A friend of mine recently did this and it seems like it's a good idea - taking a break from drinking.
I don't know if I consider myself an alcoholic, but lately I've been feeling like I'm overdoing it. And this summer has flown by - bottoms up the whole time.
I drink good beer, good liquor and good wine, and usually at the end of the night glass of wine with dinner and then a nightcap is about what I do
Too much. Too often. I've been working out, playing basketball and I feel like I'm in ok shape but mentally I feel like I'm starting to let it get out of hand.
I don't want to give it up completely, but I do feel like I need to regain some control and perspective in my life. Took Friday off and Sunday - I might just take it one day at a time for the rest of the month. Anyone else ever do this? is this the writing on the wall?
:)
Doesn't sound like you have an issue, but no harm in "detoxing" for a bit, if only to prove to yourself that you can do it. Best of luck.
I only really went out for drinks once a week as it was but I decided I was going to have a dry summer. Always feels good to detox and re-set.
Hasn't been a challenge for me at all. I'm enjoying it.
-JPP
Don't obsess about whether you need to define yourself as an alcoholic...there are many varieties of drinkers, some are problem drinkers, some are genuine alcoholics, some are neither.
Only you can honestly admit to how you feel. Try taking a break, and/or try some controlled drinking, and see how you feel.
This. I was a once a week wine drinker. Then it was Friday/Sat/Sun, then every night. One glass, but it got to the point that I could not wait to get home to have it. I had to stop.
No four cups full for Passover? No glass for Kiddush Friday nights? What kind of darn Jew are you? How the heck do I make a living with Jews like youse?
;-)
You're in for a long month.
I'd re-think this, give up showering or brushing your teeth, maybe carbs if you need something really stressful. but no, not alcohol.
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then you've already answered.
This. I was a once a week wine drinker. Then it was Friday/Sat/Sun, then every night. One glass, but it got to the point that I could not wait to get home to have it. I had to stop.
Not advocating it, however your one glass of wine that you could control did nothing harmful to you.
That said, you can probably tell from my handle that I like beer/booze. Moderation is the key.
Also, when you return, try to set limits (and reasonable ones.) Say you will only have 3 drinks when you go out, regardless of how long you are there. Again, if you can do this consistantly, you are probably fine.
Saying you will have 7 or 8 drinks and following through defeats the purpose.
However, drinking problems come in many forms. If you are hungover too often, if it's creating problems in your personal life etc. then it doesn't matter how much or how often, it's an issue.
People who don't have drinking problems don't usually wonder whether they have drinking problems. However, people with drinking problems don't joke about having a drinking problem or think it's "cool." I hear people who drink say they are alcoholics like it's a badge of honor. They usually aren't more than weekend drinkers.
Definitely make committments, though. "One day at a time" works for people in recovery, but not for testing whether or not you have an issue. You really need to commit and see if you can follow through.
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In comment 12399963 Bill L said:
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then you've already answered.
This. I was a once a week wine drinker. Then it was Friday/Sat/Sun, then every night. One glass, but it got to the point that I could not wait to get home to have it. I had to stop.
You'd find a number of doctors who'd suggest you drink more.
Not advocating it, however your one glass of wine that you could control did nothing harmful to you.
That was my rationale, but that's not why I was drinking it.
Same can go with drinking. If you are thinking about the feeling you get from drinking all the time, even though you are not drinking that much or that often, it's an issue.
Same can go with food or sex addictions.
Maybe when you start up again, eliminate the drinking alone (the nightcaps, the wine/beer with every dinner, etc) and only drink socially.
I had to stop.
I'll bet your husband still drinks.
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I had to stop.
I'll bet your husband still drinks.
Like Stu, I've always attributed it to the Jewishness. My parents didnt (and dont) drink much. If we go out to dinner, everyone will have 0-1 drinks. I was recently helping them pack up stuff so they could paint, and most of their liquor cabinet was unchanged since I was born other than cooking alcohols (found a 50+ year old bottle of Canadian Club, still sealed closed).
To be honest with you I don't drink until I pass out - that's not really my style. I relax, I'm more enjoyable to be around maybe - I don't slur or anything.
And while I had a great summer - had I had a beer or scotch in my hand for most of it, really enjoyed it, I'm finding that instead of doing say freelance work and meeting challenges I'm hanging out and having some drinks, staying on BBI and not going to bed at a reasonable hour, not feeling rested- and conditioning the spiral the next day.
