Giving up Drinking.

[Wenlock]

I've been a rather heavy drinker since I first started drinking, probably around the tender age of 14 or 15. Where most of the group would buy a bottle or two of cheap cider or a bottle of 20/20, I'd buy a crate and go through the lot. Fast forward to the last couple of years, and I'd drink to the point I'd pass out, wake up and carry on drinking.

This led up to the point where I'm at now. I drank so much I passed out and stopped breathing, luckily I had a friend with me whom phoned the ambulance and they were able to bring me back around. A few days in hospital and off I was sent.

It was a huge eye opener for me, and I've not touched a drop since, nor do I intend too. But how do you cope without alcohol in your life? Almost every social situation revolves around it. At least in my social circle. Meeting up with friends? Meet at the pub. Going out for a meal? Let's have a bottle of wine. Going to the cinema? Have a few beers at the pub prior. Meal in with a take away? Let's have a bottle of wine. Night out? Let's get shit faced..

I've been to the GP and explained about my dependency on alcohol, and I've had the blood tests, LFT (Liver Function Test), done the various bits of paperwork, and having done a little research prior I asked to be put on a course of Naltrexone. In the research I've done, it's mainly used for the treatment of people dependent on opioids, but is gaining in popularity amongst treatment of alcoholics. It kills the craving, and a whole load of other stuff.

Much better than Disulfiram (antabuse) or Acamprosate.

I've also been going to AA, and apart from the jesus bit at the beginning and at the end, I do find it really helpful. If you've never been, and I hope none of you ever have too, it's an eye opener. Mainly in the fact that you're not alone, you're not the only person that's been through it. It helps to learn how to cope, how to move on, life lessons etc, but more importantly, how to manage after you've abstained from alcohol.

Anyone else have issues with alcohol, and if so how are you managing to abstain from this legal class A drug?

 

[BigG]

I've been a rather heavy drinker since I first started drinking, probably around the tender age of 14 or 15. Where most of the group would buy a bottle or two of cheap cider or a bottle of 20/20, I'd buy a crate and go through the lot. Fast forward to the last couple of years, and I'd drink to the point I'd pass out, wake up and carry on drinking.

This led up to the point where I'm at now. I drank so much I passed out and stopped breathing, luckily I had a friend with me whom phoned the ambulance and they were able to bring me back around. A few days in hospital and off I was sent.

It was a huge eye opener for me, and I've not touched a drop since, nor do I intend too. But how do you cope without alcohol in your life? Almost every social situation revolves around it. At least in my social circle. Meeting up with friends? Meet at the pub. Going out for a meal? Let's have a bottle of wine. Going to the cinema? Have a few beers at the pub prior. Meal in with a take away? Let's have a bottle of wine. Night out? Let's get shit faced..

I've been to the GP and explained about my dependency on alcohol, and I've had the blood tests, LFT (Liver Function Test), done the various bits of paperwork, and having done a little research prior I asked to be put on a course of Naltrexone. In the research I've done, it's mainly used for the treatment of people dependent on opioids, but is gaining in popularity amongst treatment of alcoholics. It kills the craving, and a whole load of other stuff.

Much better than Disulfiram (antabuse) or Acamprosate.

I've also been going to AA, and apart from the jesus bit at the beginning and at the end, I do find it really helpful. If you've never been, and I hope none of you ever have too, it's an eye opener. Mainly in the fact that you're not alone, you're not the only person that's been through it. It helps to learn how to cope, how to move on, life lessons etc, but more importantly, how to manage after you've abstained from alcohol.

Anyone else have issues with alcohol, and if so how are you managing to abstain from this legal class A drug?

aww man that's such a sad story, I really feel for you mate. Unfortunately a very high percentage of my daily workload (I'm a paramedic) consists of alcohol related problems, not just respiratory depression as you suffered but all sorts of things that people do while drunk....It's so sad sometimes that I've cried when I've got home on occasion.

I wish I could help you with the alcohol issues themselves but personally I very rarely drink. I've gone 10 years without a drink before but that's simply because it doesn't appeal to me personally.

It sounds like you've done your research into possible pharmaceutical options like Disulfiram and Acamprosate which are the most commonly prescribed by GPs. What did your GP say when you asked for Naltrexone (I sure you already know this but just for anyone who doesn't this is not the same as Naloxone).

Your right about drink being everywhere but it doesn't have to be part of everyday things. I mean, if I get a takeaway, accompanying it with a drink doesn't cross my mind. I just get a soft drink instead.

I guess you just have an addictive personality (as do I) and forundf your drug of choice early on and stayed with it.

You are doing the right thing with the meetings but what about maybe trying one that doesn't revolve around the Jesus, God stuff? I'm sure they are such groups. To be honest that would scare me off a bit too as I hate having religious stuff pushed on me.

