Post by: KeithB on September 18, 2018, 08:41:19 AM
I finally gave grog away for ten tears when I turned 50 and, two years later, copped a dose of bowel cancer. After all of that had gone away I somehow got back to the odd social drink which grew over 15 years into a serious daily habit.
I have decided that wine in general (booze rouge and plonk blonk) it isn’t doing me any good. I don’t like beer and hate the idea of spirits. Booze disturbs my sleep, upsets my innards and makes me lazy. It also makes me go off to sleep in front of TV.
So, for the last three weeks, I have been alcohol free and feeling a lot better for it. The big challenge ahead of me is the next time around the camp fire, where an adult beverage or seven is pretty much the order of the day. I guess I’ll have to deal with that when the time comes.
I am interested to hear if anyone else has had a success story or otherwise in giving up the demon drink.
Post by: paceman on September 18, 2018, 09:02:28 AM
I am 70 next birthday and come from several generations of dyed-in-the-wool alcoholics. Having seen my dad strapped down to a hospital bed delirious with the DT’s, I didn’t touch a drop of alcohol in the drunken days with engineers at uni and hardly ever throughout my late 20’s and early 30’s. But after a messy divorce in my mid 30’s I moved in with a couple of bachelor mates who were heavy drinkers and naturally followed suit.
I finally gave grog away for ten tears when I turned 50 and, two years later, copped a dose of bowel cancer. After all of that had gone away I somehow got back to the odd social drink which grew over 15 years into a serious daily habit.
I have decided that wine in general (booze rouge and plonk blonk) it isn’t doing me any good. I don’t like beer and hate the idea of spirits. Booze disturbs my sleep, upsets my innards and makes me lazy. It also makes me go off to sleep in front of TV.
So, for the last three weeks, I have been alcohol free and feeling a lot better for it. The big challenge ahead of me is the next time around the camp fire, where an adult beverage or seven is pretty much the order of the day. I guess I’ll have to deal with that when the time comes.
I am interested to hear if anyone else has had a success story or otherwise in giving up the demon drink.
first of all, good on you for speaking up and recognising that you can change for the better... :cup:
it's interesting that you mention that one of your big challenges is 'around the camp fire'...
i find it interesting because in posts in this (and other forums), plenty to do with the camper and camping is about 'keeping the beers cold' or 'getting the first drink in after setup'... this in itself is not a crime, but it can bring up situations like you have described and perceive a challenge with...
my advice to you, which i have tried to follow myself, is that if you are around people that choose to belittle you because you are not drinking, then they are not the people you should be around.
true friends will support you in your choice.
good luck to you.
Post by: KeithB on September 18, 2018, 09:21:36 AM
For me, a drink around the camp fire, on my own of with friends, has always been something of a ritual. Maybe I should only camp during total fire bans.
There's an old Scottish saying: "Everyone's talkin aboot ma drinkin. But nobody's talkin aboot ma thirst."
Thanks for your comments.
Post by: paceman on September 18, 2018, 09:31:04 AM
Paceman I have never had the experience of people putting me down for not drinking. With folks my age, there is much less social pressure than for young people. But I do notice that there is a fairly big drinking culture among my 22 yo daughter's friends.
For me, a drink around the camp fire, on my own of with friends, has always been something of a ritual. Maybe I should only camp during total fire bans.
There's an old Scottish saying: "Everyone's talkin aboot ma drinkin. But nobody's talkin aboot ma thirst."
Thanks for your comments.
totally agree... :cup:
Post by: Bigfish on September 18, 2018, 09:52:09 AM
Post by: edz on September 18, 2018, 10:02:15 AM
Vodka and coke was my go too drink.. Every night after work was a 500ml + tankard or three, generaly three and also on my RDO's ..
One can of coke and the rest of the tankard to the top band with vodka = four Nips, Sometimes upped that to = six Nips .. Depending on the night shift stress at work.. 20 years of that .. The need for surgery arose after a workplace injury, so everything I ate / drank got reviewed and somethings junked, by me .
Coming up on four years now and havent had a Vodka n coke, The work stress is still there to a degree, though a change in work duties has reduced it a lot ..
I do mostly limit myself to two afternoon Mid strength beers occasionally on my RDO's or when socializing [ Yeah right when doing night shifts every week end ] or camping [ couple times a year ] ..
I dont have a need to have a drink, just enjoy the odd ones taste more than anything now.
Post by: KeithB on September 18, 2018, 11:07:35 AM
Some people are addictive, where one drink is too many and ten isn't enough. With my family history, I sometimes suspect I might be one of those. Others can go out on a big night and not think about drinking again. Good luck to them.
Just hearing from Edz and Bigfish, it seems that a real alcohol habit takes quite a few years to form and, for many, it is very hard to un-form (if that's a word). I did with me. And too many people who drink a lot sneer at people who drink a little more.
