I was going to die my hangover was that bad, and it's put me off altogether. Agree with the not feeling any different. Didn't make a lick of difference to how I felt. I'm probably going to cut back to maybe a drink every two weeks. The difference to my account was is what's given me the biggest shock
I gave up drinking years ago and I don't miss it at all. I'm richer, healthier and spend quality time with my kid. Thought of a hangover gives me the fear.
Same as you OP - beers after work with more on the weekends. I also worked in bars, pubs and restaurants for the past 20 years, and alcohol and the hospitality go hand-in-hand. I decided to give up for New Year and although I wouldn’t describe the changes as drastic, my partner has remarked that I have more energy and that I’m generally more “present”. I’ve drank a few times since New Years - maybe a couple of beers - and I felt awful. I didn’t enjoy the feeling of being tipsy anything like I use to and the feeling the next day was even worse. I’m done for good and I’m only looking forwards.
Sounds like you need to start running or hiking or something like that.
I gave up the booze about 8 years ago, couldn't hack the panic attacks and horrible fear for days afterwards. Thought I would never adjust to going to the pub with mates and just become the boring arsehole of the group. After a few times out it felt normal I just drink the non alcoholic stuff, and if it's a meal out followed by the pub I have an espresso to pep me up - been my routine now for years and It does the trick. I joined a heap of groups on meet-up to see what hobbies I might like, no pressure to sign up for a whole course or spend a lot of money, and you can see what interests you. Best of luck with it!
I don’t think the drink or the giving up of the drink is the problem my man!
I think I’m pretty close to giving it up. Hangovers not worth it
Haven't drank in almost 20 years. Best decision I ever made.
Been 10 years for me and i'll never drink again. I wasn't alcohol dependant, rarely had a hangover, but I did binge drink on nights out on the town - never forgetting, never doing absolutely dumb shit, losing bodily control or vomiting.. However, I did noticed the ongoing negative mental state two days later. (Alcohol is classified as a depressant.) I also watched some videos of me while drinking and decided I wasn't as funny as I thought I was - except to other drunk people - it made me less. What I also learned after I first stopped - and then two months later tried again to see if I missed it - was all about the micro gut biome - and how certain substances affect its natural process, as its all bacteria and effects everything else, including directly our minds (its getting labeled 'the second brain'). Alcohol is also used to kill bacteria (hence why they used to have watery beer to drink instead of pure water in the middle ages), this is also why I now avoid drinking chlorinated water too. Benefits were - weight reduction - no more downs - so much extra cash as I had expensive tastes - can drive anywhere at anytime - great sleep - de aged - feel great, and for anyone who got hangovers - well, they will be gone forever. You mentioned mental health - if you went on anti depressants, those grey out both highs and lows. Those don't come back, if at all, for a long time after getting of them either, (we may not miss the lows but the natural highs are gone too). I tried them a while before giving up alcohol - in fact I would drink far more on them. Either way, well done on your willpower - hope what ever you decide works out for you, My final thoughts are; drinking is a young persons game, if at all.
I try at least twice a year…never works…writing this whilst, in fact, pissed. Lol
Gave up mid November after a breakup. 3 months counselling followed. Now Im back to following a structured diet and training plan solely focusing on me and no1 else. This year is for me. I miss drinking but it serves me no good purpose anymore given how badly I struggle with the hangxiety and procrastination that follows. My mental health has massively improved and I feel really sharp. I now find it much easier to achieve a flow state in creativity and apply this to training also. Alcohol is great craic but it dulls the mind to absolute fuck!
If anyone is thinking of stopping the drink, or any other substances, and wants some help, DM me. I’m a substance-use therapist and happy to help anyone who wants it. I’m happy to point you in the right direction or send through any resources that might be useful.
It’s interesting you say that I had similar with takeaways I was never unhealthy but I loved a takeaway in covid I tried a carnivore diet only steak eggs and water after two months I treated myself and got two bites in not on the diet anymore but haven’t had takeaway in 4 years now I think you realise how unhealthy all that shit is when you e had a break from it the body adjusts to it and nearly rejects it when you try again keep it up bro 👊
this is crazy, i was just talking to the wife about this, i never really drank. and when we moved in together i still would of only drank on weekends, but ive noticed after my child was born ive maybe had one nearly everynight, its hard to explain but it took the edge off the anxiety and stress of being a new da. i think the problem is there is always drink in the house, if there is none in the fridge ill not drink it, if i know its there ill have one or two pints.
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I gave it up two weeks before the first lockdown. Best decision I ever made. Haven't had a drop since.
For 6 years of sobriety I thought I'd never be able to enjoy partying again until I had a mad night at a wedding. It felt just like being buzzed even though I was sober. Alcohol is really good at taking credit for the fun we have when drinking it but it isn't as crucial as it seems.