Friday I was so fucking exhausted I went to bed at 7 for the first time since I had the flu. I feel like I really owe it to myself to bring it down a notch and focus on the important things in life. My beautiful family and young kids, get my work done spin can enjoy them fully. Work out, be healthy -- and then yes from time to have a drink to enhance the mood.
Also, when you return, try to set limits (and reasonable ones.) Say you will only have 3 drinks when you go out, regardless of how long you are there. Again, if you can do this consistantly, you are probably fine.
Saying you will have 7 or 8 drinks and following through defeats the purpose.
However, drinking problems come in many forms. If you are hungover too often, if it's creating problems in your personal life etc. then it doesn't matter how much or how often, it's an issue.
People who don't have drinking problems don't usually wonder whether they have drinking problems. However, people with drinking problems don't joke about having a drinking problem or think it's "cool." I hear people who drink say they are alcoholics like it's a badge of honor. They usually aren't more than weekend drinkers.
Definitely make committments, though. "One day at a time" works for people in recovery, but not for testing whether or not you have an issue. You really need to commit and see if you can follow through.
Thanks man
You're in for a long month.
I'd re-think this, give up showering or brushing your teeth, maybe carbs if you need something really stressful. but no, not alcohol.
Seriously?
I didn't find it difficult at all and drinking was heavily integrated into my lifestyle. I suggest you try it. If this is difficult for you (not saying it will), you may want to look into it.
Also, when you return, try to set limits (and reasonable ones.) Say you will only have 3 drinks when you go out, regardless of how long you are there. Again, if you can do this consistantly, you are probably fine.
Saying you will have 7 or 8 drinks and following through defeats the purpose.
However, drinking problems come in many forms. If you are hungover too often, if it's creating problems in your personal life etc. then it doesn't matter how much or how often, it's an issue.
People who don't have drinking problems don't usually wonder whether they have drinking problems. However, people with drinking problems don't joke about having a drinking problem or think it's "cool." I hear people who drink say they are alcoholics like it's a badge of honor. They usually aren't more than weekend drinkers.
Definitely make committments, though. "One day at a time" works for people in recovery, but not for testing whether or not you have an issue. You really need to commit and see if you can follow through.
People who don't have drinking problems, don't ask if they have one. Most regular people don't count drinks.
I can't say if you have a problem or not. Only you can make that decision.
Good luck on whatever you chose to do. There are lots of help out there if you determine you have a problem or if you want to investigate if you do.
Be proud that you are considering this.
I like to drink, but I try for the most part to not have any/maybe one drink on the week days. do the weekends depending on whats going on. almost anything I do socially usually involves drinking.
do what you got to do. good luck to you.
So for decades, I have limited myself to a 2 drink maximum, and that mainly wine at business or social dinners.
Other than that, it's one 2 1/2 ounce single malt or high-end scotch blend every night, and fairly infrequently 4 ounces of wine with dinner. Infrequent exception: Giant games at my house.
I had a checkup last month and my DR. told me that my cholesterol was too high and I had a slightly elevated liver enzyme. By her orders, no drinking for 6 weeks. Last drink was Independence Day. I've also drastically changed my diet to minimize fat as much as possible.
I can't say that I feel any different as I didn't feel bad to begin with. The only time I really wanted to drink but couldn't has been in social occasions where I'd normally drink. Last week's Rush concert was a perfect example. I still really enjoyed the show but it was different not having a good beer buzz.
I had a checkup last month and my DR. told me that my cholesterol was too high and I had a slightly elevated liver enzyme. By her orders, no drinking for 6 weeks. Last drink was Independence Day. I've also drastically changed my diet to minimize fat as much as possible.
I can't say that I feel any different as I didn't feel bad to begin with. The only time I really wanted to drink but couldn't has been in social occasions where I'd normally drink. Last week's Rush concert was a perfect example. I still really enjoyed the show but it was different not having a good beer buzz.
Have you tried pills or pot? there are alternatives to alcohol. don't let cholesterol ruin your fun.
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This is the first time since my teens, now 46, that I've gone this long without a drink. I would consider myself a fairly "heavy" drinker. I travel and entertain for a living so booze is always part of work and I also love my cocktails and beer on the weekend.
