[Drinking] Alcoholic/like a beer or two too much?

[chaileyjem]

It's nearly four years since I stopped drinking and I don't miss it. I went on a cruise recently and was impressed at the amount no / low alcohol options there were this year compared with a few years ago.

The bill for my tea bags has gone up a bit though.

Ha ! i drink a lot more tea.

 

[Rugrat]

I considered myself an alcoholic, not because of the absolute volume I drank (but it was a lot by comparison to 21 units a week) but because I could not go a single day without a drink for years. That was despite 'trying' not to every single day!

Then, diagnosed with nasty illness 23 months ago and haven't dropped a bit since. I did try, and like, a few non alch beers to start but I even went off them. I was a big wine drinker and now even the smell of it puts me off. I haven't missed it one bit and that really does surprise me

 

[BBassic]

I have started experimenting with cold brew teas this summer - really refreshing, loads of different types and flavours and it is like having cocktails without the hangover to follow.

Ok, that sounds very tempting.

Have you got any particular...recipes(?)...you'd recommend?

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

I've not given up drinking but I barely do it anyway, just socially and never on my own.

However, I have been mostly drinking non-alcoholic beers this summer as I find it completely fills the same gap alcohol was when drinking with friends out in the sun.

I finally got round to Guinness 0 this weekend. Sure, you can tell there's something missing but it's REALLY GOOD.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

3.5 years for me now, like others didn't really plan to stop but won't ever go back now. Even gone off non-alcoholic beers at the moment. I have nothing but encouragement and support for anyone who is trying to cut down or give up and admiration for all on the journey wherever they are. Lots of people here who will listen if that's what you need, and plenty of good advice too if wanted. Aside from the mental health benefits I find the physical benefits compelling too and there's nothing at all I miss about drinking anymore.

Half time coffee it is then

 

[CHAPPERS]

I've not given up drinking but I barely do it anyway, just socially and never on my own.

However, I have been mostly drinking non-alcoholic beers this summer as I find it completely fills the same gap alcohol was when drinking with friends out in the sun.

I finally got round to Guinness 0 this weekend. Sure, you can tell there's something missing but it's REALLY GOOD.

Yeah the Guinness 0.0 is DECENT.

I've got a subscription to https://mashgang.shop/ who do some VERY acceptable beers, especially their pilsner.

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

Yeah the Guinness 0.0 is DECENT.

I've got a subscription to https://mashgang.shop/ who do some VERY acceptable beers, especially their pilsner.

Wisebartender also seem to have a pretty good range - https://wisebartender.co.uk/

Ok, that sounds very tempting.

Have you got any particular...recipes(?)...you'd recommend?

I have been trying different teas from Bird & Blend as their main distribution unit is just around the corner from me and they have a shop there. They have outlet in North Laine and on the seafront. They have dozens of different blends depending on your taste preferences.

For example, I was wary of fruit teas as having tried them in the past I found them to smell nice but with no depth of flavour. The cold brew stuff you leave to steep for a few hours or overnight so you get real flavour and because it uses 'loose' tea rather than bags, you can make it stronger or weaker to suit your taste.

You can use water or lemonade to create iced-tea type drinks. They also have some which you brew with milk or the oat / soya / coconut type milk alternatives to give a sort of iced tea latte drink if you want something different.

The people there are really helpful and will brew up samples for you to try if you ask (although best to avoid the North Laine one on a Saturday as it gets mobbed).

 

[Bozza]

Good timing.

I weighed myself yesterday morning for the first time in a few months, and the scales confirmed what I suspected, that I'd put some weight on.

Despite running an average of 8 miles every day (1264 days and counting) and, with additional dog walks etc, averaging 23,000 steps per day, I've still managed to put on about half a stone over the last few months. I know where most of it has come from: booze and associated late-evening snacking.

So, it's definitely time to rein those things in a bit and knock back the midweek drinking at the very least. I think I'll always be a drinker, but I need to manage the relationship better than I have been.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

I last had some of a drink on NYE (at home) – it got left on the side – in 2020. Was getting less and less fussed by alcohol and so thought I'd knock it on the head.

It's fascinating then looking at the whole industry and culture of 'drinking', which is REALLY weird when you look at it. It's such an assumed thing that people should 'drink', but abstinence is becoming more and more widespread.

Do I miss it? That's often a question I get asked and I can honestly say I don't. Not at all. If I fancy a 'drink', there are loads of other options available, so I'm more than happy to take them.

 

[marcos3263]

My father finally admitted to me the other day that he is an alcoholic. Something I have known for years but interesting that he should admit it now. I think its as he is now quite ill and maybe its alcohol related.

As he has had a serious relationship with drink for ever and now mum has died he is bored, lonely and depressed and has no filter.

I have told he to speak to a doctor and will chase him up to do so.

I have also bought him some Guinness zero but as he is currently drinking a litre bottle of vodka every 3 days itll need a lot more than that.

whether he has the strength, resolve or commitment to stop is another matter.

 

[sydney]

Good timing.

I weighed myself yesterday morning for the first time in a few months, and the scales confirmed what I suspected, that I'd put some weight on.

