Why We Want To Quit/reduce Drinking

[JemJem]

I decided to quit drinking as of yesterday. It has got nothing to do with the New Year coming (I don't believe in the significance of certain days) but it's just that I have had enough of drinking too much and that the time has come to put an end to it.

Maybe we can share our reasons why we want to quit drinking or reduce our alcohol intake.

For me, the main reason is to avoid serious illness, like liver problems (of course, there is a chance, not a small one, that I am already too late for that; I am too scared to go for a checkup).

Other reasons: I am sick of hangovers which last longer as I age; and also sick of wasting money at bars, etc., when I could use this money for other things like travel and shopping.

I am not someone to get involved in fights or annoy people when drunk, so, interpersonal relationships is not a factor in my decision to quit drinking. Nor are for example risks associated with drunk driving, as I don't drive.

Edited December 30, 2012 by JemJem

[saakura]

Well, you have made the right decision and as they say, better late than never. Dint forget to keep yourself busy with new activities which you like, otherwise you may get bored and go back to old habits. Good luck to you.

[GrahamF]

OP, wise decision, and I wish you the best of luck going forward! I think that you will find you're life much more enjoyable.

As to why I quit drinking. Well, I think I'd probably be dead by now or well on my way to it if I hadn't. I also wanted to get my life back, near the end of my drinking my life revolved around alcohol and that is no way to live, at least for me. So far, I am participating in life and have regained my friends and family. Not that I had done anything horrible to them, I was a solitary drinker and basically shut everything and everyone out of my life. Now I exercise regularly, I am travelling again and really enjoying myself. So far, so good.

Again, best of luck to you!

[JemJem]

Thanks, folks. Still very early days. Time will tell but I am more optimistic about my success now than I was in my earlier attempts.

By the way, I have all the respect and understanding for AA folks but I plan to do it my own way. For example, I think that rewarding oneself with various things as one reaches a certain no of days is not a bad idea at all (Please feel free to disagree).

I am optimistic now because in recent months, I had felt the bad effects of alcohol on my body more and more. So I know it is very criticial that I quit NOW.

[Neeranam]

I was really worried about liver damage - so much so that it caused many drinking bouts. When I surrendered to the booze I was terrified to go to the doctor for a liver function test as my liver felt like at least 2 times the normal size. Eventually after 6 months I went and got one and was pleasantly surprised - nothing wrong. 6 months of useless worry for nothing. Surprising as I was drinking two large bottles of whisky plus beers every day for many years.

Good luck OP - if there is something wrong with your liver, it would be best to find out as early as possible.

[JemJem]

I was really worried about liver damage - so much so that it caused many drinking bouts. When I surrendered to the booze I was terrified to go to the doctor for a liver function test as my liver felt like at least 2 times the normal size. Eventually after 6 months I went and got one and was pleasantly surprised - nothing wrong. 6 months of useless worry for nothing. Surprising as I was drinking two large bottles of whisky plus beers every day for many years.

Good luck OP - if there is something wrong with your liver, it would be best to find out as early as possible.

Thanks. I am continueing my sober run and I guess I WILL go for a checkup (maybe within 2-3 months) but for now, I am not ready for it yet. But I am definitely NOT drinking anymore.

[Mobi]

Good luck and keep us posted - even if you lapse, which I sincerely hope you don't.

[473geo]

You have made a sound choice, well done for the first step on a long road.

I am currently not drinking for myself and for the children, less pain for me...more to spend on them, it has been this way now for 6 years, as you plan to do I did it my way.

To clarify, I will not put an pressure on myself to state I have stopped forever, I still very very rarely enjoy a single beer, but find the need even to have one beer has faded so much that recently at a wedding in Thailand, and a very booze laden christmas with family, I have not at all been tempted. I have found I can manage very well without drink, and you know the interesting thing is....I am quite proud of that.

Most difficult part for me? in the early days making the hard decision to avoid parties and occasions that would severely tempt me, avoiding family parties was really difficult, but later following the early avoidance I carried the strength to attend without drinking. Now after all this time it is finally accepted that I am the chauffeur, and, everybody enjoys their freedom knowing they have a personal taxi service, so my presence is appreciated and people benefit, they have no reason to encourage me to drink.....but it has taken time

So, rather more in my post than you requested....apologies for that, good luck with your own personal challenge....

Just a little aside, when I see the change in my passengers after a few drinks, it really does make me wonder why I ever drank at all...a real eye opener......if I required further encouragement it is right there

Best wishes

Geo

Edited January 1, 2013 by 473geo

[poanoi]

I stopped because my life is so miserable anyway so there's no point in trying to have joy

[robblok]

I stopped because, its not much use trying to get in shape when your putting poison in yourself. A little bit might be ok, but how many can stop at a glass. I found it easier to completely stop, but i was never addicted to the stuff.

[JemJem]

I stopped because my life is so miserable anyway so there's no point in trying to have joy

Sorry to hear that (I am actually in a similar situation nowadays...well, actually since some months ago anyway....mainly due to a broken-up relationship). Can you explain a bit, if you don't mind ?

By the way, folks, another reason (less important than health reasons though of course) I have decided to quit is that I like reading (both fiction and non-fiction), and as we all know, one cannot really enjoy his/her reading during hangovers (which, as I said, last longer and longer as I age). And, there is always so much to read (online and offline) !

Edited January 2, 2013 by JemJem

[poanoi]

My reason is that the relation isnt broken up already,

or, is it a relation if there is no sexlife nor sexdrive but still live together ?

