Drinking too much

[D.P.]

I drink frequently, but rarely if ever get drunk. I have a real craving for a glass of wine or good Trappist beer after work, typically 5 to 6 days a week but I have to put a conscious effort in to stop it being 7 days. Sometimes it really is just the 1 glass/beer, mostly I get a second glass of wine, 2nd beer is usually something lighter like a wheat beer, and that is it. Once a week there might be a 3rd or 4th glass, about half to 2/3rd of a bottle of wine. I try never to get even the slightest hangover or dull head in the morning. Actual drunk is once or twice a year at some wedding or another.

Now holidays are over I have cut alcohol Sunday to Thursday. Not so easy when you live in vineyards and everyone drinks all day. I left for my run this morning and there were several people drinking in the courtyard, came home and they were still there and offered a me a glass. At a business lunch you are expected to share a bottle of wine for example. when i travel to Germany for meetings, they have beer on the conference rooms and serve it much like sparkling water.

 

[Thekwango]

natural talent counts for a lot in football. look at zidane he showed us it's not all about how fast you are if you are technically gifted he could still skin 3-4 players with zero pace. higuain bangs in goals just by being in the right place at the right time rather than ronaldo/hazard who creates goals all by himself.

booze is scientifically proven to deteriorate performance. same goes with cigs. so vialli would have been a lot better had he not done so. you only need to look at adriano's career. he was better than ronaldo (brazilian) as he posessed all of his pace and skill but also had height and strength. as soon as he started drinking he turned into a nobody. the same happens with many of the talent in the UK that start drinking before they make it. adriano started drinking after he had made it but went downhill fast.

it just goes to show you how someone who was the best striker on the planet turned into one worse than emile heskey within a year. the effect it could have on upcoming young talent.

not going to derail the thread further, if you want to discuss sporting ability and the effects alcohol has on it feel free to create a thread specifically for that. (btw, physically adriano and ronaldo were very similar. to suggest that adriano's height (+2inches) and strength (given how demonstrably strong ronaldo was) made him a better footballer is up there with your John Terry claims)

 

[Ayahuasca]

when i travel to Germany for meetings, they have beer on the conference rooms and serve it much like sparkling water.

No wonder they're so efficient and get stuff done, decisions whilst slightly intoxicated are so much simpler

 

[Shikkaka]

Drinking has always been the way I socialise with my friends since I was 16/17, I'm now 35 and that is still very much the case. In my single days we could be out 3/4 times a week drinking 7,8,9 pints. Now I have a partner and 9 month son, it's more like once a month, if that.

I do think I drink too much but it's never caused me any social issues, I'm a mellow drunk. It's also how I unwind at the end of the week but I do think the end of the week has now crept forward to a Wednesday or a Thursday, that's where I would like to cut back.

I'm participating in dry January and whilst I could have easily cracked a can open at the weekend, I have some will power to see it through.

 

[Deleted member 66701]

I haven't drunk any alcohol for 15 years, but you have my sympathies OP, I recognise how touch it can be to be dependant on it. I hope you find a way of managing it.

 

[4K8KW10]

one glass of red wine a day will not cause one to 'open their soul' and speak 'true things'. that's utter guff and fantasy that has propagated down through the ages with people writing such lyrical nonsense such as your original post i quoted. by all means drink, i'm not suggesting everyone stops drinking but don't spout or believe the nonsense that alcohol frees ones mind or opens it to higher thoughts. if anything, alcohol is an inhibitor of ones mind.

You are wrong - it is a widely known fact that the truths in arguments between people appear on the table with alcohol. Maybe the politicians must practice it more often, so we all live in a better world with more justice.

 

[dirtychinchilla]

I'm not an alcohol, so I guess it's easier for me to say this, but I don't really think you need to speak in definite terms. Sometime I drink heavily, most of the time I don't drink at all, sometimes I go out and just have a pint and drive home...I don't really feel the need to say I do not drink and then never drink again.

Same applies to food...I don't know why people who don't eat meat often then go the extra step and call themselves vegetarian and close off the option of eating meat if they want to.

 

[Ayahuasca]

Same applies to food...I don't know why people who don't eat meat often then go the extra step and call themselves vegetarian and close off the option of eating meat if they want to.

Cold turkey works for some people and not for others, I think lowering consumption works better for most though.

 

[jsmoke]

Ever known an alcoholic who had a liver transplant, would be interesting to see what changes happened, I can't find anything on google.

