Post: #251

Shooter, welcome aboard, and please post your starting date when you have one. I assume you meant to say "stop with the drinking" not "start", lol. Enjoy that Patron while it lasts.

Post: #252

(01-02-2014 03:39 AM)Irishman Wrote:  Two weeks in. Feel great and have been hitting the gym everyday. My sleep seems to be deeper and I need less too (around 7 hours as opposed to my usual 9).

Irishman, thanks for the update. Yeah, the gross physical benefits like better sleep are among the first things to kick in. The deeper changes come later...

Post: #253

Fisto, I can't believe you missed your chance to relish some elite stone cold sober NYE times in the DR.

But January starting dates are always the best anyway. Sometimes a man needs to get those last holidays drinks in so he doesn't feel cheated on the long ride.

Post: #254

I managed to quit alcohol between April and September last year
Haven't had a drink since NYE and I think it might be a good thing to see how long I can go without drinking
When I quit last year it was because a) it was too expensive b) it was too inconvenient - can't drive, hangovers, rendering oneself useless for the night and perhaps next day for a variety of other things and c) the alcohol 'high' is boring and not enjoyable enough to justify the expense or the inconvenience
I still use a variety of other drugs (weed, MDMA, LSD, ketamine, coke, occasional opiates, etc) and don't plan to stop doing that (though maybe be a little more careful on those big nights when I end up mixing a lot of different stuff)

Post: #255

Dang Sweet Jones, that's a pretty serious drug menu you've got going there. I guess some bodies and brains can take more punishment than others, but I hope you don't push your luck too far. But hey, it's your life.

As far as drinking, just like with anything else, you can go without it for exactly as long as you choose to. If you decide on committing to going without it completely for a full year, feel free to post a start date here. Short of that, I can't officially welcome you on board the wagon.

Post: #256

It's been a week and this is easier than I thought

Post: #257

(01-02-2014 08:47 PM)Felix88 Wrote:  It's been a week and this is easier than I thought

The first week is not the hardest time, unless you're a hard-core alcoholic who gets literal withdrawal symptoms. That doesn't apply to most guys on this thread.

For a regular occasional hard drinker, there isn't necessarily much in the way of physical withdrawal, and there is the feeling of novelty and excitement about the wagon, and generally some physical benefits. So it can be all good.

The harder period comes a little later when it dawns on you that this really means not one drink at any time, even when you're bored and feel like kicking back and having a few. Like a month in you're suddenly passing a favorite bar or there is a night with nothing much going on, and suddenly you feel strongly the desire to let yourself have a few. After all, hasn't the month or two you've already logged been an incredible achievement in and of itself? And shouldn't that achievement be rewarded and celebrated by some crowning drinks?

That's the key time -- you just have to find the pride and discipline to stick to your guns and keep going. And it's the accumulation of these disciplined decisions over the course of the year that starts bringing about the serious changes that are worth waiting for.

Post: #258

All right Lizard of Oz-- I am finally on board. Finished my last drink just now. Am prepared to go as long as possible without a drink.

Start Date 1/3/2014

Reasons why
1. Cost--egregious with taxes. I spent all in over $1,700 last year on booze.
2. Empty calories that I don't need. Water has 0 calories.
3. Poor sleep quality after drinking. I have struggled with insomnia and sometimes used alcohol to get to sleep.

Only problem is the LTR likes to drink socially and always has my favorites at her place (strong stout beers).

Thanks for the thread. Great idea.

Post: #259

Nothing like the drunken decision to quit drinking haha

Post: #260

Lizard, you really hit the nail on the head in some of your earlier posts in this thread. It's kind of an epiphany when someone manages to put into words what you've been feeling for so long. I'm 31 and I have not gone more than a few days without a drink since age 21. The fun slowly drained out of drinking after my first DWI arrest (though I managed to dodge a conviction) but I have never since recaptured the euphoric, bonding experience it was when I was but a lad. I need a reset. Count me in. Start date of 12/31/2013.

Post: #261

Flavius, glad to hear that. But to officially welcome you on board, you'd have to decide on a full year, not merely "as long as possible" -- that is a little too vague. As long as possible is really as long as you decide since no one is likely to forcibly pour a drink down your throat. So if you commit to doing the full year, please follow up with a post.

