vernon
Harder than Ronnie Pickering
- Location
- Meanwood, Leeds
I don't need an excuse to drink nor do I need an excuse to stop. I drink when I feel like it. I abstain when i feel like it. Pretty normal behaviour I guess.
Alcohol free Christmas
- Thread starter The Brewer
- Start date
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I don't need an excuse to drink nor do I need an excuse to stop. I drink when I feel like it. I abstain when i feel like it. Pretty normal behaviour I guess.
It looks to me like you have the problem . I find this a lot with my friends , they comment on my lifestyle but their own problems come to light with what they are saying .
It does make me smile when people think I have the same problems as they do .
BigonaBianchi
Yes I can, Yes I am, Yes I did...Repeat.
- Location
- Iskele TRNC & Mordor UK
...and my problem is??
You wear lycra and think you look good ?
Custom24
Über Member
- Location
- Oxfordshire
To the op, yes it does get easier. This is my third christmas since I went tee total. The first one I had my arm twisted into sharing a bottle of wine, but that was the last time. It is ironically an easier path for me to travel to be tee total than to try to keep it to a sensible amount, because of the inevitable arm twisting from friends and family. That's mainly my weakness, but it's also easier to just say no and mean no.
The other thing that gets easier is missing the booze. In my case, I found that all I was really missing was the taste of the first sip, be it wine, beer or whiskey. After that first sip, the taste can never for me be recaptured, probably because of taste and smell receptors being saturated or something. I can live without that first sip taste.
I have mixed feelings about whether I miss the feeling of actually being intoxicated. On balance, there have been more occasions in my life where being intoxicated has caused me problems, I think, than merited by the dubious enjoyment of it.
Going back to the taste, it is true that there are few interesting beverages with the same level of tastebud interest. Alcohol free beers are actually ok, and this Christmas I have found that dealcoholised wine, available from Sainsbury's, makes decent mulled wine, and is fairly interesting as a drink in its own right. It's quite an unusual and refreshing feeling, having had a glass, to be completely neutral about having another,
The other thing that gets easier is missing the booze. In my case, I found that all I was really missing was the taste of the first sip, be it wine, beer or whiskey. After that first sip, the taste can never for me be recaptured, probably because of taste and smell receptors being saturated or something. I can live without that first sip taste.
I have mixed feelings about whether I miss the feeling of actually being intoxicated. On balance, there have been more occasions in my life where being intoxicated has caused me problems, I think, than merited by the dubious enjoyment of it.
Going back to the taste, it is true that there are few interesting beverages with the same level of tastebud interest. Alcohol free beers are actually ok, and this Christmas I have found that dealcoholised wine, available from Sainsbury's, makes decent mulled wine, and is fairly interesting as a drink in its own right. It's quite an unusual and refreshing feeling, having had a glass, to be completely neutral about having another,
Aperitif
Meme bar
- Location
- ...I don't have much idea - really.
Pale Rider
Legendary Member
Almost no booze for me for about two years after too many years of heavy drinking.
This year, my consumption has been couple of pints of real ale while staying at my brother's lodge near Shrewsbury in the summer, and a bottle of lager on Christmas night in a hotel in Sheffield.
I enjoyed the real ale, but not the lager.
If I wanted to drink more, I would, although there's no denying I am pleased with myself for drinking so little.
The only problem I have is on the rare occasions when I socialise for several hours at a time, I get fed up - and close to physically sick - of diet cola.
Never occurs to me to try other soft drinks in a pub, that might be a legacy of my alcohol days when a man drank the beer he drank and everyone knew what it was.
This year, my consumption has been couple of pints of real ale while staying at my brother's lodge near Shrewsbury in the summer, and a bottle of lager on Christmas night in a hotel in Sheffield.
I enjoyed the real ale, but not the lager.
If I wanted to drink more, I would, although there's no denying I am pleased with myself for drinking so little.
The only problem I have is on the rare occasions when I socialise for several hours at a time, I get fed up - and close to physically sick - of diet cola.
Never occurs to me to try other soft drinks in a pub, that might be a legacy of my alcohol days when a man drank the beer he drank and everyone knew what it was.
paul04
Über Member
I don't drink at all, I remember when I got my 1st car at 17, and my dad saying to me "don't drink and drive"
When I was young I did enjoy having a car, knocking around with mates, modifying cars, then girls came along,
Then family life, looking after the kids as they was growing up, driving the car here, there and everywhere.
Now kids all grown up, the car was sold and now cycling and photography occupy my time
When I was young I did enjoy having a car, knocking around with mates, modifying cars, then girls came along,
Then family life, looking after the kids as they was growing up, driving the car here, there and everywhere.
Now kids all grown up, the car was sold and now cycling and photography occupy my time
BigonaBianchi
Yes I can, Yes I am, Yes I did...Repeat.
- Location
- Iskele TRNC & Mordor UK
And the problem with that is?
citybabe
Keep Calm and OMG.......CAKES!!
