I stopped drinking about 5 months ago.
Since then my life has improved in almost every area.
Nothing has got worse.

The obvious things, I have more time, more money, make better decisions, am happier, stronger, fitter and healthier, are more considerate and have better personal relationships.

I watch TV shows and see how alcohol is present almost everywhere.
I've been to various pubs recently looking for a venue for meetings and they are have depressed people in there.

God bless you.

Well done, Sprint   [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Are you on the Holy Water now Sprint? :D

If MenstrualCyclist is visiting pubs ("I've been to various pubs recently looking for") looking for the life he lost.

How can a purported abstainer claim to be off the booze if he is "visiting pubs" and fantasizing about alcohol in TV shows and movies?

Jasin wrote on Feb 21^st, 2024 at 6:25pm:

Are you on the Holy Water now Sprint? :D

hahahah, thanks to you and Greg.

I have been a regular drinker for the last 3 years. My personality has changed quite a bit that I have gotten to a point where I want to figure out when my last drink should be. There is about 2 drinks worth of scotch sitting in its bottle, awaiting me coming home to finish tonight.

The last time I went sober for a long time (10 months) was about 9 years ago. I lost a lot of weight. My sleeping patterns became a regular 5 hours a night that I thought I was becoming an insomniac. But I managed to use the other 19 hours of the day quite well. I did a lot of work and I could concentrate quite well. I recall the feeling of bliss I had as a teenager, before the stress of becoming an adult took over.

I wish I saved my money and my health by not having alcohol at regular intervals. But, it seems that my mental health has been saved by having alcohol.

Good onya Sprint!    👍

     (I gave up the poison more than 10 years ago.)

UnSubRocky wrote on Feb 22^nd, 2024 at 2:00am:

I have been a regular drinker for the last 3 years. My personality has changed quite a bit that I have gotten to a point where I want to figure out when my last drink should be. There is about 2 drinks worth of scotch sitting in its bottle, awaiting me coming home to finish tonight. The last time I went sober for a long time (10 months) was about 9 years ago. I lost a lot of weight. My sleeping patterns became a regular 5 hours a night that I thought I was becoming an insomniac. But I managed to use the other 19 hours of the day quite well. I did a lot of work and I could concentrate quite well. I recall the feeling of bliss I had as a teenager, before the stress of becoming an adult took over. I wish I saved my money and my health by not having alcohol at regular intervals. But, it seems that my mental health has been saved by having alcohol.

Thanks for sharing your experience

AusGeoff wrote on Feb 22^nd, 2024 at 5:55am:

Good onya Sprint!    👍      (I gave up the poison more than 10 years ago.)

Well done.
I found the first month dry was the hardest, after that it became easier.
Now I jealously guard and am very pleased with my 5 months. I can 'do stuff' better.

Is alcohol a depressing poison or a poisonous depressant?

I have been imbibing for just over 70 years, have only been drunk twice in that time.
My tipple of choice has always been  whisky but in moderation, I still have half a bottle of Grant’s that my mother-in-law gave me ove r 30 years ago.
I drink a dram or two in her memory on her birthday.
Not for nothing is whisky known as ‘uisge beatha’ in Gaelic [aqua vitae, or ‘water of life] and had medicinal properties, such as the washing of wounds.
Taken in moderation it is a good friend but abused it is a terrible enemy.
Congratulations to those who have overcome it when it has become an enemy.
 
Tip on imbibing in whisky, only drink the good stuff, no matter how expensive [ within reason😀
Drink it neat and only sip

Now 86 weeks off the booze.

That is after drinking fairly regularly for 60 years.

Drinking alcohol is very occassional for me and mostly just a complimentary one when offered by my being a guest. It's enough for me to put up with, no different to other things in life.
I still have a near full bottle's worth of a collection-mix of alcohols I found when cleaning up a large collection of old automotive decor toys and models. You know the ones that carry little decor fills of alcohol for novelties. I replaced them all with some cheap recent whiskey. Now these very aged alcohols had become very potent. Just a bottle-cap's worth is enough to constitute a hit from a full glass. As some were as old as 1940 - I guess I now have a bottle of very smooth that hits like the whip of a Balrog!