Despite running an average of 8 miles every day (1264 days and counting) and, with additional dog walks etc, averaging 23,000 steps per day, I've still managed to put on about half a stone over the last few months. I know where most of it has come from: booze and associated late-evening snacking.

So, it's definitely time to rein those things in a bit and knock back the midweek drinking at the very least. I think I'll always be a drinker, but I need to manage the relationship better than I have been.

f##K me , if you are doing 23000 steps a day and still putting weight on you must be ingesting heroic amounts.....late evening snacking is a no brainer as far as weight gain is concerned , if you cut the booze and didn't eat after 7.p.m for a week you would probably lose most of that half a stone , particularly if you went for a walk AFTER dinner.....fair play for the 8 miles a day though...

 

[Bozza]

Sitting in Perch right now.

Ordered a pint of lime and soda. The waitress misheard me and brought me a pint of Estrella and soda.

They’re all out to get me!

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

Sitting in Perch right now.

Ordered a pint of lime and soda. The waitress misheard me and brought me a pint of Estrella and soda.

They’re all out to get me!

I guess the litmus test here is whether you sent back the Estrella or decided to drink it anyway.

 

[vegster]

Sitting in Perch right now.

Ordered a pint of lime and soda. The waitress misheard me and brought me a pint of Estrella and soda.

Dare I ask ? How much was the pint of Estrella there ?

 

[Mancgull]

Good timing.

I weighed myself yesterday morning for the first time in a few months, and the scales confirmed what I suspected, that I'd put some weight on.

Despite running an average of 8 miles every day (1264 days and counting) and, with additional dog walks etc, averaging 23,000 steps per day, I've still managed to put on about half a stone over the last few months. I know where most of it has come from: booze and associated late-evening snacking.

So, it's definitely time to rein those things in a bit and knock back the midweek drinking at the very least. I think I'll always be a drinker, but I need to manage the relationship better than I have been.

Hi Bozza. Just a couple of things that I’ve done recently which have helped.
Firstly, a couple of years ago I decided that I’d have 4 alcohol free days a week. I don’t touch the stuff Sunday-Tuesday and Thursday. I go to the pub on a Wednesday evening with a pal and then like a drink Fri/ Sat . What I’ve found is that this gives me a bit of discipline around my drinking and I don’t get into the habit of having a drink every evening.
The second thing I started a couple of months ago, and it was based on research around the benefits of fasting. For two days of the week I don’t eat after my early evening meal (6ish) until after midday the next day. It’s not easy but ive started to lose around a pound a week so far, whilst I do the same level of exercise. So nothing else changes apart from skipping breakfast two days a week and not eating late. The body starts to utilise your fat reserves in periods of fasting and the physiological benefit is that you start feeling more in control of your weight.
Not for everyone, but it’s having this structure and control, that assists me.

 

[METALMICKY]

Fortunately, I've never been much of a drinker even in my distant youth when I was pubbing and clubbing. And without appearing to trivialise a terrible addiction just watching Nicholas Cage's superb performances in ' Leaving Las Vegas ' always made reevaluate my attitude towards alcohol. Watch that and I'd be tee total for a month.

 

[Weststander]

A candid interview with Perry Groves on TS just now. Revealing that he's been an alcoholic for decades, without truly realising it until now.

(I think he said) seven months dry, after rehab

 

[Psychobilly freakout]

I was recently diagnosed with diabetes and have been referred to the Xyla programme which is pretty intense to lose weight and try and put the diabetes into remission, So I start officially on Wednesday and can't have alcohol for 12 weeks. This is going to be a massive test, which I will struggle with I think, but to be honest, I don't drink as much as I used to and now only drink on Friday and Saturdays about 4 bottles of wine though, so I think I need to knock that on the head, wish me luck, I am gonna need it.

 

[Live by the sea]

Grapefruit juice over ice with a splash of orange juice is refreshing in the summer . Very popular in the Hamptons currently. Simple but effective . No jokes !

 

[Colonel Mustard]

I was recently diagnosed with diabetes and have been referred to the Xyla programme which is pretty intense to lose weight and try and put the diabetes into remission, So I start officially on Wednesday and can't have alcohol for 12 weeks. This is going to be a massive test, which I will struggle with I think, but to be honest, I don't drink as much as I used to and now only drink on Friday and Saturdays about 4 bottles of wine though, so I think I need to knock that on the head, wish me luck, I am gonna need it.

Good luck. I’ve never heard of the Xyla Programme but there are plenty of stories out there from people who have used strict low carb diets to overcome a diabetes diagnosis. Sounds like your programme goes further as it’s ok to drink alcohol in moderation on low-carb but not beer which is sugar-heavy. Sounds like Xyla is more radical. Anyway, good luck. I’ve tried various eating regimes and have learnt that there’s no one-size-fits-all. You have to find what works best so let’s hope the programme is right for you. By far the most essential thing is to keep your motivation up; when that drops it becomes difficult. So make sure you take advantage of the support offered and try to communicate with others on the same path. No doubt there are forums/Facebook groups etc. All the best.