Giving up booze - almost entirely

[ChimpMaster]

Interesting comments there and nice to see many others here having had similar thoughts/experiences.

The social aspect is a big one for me. My friends are drinkers. My cousins are drinkers. So pretty much every single social occasion involves drinking to some degree - not so much the heavy sessions (I'm in my 40s now so can't deal with it ) but perhaps 3 or 4 pints or a few glasses of wine etc. I can't imagine sitting there with fizz water all night. And personally, having seen non-drinkers in a group, they tend to be ridiculously boring ... and you just know there's something dodgy about them

Isn't this the hardest part of giving up or at least drastically cutting down booze?

And of course I'm going to miss that lovely feeling one gets from that first drink of the evening, which makes you feel rewarded and alive and valued and important and intelligent and creative and humourous and loved.

[DieScum]

Yeah, social part is hard. Sounds like you don't need to stop that though just the drinking every night at home.

Everyone is different. I used to really enjoy it but give it up for a bit and you'll soon get over it (well I did anyway, I know it's more complex than that). Just need to get yourself in a new routine.

[SueEllen]

The hardest part I've found are social occasions where everyone is drinking polite, respectable amounts and you're sitting there with a fizzy water looking like a berk.

Drinking and driving makes you a berk
If you don't want to drink, but can drive and park then do so.

[MarillionFan]

I don't trust any man who doesn't drink or knock his missus about.

[quackhandle]

Thankfully never been a big drinker, even when I was at Uni. I do love a few bourbons now and again however this is usually with the wife only half a dozen times a year.

Never liked the sickness when drunk, in fact the last time I did that was the Miracle of Istanbul - 5 times! ;o)

Getting into running 15 years ago has really helped me, I'm very lucky as I know it's not for every one. However I have to enter a race or I won't bother, I'm very lazy.

When I'm training, there is zero alcohol.

To the OP, seriously, good luck, hope you find a solution.

qh

[NotAllThere]

Yeah, social part is hard...

The only thing I found difficult was deciding what to drink. I settled on tonic water. When you say "sorry, don't drink", most people respect that. Some even admire it. They certainly admire the lift home afterwards!

When I started drinking again, one of my heavy drinking colleagues was quite disappointed - he'd been telling his mates how much he admire this guy who doesn't drink, yet still socialises. I felt a bit bad about that.

I don't trust any man who doesn't drink or knock his missus about.

That's because you're worried that if your wife meets such a man, she'll leave you in an instant.

[vetran]

As I said a mug of tea, if I'm designated driver and at somebodies home that & coffee does me fine. In a pub its a pint of Diet coke with ice & Slice.

I may have half a glass of wine with Dinner.

If you are feeling ill or rough in the morning after drinking 2 pints of water over the night will normally stop that though you do pee a lot.

[MarillionFan]

That's because you're worried that if your wife meets such a man, she'll leave you in an instant.

Bring 'em round. Best New Years present ever.

[vetran]

Bring 'em round. Best New Years present ever.

how is Mrs MF? Feeling better hopefully.

[MarillionFan]

how is Mrs MF? Feeling better hopefully.

$3 Million dollars worth of life insurance, but yet she still hangs on.