Moving on from drinking alcohol

[ODogg]

So I'm age 45 and I guess it's getting time for me to cut down on alcohol. At least that's what my doctor tells me. I have high blood sugar and am overweight and drinking helps neither of those things. A good while back, probably 3 years ago, I quit drinking beer (for the most part) as it has so many carbs but most importantly it made me burp way too much, and switched to hard alcohol. I prefer vodka. I am a "weekend warrior" in that I tend to usually drink usually once a week, either Friday night or Saturday afternoon while I watch college football.

A couple of things have happened in my life recently though that have made me rethink continuing to partake in alcohol. First, my doctor told me my A1C is high, it jumped in the past 6 months, and secondly, my wifes father died and I saw how much it devastated her and got me thinking now I cannot die too soon and I need to better watch my health.

But bottom line is that drinking isn't as fun as it used to be when I was younger. It's also an expensive hobby as I only drink the best stuff, Grey Goose and the like, as it helps make the hangovers milder.

I come from a family of alcoholics but go back and forth on what I do in regards to that. Part of me thinks since I only typically drink once a week that I'm not an alcoholic. But unlike normal people I typically cannot just drink one drink. It's like chips with me, once I get one I want another and another and I drink to get a full on drunk experience.

The most difficult aspect of giving it up is the sheer habit. My wife works on Fridays and I've always typically kicked back with a tall glass of vodka and cranberry and played PS4 until about 3 or 4am.

I've been doing a variation of this since I was 21 years old. Of course in my younger years I had roommates who joined me and every Friday night, NO EXCEPTION, it was party time at my house. Sometimes Saturday too.

I'm posting here to ask people if they've had a point where they have just decided to move on from alcohol. Notice I don't say "quit" because I don't like the never say never and I also don't want to limit myself socially but I really need to quit the habit of drinking every Friday night but it's difficult.

Last month I was actually able to only drink one time. I didn't get plastered either. I did get a bit tipsy. I'm just wondering if there's anyone else out there who is in a similar situation that can offer me some tips on how to resist the Friday night urge to "cut loose"?

[polyduster]

Re: Moving on from drinking alcohol

I applaud your courage to post your story on here.

I'm 33 and have "moved on from alcohol" since June 25, 2014. I'm married and have a 3 year old son. Just like you, I thought the weekends were for partying and I couldn't have just a few drinks.

About 10 months before my son was born, I realized I couldn't control it anymore and I'd had enough of waking up the next wondering what I did or said and hoping I didn't do anything too bad. Once, I found out I was going to be a father, it kept me motivated to stay sober because I never wanted my child to EVER see me drunk.

Fast forward to February 2014...Almost 2 years sober and I had a relapse. Certain people you are around will always be associated with drinking. I thought I had went 2 years and I could control it. I was wrong. I hid it from my wife for 6 months by only drinking while I was out at sporting events with the guys. I had to stop or I could lose everything.

It's been since June of 2014 since I've had a drink and it's the best thing I could have ever done for me, my wife, and most importantly, my son. I know it is hard to do and I've had to remove myself from going to certain events and from hanging out with certain people. It's even hard at family gatherings because we all used to drink together. I just take a day at a time.

You will make it through this IF you want to stay sober. Don't beat yourself up if you have bumps down this road, because you probably will. It's all about becoming a person you enjoy being and looking in the mirror at.

It helps to have people to talk to who have and are going through the same situation you are. I'm here to help you through this just as you have helped me by letting me share my story.

Good luck!

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[RockinDaMike]

Re: Moving on from drinking alcohol

Yeah I quit drinking because of having psoriasis and diabetes. I used to also be a heavy weed smoker but had to quit to get healthier for starting up a business in the Philippines.

I even stopped eating meat for a couple years and that helped tremendously that I don't have to take meds. Since starting to eat meat again I'm starting to get worse again so I'm gonna try again starting next year.

As for drinking lately , I been just drinking a glass or two of red wine to get to sleep. I been having a lot of trouble sleeping with the stress of opening up so it's been helping. I got so many things in the balance that I don't want to **** it up by drinking and smoking and to also lose all what I gained in my health .

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[ODogg]

Re: Moving on from drinking alcohol

Yeah I quit drinking because of having psoriasis and diabetes. I used to also be a heavy weed smoker but had to quit to get healthier for starting up a business in the Philippines.

I even stopped eating meat for a couple years and that helped tremendously that I don't have to take meds. Since starting to eat meat again I'm starting to get worse again so I'm gonna try again starting next year.