There's a story of a sinner who used to be a winner ... its such a shame ... oh demon alcohol, sad memories I can't recall.

The Kinks, a great band. Jazz-Blues style.

https://youtu.be/40X0zvYFmf8

Redmond Neck wrote on Feb 23^rd, 2024 at 12:33pm:

Now 86 weeks off the booze. That is after drinking fairly regularly for 60 years.

You've just transferred your addictive nature for wordles, waffles, quordles, etc.
Which means you can still be the same arsehole doing such, as you were an alcoholic.

Take up Buddhism - its a good discipline to break that endless circle of addiction overall.

Redmond Neck wrote on Feb 23^rd, 2024 at 12:33pm:

Now 86 weeks off the booze. That is after drinking fairly regularly for 60 years.

Congratulations. Very well done

Jasin wrote on Feb 23^rd, 2024 at 1:03pm:

Redmond Neck wrote on Feb 23rd, 2024 at 12:33pm: Now 86 weeks off the booze. That is after drinking fairly regularly for 60 years. You've just transferred your addictive nature for wordles, waffles, quordles, etc. ............ Take up Buddhism - its a good discipline to break that endless circle of addiction overall.

Ceasing a detrimental hobby and taking up a beneficial hobby is to be greatly encouraged.

.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Feb 23^rd, 2024 at 3:54am:

...Is alcohol a depressing poison or a poisonous depressant?

Both...


Quote:

Regular heavy drinking is linked to symptoms of depression. People with depression who drink alcohol often start to feel better within the first few weeks of stopping drinking. If you try this and feel better, it’s likely the alcohol was causing your depression. It’s generally not recommended to drink if you’re taking antidepressants. Alcohol can make depression worse and increase the side effects of some antidepressants. If you’re trying to cut down or stop drinking, research shows some antidepressants can increase your risk of relapsing

I'm currently taking antidepressant drugs, so I'm more than happy to
be on the wagon.      8-)

AusGeoff wrote on Feb 24^th, 2024 at 2:38am:

Sprintcyclist wrote on Feb 23rd, 2024 at 3:54am: ...Is alcohol a depressing poison or a poisonous depressant? Both... Quote: Regular heavy drinking is linked to symptoms of depression. People with depression who drink alcohol often start to feel better within the first few weeks of stopping drinking. If you try this and feel better, it’s likely the alcohol was causing your depression. It’s generally not recommended to drink if you’re taking antidepressants. Alcohol can make depression worse and increase the side effects of some antidepressants. If you’re trying to cut down or stop drinking, research shows some antidepressants can increase your risk of relapsing I'm currently taking antidepressant drugs, so I'm more than happy to be on the wagon.      8-)

Join the wagon.
There are more people not drinking than I imagined there would be.
Those not drinking all give good reports about the changes

Don't you all want to end up being mentally, emotionally and physically debilitated like Monk? He's a proud 'lifer' and member of the Goon Squad.

Jasin wrote on Feb 24^th, 2024 at 1:28pm:

Don't you all want to end up being mentally, emotionally and physically debilitated like Monk? He's a proud 'lifer' and member of the Goon Squad.

For a guy who sleeps 5 hours a night and is back on OzPol that morning, I would find it difficult to think that Monk drinks at all.

As a person who has 500mL of scotch sitting on his bench, I know that the first half I drank last night left me falling asleep in front of the tv. And then there is the hours of sleep I have sitting in a chair until I have to get up and go to bed for a proper 6 hours more sleep. The chances of me getting online and posting to OzPol are remote. Had Monk drunk anything more than a glass of wine, I suppose he would be doing anything other than OzPol posts.