[JemJem]

My reason is that the relation isnt broken up already,

or, is it a relation if there is no sexlife nor sexdrive but still live together ?

I see.

Have you tried relationship-counselling ? Or, are you sure that wouldn't help anyway ?

[poanoi]

It's doomed, she's a natural born frigid nun and after disheartening years

i dont want either

Edited January 2, 2013 by poanoi

[johnnycthedog]

JemJem - if you like reading as you say I reckon the answer is to join other forums apart from TV such as Pattaya Addicts & similar. Lots of fact & fiction to read. Read all the articles, make some comments, and you'll be too busy to go out drinking. Some danger though of the articles driving you back to drink. 555

Seriously though I believe one of the hardest things to do in Thailand is NOT drink. I'd guess many a social drinker (back home) has turned into a serious drinker in tropical Thailand.

[JemJem]

JemJem - if you like reading as you say I reckon the answer is to join other forums apart from TV such as Pattaya Addicts & similar. Lots of fact & fiction to read. Read all the articles, make some comments, and you'll be too busy to go out drinking. Some danger though of the articles driving you back to drink. 555

Seriously though I believe one of the hardest things to do in Thailand is NOT drink. I'd guess many a social drinker (back home) has turned into a serious drinker in tropical Thailand.

Thanks for the info/suggestion.

Well, yeah, there is actually always a lot to read; both books and also lots of stuff online.

I feel very confident now about quitting drinking because the main factor for me is 'health' and, recently, every time I drink a lot, I can feel my body suffering more and more. I just hope my quitting has't come too late. Oh, well, there is nothing I can do now about the possible bad effects of my past drinking.

[johnnycthedog]

JemJem - if you like reading as you say I reckon the answer is to join other forums apart from TV such as Pattaya Addicts & similar. Lots of fact & fiction to read. Read all the articles, make some comments, and you'll be too busy to go out drinking. Some danger though of the articles driving you back to drink. 555

Seriously though I believe one of the hardest things to do in Thailand is NOT drink. I'd guess many a social drinker (back home) has turned into a serious drinker in tropical Thailand.

Thanks for the info/suggestion.

Well, yeah, there is actually always a lot to read; both books and also lots of stuff online.

I feel very confident now about quitting drinking because the main factor for me is 'health' and, recently, every time I drink a lot, I can feel my body suffering more and more. I just hope my quitting has't come too late. Oh, well, there is nothing I can do now about the possible bad effects of my past drinking.

Quit drinking & you'll probably lose weight as well - as long as you're not a soft drink fan. So it could be a win-win situation. It's probably like smoking - give up and the body slowly repairs itself. Unless of course you're in the final stages of something and then it too late for anything.

I could never give up social drinking so I wish you luck in your quest. [my doctors already had a go at me to slow down]

[samtam]

I go through periods of not drinking, such as now, because I too get fed up with the hangovers. At this stage I think it's time to call it quits on a pretty long term basis, basically because I find it difficult to stop once I've decided to go out "for a blast". If I'm not drinking I don't go out, nor could I stand being with people who were inebriated when I am sober. Sometimes I think I will miss the "fun", and certainly I worry about where I can meet people, if it's not at a bar. Sounds pathetic, I know. But "socialising" revolves around drinking.

[robblok]

I go through periods of not drinking, such as now, because I too get fed up with the hangovers. At this stage I think it's time to call it quits on a pretty long term basis, basically because I find it difficult to stop once I've decided to go out "for a blast". If I'm not drinking I don't go out, nor could I stand being with people who were inebriated when I am sober. Sometimes I think I will miss the "fun", and certainly I worry about where I can meet people, if it's not at a bar. Sounds pathetic, I know. But "socialising" revolves around drinking.

Find a hobby, go fishing, join a gym, ride a motorbike on trips, go diving, ect ect.

Really i socialise while fishing, and at some point i joined a gym and met new people too, but the gym was too far so i quit. Anyway there are many things to do and after a while you will find people who are like minded. If your looking for girls then bars are indeed where you need to go. If you are just looking for social contact there are many other places to go.

[JemJem]

I go through periods of not drinking, such as now, because I too get fed up with the hangovers. At this stage I think it's time to call it quits on a pretty long term basis, basically because I find it difficult to stop once I've decided to go out "for a blast". If I'm not drinking I don't go out, nor could I stand being with people who were inebriated when I am sober. Sometimes I think I will miss the "fun", and certainly I worry about where I can meet people, if it's not at a bar. Sounds pathetic, I know. But "socialising" revolves around drinking.

Same here

[chiangmaikelly]

I stopped drinking because the doctor told me if I didn't I would have a stroke. I found my body developed a craving for sweets to replace the sugar I was getting from the beer. So I gained weight when I stopped from eating desserts; something I never did when I drank.

[Blackandwhite]

Other than the usual, save money , no hangovers, feeling generally crap and people calling me a prat the main reason was my 11 year old asking me " dad were you drunk again last night " since she has said " Dad I am proud of you and Dad you not drinking is the best thing that happened to me " think we all know that Alcohol is poison and classified so in the dictionary so good luck all, keep it real do it for you and your family and the rewards will be massive just like my rewards have been

[Terry Newman]

Maybe this will motivate you, just a little bit !!!

Is this what happens with you walk around with a plastic cup of booze for to long ?

In some little ways this reminds me of Pattya's Walking Street !!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6CFKdkkwk8