As for drinking, I been just drinking a glass or two of red wine to get to sleep. I been having a lot of trouble sleeping with the stress of opening up so it's been helping. I got so many things in the balance that I don't want to **** it up by drinking and smoking and to also lose all what I gained in my health .

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Thanks for posting. Yeah the sugar/diabetes thing is scary. I was wondering about weed btw, I don't like smoking but if it becomes legal, what about ingesting it via food? I like the relaxation aspect of it (although when younger and I partook it often made me fall asleep) but would not want to smoke.

The hardest part for me is the sheer HABIT of doing the same thing for 24-25 years every Friday night. Celebrating basically another full, stressed filled work week with a drink or 10. It's the sheer habit that is harder than anything.

I will admit though, the waking up on a Saturday morning at 9am with no hangover and the capacity to actually do things all day such as go to Home Depot, pick up groceries, etc is something I've never experienced and it's a huge plus. When I drink I'd almost always sleep in until noon when football started and then feel tired all the day.

So instead of focusing on the what I am missing out on, the crazy boozy, wild and relaxed Friday night, I'm trying to focus on the no-hangover Saturday and being able to just feel good the whole day and get up early as well..

[jeremym480]

Re: Moving on from drinking alcohol

I'll be 36 next month and I drank pretty much every day from the time I was 16 to almost 30. One day I just decided that I didn't need it anymore. I'll still drink socially, but I don't get stupid drunk anymore. I like to have a beer or two when I'm grilling out, but I'm 100% fine with stopping there. If fact, I can count on one hand that amount of times I've had more than 4 or 5 drinks since I've turned 30. It's mainly just when I go out to games or events, but I never just sit at home and drink like I would in my younger days.

I've had two of my relatives and a friend who was only 38 years old pass from Cirrhosis of the Liver. I also have an uncle who is barely in his 50's that I would be surprised to see him make it to 60 and my brother is an alcoholic/addict that will likely end up in jail or dead sooner rather than later. So I personally know the bad effects that heavy drinking can have.

While I had a lot of good times as well as did a lot of stupid stuff in my younger days and it was awesome for the most part.... alcohol is just not something that I need anymore at this point in my life. I see plenty of people more than half my age still trying to party it up like they're in their twenties and it's not a good look. To me it just wasn't a every difficult thing to do, honestly. If I was still single and going out I'm sure it would be tough, but being married I just don't really have the urge to cut loose. To be frank I don't have anything to cut loose from. Playing video games, watching tv and hanging out with my wife/dogs is really all it takes for me to relax.

[jeremym480]

Re: Moving on from drinking alcohol

I will admit though, the waking up on a Saturday morning at 9am with no hangover and the capacity to actually do things all day such as go to Home Depot, pick up groceries, etc is something I've never experienced and it's a huge plus. When I drink I'd almost always sleep in until noon when football started and then feel tired all the day.

Yeah, it's great to have a nice Saturday planned. Go to Home Depot, buy some wallpaper maybe get some flooring, stuff like that. Maybe even go to Bed Bath and Beyond if you have enough time.

[ODogg]

Re: Moving on from drinking alcohol

I'll be 36 next month and I drank pretty much every day from the time I was 16 to almost 30. One day I just decided that I didn't need it anymore. I'll still drink socially, but I don't get stupid drunk anymore. I like to have a beer or two when I'm grilling out, but I'm 100% fine with stopping there. If fact, I can count on one hand that amount of times I've had more than 4 or 5 drinks since I've turned 30. It's mainly just when I go out to games or events, but I never just sit at home and drink like I would in my younger days.

I've had two of my relatives and a friend who was only 38 years old pass from Cirrhosis of the Liver. I also have an uncle who is barely in his 50's that I would be surprised to see him make it to 60 and my brother is an alcoholic/addict that will likely end up in jail or dead sooner rather than later. So I personally know the bad effects that heavy drinking can have.

That's awful and I've heard many stories like that. In my case though my family are not really reaping the punishment due from abusing alcohol. I have 6 uncles and 5 out of 6 of them are functioning alcoholics and they don't have any health issues other than the standard high sugar, high cholesterol.

My grandfather did die from cirrhosis of the liver when he was 75 though. He was a hardcore alcoholic.

I've seen multiple doctors, both medical and psychological, because of my other health problems and issues and all have said I'm not an alcoholic but they do say that my habit is an issue if I don't cut back. I go back and forth on the definition of "alcoholic" because although I don't drink often I do find that the desire to binge drink and just get completely wasted is not normal in most people so I think I have a touch of alcoholism, I always joke it's the Irish in me.