It's amazing what alcoholics can achieve when the alcohol helps them along... like a Ring of Power.
I'm sure Monk is feeling stretched like butter too thinly spread over too big a piece of toast.

It's amazing how high a Marlin can jump into the air... when they're hooked.

If I WAS drunk—not that I was—I would have been sober a few hours later.

Poor Jaye will be stupid no matter the hour, no matter the occasion, no matter the day, month or year. Stupid does not go away.

Jovial Monk wrote on Feb 24^th, 2024 at 7:57pm:

If I WAS drunk—not that I was—I would have been sober a few hours later. Poor Jaye will be stupid no matter the hour, no matter the occasion, no matter the day, month or year. Stupid does not go away.

You mean 'stupid' like you asking Carl to be Mod of Corona Board for the tenth time, when he's told you "No." every time and you still persist and he's kinda sick of idiots like you who just can't take a hint?
You mean 'stupid' like you bragging how you will stay away from this Forum for an extra 4 weeks on top of your week-long ban - but you appear asap right after your ban has ended?
You mean 'stupid' like asking me to ban you from EE Board, because you want to try and prove how much of a Dictator Moderator I am. So I ask you if you want me to ban you and you give me the affirmative action and then have a whinge that I banned you - both here and in your Toilet PA Forum?

That's x3 'stupids' and yet I'm yet to find where I've struck out on that level, in regards to your above post? ;D

You're a drunk and arrogantly obnoxiously proud of it.

Jovial Monk wrote on Feb 24^th, 2024 at 7:57pm:

...... If I WAS drunk—not that I was—I would have been sober a few hours later. ............

There is an interesting query - for how long does the full effects of alcohol stay with you?
Not just to blow 0.00 in a breathalyser or after a few days.
When ALL the effects have totally gone and new habits have emerged and those have taken effect.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Feb 24^th, 2024 at 8:21pm:

Jovial Monk wrote on Feb 24th, 2024 at 7:57pm: ...... If I WAS drunk—not that I was—I would have been sober a few hours later. ............  There is an interesting query - for how long does the full effects of alcohol stay with you? Not just to blow 0.00 in a breathalyser or after a few days. When ALL the effects have totally gone and new habits have emerged and those have taken effect.

Ask Jaye, the clown seems to think he has ALL the answers but, like the puffer fish ia all hot air.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Feb 24^th, 2024 at 8:21pm:

Jovial Monk wrote on Feb 24th, 2024 at 7:57pm: ...... If I WAS drunk—not that I was—I would have been sober a few hours later. ............  There is an interesting query - for how long does the full effects of alcohol stay with you? Not just to blow 0.00 in a breathalyser or after a few days. When ALL the effects have totally gone and new habits have emerged and those have taken effect.

Watch the good Mads Mikkleson movie 'Another Round'.
Monk operates on the same alcohol procedure.  ;)

Jasin wrote on Feb 24^th, 2024 at 7:32pm:

It's amazing what alcoholics can achieve when the alcohol helps them along... like a Ring of Power. I'm sure Monk is feeling stretched like butter too thinly spread over too big a piece of toast.

Yeah, I suppose I tend to disappear and then get chased by the 9 leaders of men in their quest for power. The other week, I had a bottle of scotch downed and then I decided to do some burn outs in my Hyundai Getz. But this dwarf and this elf talked me out of it.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Feb 24^th, 2024 at 8:21pm:

Jovial Monk wrote on Feb 24th, 2024 at 7:57pm: ...... If I WAS drunk—not that I was—I would have been sober a few hours later. ............  There is an interesting query - for how long does the full effects of alcohol stay with you? Not just to blow 0.00 in a breathalyser or after a few days. When ALL the effects have totally gone and new habits have emerged and those have taken effect.

