I don’t really know what prompted it but I’ve decided to quit drinking alchohol. Stopped on Monday, the 24th.
Now, don’t get the wrong idea. I’m not an alcoholic. I don’t go out and get blotto every weekend or drink until I pass out (have never passed out from drinking alcohol actually), but I have enjoyed a drink or two (or occcasionally three) nearly every evening for the last 20 years. For whatever reason – really, I don’t know why, just feels like the right thing to do – I’ve decided to stop.
So, what should I expect to feel physically and psychologically? What prompts my question is that I’ve had a headache in the exact middle of my forehead for two days now. I don’t usually get headaches. Is this the mysterious “detoxing” that I hear about?
You might not notice much difference. I drank about as much as you did, quit when I started trying to conceive, and didn’t notice that I felt much different.
Now, if I try to stop drinking caffeine, that’s a whole nother kettle of fish. I also cut down on that when I got pregnant, and noticed a big difference.
Are you planning to stop drinking altogether, like never having a drink again? You might find that people in social situations get a bit weird if you don’t drink at all with them. You don’t have to make any excuses, though - if you don’t want to drink alcohol, just don’t.
My experience as well. Even on the short term, stopping alcohol consumption is the first thing I do if I find myself having trouble sleeping. Within 48 hours I’m usually back to normal.
Oooh, I hadn’t thought about that, tho’ I am sure that I will remain just as fabulously witty and entertaining as ever. Other people? Umm, not so much.
Am looking forward to the weight loss and better sleep part.
I don’t know if I’m going to stop “for good,” like never take another drink again, or not. Right not, it feels like the longer I go without, the less likely I’ll be to want to drink again, but who knows? It’s only been 4+ days, for crying out loud.
I’m thinking about the post-memorial service family gathering I attended last weekend. I drank A LOT there. (As an aside, I wonder if watching my cousins get completely sh*tfaced inspired me to change my evil ways.)
Anyway, if I were in that position now, I think I’d bring my own sparkling water and lemon slices so my lack of alcohol consumption wouldn’t quite so obvious.
At a bar, of course, it’s easy. I love Bloody Mary mix. Leaving the vodka out would just leave more room for the mix.
I stopped drinking nine years ago… I still dream about being drunk.
I still have temptations, but never yet so strong that I’ve succumbed. This, I think, is the key thing to watch for. You may (or may not; everyone is different) find yourself having sudden impulses and sharp, unexpected temptations.
For me, the hardest was when a good bud, at his place, offered me a cold one. I wanted it, but managed to say, “Ah, no, thanks, I had to give it up.” He was fine with that and gave me a glass of iced lime-ade.
jay, pls keep a diary of this. If I’m not put in prison on tuesday I may have a go at this as well for a week or something as I’ve been getting far too smashed recently.
Issues with substances aren’t determined by any particular number but rather if the person feels that an issue exists. A person could drink once a month and be an alcoholic.
I have quit drinking three times, each time about one month.
I did not notice a difference in energy, attitude, or anything else.
The first two times I quit I was a pretty heavy drinker- probably
a 6-pack a day average at least. The most recent time I quit was
three months ago. I had gradually decreased beer intake to less
than 2 beers a day.
One reason for lower consumption is I can no longer stand to
drink when hungry. If I pour a beer after my stomach has started
growling the chances are I won’t be able to finish it before I
absolutely have to get something to eat.
I know that’s the party line nowadays but I don’t believe it. I know they don’t have to get fucked up every day or anything, but once a month? That’s a very halfass alcoholic. If you can’t even be an alcoholic right, then you’re a failure as a person and you may as well drink.
I stopped drinking because I was getting hangovers from a ridiculously small amount of booze (like, two beers). Alcohol isn’t something anyone needs to survive; I support anyone who wants to stop drinking - life goes on just fine without any alcohol in it (and you save a lot of money and calories, and you get to laugh at the silly drunks, too!).
I stopped drinking when I started Weight Watchers just over a year ago, it was really easy. The only challenge was to find a substitute drink that I could enjoy in the evenings. I went with bottled flavoured water, my favourite being orange and mandarin.
Other people? Umm, not so much.