As WC Fields once said: "An alcoholic is someone you hate who drinks as much as you do."
Post by: Pottsy on September 18, 2018, 11:14:57 AM
Seriously don't miss the hangovers, bad sleeping and crook guts.
Good luck to you Keith B
Post by: paceman on September 18, 2018, 11:46:12 AM
Happy to have the occasional port around a camp fire.
+1... :cheers:
Post by: scott8888 on September 18, 2018, 11:52:07 AM
Post by: jwb on September 18, 2018, 11:55:25 AM
It finally hit me like a mack truck about 2 years later on.
I stopped drinking ( Bundy), ate more of what I should and way less of what I shouldn't. I did about 7 months of not drinking.
Due to working / driving on the graveyard shift meant drink consumption was a fri, sat thing only.
I too had felt the the camping scenario will change for the worse due to not drinking, but to my surprise it went well without issues for that period.
I have since started to drink again but way less volumes, same with food/meal portions. Although I wondered about giving up finally when getting crook coming home from a recent CSR nth/sth traverse. Food poisoning culprit that was.
I can't remember getting any flack for my actions.
I applaude your decision!
Cheers
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
Post by: Foo on September 18, 2018, 12:02:50 PM
Foo
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Post by: KeithB on September 18, 2018, 12:40:20 PM
Some people can have a couple and be happy but others can't stop till it's all gone.
Foo
And Foo, some people send out for more after it's gone. The two mates I lived with in my 30's would often order a cab to pick up two slabs and a couple of packs of Winfield Blue. I drew the line at that.
Post by: Bunyip on September 18, 2018, 12:51:16 PM
Good luck with your endeavours, great that you are speaking up.
Bunyip
Post by: McGirr on September 18, 2018, 01:24:46 PM
Well done mate. After drinking like a fish on the Kimberely trip, I have not had a drop since. It helps living in a dry community.
Mark
Post by: wakychapmans on September 18, 2018, 02:47:45 PM
Everyone has a personal story about their drinking and I get a lot out of reading them. Thanks guys for your wise words.Keith:
Some people are addictive, where one drink is too many and ten isn't enough. With my family history, I sometimes suspect I might be one of those.
I stopped drinking 4 years and 9 months ago. (5 years this XMAS)
I wasn't a social drinker. I drank to self medicate. (though I didn't realise it at the time) Did it from age 15 to age 49. (I'm 53 now)
I didn't drink every day, nor even every week. I'd have a binge every 4-6 weeks (on average) and spend the whole day with a bottle of spirits. Usually a Saturday. So I'd be ok for work on Monday. See... I came to understand that I was what's known as a "functioning alcoholic".
But after 34 years I stopped it dead. I don't really do things half way. It tends to be all or nothing. That's just me.
I then discovered that not drinking, meant that I no longer had that "emotional vent release" every 4-6 weeks. And so depression started to creep in.
I've been seeing a psychologist going on two years now. Basically dealing with things that took place when i was 10yo.
My use of alcohol was just hiding the past.
Now that I know that... I won't drink again.
Post by: Beachman on September 18, 2018, 03:06:47 PM
Then got married and had kids and promised myself I would never get drunk in front on the kids. My Father was a big drinker and it was sad seeing him that drunk he struggled to sit at the dining room table at night or unable to drive us anywhere because he was always over the limit.
I do have a glass of wine with dinner each night and at home a carton of beer will last 3-4 months. I now find that if I have any more than 2 drinks at night I need to go to the toilet during the night and on those rare occasions I do over indulge, I have an extremely poor sleep due to the alcohol.
But have to be honest it’s when I go camping is when I drink the most and by that I drink much more than that I do at home. Not to get drunk, but I really do enjoy relaxing with a beer in my hand when in the outdoors.
Post by: Bird on September 18, 2018, 03:18:15 PM
Quote from: Beachman
. In my Twenties and Thirties I was your typical binge drinker as never drank at home, but I was going out 2 or 3 nights per week and getting smashed (But 99% of the time I knew when to stop before throwing up)I was similar and sort of remember those days... mostly it was due to peer pressure where I grew up... small town 1000 odd people, thursday night - strippers at pub, friday night - workers club and a band, saturday leagues club, sunday arvo to night at the pub again... and we did this for YEARS...
roll on 30+ yrs, me and an old mate tried to be 18 again, and it didnt end well for either of us, and took a week to get over :(
So I only have an occasional drink these days... maybe few drinks a month now.. must say I dont miss it.
Post by: JCOJ on September 18, 2018, 05:04:21 PM
I am a non drinker and always have been - I don't even drink tea or coffee. At the campfire of course people are on the beers, I have a hot chocolate. If it's your mates around the campfire then they should respect your decision not to drink, and you could implement a strategy to recognise the 'triggers' for you wanting to have a drink and then 'responses' for those triggers.