The alcohol is out of your system within 24 hours. Unless you have had so much to drink that 24 hours later, your blood test results come back with a 0.02 BAC reading. I could imagine that would only happen to me if I went to bed completely wasted at 10pm and got up the next morning ready to go to work by 2pm. Most people usually have the alcohol out of their system to be able to drive by the 12 hour mark. But, like I said, some people might well be so inebriated, that they would have to wait 24 hours before they are able to drive.

The total effects would depend on the person. If I went sober, as I have done in the past, for 8 weeks, I would probably be back to being the sober person I was in my teens. Physically, I was well on my way to being fit. But, I would have to rely on my attitude and willingness to be physically capable of going for a jog, ride my bike, or lift more than usual. Going 2 weeks without getting drunk, I notice how much better I am than the few days after recovering from my hangover.

Alcoholics.
...making sublime excuses.  ;)

Jasin wrote on Feb 25^th, 2024 at 9:46am:

Alcoholics. ...making sublime excuses.  ;)

I have never made excuses for my drinking.

UnSubRocky wrote on Feb 26^th, 2024 at 4:16pm:

Jasin wrote on Feb 25th, 2024 at 9:46am: Alcoholics. ...making sublime excuses.  ;) I have never made excuses for my drinking.

But your drinking has for you.

UnSubRocky wrote on Feb 25^th, 2024 at 3:39am:

Sprintcyclist wrote on Feb 24th, 2024 at 8:21pm: Jovial Monk wrote on Feb 24th, 2024 at 7:57pm: ...... If I WAS drunk—not that I was—I would have been sober a few hours later. ............  There is an interesting query - for how long does the full effects of alcohol stay with you? Not just to blow 0.00 in a breathalyser or after a few days. When ALL the effects have totally gone and new habits have emerged and those have taken effect. The alcohol is out of your system within 24 hours. Unless you have had so much to drink that 24 hours later, your blood test results come back with a 0.02 BAC reading. I could imagine that would only happen to me if I went to bed completely wasted at 10pm and got up the next morning ready to go to work by 2pm. Most people usually have the alcohol out of their system to be able to drive by the 12 hour mark. But, like I said, some people might well be so inebriated, that they would have to wait 24 hours before they are able to drive. The total effects would depend on the person. If I went sober, as I have done in the past, for 8 weeks, I would probably be back to being the sober person I was in my teens. Physically, I was well on my way to being fit. But, I would have to rely on my attitude and willingness to be physically capable of going for a jog, ride my bike, or lift more than usual. Going 2 weeks without getting drunk, I notice how much better I am than the few days after recovering from my hangover.

Yes, alcohol has longer term effects I believe.
After 2 months of no drink at all I was happier with myself than after 3 weeks.
After 4 months with no drink at all the old habits are gone and replaced with new better habits.
For me, it has to be no drinks at all. Easier to 'keep count' that way.

I've spent some time with people who drink and they are ..... manic? Totally lose their more sensitive nature.

Jasin wrote on Feb 26^th, 2024 at 10:06pm:

UnSubRocky wrote on Feb 26th, 2024 at 4:16pm: Jasin wrote on Feb 25th, 2024 at 9:46am: Alcoholics. ...making sublime excuses.  ;) I have never made excuses for my drinking. But your drinking has for you.

Do you mean that because I drink, I can make excuses for myself? Does not apply. The other night, I started drinking at 10pm. I fell asleep at 2am. Woke up at 5. Kept drinking that same 1 litre bottle of scotch until it was empty at 8am. Went back to sleep and woke up at 2pm to get ready for my shift at work.

No excuses. Just challenging myself to get through a 1 litre bottle of scotch inside a 12 hour timeframe. With that immaturity all done for, I can concentrate back on work and study.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Feb 27^th, 2024 at 11:01am:

Yes, alcohol has longer term effects I believe. After 2 months of no drink at all I was happier with myself than after 3 weeks. After 4 months with no drink at all the old habits are gone and replaced with new better habits. For me, it has to be no drinks at all. Easier to 'keep count' that way. I've spent some time with people who drink and they are ..... manic? Totally lose their more sensitive nature.

