[Drinking] Giving up drinking

[Fungus]

The trend is downwards for sure. It's cool to be sober these days.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/alcohol-drinking-britain-habits-booze-consumption-ons-data-a7716186.html

The UK's booze culture needs to change in my opinion. Have a good day, celebrate with a drink. Have a bad day, commiserate with a drink. It's a Friday, have a drink. It's a Bank Holiday, have a drink. And then we're told we shouldn't have more than 14 units a week.

I think the 14 unit limit is unrealistic, because there are so many other risks in everyday life. The difference in risk between 14 units and the previous 21 unit limit, is equivalent to driving a car each day - which we wouldn't think twice about. (Disclaimer: that's my understanding, from a medical friend who read a huge document about the latest limit. I/we could be wrong!)

I'd be more concerned about the financial cost of the extra 365 units over the whole year.

 

[Bozza]

The trend is downwards for sure. It's cool to be sober these days.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/alcohol-drinking-britain-habits-booze-consumption-ons-data-a7716186.html

The UK's booze culture needs to change in my opinion. Have a good day, celebrate with a drink. Have a bad day, commiserate with a drink. It's a Friday, have a drink. It's a Bank Holiday, have a drink. And then we're told we shouldn't have more than 14 units a week.

Going on holiday? Have a drink (In the Airport. At 5:30 in the morning.)

 

[pearl]

Does anyone drink anymore or are we all teetotalers ?

I cut down Friday and Saturday and felt great for it, but Sunday I buckled and drank way too much. Felt miserable yesterday, but I think I'm getting the message finally.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

I barely drink anything any more, maybe a bottle of beer a month, I don't track it. It was enforced by health, not having any kidneys any more, but I don't much miss it. I miss a bit of the social, as I don't go to pubs - but the drink, nah, not really bothered now I'm a bit older.

 

[happypig]

The running community, in my opinion, is one of the most friendly and non-judgemental I’ve come across. And this holds everywhere in the world I have run. Generally always willing to talk, help and encourage.

I'd have said the same about the scuba diving community if it weren't for Russians.

 

[Laridae]

Got a..bottle of Seedlip 94 & tonic water. Just discovered..it's perfect for summer weather.

Seedlip 94 - what's it like [MENTION=159]Stumpy Tim[/MENTION]? Have heard really good things about this but it's £25+ isn't it? Think I'm going to have to take a punt on it - worth the money? Can you describe what it tastes like?!

 

[Bozza]

Seedlip 94 - what's it like [MENTION=159]Stumpy Tim[/MENTION]? Have heard really good things about this but it's £25+ isn't it? Think I'm going to have to take a punt on it - worth the money? Can you describe what it tastes like?!

Not heard of this before. It looks like gin without the alcohol: https://amzn.to/2kytAxt

"Seedlip is distilled non-alcoholic spirit is made like a gin with botanicals, but is definitely not a gin. The predominant flavour is clove rather than juniper and most importantly, it has no alcohol. It is made from six carefully selected botanicals and spices, sourced from around the world and distilled in copper pot stills. These distillates are then blended together to create a complex multidimensional taste profile that can compete with any alcoholic spirit. The liquid is then blended with water, filtered and bottled. Tasting note: earthy, woody aromas. Clove, lemon and cardamom on the palate."

 

[Stumpy Tim]

Seedlip 94 - what's it like [MENTION=159]Stumpy Tim[/MENTION]? Have heard really good things about this but it's £25+ isn't it? Think I'm going to have to take a punt on it - worth the money? Can you describe what it tastes like?!

It's actually pretty good... they've got an offer on Amazon Prime (obviously click the link through NSC!) for £22. I've only had the spice one, and I'm told it's better than the Garden variety. It's basically like drinking gin & tonic, but obviously no alcohol and zero calories. I ended up drinking 3 glasses and 2 bottles of Nanny State yesterday, and stayed AF. I was surprised how little I missed the drink & the people who I hadn't told didn't notice I wasn't drinking.

 

[spring hall convert]

It's different for everyone but I actually found stopping far easier than trying to drink in moderation. That was complete torture.

 

[Laridae]

they've got an offer on Amazon Prime (obviously click the link through NSC!) for £22.

Cheers Stumpy, that's done it - will do this (via NSC!) later for sure. Have you tried this St Peter's Without 0.0% Ale? It's a bit heavy, very malty and I've only ever had one at a time, but it's ok. Apart from that, a pint soda, lots of ice with a slice of fresh lemon is unbelievably refreshing!