By predetermining these it will make it alot easier when it does come to temptation.
Post by: archer63 on September 18, 2018, 07:11:01 PM
I reckon sometimes having a good honest look in the mirror at ourselves can be very beneficial.
I also reckon the previous campfire drinking habit could be changed by supplementing it for maybe a cuppa tea instead ?
Enjoying your van build very much....keep the pics and info coming.
Cheers
Rob
Post by: KeithB on September 18, 2018, 07:55:04 PM
This thread is not so much for me to solicit encouragement, although I appreciate all the positive words. It is firstly so that I can learn from other drinkers' experiences and secondly so that anyone with a bit of a booze issue can maybe take a bit of heart and realise that there are plenty of others in the same boat.
Thanks for your kind words on my build. Since stopping drinking I have actually got a bit more of a wriggle on and am doing a little bit every day. I have lost some weight and my blood pressure has gone down. I am hoping to have my build at least registered by the end of January, an announcement which had my better half raising her eyebrows. We live in hope.
Keith
Post by: D4D on September 19, 2018, 06:32:29 AM
Post by: Bird on September 19, 2018, 10:17:15 AM
Post by: MDS69 on September 19, 2018, 07:24:05 PM
In my late teens and through my twenties it was a badge of honour to do the trifecta, that is Thur, Fri and Sat night at the local night club drinking to excess.
I don’t drink at home by myself or with the wife, just not interested. When I buy beer or RTD cans it is by the six pack and not the carton. I have had beer go off because it expired.
At work we use to go the the club or pub for lunch on Fridays and everyone would have 2, 3 or 4 schooners in 45 minutes but I would have a soft drink or 2 max.
I am not a wowser and will enjoy a drink or 10 on a special occasion but it is rare these days. I knocked back an invite to a local Oktoberfest recently because I couldn’t be bothered.
Post by: gronk on September 19, 2018, 09:26:00 PM
Approaching the big 6 0....but I still enjoy a few ales...especially around a campfire !! :cheers:
Post by: KeithB on September 24, 2018, 05:39:37 PM
It's funny, but this thread had more posts per view that any other on my screen. There were some inspirational stories there. Now we have silence.
Go figure.
Keith
Post by: Bigfish on September 24, 2018, 06:21:42 PM
Going camping this weekend and this post reminded me to check the beer fridge .. Only got 17 beers.....may not be enough for 2 nights seeing as the missus sometimes has 1 or 2 of my beers ( she usually has a few wines )
Approaching the big 6 0....but I still enjoy a few ales...especially around a campfire !! :cheers:
Heading off Thursday for 4 nights. Chucked in 2 x 30 cans. Decided to leave one pack at home and take a couple of bottles of Brown Brothers Rose instead...much more civilized. If it gets cold I wont bother drinking though. No way can I look at a beer if it gets cold..
Post by: gronk on September 24, 2018, 06:48:06 PM
Is it my imagination or has Gronk's post about how much he enjoys sticking his head into a bucket of lager killed this thread?
It's funny, but this thread had more posts per view that any other on my screen. There were some inspirational stories there. Now we have silence.
Go figure.
Keith
While my post wasn't intended to take anything away from blokes who want or need to give up the demon drink, it was also just a tiny bit tongue in cheek !!
But I certainly don't like sticking my head in a bucket of lager !! ;D
While I enjoy a beer or two, don't let it stop you all from posting stories of NOT enjoying a drop or two !! :cheers:
Post by: KeithB on September 24, 2018, 09:27:03 PM
This is the only thread for people who have had enough of what booze has done to them and would like to, firstly, to share their experiences and, secondly, to learn from others. Or maybe moderate their drinking rather than giving it away. These are the folks who have got out the old Viagra eye drops and had a good hard look at themselves. I have found some of their stories to be quite moving and others most entertaining.
Anyone who feels the need to ridicule these brave folks by boating about their own drinking should start another thread. Either that or get those eye drops out.
Keith
Post by: SEADOO on September 24, 2018, 09:35:02 PM
I have never been a drinker, but I don pt mind an ice cold great northern in the shed with a mate. I'm usually done after 3 or 4.
I use to "get on the piss with me mates" when younger, but I think they call that binge drinking. I have never seen the point of getting fkd up, then spend Saturday and Sunday laying on the couch. I've had mates promise to help me move, or help me with something and end up not showing and left me hanging. Why? Because they decided to get on the piss.
Smoking is my kryptonite. I wish I can give those up. I hate smoking, but the feeling of a durrie in the morning with coffee is great.
Drinking, smoking are both addictive, and I will admit, I am also an addict. And as an addict, I know how hard it is for some one to give something up. I wish them all the best. I wish there was an AA equivalent for smokers.
Post by: GeoffA on September 24, 2018, 09:53:18 PM
.....
