Anyone on here ever given up alcohol?

[Deleted User]

Just wondered if so what made you do it? Was it health or something else?

Asking because recently i’m not enjoying lager any more and tbh I hate the hang over effect next day.

My fav drink is G&T but even that lately I find myself leaving, seriously thinking I could quite easily give up alcohol and never touch a drop again.

indiepanda

I gave up temporarily as part of a weight loss programme. Not that I was drinking enough for the alcohol calories to be a problem but because the hangovers invariably led to overeating, not to mention the bags of chips or slices of toast eaten before going to bed.

I did go back to drinking having shifted quite a bit of weight (due to diet as well as not drinking) but I don't drink as much as I used to and I wasn't an especially heavy drinker before. Nonetheless I need to shift some more weight and I intend to cut out drinking again for a while.

Honestly I found it easier than I thought. I like a nice glass of wine if out to dinner, but I hate drinking wine on a night down the pub as I get drunk too quickly that way. I'd started drinking vodka, soda water and fresh lime on nights down the pub in an attempt to reduce calorie intake, and I realised it tastes just the same to me as soda water and lime, and the latter costs a lot less and you get no hangover at all.

What I did find having quit drinking was I had little interest in going to the pub with friends unless there was a large group of people to talk to, still enjoyed nights out dancing as I can do that sober and it doesn't matter if friends are tipsy as you don't have to chat when dancing anyway (it can be quite dull being with drunk people as they get very repetitive in their conversations!).

I probably go out more now than I used to but I drink less when I do (often nothing at all - e.g. I started doing Ceroc at the same time and never drink there as it makes me dizzy when I do spins) and I do different things more. Some of my friends have been up for the change and also are drinking less... others I probably see a bit less of as a result.

There's a website someone mentioned I could try if I wanted to quit for good - might be worth checking out if you become more interested in quitting.

https://www.oneyearnobeer.com/

StaffieTerrier

I never officially gave up but it's been 18 months since I last drank any alcohol. I've never really enjoyed the taste but drank because everyone else did.

As I've got older my tolerance has dropped significantly and single drink could lead to a very disturbed night's sleep and a hungover feeling the next day. I decided I didn't need to drink to have a good time or relax. Several friends of mine also feel the same way.

MrsLecter

I'm an addict in recovery so yes, I've given up alcohol.
Aside from numerous benefits, the financial one has been big. Don't get me wrong, I'm in debt from the bad choices I made whilst in active addiction but the situation is a hell of a lot better than it would have been if I had carried on.
Plus, clearer skin, no weird stomach pains, no hangovers...

[Deleted User]

For me personally it’s simply I think I starting to dislike alcohol in general taste wise, lager is constantly been left half drunk and same for g&t, I had a drink Xmas day with my meal and left it. Never liked wine, whisky or vodka tbh.

I also think I only drink in-social circles just because I feel like I have to?

indiepanda

Deleted_User wrote: »

For me personally it’s simply I think I starting to dislike alcohol in general taste wise, lager is constantly been left half drunk and same for g&t, I had a drink Xmas day with my meal and left it. Never liked wine, whisky or vodka tbh.

I also think I only drink in-social circles just because I feel like I have to?

If you don't enjoy the taste and are frequently leaving drinks unfinished that sounds like a very good excuse to give up. As to feeling as if you have to drink..... I have one friend who I think isn't overly happy about me having cut down on drinking, and even there I know she has one friend who is teetotal so she can't mind that much, the rest of my friends didn't care at all. Give it a try, if your friends object maybe it's time to find new friends?

PasturesNew

I've never bothered with it. I like the taste of a few drinks, but after you've had one you're close to the drink driving limit - and as I always drive it's just been "pointless" to have one small drink you like the taste of, then have to stop - and it's not cheap!

Pubs etc have little that's non-alcoholic and tastes nice. For booze, in pubs etc, I tend to go with half a cider as it's a "long drink" and after that it's diet pepsi/coke.

I don't buy it for home - no point as I can't drink a whole bottle and hate the thought of buying one bottle to have it lurking around the house getting sticky for 3-4 years as I slowly have a little bit here and there.

Alcohol isn't compulsory ... although others do make you feel like the scrapings of a dead dog on the bottom of their shoe if they offer you a drink and you just ask for a soft drink

System

I used to need my bottle of wine on a Friday night after a week at work (!) but I rarely touch alcohol now.

robotrobo

avogadro wrote: »

I used to need my bottle of wine on a Friday night after a week at work (!) but I rarely touch alcohol now.

is it grim when you are getting old!.:)

System

robotrobo wrote: »

is it grim when you are getting old!.:)

Red wine gives me a headache now, which is a bit annoying, as I used to like tempranillo!

basill

PasturesNew wrote: »

Pubs etc have little that's non-alcoholic and tastes nice. For booze, in pubs etc, I tend to go with half a cider as it's a "long drink" and after that it's diet pepsi/coke.

Doctors orders :-( I do like the taste and there is definitely a limit to the amount of fizzy lemonade or soda water and lime that a man can drink. I have been drinking non alcoholic beer, a surprising number of pubs serve it now. Wetherspoons for instance has non alcoholic Erdinger, Becks and Koppaberg cider, it has come a long way taste wise.

All that's missing are hangovers and taxis home.