I do have one idea though, what you need is something to fill the void that alcohol has left. When don't you try the gym? I don't mean the half arsed crap that lots of people do in the gym I mean serious training. It's great for natural endorphins and would help steer you away from drink as you can't train when drunk or hungover. I do bodybuilding shows (though I'm not suggesting you do that )and I've met loads of people who have said that training saved their lives as it got them away from the drink.

It doesn't have to be weight training, you could get into running, cycling, all sorts of things really. It would be a distraction from drinking and you would feel so much better and healthier.

If I can be of any help whatsoever, please just message me.

Take care and the best of luck

 

[Wenlock]

The jesus stuff at AA isn't heavy, it's just a quick prayer before the session begins and one again at the end. Apart from that, it's not mentioned.

I've never been fond of the gym and bodybuilding isn't my cup of tea. I don't like it aesthetically if I'm honest, it looks unnatural. I am keeping fit however, recently taken up a couple of my old hobbies such as climbing and running.

I've met friends since I've given up (in the pub of all places) and found it easy enough to stay away from the drink, although having so much fizzy sugar stuff afterwards kept me awake until the early hours as I'm not used to drinking anything that's fizzy that isn't alcohol. Guess I'll just have to stick to bitter lemon or tonic water.

My GP was happy for me to start whatever I wanted to be honest. He's been my GP since I was a toddler, so he's seen me grow up and knows I only come to him when I genuinely need his help and that I always do my research before hand. I'm aware most GP's would palm you off with the other two, or Baclofen. My GP also asked me if I wanted to start a short course of chlordiazepoxide, but I didn't want to swap one crutch for another, so declined.

I can't lie and say that I won't miss alcohol. I enjoyed nothing more than relaxing with a nice glass of wine or a couple of cold beers. My problem was that a glass of wine or a couple of beers was never enough. "one is too many, one hundred not enough"

So, just a case of learning to manage without. Some days are easier than others, the cravings come and go. It's a bloody rollercoaster, and I dread to think how I'm going to handle a night out without alcohol to give me that bit of confidence. But giving it up is definitely the best thing I've done to date.

 

[kingme]

im happy for you for trying to change your habits, and i know its hard not using alcohol....

i know there was a time when i tryied not to drink (due to health reasons non alcohol related) and it was hard butone you get into a certain routine and people/ friends ghet used to your new habits its all good. a lot of "peer pressure" is in our own minds really, and once you say no to drinking a few times, it becomes habit and the question gets asked less and less...

ive not been an alcoholic but have known a couple and seen the damage they do to families and friends...
stay strong there

 

[BigG]

I agree totally with Kingme about the fact that once you get out of the habit it's much easier in time. In my early 20s I used to drink on nights out like everyone else and I'd get slaughtered (never drank at home though). However, once my circumstances changed, I finished uni and started working I just slowly drifted away from drinking to the point that I never even thought about it. Before I knew it, 10 years had past and I hadn't had a single drink......give it time mate, you'll get there. The days turn into weeks then months then years and all of a sudden you're not thinking of it anymore. It's still early days yet, You'll get there.

When I suggested the gym and bodybuilding, I just meant that's why I do I wasn't suggesting you do the same. The fitness and running you mentioned is just as good to get you exercising and keep you away from drinking. I was just suggesting you might like to take it up on a more serious basis to give you a full time hobby but if not then that's cool too. Just find something else.

Take care mate

 

[Jackal]

Anyone else have issues with alcohol, and if so how are you managing to abstain from this legal class A drug?

I've got issues with alcohol. I love it

I don't abstain, but nowdays I seem to manage drinking better than I used to and have around 6 units a night. A year ago I was probably closer to 60 units average per night and who knows what on weekend nights. I did own a bar at the time and noticed I was easily outdrinking even the biggest pissheads, which was food for thought.

So now I work a day job, have a lot more exercise, smoke more weed and don't neglect my family or my hobbies because I have a sore head.

 

[Wenlock]

I've got issues with alcohol. I love it

I don't abstain, but nowdays I seem to manage drinking better than I used to and have around 6 units a night. A year ago I was probably closer to 60 units average per night and who knows what on weekend nights. I did own a bar at the time and noticed I was easily outdrinking even the biggest pissheads, which was food for thought.

So now I work a day job, have a lot more exercise, smoke more weed and don't neglect my family or my hobbies because I have a sore head.

42 units a week is still a large amount to be drinking week in week out.

 

[Josh]

I haven't had a drink since the beginning of August, apart from a glass of champagne at a wedding a couple of months ago. I'm not really well enough to drink at all at the moment, but I don't really miss it. Well, maybe I miss it a bit but I don't miss the way it makes me feel the day after!

Since getting really sick a couple of years ago I've managed to maintain a 3 pint limit whenever I've gone out, which I think is about the limit to guarantee no hangover the next day. I've managed this by starting with a non alcoholic drink, drink much slower than everyone else, and just going home a bit early sometimes if it seems like everyone is getting on it.

