Yep. It's a fine fine line to tread. I know I'm at my best for about three drinks, a lovely buzz and then from there it's only downsides. But the devil enjoys tempting me.
On The Wagon... then in 'ere!
- Thread starter Cosimo
- Start date
Yep. It's a fine fine line to tread. I know I'm at my best for about three drinks, a lovely buzz and then from there it's only downsides. But the devil enjoys tempting me.
Soldato
- Joined
- 22 Nov 2007
- Posts
- 4,099
Fatty liver - nothing out of the ordinary
Apparently it is becoming quite common these days according to my gp. Scary thing is can go unnoticed for years die to it not really having any symptoms.
Although im not sure if @khemist has the non alcoholic or alcoholic version but i am guessing it is the alcohlic one.
Last edited:
Feeling a lot better now, not had anything since may 5th and planning to stay off it indefinitely.
Getting all the little things done to my motorbike now so i can get lots of riding in over the summer and the rest of the year instead of boozing.
Getting all the little things done to my motorbike now so i can get lots of riding in over the summer and the rest of the year instead of boozing.
Soldato
Very well done Khemist, keep yourself busy with other things, like you are doing. Don't give in to any temptation no matter, be it because you've done something positive and feel the need to treat yourself, or at the other end of the scale, if you're feeling low. Just avoid it, period.
Shout out to all others moving in the right direction. Keep strong and take each day at a time.
Shout out to all others moving in the right direction. Keep strong and take each day at a time.
Associate
5 months for me yesterday.
Did dry January as a personal challenge and have kept it going. This was after the best part of a bottle of red and a couple of pints a night. Every night. Habitual drinking had crept in.
Forever is a big word but no desire to go back to how I was as the benefits have been fantastic so will keep it going....
Did dry January as a personal challenge and have kept it going. This was after the best part of a bottle of red and a couple of pints a night. Every night. Habitual drinking had crept in.
Forever is a big word but no desire to go back to how I was as the benefits have been fantastic so will keep it going....
Associate
How do get started? I find it so so hard not to pop into the pub on the way home
Associate
I'm sure you know this, but let's be clear: if your drinking brought you to this point it is costing you more than money, and if you continue it will kill you, and likely sooner rather than later.
For many problem drinkers, stopping 'cold turkey' like you did is dangerous, often more immediately dangerous than consuming alcohol. Such drinkers need medical supervision to detox as you did. As I said above, be under no illusion, your current alcohol use is dangerous and will kill you if you continue.
2 points here. Is this the first time you've experienced significant negative consequences relating to your drinking? I'm willing to bet it isn't, and that you have said 'if this doesn't stop me drinking, nothing will'. My experience of active alcoholism is waking up in wet beds/clothes/on wet sofas and being determined that this embarrassing or frightening scenario would be the one to cure me. The truth is though I soon forgot about the consequences of my drinking or convinced myself this time would be different because my desire to drink was stronger than my fear or embarrassment. I couldn't scare myself sober, most people can't.
Back to normal? What is your normal. You almost certainly didn't experience such significant withdrawal from one binge. The chances are your normal is to drink problematically, mine certainly was. Consider the thought that you don't need/ shouldnt want to return to normal. You need a new normal.
Indefinitely is a big word, too big for me. I'm sober today, that's enough and has been for the last 3/4 years. That aside though - I'm going to ask you how. What are you going to do, or what are you going to do diffently to ensure you stay sober this time? I think its Einstien who said insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result.
The simple answer is don't go to the pub. What tools and methods you employ to achieve this is up to you, but could include walking home with a friend who won't stop at the pub, making it harder for you to, taking a different route home etc. I found AA meetings were where I learnt how to live a sober life. Plenty of tips, support and distractions in those rooms.
@khemist I don't know what part of Scotland you're in but I'm in Scotland too. If youre local enough, and willing I'd happily pal you to an AA meeting. You might just hear things that will help. Trust me if you're interest.
To both of you good luck and feel free to trust me if I can help.
Associate
Been 3 days, longest without a drink since I can remember, Dont even think the problem is with alcohol with me, had beers in the fridge without touching them for weeks, Think i just need a better mindset so the pub isnt always my default place to be
Associate
Been 3 days, longest without a drink since I can remember, Dont even think the problem is with alcohol with me, had beers in the fridge without touching them for weeks, Think i just need a better mindset so the pub isnt always my default place to be
So, if not your alcohol consumption when at the pub, what is the issue with your pub visits? I don't often visit pubs these days but will every month or so for something to eat and while they're not my favourite places, they're not problematic if I go for the right reasons.
I used to think I couldn't be an alcoholic because I could abstain for periods of time. I just couldn't stop when I did start. I'd nip to the pub for a drink in town before I headed home at tea time and wake up the following morning on a friends sofa having missed the last train home. On one occasion I went to Edinburgh for a work training session, met a friend I hadn't seen in a while, got drunk and didn't go home for 5 days but I could go a week without drinking if that's how my shifts worked. I'm not saying you're like this, just trying to show you that not every alcoholic drinks morning to night every day and not touching the beers in the fridge isn't, by itself, evidence of a lack of a problem. Indeed using such logic was part of what kept me drinking far far longer than I should have.
Have a think about what the issue is, understanding the problem you'd like to fix is the first step to fixing it. For example if you visit the pub for company but leave unfulfilled by the superficial and aimless chat you could consider joining a club relating to a hobby of yours, or consider volunteering or classes to learn a new skill, all of which would provide more meaningful relationships than the more causal chat found at the bar.
Associate
How we doing chaps? @khemist @Richard - London
Doing good, not had anything since May 5th and i've got two weeks holiday coming up at the end of next week, wont be touching a drop.
Just hope the weather improves here so i can get out on the motorbike more, hope all are doing well!.
Just hope the weather improves here so i can get out on the motorbike more, hope all are doing well!.
Associate
Glad its going well mate. Enjoy the holidays.
Soldato
Drinking 80-100 units a week, sometimes more, never less for years now. (33 years old, 5 years+ drinking at this level, probably more) Starting day 1 tomorrow of no alcohol, aiming for 2 weeks+, wish me luck....
Soldato
Good luck, stick with it you will be miles better for it. I was drinking a similar amount, coming to 4 years since I last had a drink. Best thing I’ve done after stopping smoking 20 years ago.
Soldato
- Joined
- 5 Feb 2009
- Posts
- 3,824
Good luck!
I was almost exactly there not far off a year ago. Very similar situation. Like @Jimbeam3678 quitting is the best thing I've done for many years. You'll thank present-day you a few months down the line!
Associate
Out of curiosity, why 2 weeks?
If alcohol is causing you problems and you can't control it, what makes you think you won't end up in exactly the same situation after your 2 week holiday? I'm not saying you need to stop drinking, though I did, but it certainly sounds like you need and want to change your relationship with alcohol. So what are doing to make that change?
If you change nothing, nothing changes. Think of it like an actual holiday, you might come home feeling refreshed and relaxed but you soon return to 'normal' unless you change job/house/family situation etc. If your normal is problematic drinking then that's where you'll return after your holiday if you don't make a change.
Good luck.
Soldato
- Joined
- 5 Feb 2009
- Posts
- 3,824
Well, going away for a few days now, the course of which will bring up the one-year anniversary for me! 
Best decision I've made in years. I feel phsycially and mentally so much better than this time last year.
Hope everyone else is doing well.
Best decision I've made in years. I feel phsycially and mentally so much better than this time last year.
Hope everyone else is doing well.
Associate
4 years since my last drink. Life isn't perfect but it's a hell of a lot better than it was.