Post: #262

Tyrone, thanks for the post and welcome aboard. Hope to hear more updates from you as time goes on. Yes -- over time alcohol subtly drains the fun out of a lot of things, even things seemingly very distant from the actual context of drinking. It can be hard to fully realize how true that is since it happens over time and by slow degrees.

Post: #263

I've seen this threads title a couple of times but only thought of clicking on it today. Its interesting that a lot of us are noticing the same (bad) shit happening from excess drinking. I always drank to be social (where I grew up it was expected) and definitely helped everyone have more sex. But after a few years I'd drink even if no one else was around while watching a movie/ playing video games/ working online. Then it (de)-evolved into getting smashed every night which has continued for years. So great timing on this thread for me too.

I'm in too. Start date 1/3/2014

One of the main reasons I drank at night was because I couldn't sleep. Today I listened to a biohacker's podcast that said 15mg of Melatonin + 300mg of 5-HTP is a potent way to get to sleep (and can induce lucid dreaming). So I picked some up, will report the results.

Post: #264

I think it's awesome that some of you guys here can admit you've got a drinking problem and can come together to commit to something so challenging.

On that note, I've decided to join you guys in modified fashion. In 2014 I will only drink when on a date. Not total abstinence, but a significant cut back and something my health and bank account look forward to.

Post: #265

well, I've lost

Post: #266

(01-03-2014 09:40 PM)hun73r Wrote:  One of the main reasons I drank at night was because I couldn't sleep. Today I listened to a biohacker's podcast that said 15mg of Melatonin + 300mg of 5-HTP is a potent way to get to sleep (and can induce lucid dreaming). So I picked some up, will report the results.

Friend of mine had major sleep problems and melantolin has really helped him. Only thing that concerns me is that it's a hormone. I don't like fucking with my hormonal balance unless I know exactly what I'm doing. Maybe start a thread about melantolin if it works for you.

Post: #267

hun73r, welcome aboard, and I hope you will post some updates in the thread as time goes on.

As far as sleep goes, this is a subject for another thread, but briefly. You can almost always regularize your sleep by following a few simple sleep hygiene rules, with no need to supplement with hormones and the like. Basically,

1. Keep a regular schedule -- go to bed and get up at the same time every day with very rare exceptions -- do not oversleep on weekends compared to weekdays
2. Do not eat or drink anything for 4-6 hours prior to sleep
3. Keep your room temperature cool for sleep
4. Do not abuse caffeine or other stimulants
5. Use the free f.lux utility on all your electronic devices to avoid blue light exposure after sunset
6. Consider using a 10,000 lux light box for 30 minutes every morning soon after you wake up to regularize your sleeping schedule. I recommend this one: http://sunbox.com/product/sunlight-jr-2/

Post: #268

(01-04-2014 06:17 AM)EisenBarde Wrote:  well, I've lost

So what -- just start now.

Monday the 6th is probably the best start date of the year.

Post: #269

There is a saying like "you do not realise that you have a drinking problem until you try to stop drinking" and I think it is very true.

I have always been drinking too much but the last 1,5 years I went several months without any drinks and it was not even hard, as I had good reasons for it (training muay thai or being stuck in a bad place where it was just to expensive).

The last weekends I got drunk again, just because there was no "good" reason not to drink and it is still lots of fun. But actually my health and personal improvement should be reason enough.

I am in as well!

Post: #270

Hey guys i'm in as well

Actually read Allen Carrs book 3 weeks ago and stopped then and there but had a night of drinking with a friend a week and a half later. Had my last drinks on NYE but now i'm ready for the challenge.

I'm in my mid twenties and have been drinking pretty seriously for the last six years. Lots of parties with lots of booze, not that i drank daily but when i did it was always too much. I always had bad hangovers (especially since i always drank and smoked, but have given up smoking completely, it's such a useless addiction) so the next day was basically eating junk food and doing nothing. Looking forward to a sober year, practising some sober game and feeling comfortable in social situations without alcohol. This thread comes at the right time, i don't want to rely on alcohol as a crutch for the rest of my life.

Post: #271

libertad1312 and filio, glad to hear that and welcome aboard. Please post your official start dates as well (it seems like 1/1 for both of you but always good to state it explicitly).

Hope to hear more from you in the thread as time goes on.

