[Closed] Giving up alcohol? Has anyone here managed it? I think ive got a problem 🙁

Can you drive if so drive to go out to the pub and remember how usefull your driving liscence is, thats how I weened myself off the booze during the low times I endured, if I drove I only had 1 pint and that was it.

[b][u]RULE # 1 Never never never drink alone [/u][/b]

Coffee and chocolate worked for me.

If we're doing rules then...

- never because someone else is
- never as a reward

If its not in the house you can't drink it.

How about studying something or get addicted to a in-depth computer game?

Or Tea & Biscuits... hmmm.... mucho dunkiness

yes, pretty similar to you. I was in a bleak period of life - wife had miscarried, we weren't getting on, I'd drink and we'd argue because I'm a ****t when I'm drunk, and I could never have just a couple because then you'd have another and before you know where you were, it was last orders and you'd be buying 2 pints and 2 shorts just to make sure you were properly ****ted at kicking out time. Twice woke up in a bed of vomit, so can consider that two dices with death I'd rather have not had.

It came to a head at a works Xmas do up in London. We had already had a faceful but when everyone left to go home on the late trains I stayed out. At first drinking with strangers and then in late night bars alone. I missed the train, got in an argument / kicked off Waterloo station, and 'slept' the night in the subway with the homeless people, being moved on by the coppers at intervals. In December, in just a shirt, and suit. Freezing half to death

I realised that i wasn't alcoholic in that I didn't *have* to drink, but equally the 'that's enough' switch needed resetting otherwise I was at serious risk of serious harm or worse.

So i stopped for about 18 months 'cold'. No withdrawal symptoms or owt like that because I wasn't dependant, and I was so set on it that i didn't find it hard at all. At first i used to ensure I drove to have an excuse not to drink, but later was very open with friends that I'd given up.

That was 6.5 years ago. Now I'm back to a point have the occasional beer or glass of wine, and also enjoy a very occasional session with mates again on special occasions, but the switch is reset and I know exactly when to say enough. My mates respect it too, when I opt out of a round or have a coke instead no-one questions it.

Sorry it's a long post. My advice is to do it, get to a point where you decide where / when / how much and then decide whether you want to start again once the bad habit has been killed off.

cant avoid it in the house, its ashared house so 5 other people with beer 🙁

never got quite as bad as drinking alone (well only occasionlay a G&T with a good book in the garden)

getting a car actualy makes sense (im easily spending more on beer than a car would cost)

I tend to have an addictive personality myself and seem to slip into the drinking routine if I can't ride for any reason. Good advice from Silent Sparky, if it's not in the house it's often too much effort to go out/go and fetch some.

How about spectating at bike related sports? MTB, motocross, speedway etc?

Take up bridge? Great game that has slipped off the radar in the last 20 years - used to be a fixture of undergraduate life. Extremely challenging and also very social game - Has the bonus that if you play at a club everyone else will be in their 60s and you'll feel out of place leathering the ale 🙂

Might not be much use because I've never been much of a drinker but don't buy it when you go shopping! If it's not in the house you won't drink it. Doesn't help when you go out though.

If you must drink do you like the taste or are you just drinking watered down ethanol? Try drinking less of more expensive alcohol (nice whiskey, beer, wine) and savour the taste rather than volume.

And finally, try taking an interest in cooking. It takes time so you won't be drinking. You can use food to boost your moods. Also a healthy diet will make you feel better.

Think about why and where you drink and try to do something about it.

Good luck. Hope everything works out. If you are seriously concerned seek some professional help.

How about spectating at bike related sports? MTB, motocross, speedway etc?

and buy a camera, take it with you and learn how to use it maybe?
Possibly keeps you more 'involved' than 'just watching'....?

hmm, cards or spectating sport may not be such a bad idea 9or at least find somethign to fil time with)

jonb, unfortunately i already have expensive taste, not quite as bad as footballers, but ive gone from student scrimping to haveing what was nearly my terms loan is now dispossable income each month. Means i just spend 10x more on a night out.

Have you got a PS3 or an XBOX or something? Might be a good idea to get one if not.

You've replaced cycling with drinking. Addictive personality?

Replace the alcohol with something else thats positve.

Never had a drinking prob but I haven't touched beer since '95.

I do have a thing for chocolate and weened myself off it.

You can do it!

was nearly my terms loan is now dispossable income

Get into photography

Very expensive hobby and you won't be able to afford drink

Can't help with much else because i'm a teetotaller

Good luck with that, mmmmm beer.

Think I'll have one now on my own.

learn to play guitar or other musical instrument

I'm with you. Drink too much daily, smoke as well. In a rut and don't have the motivation to leave it. Motivation = willpower = success as I see it. Don't have the motivation after a day at work even though rationally I know that giving up fags and booze would make my life so much better.

I find it's the first couple of dry days that's hardest. After that I don't really want / need a drink. That's not speaking from an ex alcoholic point of view or anything, just someone that can easily slip into drinking everyday.

