# I'm giving up alcohol. What should I expect? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 28, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-giving-up-alcohol-what-should-i-expect/636170 "2012-09-28T18:43:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jayrey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/47e85d/32.png) [@jayrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayrey)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-giving-up-alcohol-what-should-i-expect/636170/1 "2012-09-28T18:43:22Z")
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? Any insights would be appreciated. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-giving-up-alcohol-what-should-i-expect/636170/2 "2012-09-28T18:47:18Z")
I also drink a small to moderate amount on a pretty daily basis. When I don’t, I notice two things. Better sleep and some weight loss. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-giving-up-alcohol-what-should-i-expect/636170/3 "2012-09-28T18:50:13Z")
You may find that you as well as other people are no longer as charming, witty and exciting. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-giving-up-alcohol-what-should-i-expect/636170/4 "2012-09-28T18:56:18Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-giving-up-alcohol-what-should-i-expect/636170/5 "2012-09-28T19:09:50Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-giving-up-alcohol-what-should-i-expect/636170/6 "2012-09-28T19:10:09Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Better sleep and some weight loss. This is my guess as well. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-giving-up-alcohol-what-should-i-expect/636170/7 "2012-09-28T19:10:20Z")
[Know your options.](http://www.drinksmixer.com/cat/8/) There’s no reason you should have to be stuck with whatever can of soda is behind the bar. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-giving-up-alcohol-what-should-i-expect/636170/8 "2012-09-28T19:11:47Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > This is my guess as well. 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. ---
**Author:** ![jayrey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/47e85d/32.png) [@jayrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayrey)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-giving-up-alcohol-what-should-i-expect/636170/9 "2012-09-28T21:07:06Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > You may find that you as well as other people are no longer as charming, witty and exciting. 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. ---
**Author:** ![jayrey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/47e85d/32.png) [@jayrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayrey)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-giving-up-alcohol-what-should-i-expect/636170/10 "2012-09-28T21:11:59Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > 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. 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. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2012, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-giving-up-alcohol-what-should-i-expect/636170/11 "2012-09-29T00:44:39Z")
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. Believe me this: if I can do it…you can! ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2012, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-giving-up-alcohol-what-should-i-expect/636170/12 "2012-09-29T00:56:50Z")
One, two, or three drinks an evening? I don’t understand; this isn’t a problem in the first place. YMMV ---
**Author:** ![Simple\_Linctus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2012, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-giving-up-alcohol-what-should-i-expect/636170/13 "2012-09-29T00:59:44Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![core\_dump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dec6dc/32.png) [@core\_dump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/core_dump)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2012, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-giving-up-alcohol-what-should-i-expect/636170/14 "2012-09-29T01:18:08Z")
Expect your better half to dump you because you are suddenly way too boring. Only half kidding. Hope everything turns out well for you. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2012, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-giving-up-alcohol-what-should-i-expect/636170/15 "2012-09-29T02:33:39Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > One, two, or three drinks an evening? > > I don’t understand; this isn’t a problem in the first place. > > YMMV 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. ---
**Author:** ![colonial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/34f0e0/32.png) [@colonial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colonial)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2012, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-giving-up-alcohol-what-should-i-expect/636170/16 "2012-09-29T02:45:45Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2012, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-giving-up-alcohol-what-should-i-expect/636170/17 "2012-09-29T03:58:53Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > A person could drink once a month and be an alcoholic. 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. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2012, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-giving-up-alcohol-what-should-i-expect/636170/18 "2012-09-29T05:22:17Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > 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 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!). ---
**Author:** ![sandra\_nz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2012, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-giving-up-alcohol-what-should-i-expect/636170/19 "2012-09-29T05:42:55Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2012, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-giving-up-alcohol-what-should-i-expect/636170/20 "2012-09-29T06:13:38Z")
Good for you! The only thing you will have to watch out for is that you will have to settle for better looking women in the future. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-giving-up-alcohol-what-should-i-expect/636170.md?page=2)