I had a checkup last month and my DR. told me that my cholesterol was too high and I had a slightly elevated liver enzyme. By her orders, no drinking for 6 weeks. Last drink was Independence Day. I've also drastically changed my diet to minimize fat as much as possible.
I can't say that I feel any different as I didn't feel bad to begin with. The only time I really wanted to drink but couldn't has been in social occasions where I'd normally drink. Last week's Rush concert was a perfect example. I still really enjoyed the show but it was different not having a good beer buzz.
Have you tried pills or pot? there are alternatives to alcohol. don't let cholesterol ruin your fun.
Pills have never been my friend as I just don't like the way I feel on them. I don't even take pain meds when prescribed by a doctor.
I used to love the MJ but unless I'm drinking, I don't like the feeling of being high. Now a good beer buzz and a J at show is a different story.
I decided to take the month of April off. It was easier than I thought, just drank sparking water as a sub. I highly recommend it just to give your body and mind a break. I'm back to drinking regularly, but I think I will make it a habit to take some weeks and months off a couple times a year now that I know I can do it.
Just take a month off, you'll be glad you did.
I don't hate it but I'm not drawn to it, either. I'm also enough of an a-hole when sober that I don't need to loosen up by drinking.
"If, when you honestly want to, you find you cannot quit entirely, or if when drinking, you have little control over the amount you take, you are probably alcoholic."
So, how to self test? This has already been addressed in the thread.
1. Try some controlled drinking. Make a decision that you are going to have a set number of drinks. Are you able to easily stop at the drink limit you set? Or, once started, is the outcome unpredictable? If you find you always get drunk after taking a single drink, that is quite telling.
2. Make a commitment to go an extended length of time without drinking. Make a commitment for a length of time that you honestly believe you can achieve. Were you able to keep to that commitment? Or did you take one or more drinks during that time? Bear in mind that absolutely no "excuse" is permissible. It's pass or fail on this test. Either you did it, or you didn't. If you met the commitment, but were miserable during that time, that's something worth pondering too.
Most of all, again has already been mentioned, take it easy on yourself. Don't get yourself tied up in knots over whether or not the "alcoholic" label applies. Besides, there are a whole lot things worse in life than being alcoholic. It's treatable. Some things are not.
I figure we all only have this one very short life to live. What's the point of fucking it up over something that used to be pleasurable but is now problematic?
If your drinking habits bother you, and your post indicates it does, then stop. As others have suggested....take a month off. If you find yourself working hard not to have a drink it may be indicative of a problem, but only you can make that determination.
There are quite a few BBIers who gave up alcohol. Most of us would be happy to share our experience with you.
I have been going through some tough times and have been using alcohol as a crutch lately. I want to move away from that. Plus, I have been noticing that if I budget say $500 bi-weekly for everything aside from essential bills, that $500 goes straight into going out and boozing and eating bad food.
I feel like I can't stop at just one or two. Unfortunately I have a birthday party for a close friend this weekend - I think what I will do is go with vodka + club soda and ask the bartender to alternate me with the alcohol and one where it's just club soda but in a similar glass. When I have quit drinking before I did just straight club soda but they would give me the drink in a pint glass or something that isn't the normal mixed drink glass so my friends would call me out on it. This was about 5 years ago and to this day I still get shit about it. Come to think of it maybe I am with the wrong crowd haha
- Do you do this often?
- Are all your friends also drinkers? Or your associates?
- Are bars and or nightclubs an important venue for you?
- Do you or they use drugs? Either illegal or off use prescription?
- Do you have hangovers frequently?
- Have you thought about stopping drinking but not followed through?
It can be a really, really shitty lifestyle for many people, others, a glass of wine after dinner, no biggie.
With all this said, I try to only drink socially and that almost always means I'm driving; so that limits me to 3 drinks (I'm scared shitless of driving drunk). it took a little effort, but once I got into a routine its been working well for me.
often people forget that the upside of quitting need not be justified by the absence of those things if it brings a deeper, more fulfilling life for a person and their cohorts, that will be worth it on its own.
No four cups full for Passover? No glass for Kiddush Friday nights? What kind of darn Jew are you? How the heck do I make a living with Jews like youse?
;-)
Don't worry we have that kiddush cup every Friday and on the holidays! Your not going to make a great living off us the :-) Stu what's your label again? I'll pick a bottle up the next time im shopping for one
Kosher for Passover...