I've also got a couple of non alcoholic "special drinks" which I don't have at home, which I can have in the pub to make it seem a bit different, so I don't end up drinking ten glasses of orange juice of a night. This can be as simple as a j2o, ginger beer or a coke and blackcurrant (don't diss it until you tried it!).

And yeah, when I'm at home, like Jude, I've got back into caning the weed a load more, just like the good old days when we couldn't afford booze!

 

[s0laris]

It gets easier

I know what you mean about every social situation revolving around alcohol. I also found some friends weren't as encouraging when I wanted to give up.

I like to meet friends for breakfast on a Saturday or out for lunch more to avoid alcohol.

 

[Erikmen]

This is one way out. Another one is to make new friends out of the alcohol circle..

 

[Waterfall]

This is one way out. Another one is to make new friends out of the alcohol circle..

Ha! Do such people exist?

Wenlock, I'm a pretty heavy drinker, about 150 units a week, maybe a bit more. Have had a really shit week involving all sorts of psychosis and incarceration, for which alcohol is partly to blame. This has actually kicked me in the head and I'm resolved to make use of some sort of alcohol service after Christmas with a view to sorting my shit out. Just wanted to let you know that reading this thread has helped me out.

 

[BigG]

I like to meet friends for breakfast on a Saturday or out for lunch more to avoid alcohol.

lol! Round where I live that wouldn't be quite the solution it sounds. My corner shop opens at 7:00am and when I go for my morning paper on a Saturday they are always people in front of me in the queue clutching bottles of cheap cider or 4 packs of Tennants Super.......(which I'm sure us against the law at that time but I've never seen anyone turned away). The "rock start liquid breakfast" is still highly popular around my way.

 

[kingme]

This is one way out. Another one is to make new friends out of the alcohol circle..

They do. And can be of higher value and support then those who stubbornly hold on to drinking as sole social lubricant. ...

 

[Wenlock]

Ha! Do such people exist?

Wenlock, I'm a pretty heavy drinker, about 150 units a week, maybe a bit more. Have had a really shit week involving all sorts of psychosis and incarceration, for which alcohol is partly to blame. This has actually kicked me in the head and I'm resolved to make use of some sort of alcohol service after Christmas with a view to sorting my shit out. Just wanted to let you know that reading this thread has helped me out.

I would probably drink 150 units over the course of a couple of days, I'd think nothing of drinking 2 crates (48 cans) of strongbow or fosters or whatever was on offer in one sitting and still be able to go about my day as normal.

I've done some pretty horrible stuff while I've been way beyond drunk, and it's cost me dearly. Friends, family, money and relationships. Until you reach a point where you wake up after your last bender and think "what the fuck am I doing?" you don't really see what the problem is. I grew tired of the sad face looking back at me at the bottom of the empty glass, bottle, can, whatever.

You don't have to go to your GP to access some of the alcohol services, I went to AA before I went to my GP. Check out their website, I don't know if you're religious but if you're not and you can see past the prayer at the beginning and end, then it's all gravy, you don't have to take part if you don't want, you can sit and listen and you can leave at any time.

If you're drinking that amount of units I would really recommend going to see your GP because you need to get a LFT to see if you've caused yourself some damage. In the mean time, get yourself down to Holland & Barret and get yourself some Vitamin B1, it'll start repairing the damage done by drinking excessively. £2.99 for 100 at the moment, buy one get one half price if you wanted to stock up.

 

[Sammy G]

After spending most of last year and the first half of this year without drinking, I've come to terms with the fact that complete abstinence is never going to work for me. Alcohol is something that's ingrained not only in my culture but to an extent in my personality. I can be so inhibited sometimes that I don't feel like myself, which I expect quite a few people will understand.

I do, however, need to stop drinking alone quite as often. There's just something really comforting about having a bottle to hold, and feeling the warmth spread through your stomach. Dunno if I'll ever get over that.

 

[BigG]

I do, however, need to stop drinking alone quite as often.

To quote Homer Simpson when asked if he ever drank alone....."Does God count as a person?"

 

[ColtDan]

I can be so inhibited sometimes that I don't feel like myself, which I expect quite a few people will understand.

Yeah i understand that completely

 

[Si Dread]

Although I got into trouble with booze, it was to alleviate daily boredom. I never drank that much in social situations, never really went to the pub & still don't. In fact, I've never really engaged in any obvious social activity that requires alcohol use except raving, & of course, I was not using alcohol.

I cut back heavily on my driinking about a 18 months ago & then gave up altogther about 6 months ago.

You'll find new ways to entertain yourself. But stick with the wagon man, it'll do ya the world of good

 

[Erikmen]

Drinking alone may be a sign that you should go easy on alcohol.

 

[Ceres]

I gave up drinking alcohol almost 4 years ago and while the first few months were a bit difficult, it was well worth the effort. It's about making a choice for yourself and having respect for your own health and choosing not to drink is a very empowering thing. These days I drink a lot of black tea. It is a bit of a social problem because so much socialising in the uk revolves around drinking, but really I don't enjoy being around pissed people anyway.