Do you have an addictive personality, or do you like getting ****tted? I think there's a distinct difference 🙂

If it's the latter, just get smashed at the weekend?

(File that under not helpful probably) 🙂

here's how those scandinavians do it. allegedly.
don't drink for -
1 day every week
1 week every month,
1 month every year
1 year every decade
1 decade every lifetime.

never got past the 1 month myself, but it does help to have a goal.
good luck!

try baking, its hilarious how bad things turn out initially, but with practise comes the joy of a perfect loaf that even childbirth can't touch!
c'mon get yer muffin tray out and give it a leathering for once.

Substitution could be the key. Calculate every pound you dont spend on booze and save it for something special like a new car, deposit on a house, extra holidays, new hobbies etc.

Watch the 2 classic booze films.
"The Lost Weekend" and "Days of Wine and Roses"
They´ll scare you sh*tless about an alcoholic future.

thisisnotaspoon at Uni I high-sided and fractured my elbow in 1995 and didnt ride abike again until 2001. I freely mixed drink with the painkillers for about 6months afterwards. You need to break the cycle ASAP otherwise you might find getting back onto the bike harder (you might associate riding with drink/weight gain etc- illogical but it'll be there in your head).

Rather than focusing on staying fit I put on weight then couldnt face getting back on the bike. There is no substitute for drink, only willpower.

1 day every week
1 week every month,
1 month every year
1 year every decade
1 decade every lifetime.

I never drank alcohol before the age of ten, so that's my decade. Off down the pub.

And finally, try taking an interest in cooking. It takes time so you won't be drinking.

But, in all seriousness - I gave up for about 6 months last year as my wife and I were struggling to conceive. This included being totally sober at my business partner's wedding and an old school friend's wedding. I have always liked a drink and certainly don't know when to stop (I am in the 'no, I am totally sober' camp at last orders even if I am steaming drunk). When I gave up, I still went out and socialised with the same friends who, after initial disbelief, soon accepted that I wasn't drinking. So I guess what I am saying is that it can easily be done and you should never feel you have to drink just because you are around others that are.

And I don't understand the 'never drink alone' statement - I had a couple of glasses of whiskey before bed last night after spending the evening decorating (my wife was away from the house as her heavily pregnant state meant she couldn't bear the smell of paint) but I don't think that makes me a bad person.

I had three double Rum and ginger ales last night. I needed them. Sometimes you can take more from alcohol than what it can take from you (if that makes sense?)

buy a beetle/vw camper.

you`ll be too busy fixing it to worry about booze.

then you can go to shows/race weekends and booze with mates in a good way.

[i]Watch the 2 classic booze films.
"The Lost Weekend" and "Days of Wine and Roses"
They´ll scare you sh*tless about an alcoholic future.[/i]

And leaving Las Vegas?

Van Halen, that logic also works for Land Rovers, except that you can go up hills with them. The only other problems are potentially having to grow a beard, gain a beer gut and like morris dancing.

Spoon, try looking in Holland & Barrett for 5HTP. It apparently makes/restocks the brain's supply of happy chemicals and can acts as a form of anti-depressant. You may not need it, but it can't help.

The photography idea's good though. A decent dSLR is relatively cheap these days and there are lots of good photos out there waiting to be taken. With your Landy (or Camper) and digi-cam, you could follow/stalk a biking team around the UK taking photos and then displaying them on the in-car photo lab.

Do something socially useful - volunteer for an arts or environmental project or a youth group - it will make you feel much better about yourself and you'll meet some interesting people and mostly be too involved to be drinking except maybe as part of the group socially.

I had three double Rum and ginger ales last night. I needed them

I find that worrying. I cannot think of a circumstance where I would [b]need[/b] an alcoholic drink. Promoting a desire to a need encourages dependency 🙁

i gave it up entirely over 20 years ago now as i was drinking myself stupid several times a week (at the age of 20).
i even got rewarded with a "discussion" about me on mlehworld, apparently. lord knows why; i didn't think anyone cared...

I gave up about 8 or so years ago I think, not for any real reason just 'cos it seemed like a good idea at the time.

That's not helpful, is it?

+1 for Leaving Las Vegas

I find that worrying. I cannot think of a circumstance where I would need an alcoholic drink. Promoting a desire to a need encourages dependency

haha, T2 splittie and bankruptsy here I come!

cheer's for all the encouragment guys, much appreciated. I've set myself a target of 3 months to give myelself something to aim for, we'll see how i go.

Most worying thing was the reaction from some of my friends! I was expecting the usual derisory crys and offers of one last beer, but actualy they seem quite suppourtive :-S maybe i'm worse than i think !

Or you think less of your friends than they deserve?...

I'll echo what rightplacerighttime said: it sounds as if you're filling a hole in your life that cycling once occupied. Doing some voluntary work will fill that time whilst making a difference to the lives of others who could do with a hand. If you have a local Shelter of other homeless charity I'd give them a bell and see if they need anyone.

My wife had a go at me for drinking too much. I said "I only drink to keep you looking good", did'nt got down too well for some reason.