Congrats to all of you! Recovering alcoholic here. Sober for about 5.5 years. Guess what my new addiction has been? I've got a life time of mental punishment training, now I just need the body to catch up!
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Re: No Alcohol January 2020 [BrianB]
[ In reply to ]
Re: No Alcohol January 2020 [BrianB]
[ In reply to ]
BrianB wrote:
What do you (and others) think about creating a new "Alcohol Mindfulness 2020" thread? (or maybe can edit the thread title?) to help encourage those who so desire to keep posting? It's been really interesting and helpful to read peoples' experiences during Jan.I’m up for that
Re: No Alcohol January 2020 [BrianB]
[ In reply to ]
BrianB wrote:
What do you (and others) think about creating a new "Alcohol Mindfulness 2020" thread? (or maybe can edit the thread title?) to help encourage those who so desire to keep posting? It's been really interesting and helpful to read peoples' experiences during Jan.
That sounds good. Last year's January permanently converted me from a 1 beer/day person to a 1-2 beer per month person (basically stopped buying beer at the store altogether, but will have one when out with "the boys"). Not as dramatic as some of the recovering alcoholics here, but still worthwhile.
I finished this month too.
Re: No Alcohol January 2020 [Dr_Cupcake]
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Congrats to everyone who made it through the month and thanks to the good doctor for leading the way.
I started late and will complete my 31 days on Feb 6. I am up for continuing in another thread.
I started late and will complete my 31 days on Feb 6. I am up for continuing in another thread.
Re: No Alcohol January 2020 [dcon]
[ In reply to ]
RayGovett
Hughson CA
Be Prepared-- Strike Swiftly -- Who Dares Wins- Without warning-"it will be hard. I can do it"
Re: No Alcohol January 2020 [raygovett]
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oops and thanks...Feb 7. Should have looked at the calendar. Anyway, my plan is to drink on Feb 8 at my wife's birthday party and then go back on the wagon for another month at least.
Re: No Alcohol January 2020 [BrianB]
[ In reply to ]
YES. LET'S DO THIS.
Level II USAT Coach | Level 3 USAC Coach | NASM-CPT
Team Zoot | Tailwind Trailblazer
I can tell you why you're sick, I just can't write you an Rx
Level II USAT Coach | Level 3 USAC Coach | NASM-CPT
Team Zoot | Tailwind Trailblazer
I can tell you why you're sick, I just can't write you an Rx
Re: No Alcohol January 2020 [BrianB]
[ In reply to ]
BrianB wrote:
What do you (and others) think about creating a new "Alcohol Mindfulness 2020" thread? (or maybe can edit the thread title?) to help encourage those who so desire to keep posting? It's been really interesting and helpful to read peoples' experiences during Jan.
I have updated the title of this thread and edited the first post to reflect the graduation of this discussion from Dry January to the continued exploration of our relationships with alcohol and our drinking habits.
If you have created a peaceful mindset without the need for alcohol during January, and want to keep up the good work, keep on posting! If you want to start a dry spell at any point throughout the year, start posting! If you want to be held accountable on the days you have "sworn off" the booze, do the posting! We've become a great group of people who want ourselves and others to succeed on building healthier habits.
Level II USAT Coach | Level 3 USAC Coach | NASM-CPT
Team Zoot | Tailwind Trailblazer
I can tell you why you're sick, I just can't write you an Rx
Re: No Alcohol January 2020 [Dr_Cupcake]
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Nice Segway to continue the thread for those that are taking encouragement, and making it kind of a meeting. I lurked all month, but I did all of Jan dry. It really isn't a big deal for me, Alcohol and me dont have a problem, and I'm grateful for that. I empathize with those whose bodies cannot be turned off, and brains that push them to drink. Just because it is easy for me, I in no way conclude that it should be that way for others. So chapeau to all of you that made it last month with struggles, and continued support from the peanut gallery here going forward..
Re: Your 2020 relationship with alcohol [Dr_Cupcake]
[ In reply to ]
annnnd I'm out, started a bit late . . .
I wish I could say this challenge gets easier with age, but . . .
anyway a huge thanks to Cupcake and all others for support and peer pressure!
I'm planning on using alcohol as an incentive to get me out in the evening -- something I don't ordinarily relish as I'm a true morning person at heart. So, drinks + socialising/networking out of my comfort zone -- and no random drinking at home.
This might work for others in other ways -- beers with your club after a session, maybe. Anyway the benefits have been huge, as always, thanks again.
I wish I could say this challenge gets easier with age, but . . .
anyway a huge thanks to Cupcake and all others for support and peer pressure!
I'm planning on using alcohol as an incentive to get me out in the evening -- something I don't ordinarily relish as I'm a true morning person at heart. So, drinks + socialising/networking out of my comfort zone -- and no random drinking at home.