I cannot remember certain words that I want to use. If I go 2 weeks without drinking, I am hungry to read and get everything straightened out that I should have done in the past. The last 10 month sobriety I achieved, I had the entire house clean; the lawn was consistently mowed; I saved enough money that I was quickly paying off my credit card; I lost about 35kg; and I managed to get through my day without having to snack.

UnSubRocky wrote on Feb 27^th, 2024 at 3:44pm:

Sprintcyclist wrote on Feb 27th, 2024 at 11:01am: Yes, alcohol has longer term effects I believe. After 2 months of no drink at all I was happier with myself than after 3 weeks. After 4 months with no drink at all the old habits are gone and replaced with new better habits. For me, it has to be no drinks at all. Easier to 'keep count' that way. I've spent some time with people who drink and they are ..... manic? Totally lose their more sensitive nature. I cannot remember certain words that I want to use. If I go 2 weeks without drinking, I am hungry to read and get everything straightened out that I should have done in the past. The last 10 month sobriety I achieved, I had the entire house clean; the lawn was consistently mowed; I saved enough money that I was quickly paying off my credit card; I lost about 35kg; and I managed to get through my day without having to snack.

Wow, that is a big turnaround

Alcohol turns Christians into Satanists.
Also, turns many a man into a woman - his balls drop off and his penis tries to hide away up inside the body.
Alcohol also tricks the mind into thinking that it knows what it is thinking.
You can see this in action when a drunk trips over their own feet.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Feb 27^th, 2024 at 4:48pm:

UnSubRocky wrote on Feb 27th, 2024 at 3:44pm: Sprintcyclist wrote on Feb 27th, 2024 at 11:01am: Yes, alcohol has longer term effects I believe. After 2 months of no drink at all I was happier with myself than after 3 weeks. After 4 months with no drink at all the old habits are gone and replaced with new better habits. For me, it has to be no drinks at all. Easier to 'keep count' that way. I've spent some time with people who drink and they are ..... manic? Totally lose their more sensitive nature. I cannot remember certain words that I want to use. If I go 2 weeks without drinking, I am hungry to read and get everything straightened out that I should have done in the past. The last 10 month sobriety I achieved, I had the entire house clean; the lawn was consistently mowed; I saved enough money that I was quickly paying off my credit card; I lost about 35kg; and I managed to get through my day without having to snack. Wow, that is a big turnaround

In 10 months, you can basically have a whole lot of things done when you have an extra 4 days a month free that you were not wasting on drinking alcohol. Plus, you might as well add an extra 2 days a month to that, because the hangover you have the next day makes you about 50% efficient.

I remember feeling that weight come off me in the first few months. I kept feeling hungry for much of the time until my body righted itself and made snacking seem unnecessary. It was breakfast, lunch and dinner. And those meals were spaced very well. I had the energy to do more than what I had done in a long time. And when you feel better about yourself, you do a lot more.

Promises, promises.

The other day, I walked into the bottleshop looking for my usual stress-reliever. The attendant asked if I needed help. I said "Yeah, that is why I am here". She did not laugh... or smile for that matter. You could hear her eyes rolling. It was then and there that I decided that this day was going to be the last time I walked into a bottleshop for purchase.

Promises, promises. Maybe it was the scotch on the rocks I had for the first time that triggered the decision not to have any more.

UnSubRocky wrote on May 8^th, 2024 at 4:18pm:

Promises, promises. The other day, I walked into the bottleshop looking for my usual stress-reliever. The attendant asked if I needed help. I said "Yeah, that is why I am here". She did not laugh... or smile for that matter. You could hear her eyes rolling. It was then and there that I decided that this day was going to be the last time I walked into a bottleshop for purchase. Promises, promises. Maybe it was the scotch on the rocks I had for the first time that triggered the decision not to have any more.