 

[phonemonkey]

Cold turkey works for some people and not for others, I think lowering consumption works better for most though.

Some people can't go cold turkey without medical supervision and those people may need to slowly reduce their intake. However if you are an alcoholic then I believe that abstinence is the only solution. If could have lowered by consumption and drunk like a normal person, I would have. In fact I tried for years to do just that.

You are wrong - it is a widely known fact that the truths in arguments between people appear on the table with alcohol. Maybe the politicians must practice it more often, so we all live in a better world with more justice.

I think is more accurate to say it reduces your inhibitions. Whether what comes out of your mouth is truth or just the first thought to come into your mind might depend on your perspective and the person though.

Slightly OT but why do alcoholics and drug users look so ill even if the've stopped for years. Have they damaged thier liver or is it from bad nutrition or what. They look pale or greasy, just generally unwell like the've got radiation poisoning - and it's irreversible. Paul Gascoigne is an example. I'm guessing they've perm damaged their liver or other organs?

Some of them will have done permanent damage, others won't have stopped despite saying they have. Those that have no long term health complications from drinking who really do manage to stop will simply look like anyone else, meaning its only those that are sick that stand out.

 

[Thekwango]

You are wrong - it is a widely known fact that the truths in arguments between people appear on the table with alcohol. Maybe the politicians must practice it more often, so we all live in a better world with more justice.

i'm not wrong, you're talking about the fanciful notion that a drunk person speaks the truth. a drunk, especially an alcoholic will tell you that your granny is your grandad if it fits their agenda. you'll struggle to identify the truth from fantasy with most drunks. you're simply repeating the 'romantic' notion that alcohol frees the mind and tongue in some beautiful way.
granted, a drunk person has less inhibitions and will more freely say things they wouldn't normally say when sober - that does not mean that alcohol allows one to 'open their soul and speak true things' as you've put it. you're trying to paint the drunk mind as beautiful and open thing - it's not.
if you need alcohol to be open and honest with people around you, well you've a problem with your own ability to be honest. honesty requires courage in some situations. alcohol grants a false sense of courage which is where you're getting the nonsense from that a drink allows you to be honest.
the above is when talking about a drunk person, whether that be an alcoholic or not.

at the other end of the spectrum, a single glass of red wine a night will grant neither courage nor honesty from the imbiber that wasn't already there.

 

[glenimp617]

I've found as I get older, I drink less and less. My dad was the same, so maybe something to do with that.

Almost never drink beer, have the odd whiskey now and again because I enjoy trying the different varieties. Maybe a double once a week, but once the bottles gone I won't buy a new one for months.

I've got two bottles on the go at the minute. Jura 10 and Jura journey. My next decent bottle won't be till the summer.

My mad bender days are well behind me. To be honest, I can't be doing with the hangovers.

 

[Devrij]

Cold turkey works for some people and not for others, I think lowering consumption works better for most though.

If I could have drunk like a normal person I'd have done it all the time!

If you're an alcoholic, I don't think there's such a thing as moderation. It's like someone with a peanut allergy only having one peanut in the evening. You might get away with it for a bit, but it's generally going to end up with medical help.

Whereas I can confirm there are no ill effects from abstinence (following a safe detox). If anything you end up with loads more money to spend on pc components (unless you have kids).

I figure that if you're worried alcohol is ruining your life, but you still cling to it, maybe you need to evaluate your relationship with alcohol.

 

[koolpc]

When i drink i open my big mouth! Landed me in my local nic twice last month! Ex reported me for harrassing her by texting her saying i missed her, loved her etc. Plus that i was going to walk in the sea! It was a cry for help really. Waiting to go to counselling. Had an extremely rough year.

Getting divorced after being with someone for 31 years hit me for 6. Plus not having my daughtsr with me too hurts MASSIVELY. Been in and out of house shares etc. Stuck in crap bedsit at mo. All these things are a massive weight. Plus work. Plus bad back, knee and elbow! Drink was a must have for me. An escape.

I really dont want to drink anymore. I wasnt drinking every day. It was on the weekend mainly. In my room.

I had a couple of bottles of wine last night though as off for a few days from work. I knew it was wrong. I didnt text my ex! Lol.

I did / do feel extremely down about whats happening in my life at the mo and drinking helps and hinders. Helps take the edge off but hinders as it makes me much more depressed. Been on tablets for over 15 years.