..I've fallen out of love with alcohol

Yep, this is me, totally. A couple of websites which have helped understand alcohol and that promote 'mindful drinking' (hope [MENTION=6886]Bozza[/MENTION] doesn't mind me linking) :

The Alcohol Experiment
As mentioned previously, a fantastic free 30 day video course that unravels the science and psychology behind alcohol. Bit rough around the edges (it's in beta hence free, so be quick) and yeah a bit 'American' but Annie Grace is lovely and this was a winner for me.

Club Soda UK
Club Soda describe themselves as a "Mindful Drinking Movement". Definitely not *just* about giving up - some brilliant timely articles as well as a forum, webinars, vids and even meet-up events etc

Hello Sunday Morning
HSM say their purpose is to: "...support any individual to change their relationship with alcohol, whether that relationship means abstaining, taking a break, or simply understanding how to have a healthy relationship with alcohol." - I downloaded their simple little forum app called Daybreak [iOS] or [Android] and although I didn't continue after the free trial I still drop in every now and again.

Definitely worth a look.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Going on holiday? Have a drink (In the Airport. At 5:30 in the morning.)

On holiday? Binge drink.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I'd have said the same about the scuba diving community if it weren't for Russians.

Russians are a pain in ski-resorts as well. They’ve ruined Courchevel.

 

[Albion my Albion]

It's actually pretty good... they've got an offer on Amazon Prime (obviously click the link through NSC!) for £22. I've only had the spice one, and I'm told it's better than the Garden variety. It's basically like drinking gin & tonic, but obviously no alcohol and zero calories. I ended up drinking 3 glasses and 2 bottles of Nanny State yesterday, and stayed AF. I was surprised how little I missed the drink & the people who I hadn't told didn't notice I wasn't drinking.

Probably the fact that you DIDN'T stumble at all,fall and grab a woman's breast had a lot to do with people noticing you hadn't had much any alcohol to drink.

 

[BlockDpete]

I'm trying to cut down on my drinking, though as someone who enjoy pubs and beer, it is something of a challenge.

Being single for a while now, I do feel the need to get myself out certainly at the weekends, and this can mean I have a couple of days of having one too many. I suppose I'm trying to find social events that don't involve alcohol, but its not easy.

Got to say I'm going off hangovers, and drinking over consecutive days makes me feel terrible.

I do at least try and have 2-3 days during the week when I'm on the wagon.

Good luck to anyone giving up.

 

[father_and_son]

I'm trying to cut down on my drinking, though as someone who enjoy pubs and beer, it is something of a challenge.

Being single for a while now, I do feel the need to get myself out certainly at the weekends, and this can mean I have a couple of days of having one too many. I suppose I'm trying to find social events that don't involve alcohol, but its not easy.

Got to say I'm going off hangovers, and drinking over consecutive days makes me feel terrible.

I do at least try and have 2-3 days during the week when I'm on the wagon.

Good luck to anyone giving up.

Given the current trends and your own comments then an evening on soft drinks may prove to be the best of both worlds... you get yourself out socialising but without the rough day afterwards.

 

[pauli cee]

It's different for everyone but I actually found stopping far easier than trying to drink in moderation. That was complete torture.

Totally agree with that, but I guess it would depend on what your drinking habits are / were.

The same can be said for smokers, a heavy smoker is more likely to give up successfully than cut down, whilst a social smoker would find it more difficult to find a reason to give up, if that makes sense

 

[pearl]

I'm trying to cut down on my drinking, though as someone who enjoy pubs and beer, it is something of a challenge.

Being single for a while now, I do feel the need to get myself out certainly at the weekends, and this can mean I have a couple of days of having one too many. I suppose I'm trying to find social events that don't involve alcohol, but its not easy.

Got to say I'm going off hangovers, and drinking over consecutive days makes me feel terrible.

I do at least try and have 2-3 days during the week when I'm on the wagon.

Good luck to anyone giving up.

Yeah, my friend and I have been saying the same plus neither of us like soft drinks

 

[Nitram]

Realised my drinking habits have changed when we went out with friends we had not seen in a while. Shared a bottle of wine (2 people) plus five pints each. A quiet night out according to my mate. Glad I'm not the drinker I used to be and can go a week without a drink. Wife hardly touches the stuff at all. The night made me realise how much, for the better, my life is without drink dependency.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

Yeah, my friend and I have been saying the same plus neither of us like soft drinks

Try a few from here, and you might be surprised. As I've said, I drink Nanny State and now Seedlip 94 with tonic.

https://drydrinker.com/

 

[BlockDpete]

Yeah, my friend and I have been saying the same plus neither of us like soft drinks

Something I have tried is having a soft drink "break" when I'm out for an evening in a pub. I find a soda water with lime is actually quite refreshing.

Also, trying a few social events where drinking is not the main activity helps. So live music, or walking groups I find helps here.