Anyone who feels the need to ridicule these brave folks by boating about their own drinking.......
I haven't seen anything like that, Keith.
Post by: glenm64 on September 24, 2018, 10:28:29 PM
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference"
Sort of sums it up, regardless of your beliefs.
I grew up more worried more about what my mates thought, rather than what I actually valued. Drank too much, did lots if stuff I shouldn't have. I grew up with little parental guidance or communication.
When I had kids, it was a time for personal reflection. I didnt want them just going along with what everyone else did, drinking, drugs, bullying or anything else. I was determined for them to think for themselves, and give them the courage to stand up to their peers and say NO. ( I was actually ashamed of how weak a person I use to be)
Im proud of my 2 sons, they're far from perfect, yet able to make me feel a lesser man. They drink less than me, have never done drugs, have an great relationship with both Elaine and myself (she has to take most the credit) and stand by what they believe.
For myself, Ive cut down on the days I drink. Not drinking on work days at first was a challenge. To fill the void wasnt easy. Old habits as they say. But now it has become the norm.
I believe in everything in moderation my friends.
Dont spoil it with excess or austerity. Life's too short.
But if you cant control it, it will control you.
Cheers Glen
Post by: KeithB on September 24, 2018, 10:41:59 PM
.....
"Anyone who feels the need to ridicule these brave folks by boating about their own drinking......."
I haven't seen anything like that, Keith.
Geof, with respect, I think that on this thread, that's exactly what it is. Fine on any other thread, but I submit not on this one.
Smoking is my kryptonite. I wish I can give those up. I hate smoking, but the feeling of a durrie in the morning with coffee is great.
Drinking, smoking are both addictive, and I will admit, I am also an addict. And as an addict, I know how hard it is for some one to give something up. I wish them all the best. I wish there was an AA equivalent for smokers.
Hey Seadoo, I am a nicotine addict as well. Five years ago I switched to vaping. I had to kiss a lot of frogs with various types of gear and had to try a lot of Shitty mixtures to get something that suited me. But I haven't looked back. I was on 25 a day and my chest cleared up in two weeks plus my sense of taste and smell returned. Nobody would say that vaping is good for you, but the experts in the UK say it reduces the health risk by 95 per cent. I now mix my own juice and can choose the nicotine content and flavour to suit myself. And it's about ten percent (at most) of the cost of bloody Winfield Blues. PM me if you want details.
Thanks Glen. Your post came is as I was writing this one.
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference"....
I believe in everything in moderation my friends.
Dont spoil it with excess or austerity. Life's too short.
But if you cant control it, it will control you.
Cheers Glen
Gotta love that Serenity Prayer. On reflection, maybe moderation should be exercised in moderation.
Thanks everyone.
Keith
Post by: gronk on September 24, 2018, 10:44:34 PM
But if you cant control it, it will control you.
Cheers Glen
So true. And what a few here are saying, if you are unable to control it, don't do it.
BTW, I gave up that disgusting smoking habit 30 yrs ago..!! ;D
Post by: GeoffA on September 24, 2018, 11:08:10 PM
Geof, with respect, I think that on this thread, that's exactly what it is. Fine on any other thread, but I submit not on this one.
.....
OK Keith, but like I said earlier, I haven't noticed any ridiculing.
A light post is not ridicule IMO, but there hasn't been too many of those either.
Most that mention their consumption habits have been talking about times gone by.
Post by: nab on September 25, 2018, 12:30:42 AM
Post by: Bill on September 25, 2018, 07:36:10 AM
I started seriously drinking in 1983 and continued right up into 2002.
I was a serious drunk, I drank to get hammered. None of that “silly” social drinking stuff for me.
I would have been drunk to some extent nearly every single day in those years.
I did so much stupid Shit in those years that if I allow myself to think about it I scare the Shit out of myself and feel so much shame. And that is only what I remember, not what “friends” told me I did when I blacked out.
I never hurt anyone else intentionally or physically but I know I let my family down every single day.
I did a heap of stupid stuff that could/ should have killed me or at least landed me in jail.
I drove drunk nearly every single day and never thought twice about it.
I’ve been sober for over 16 years now.
It does get easier I can assure you of that.
Bill
Post by: KeithB on September 25, 2018, 08:32:00 AM
OK Keith, but like I said earlier, I haven't noticed any ridiculing.
A light post is not ridicule IMO, but there hasn't been too many of those either.
Most that mention their consumption habits have been talking about times gone by.
You're probably right Geoff. I think I'm perhaps being a bit precious here. Apologies to Bigfish and Gronk.
Keith
Post by: Beachman on September 25, 2018, 08:45:53 AM
We are all different and have all different views on Life and that my friends makes the world go around.
Post by: KingBilly on September 25, 2018, 12:28:54 PM
Respect to you all
Tink
Post by: Bird on November 07, 2019, 03:19:11 PM