Post: #272

(01-02-2014 09:01 PM)The Lizard of Oz Wrote:  

(01-02-2014 08:47 PM)Felix88 Wrote:  It's been a week and this is easier than I thought

The first week is not the hardest time, unless you're a hard-core alcoholic who gets literal withdrawal symptoms. That doesn't apply to most guys on this thread.

For a regular occasional hard drinker, there isn't necessarily much in the way of physical withdrawal, and there is the feeling of novelty and excitement about the wagon, and generally some physical benefits. So it can be all good.

The harder period comes a little later when it dawns on you that this really means not one drink at any time, even when you're bored and feel like kicking back and having a few. Like a month in you're suddenly passing a favorite bar or there is a night with nothing much going on, and suddenly you feel strongly the desire to let yourself have a few. After all, hasn't the month or two you've already logged been an incredible achievement in and of itself? And shouldn't that achievement be rewarded and celebrated by some crowning drinks?

That's the key time -- you just have to find the pride and discipline to stick to your guns and keep going. And it's the accumulation of these disciplined decisions over the course of the year that starts bringing about the serious changes that are worth waiting for.

This reminds me of fitness or cold approaching. I was on a business trip last year and this guy that I worked with felt the need to go to the gym but he was "too tired".

I then told him, "Those days are the days that you HAVE to go."
..he didn't like that very much but HEY that's how champs are born.

Imagine you feeling a little bit of pain or soreness when you workout and then quit LOL

Successful people do things whether they "feel" like it or not.

Same goes for cold approaches. A simple hello is better than over thinking things and not approaching.
Action>In Action.

No Drinking Journey Start Date: 3Jan2014

Post: #273

Day 4 and I was having a very strong urge to drink some beers tonight. I often have dinner alone in restaurants while I am traveling which is a lot of the time and I've realized it is a lot more tolerable if I am drinking. I don't like staring at my iPhone while having dinner like I see so many people doing, and a drink (or a few) usually makes for a sufficient companion. But with no phone to distract myself and no booze for companionship I think I might have to stop going to restaurants unless it's with a date or a friend or a colleague. To be honest it was kind of a rough evening and it made me think that perhaps I've been more dependent on booze than I realized.

Post: #274

(01-04-2014 05:12 PM)SeanBateman Wrote:  Day 4 and I was having a very strong urge to drink some beers tonight. I often have dinner alone in restaurants while I am traveling which is a lot of the time and I've realized it is a lot more tolerable if I am drinking. I don't like staring at my iPhone while having dinner like I see so many people doing, and a drink (or a few) usually makes for a sufficient companion. But with no phone to distract myself and no booze for companionship I think I might have to stop going to restaurants unless it's with a date or a friend or a colleague. To be honest it was kind of a rough evening and it made me think that perhaps I've been more dependent on booze than I realized.

Sean, I love reading honest posts like this one.

I sometimes feel that there are few things in the world duller or deadlier than a mediocre restaurant meal.

I can love a deli or a pizza place where you can grab a good sandwich or a few slices; and I love the very few great restaurants where you can get a truly amazing meal, better than anything you could cook at home. But it's the endless in-between desert of mediocre sit-down restaurants that can truly try a man's soul and create an almost panicked urge to drown your boredom in a few stiff drinks.

I think that avoiding these three course ordeals is generally a great idea. With just a little effort you can make healthy and delicious meals at home -- and for a fraction of the cost.

But if this isn't practical when you travel, then a very civilized thing to do during a restaurant meal is to read a physical book, newspaper or magazine. Fuck the iphone -- you're right that staring at it during a meal is ludicrous. But you should always be traveling with some reading material, a book or magazines -- and there is nothing wrong with cracking it open and doing a little reading while you wait for your infinitely mediocre grilled portobellos to be brought to the table.

And sometimes you have to be a man. Put away all these materials and just take in the reality that surrounds you, for better or worse. Feel the boredom, and rather than fight it just let it permeate your whole being and almost relish it. Think about the beers you want to be having -- and then chuckle and keep sitting there as the gay servers hover around. These are the wagon times which over the course of a long year will make you a stronger, deeper, and more thoughtful man. Submit to them and take the pain and learn to perversely enjoy it. It will be worth the effort.

Post: #275

Also -- you're very right to say that the intensity of your urges shows that you've been more dependent on booze than you realized.

Of course, what this should also tell you is that you need the wagon more than you realized.