I haven't found it as difficult as I thought to be honest as my wife has helped (by nagging) but now she's settled down on that as I told her it wasn't helping. What has helped is not having to spend $50 a week on grey goose though and being able to spend it on video games instead. And then like we've discussed, the nicety of not having a whole lost day due to "recovery" and actually waking up at 9am on Saturday and feeling awesome with 3 hours to do things before the games begin. That has helped me a good bit.

In fact I told my wife she can't say anything about me buying new games if I'm not drinking any longer, LOL. And to her credit she's not said a word as I've bought a good bit of games lately..

I posted this to try to get some camaraderie and support so I appreciate your reply. Nice to know I'm not the only one who has had to go through this transition..

P.S. I've noticed my yellow/red card count here at OS has gone down quite a bit since I cut way back on my drinking too

[polyduster]

Re: Moving on from drinking alcohol

Having the support of friends and family is key.

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[mgoblue]

Re: Moving on from drinking alcohol

I used to binge drink in college and after...every weekend I'd get smashed.

Now I have a family and that's not really possible, but what helped me before that even is that I realized how much I hate the hangovers and losing the following day.

Now I'll have a beer or two very very rarely (like once every couple months at a dinner out with friends) and don't get drunk cause I have to drive home.

Helps that my wife doesn't drink much either and isn't a partier.

Binge drinking (until pretty tipsy) definitely isn't healthy and it's great you're doing this! I think I don't get sick as much cause I no longer drink like that, I'm pretty sure it jacks with your immune system too.

[dubcity]

Re: Moving on from drinking alcohol

You'll thank yourself later if you do decide to quit. You'll more than likely lose a significant amount of weight within a year after giving it up all together, not to mention the other benefits.

I've never been a heavy drinker, in fact I've probably been drunk less times than 90% of people, but when I drink I don't do the 1-2 drinks thing, lol. And drinking kicks in anxiety and depression for me.

So many people drink out of habit, like you were saying, or just because they think it's what adults do, etc etc. To me, a few hours of feeling good isn't worth all the crap that goes along with it.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Moving on from drinking alcohol

I'm 38, I've never had an alcoholic drink in my life. I'm weird LOL

[BDKiiing]

Re: Moving on from drinking alcohol

I guess I'm 24 and still in college mode, if you will. I like to indulge every once in a while. Was just back at school for homecoming, and let loose for the the first time since graduation weekend back in May. I feel much more controlled now. My last year in school I was drinking 7 days a week, going out at least 6 nights a week. Now that I'm out of school I only drink maybe once or twice a week, and usually if we go out for a burger or fish fry.

Similar to how I was with tobacco. I used to chew everyday, all day. I'd chew in class, when I was home playing video games, working, everywhere. Then I narrowed it down to just having pouches when I'd go out. I had my last tin St. Patrick's Day weekend in spring, but last weekend for homecoming weekend I bought my first tin since then, and was able to go through it during the weekend, and haven't bought one since. Once in a while I'll indulge, but not as much as I used to, so I'm getting there. That being said, I will enjoy a nice Cohiba from time to time with no regrets.

[55]

Re: Moving on from drinking alcohol

I'm 38, I've never had an alcoholic drink in my life. I'm weird LOL

That's not why you're weird.

Sean (PhilliesFan13) is also a teetotaler. Nothing wrong with that at all.

I used to be an extremely heavy drinker but have cut my alcohol intake down to around 25% of what it once was. I work at a bar and am allowed to drink on the clock so I get offered free beers and shots all the time. Sometimes it's tough to say no, especially out in a social environment like that, whether I am on the clock or not.

I just came to a conclusion a while back that while I really do like drinking, I like my health a hell of a lot more. Moderation is key.

[ODogg]

Re: Moving on from drinking alcohol

I'm 38, I've never had an alcoholic drink in my life. I'm weird LOL

I am curious, when you're out with friends don't they drink a beer and encourage you to have a beer??

I completely understand how someone could not drink but usually others will encourage you to and if you don't they will want to know why. What do you say?

[ODogg]

Re: Moving on from drinking alcohol

I just came to a conclusion a while back that while I really do like drinking, I like my health a hell of a lot more. Moderation is key.

Moderation is the toughest thing but I'm learning. Abstinence is actually much easier for me. As a lifelong person who has struggled with their weight though I have learned that, at least for me, it's not a good thing to go entirely zero on something.

I have learned to moderate my terrible food choices (deep dish pizza, that sort of thing) so now I am just working on the same for alcohol.

Like I said, I'm cool with just not drinking at all on the weekend when I'm alone, it's just when I go out for friends like to watch a football game where its a lot tougher to not get carried away with them..