This might work for others in other ways -- beers with your club after a session, maybe. Anyway the benefits have been huge, as always, thanks again.
Re: No Alcohol January 2020 [Dr_Cupcake]
[ In reply to ]
It's been an interesting month for me. Firstly I found it much easier than I expected after the first couple of days. Secondly I couldn't believe how much easier it made it to lose weight: I've lost 5Kg since Christmas which is astounding. When I've tried to lose weight before I've found it very hard so this is a real revelation.
I had some wine last night but I'm hopefully going to stay largely booze free most of the time for the foreseeable. I was definitely drinking way too much before and if I can crack that 2-3 glasses of wine an evening habit for good then that will be a real result.
I had some wine last night but I'm hopefully going to stay largely booze free most of the time for the foreseeable. I was definitely drinking way too much before and if I can crack that 2-3 glasses of wine an evening habit for good then that will be a real result.
Re: No Alcohol January 2020 [Dr_Cupcake]
[ In reply to ]
Dr_Cupcake wrote:
YES. LET'S DO THIS.Awesome! Thanks for continuing on and renaming the thread.
I started Feb with 2 glasses of wine. And stopped there. Previously I would have thought ... hmm, I could use another before going to bed. My intention for 2020 is to be more mindful like that.
I like the notion of "intention". One of the yoga teachers I really like says this often in class (paraphrasing): "Set an intention for yourself, for your practice. An intention is different than a goal. Goals focus on a result and are easy to miss. Intention is process-oriented. Repeat your intention to yourself, in the present tense."
For me this comes out as: I am being mindful about drinking alcohol.
Re: Your 2020 relationship with alcohol [Dr_Cupcake]
[ In reply to ]
Congrats all that made it through!
My first step for examining my relationship with alcohol was a dry month a couple years ago, made me really think about what the benefits of alcohol were (specifically craft beer) then a few bouts of of sobriety ranging from 1-3 months I was ready to give it up for good. Now at 29 years old I'm 500 days sober and I can't see myself going back.
My first step for examining my relationship with alcohol was a dry month a couple years ago, made me really think about what the benefits of alcohol were (specifically craft beer) then a few bouts of of sobriety ranging from 1-3 months I was ready to give it up for good. Now at 29 years old I'm 500 days sober and I can't see myself going back.
Re: No Alcohol January 2020 [Dr_Cupcake]
[ In reply to ]
Happy 2/3 everyone!
I broke my dry spell this weekend, at my cycling club function and at our super bowl party last night.
I experienced something interesting, I was pretty much not in the mood to drink. I had one beer at the function on Saturday night and was like, that was tasty, I'm good. And last night due to hostess duties I kept starting a drink and putting it down and walking away, forgetting about it.
I am flipping tired today. It's been hard enough operating on fewer hours of sleep. And two days worth of a couple of drinks and I am WAY THE HAY feeling it today. Ugh.
I won't drink again until probably/at least Friday night. Hold me to that :)
Level II USAT Coach | Level 3 USAC Coach | NASM-CPT
Team Zoot | Tailwind Trailblazer
I can tell you why you're sick, I just can't write you an Rx
I broke my dry spell this weekend, at my cycling club function and at our super bowl party last night.
I experienced something interesting, I was pretty much not in the mood to drink. I had one beer at the function on Saturday night and was like, that was tasty, I'm good. And last night due to hostess duties I kept starting a drink and putting it down and walking away, forgetting about it.
I am flipping tired today. It's been hard enough operating on fewer hours of sleep. And two days worth of a couple of drinks and I am WAY THE HAY feeling it today. Ugh.
I won't drink again until probably/at least Friday night. Hold me to that :)
Level II USAT Coach | Level 3 USAC Coach | NASM-CPT
Team Zoot | Tailwind Trailblazer
I can tell you why you're sick, I just can't write you an Rx
Re: Your 2020 relationship with alcohol [Dr_Cupcake]
[ In reply to ]
I learned a looooong time ago that drinking to excess was bad, sideswiping a car at 105 mph on a motorcycle while riding drunk will do that.
These days I have maybe one alcoholic beverage a month, usually a small (1-2 fingers) of a decent whiskey or scotch in a glass that I drink because, well, I like the flavor. Not enough to get drunk, just a big more relaxed and sleepy, and always at home so that driving is not a concern.
I have gone as long as a year without drinking any alcoholic beverages since my early days of hard drinking. In those early days it was not unusual to drink 6-12 beers in one day/night. After the event I started this post with, that dropped to nearly nothing for a long time. Since then it has been may a single beer after a few hours of yard work, a single, small glass of whisky or mixed drink (I like rum with my eggnog and hot cocoa), but I have been drunk no more than 6 times since 1984 with the last time in 1994.