Good on you. A good decision to make for your own self.
If it has a 'hiccup' along the way, don't worry.
Just make that same decision again.

Not a good start to sobriety when your dreams feel like you are drunk and make no sense. Maybe my mind is purging the effects.

Dunno if this relates to alcohol but I learned the right way to quit smoking.

Reduce the number of ciggies smoked and look for motivation. This motivation must not be about your own health or life expectancy else you will just smoke a lot more!

I found my motivation, quit and never smoked a ciggy, cigar, pipe or joint or bong.

I did go without drinking for about 7 months back in 2019. It took me a week to get over the craving. But the craving for alcohol only started after I had been sober for 2 weeks. By the month, I no longer had any desire to visit any bottle shops.

My stomach had been gurgling last night. So, I felt that it definitely the right time to be serious about quitting alcohol. I have been promising to stop since 2021. But that July of 2021 had me hit the wall with some psychological issues that spiked my drinking. Oh, I wish I could have those years back.

I'm going for a walk tonight. I have a canister of diluted apple cider vinegar to really begin the alcohol cleanse of my body. I know that acv prevents the withdrawals very well.

Jovial Monk wrote on May 19^th, 2024 at 9:00pm:

Dunno if this relates to alcohol but I learned the right way to quit smoking. Reduce the number of ciggies smoked and look for motivation. This motivation must not be about your own health or life expectancy else you will just smoke a lot more! I found my motivation, quit and never smoked a ciggy, cigar, pipe or joint or bong.

Well done.

I gave up drinking for a number or reasons, not just one.
I wanted more from my life and retirement and my wife merited as good a husband as I can be.
I was a bit bored of it, I have better things to do with my life.

UnSubRocky wrote on May 20^th, 2024 at 12:58am:

I did go without drinking for about 7 months back in 2019. It took me a week to get over the craving. But the craving for alcohol only started after I had been sober for 2 weeks. By the month, I no longer had any desire to visit any bottle shops. My stomach had been gurgling last night. So, I felt that it definitely the right time to be serious about quitting alcohol. I have been promising to stop since 2021. But that July of 2021 had me hit the wall with some psychological issues that spiked my drinking. Oh, I wish I could have those years back. I'm going for a walk tonight. I have a canister of diluted apple cider vinegar to really begin the alcohol cleanse of my body. I know that acv prevents the withdrawals very well.

Some decisions take a while to make.
Having many different alternatives helped me.
Diet ginger ale, herbal teas, warm water, wood working, yoga, bridge, weights all helped.

The reason why I am quitting is because of the cold weather suddenly taking hold. If I kept up drinking this week, I would likely have pneumonia by next week. Plus, I want to show my doctor that I can have my blood glucose under control by the next time I visit him for a medical certificate.

I will tell you something: It has only been a week since I had low sugar, no alcohol, no considerable junk food. I have not been eating rabbit food. But at the least the diet has been modest. Ever since Wednesday, my eyesight has improved. My weight has dropped probably by a couple of kilos. I have had about 3 resistance training walks, although they have only been for 4km.

On Wednesday night, I had a Kit Kat bar, as a treat for being good. Even after a week, my body still adjusts to high sugar content. I will have to keep this diet and increased exercise going for the next month before I see results. My blood test my doctor wants me to take will probably have him wanting me to go on a different medication.

I haven't had a drop for 9 months or so now.
People who are drinking are unpleasant to be around.

Now I'm drinking my Scottish Hendrick's Lunar gin and I'm not worried about anything.  8-)

I'll be leaving soon and I won't be able to get any alcohol.

Close to a year with no drink.
I'm really pleased how much better I handle stresses in my life.

last month had 4 significant 'bad' events happen that involved me.
Came to a good acceptance of it all yesterday, have treated every event well.
mentally/emotionally feel very well.

Cannot be bothered trying to explain myself.