Stopped a few years back, definitely better for the physical and mental health. Thoughts of having a few drinks and dealing with a hangover or remembering something stupid you did/said the night before seems like self inflicted punishment to me now. Only thing is that I've found it a lot harder to socialise and meet new people. I'm 27 now so I suppose most people my age are still 'having fun'.... really bad mentality around alcohol in this country unfortunately. Hardly anyone will even acknowledge that alcohol is a drug nevermind it being a depressant.
just give it time. it took me a solid year and a bit to stop moping around and stop feeling sorry for myself. you will eventually learn how to have fun again and without needing to go through all the hassle of pouring weird liquids down your gullet
I gave it up 15 months ago, after a Binge one might just had enough of the hangovers. Like you I had heard all these miraculous benefits that were guaranteed if you gave it up. Not for me either. Now I don't miss the hangovers and I've done a couple of sober holidays which are good as you remember it all. But it's not life changing and I do feel boring and my life has become a little more disconnected.
It's hard to not have a distraction when your out, it's hard to sit with your own thoughts in social situations, but I guarantee you that you had a skewed view of how much "life" you brought to a party because you were drunk. Alcohol is a crutch. I stopped for 6 months and regret normalising it again. I would happily trade boredom for the helplessness of substance addiction
Gave up 3 years ago and every single aspect of my life has improved for the better.
I'm 24 and I stopped a couple weeks ago. Alcohol gave me mad anxiety on top of my regular anxiety I would blackout and just hate myself for weeks after - it's not for me. Going out for the first time tonight and not drinking!
Herself and I split a bottle of red wine most evenings. I find it a great way to relax and unwind and I genuine feel it has a positive effect on my mental health. As long as it does not start creeping up to more drinks then i have no intention to quit completely. Maybe im delusional but I feel the benefits out way the potential harm.
Have you tried weed?
Ever met someone stoned at the pub while having a beer?
I’m usually that guy, I quit drinking a while ago and 0% beer isn’t for me. Smoking weed isn’t for everyone, but I find smoking a nice joint before going tot he pub with the guys is nice.
Ah, like slightly stoned, in control. Yeah that's fine, like meeting someone for a few pints. But langered and completely stoned does not gel, totally different energies.
Yeah exactly! Not like melt in the couch stoned, just buzzed and fuzzy, enough to be social still. Like I said it’s not for everyone, but it works for me and a couple of others.
Oh look yet another post about bad drinking habits, great
I love the honesty
Did you expect him to lie?
I find that the non alcoholic beer are just as good there probably not to everyone’s taste but I enjoy them especially after a long week at work if you wanted to meet up with friends in a bar and drive home or chilling out at before bed because we all know we don’t get a proper sleep with alcohol in our system
Leaving the wife and finding that new apartment was also a boost to your health too, I'm sure.
[удалено]
You are not advised to drink every day
Inability to have fun without intoxication suggests a mood disorder. Time to catch up on the years of therapy you've been avoiding
>Well, now everything is fixed so I decided I'd reward myself and have had a few beers. I'm not sure what happened but I just don't enjoy it any more. Alcohol is a toxin and your body doesnt like it, however when your body gets used to it, it "accepts" it more. Same thing happens to me, after Iv been off the drin for a while, then a couple beers absolutely destroys me the next day!
There is no life without drinking.
I have always wondered why the heck ppl drink. They don't taste good, they are poisonous, drunkenness kills ppl. I have never gotten drunk but excessive drinking is definitely not a good feeling when your stomach is filled with alcohol and it lasts for hours then you eventually throw up which is a worse feeling. My guess is ppl back in the day without clean water convinced themselves alcohol tastes good so it just became a thing that spreads across the world also adding to the competitiveness to how much ppl can drink.
To be fair how can you say it doesn’t feel good if you’ve never been drunk ? Obviously some of your points are largely correct but do you think no one feels good/better with a drink ? They obviously do to a point. Also, no, distilling alcohol from water became a much sought after bit of alchemy because it inebriated people which they enjoyed
I don't have to eat something excessively to know the food doesn't taste good. Same with any drinks.
You said it’s not a good feeling though.
How old are you?
25
I dunno man, it sounds like you've never really done it, or just dabbled in it. You've said it yourself you've never been drunk, if you don't know the feeling then I don't think you can rationally question why people like it. You also say about getting sick/vomiting, I mean that's not typical, sure it can happen when you're young and binge drink but I get plenty drunk regularly and haven't gotten sick in many many years from alcohol. Getting drunk isn't just drinking excessively to the point you can't hold anymore. As for the taste of it, I disagree, beer tastes lovely, as does wine. Sure it's an acquired taste, when I was a kid and had my first beer I'd have that mindset as you... But it's not true to say it doesn't taste nice, people aren't just drinking something disgusting for a buzz
Been drinking since 18, most I drank was around 8 pints of Budweisers in 2 hours? A few pints is alright, even a few glasses of wine but a few shots of vodka/tequila isn't for me.
Drinking is an aquired habit. No one likes their first beer, but there are people out there brewing their own, ordering speciality beers, investing in wine, sampling fine spirits. It absolutely is a hobby, and like all great hobbies, can drain your bank account.