Another thing is that i dont have a pc anymore! Lol. I love pc gaming but cost too much to build a decent one. I would love to go on the MM here and buy one or get parts but i was stupid years ago so got banned. Have asked if i could gain access again but always denied. Pity really but i respect the mods etc. Having a pc again would be a great boost too. Only got a rubbish tablet.

So, as you can see, alcohol was my escape. I say was as i aim to beat that demon.

Thanks people for your kind words etc as i really appreciate them.

 

[itchy]

. I say was as i aim to beat that demon.

Thanks people for your kind words etc as i really appreciate them.

Dance with the devil you have to deal with the demons.

I don't really get drunk but it does block the bad stuff going on in your life.

OP don't txt the ex when inebriated, worst thing you can do.

I don't know, I have to take 9 tablets a day just to keep me alive.

Lucky I don't touch wine or spirits I only drink Guinness but too much and everyday, need to stop badly as its becoming very detrimental to my health.

Another reason to stop, wait until you start losing your toe nails then you know you in trouble.

 

[koolpc]

Dance with the devil you have to deal with the demons.

I don't really get drunk but it does block the bad stuff going on in your life.

OP don't txt the ex when inebriated, worst thing you can do.

I don't know, I have to take 9 tablets a day just to keep me alive.

Lucky I don't touch wine or spirits I only drink Guinness but too much and everyday, need to stop badly as its becoming very detrimental to my health.

Another reason to stop, wait until you start losing your toe nails then you know you in trouble.

Ewww

 

[glenimp617]

When i drink i open my big mouth! Landed me in my local nic twice last month! Ex reported me for harrassing her by texting her saying i missed her, loved her etc. Plus that i was going to walk in the sea! It was a cry for help really. Waiting to go to counselling. Had an extremely rough year.

Getting divorced after being with someone for 31 years hit me for 6. Plus not having my daughtsr with me too hurts MASSIVELY. Been in and out of house shares etc. Stuck in crap bedsit at mo. All these things are a massive weight. Plus work. Plus bad back, knee and elbow! Drink was a must have for me. An escape.

I really dont want to drink anymore. I wasnt drinking every day. It was on the weekend mainly. In my room.

I had a couple of bottles of wine last night though as off for a few days from work. I knew it was wrong. I didnt text my ex! Lol.

I did / do feel extremely down about whats happening in my life at the mo and drinking helps and hinders. Helps take the edge off but hinders as it makes me much more depressed. Been on tablets for over 15 years.

Another thing is that i dont have a pc anymore! Lol. I love pc gaming but cost too much to build a decent one. I would love to go on the MM here and buy one or get parts but i was stupid years ago so got banned. Have asked if i could gain access again but always denied. Pity really but i respect the mods etc. Having a pc again would be a great boost too. Only got a rubbish tablet.

So, as you can see, alcohol was my escape. I say was as i aim to beat that demon.

Thanks people for your kind words etc as i really appreciate them.

Might be a silly suggestion, but get a Netflix or prime sub and binge watch a few good shows. That would at least take your mind off stuff for a few days/weeks. Then you'll feel better about not drinking for a while and hopefully starts you down the right path.

Ps. Watch outlander. Written by one of the writers who did star trek next gen and it's brilliant. Proper escapism.

 

[itchy]

If you drink everyday do not stop straight away it will kill you in 72 hours.

You need to just cut down over a few days, weeks or even months. Trust me I know and have been told by alcoholic experts and doctors.

Try a detox with Librium or try Baclofen to stop cravings (both are hospital prescriptions) local GP wont give you them , it did not work for me but it might work for you.

 

[[FnG]magnolia]

^That's a little dramatic and it's entirely dependent on how much alcohol is being consumed every day. Someone on a glass every night compared to someone drinking a bottle of whisky every day will need to manage things very differently indeed. The DTs are a very real thing but only become hazardous if you're a serial hard drinker.

 

[koolpc]

Might be a silly suggestion, but get a Netflix or prime sub and binge watch a few good shows. That would at least take your mind off stuff for a few days/weeks. Then you'll feel better about not drinking for a while and hopefully starts you down the right path.

Ps. Watch outlander. Written by one of the writers who did star trek next gen and it's brilliant. Proper escapism.

Big problem for me is no internet in bedsit. I got to tether off of my mobile and its only 'ok' towards middle evening. This place has a lot going against it. Trying to move out. Going to take awhile.