These days I have maybe one alcoholic beverage a month, usually a small (1-2 fingers) of a decent whiskey or scotch in a glass that I drink because, well, I like the flavor. Not enough to get drunk, just a big more relaxed and sleepy, and always at home so that driving is not a concern.
I have gone as long as a year without drinking any alcoholic beverages since my early days of hard drinking. In those early days it was not unusual to drink 6-12 beers in one day/night. After the event I started this post with, that dropped to nearly nothing for a long time. Since then it has been may a single beer after a few hours of yard work, a single, small glass of whisky or mixed drink (I like rum with my eggnog and hot cocoa), but I have been drunk no more than 6 times since 1984 with the last time in 1994.
Re: No Alcohol January 2020 [Dr_Cupcake]
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Dr_Cupcake wrote:
I was pretty much not in the mood to drink.
Re: No Alcohol January 2020 [Dr_Cupcake]
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My Bravus Brewing non alcoholic variety pack arrived today. Hoping this can be a viable substitute for the "real" thing..........
Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.
Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.
Re: No Alcohol January 2020 [japarker24]
[ In reply to ]
japarker24 wrote:
My Bravus Brewing non alcoholic variety pack arrived today. Hoping this can be a viable substitute for the "real" thing..........
Re: Your 2020 relationship with alcohol [vecchia capra]
[ In reply to ]
When it comes to drinking, it always seems there's a hard lesson involved. Thanks for sharing.
Re: No Alcohol January 2020 [Dr_Cupcake]
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Dr_Cupcake wrote:
I experienced something interesting, I was pretty much not in the mood to drink.On a work trip, post January, so I have "permission" to drink if I so desire. First night, not in the mood. Next night dinner, with all the others having beer (and all having multiple). One glass of wine for me, which was just enough and I just didn't feel like any more. It's actually kind of liberating feeling like I can choose.
Re: No Alcohol January 2020 [vomer]
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I think it's only worth giving up alltogether too. There are lots of free rehabs, mostly christian centers, here's a list https://addictionresource.com/...-and-rehab-hotlines/. So in my opinion, if you can't quit yourself and you really want to do something with your life, there's nothing wrong with asking for help.
Re: No Alcohol January 2020 [japarker24]
[ In reply to ]
japarker24 wrote:
My Bravus Brewing non alcoholic variety pack arrived today. Hoping this can be a viable substitute for the "real" thing..........
Re: No Alcohol January 2020 [Ai_1]
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I find it hard to believe that anyone truly drinks alcohol because it 'tastes good'.
Re: No Alcohol January 2020 [dunno]
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dunno wrote:
I find it hard to believe that anyone truly drinks alcohol because it 'tastes good'.That's an astonishing comment (at least to me) and if you mean it, it shows remarkable ignorance.
Do you think people spend a lot more to get better quality wines, beers and spirits because they find them more bearable? or to be pretentious perhaps?
No, plenty people, myself included, drink alcoholic beverages primarily because they appreciate the taste. If I drink a glass of wine with dinner I'm not about to feel any noticeable effects outside of the taste. I do it because I enjoy the taste. On the other hand, if I only had a choice between bad wine/beer, or a glass of water, I'll have the water.
Admittedly, on occasion I'll drink a bit more, and on those occasions I'll drink the good stuff first and the slightly less good stuff later when my palette's no longer at it's best! If people just wanted to get drunk and didn't like the taste wouldn't they just gulp down sugary cocktails or shots or something?
stillrollin wrote:
I'm going to be pre-emptive and say, WE DID IT! Thanks again to our hostess and kudos to all those that played along.
I've stopped drinking twice in the past, primarily for weight loss. This started that way but became much more mental as I really focused on my relationship with booze (craft beer primarily).
In 31 days without alcohol I:
- broke the daily, post work IPA habit;
- realized that drinking alone (& justifying it) is really the little booze devil on my shoulder whispering demonic, habitual thoughts in my ear;
- generally felt better and better about myself and;
- lost 9 pounds ( I did eat better and began exercising regularly again, but they seem to go hand in hand).
I'm not going to place any hard rules on myself. I was contemplating no drinking Sun-Thurs but I think that sets myself up for failure. I still may have the occasional weeknight beer or a couple on the weekends but it's going to be more social and not habitual. As others have noted, I'm just going to be more self aware and make sure old habits don't return.
So, I won the no alcohol battle but my war on cancer continues with surgery and one time chemo blast next Thursday, 2/6 to hopefully eradicate this shit from my bladder.Thank you all for the positive vibes you've sent.
Keep on fighting the good fight(s). I will.
Hope yesterday’s chemo went ok and you’re on the road to recovery. I feel off the wagon hard last week (on a boys weekend and a trip to High West in park city was not an ideal way to come off a dry January) but have another 6 days dry in the bag. No alcohol “battle” is the right term for me - thinking about trying to go mostly dry until DK end of May but it’s a struggle to be sure with all the “wet” folks in my circle.