- Location
- Lowestoft Suffolk
I stopped drinking a couple of years ago. At the time I was quite capable of finishing a bottle of JD over the weekend and every weekend.
I've gotten to the age where hangovers can last 2 or 3 days and I was fed up with feeling $hitty.
I can't say I miss drinking at all and I feel better for waking up with a clear head
I've gotten to the age where hangovers can last 2 or 3 days and I was fed up with feeling $hitty.
I can't say I miss drinking at all and I feel better for waking up with a clear head
I gave up years ago and it's one of the best things I ever did.
You see people rolling into work looking like crap, unable to function for a few hours and feeling ill,
where as I ride to work and get loads done by the time they've recovered but each to their own as I always say.
You see people rolling into work looking like crap, unable to function for a few hours and feeling ill,
where as I ride to work and get loads done by the time they've recovered but each to their own as I always say.
- Location
- Somewhere wet & hilly in NW England.
Nasty addiction - I cry inside when I see families torn apart by alcoholism.
***
From about 8-20 years of age (mid 60's to mid 70's) my mum, brother and I were witness to the ravages of this condition.
I have vivid memories of my 2 years younger brother and I sitting up on the landing in the early dark hours listening to my parents screaming and fighting downstairs - we used to sit there huddled together crying as my mum was systematically beaten by my alcoholic father.
This went on for years maybe 3 -4 times a week. My poor mum was always bruised and battered. Why she 'stuck it out' I'll never know - she is long dead now.
As time went by my brother and I became the target of the physical abuse and it was tough to deal with - he used to punch us, kick us and spit verbal abuse.
The Police came and went, came and went, came and went, they never really did anything - I don't think Social Services really existed back then.
I remember the worst night was when I was about 14. Around 2 in the morning it had been going on for hours. My mum had been beaten, my 12 year old brother had taken a couple of heavy punches and I had been headbutted and was bleeding from the temple. We were all in the kitchen and my mum had been boiling a kettle of water. She suddenly picked it up and threw it at my father - he screamed as the water hit his chest (he was wearing one of those white mesh vests men used to wear way back and he coudn't get it off so he just burned and burned). I remember that scream well. I remember his skin reddening and blistering and then I remember his rage.
We had a huge tropical fish tank in our kitchen and my father put his fist through it and then there was the surreal sight of all these brightly coloured fish flopping around on the kitchen floor. Amidst all the mess and violence I remember wondering if the fish could be saved - I felt sorry for them.
My still screaming father then grabbed a knife from the kitchen drawer and tried to stab my mum with it and then something just snapped in me.
I was quite a big 14 year old and I remember jumping onto my father's back and down he went hitting his head hard on a radiator - I remember three things, his scream, his blood and his snot. My father was snorting mess everywhere. Blood was puddling on the floor.
I held him down around the throat for what seemed like ages. My brother was kicking him. My mother was punching him. He was thrashing about. It was a slow motion nightmare. I wanted him to die.
Fortunately the neighbors had called the Police who at that moment just crashed through the front door. They came in and they calmed things down and took my father away for the night.
As I say, an awful night. We were still in shock in the morning and I remember my mum keeping us off school for the day.
This went on and on for years. Until the night my brother (who by then was a very large and strong young man) witnessed a savage attack on my mother. I was not at home that night.
I later learned that my brother had 'dealt' with the situation. My father left home the next day and never returned. To this day my brother has never spoken of what happened the latter part of that night.
Initially my father went to live with his own mother and many years later died as a homeless alcoholic in a municipal park. What an end for a highly intelligent and artistic man.
I smiled when I learned of his death. I still smile now when I think of his death. Don't judge me too harshly for this.
***
I have reams of this stuff in my head - it sits in a little box that I rarely open.
But every so often something like this thread prompts a look inside. Four decades down the line and it is still painful.
During my life I have occasionally come across families dealing with this problem and as I say it makes me want to cry inside.
I mainly get upset about any children that are involved - I think of the nightmares, the 'why us' and the longing for sleep and quiet and some kind of normality. I think of a lost childhood. I think of what could have been.
***
It's a slippery slope this addiction. It starts with occasional amusing tipsy-ness. It manifests in 'he's the life and soul of a party' and this becomes a background to your life and then........ it imperceptibly accelerates and accelerates and then one day you find yourself facing a pop-eyed, salivating father who is coming at you with a broken beer bottle.....
I guess I'll just stop there.
***
I have little time for drink. I have even less time for people who drink heavily.
I like to hear stories of people that have had the courage to recognise that their drinking is becoming excessive and have been able to stop. Especially when young families are involved.
It makes me smile for the children....
***
From about 8-20 years of age (mid 60's to mid 70's) my mum, brother and I were witness to the ravages of this condition.
I have vivid memories of my 2 years younger brother and I sitting up on the landing in the early dark hours listening to my parents screaming and fighting downstairs - we used to sit there huddled together crying as my mum was systematically beaten by my alcoholic father.
This went on for years maybe 3 -4 times a week. My poor mum was always bruised and battered. Why she 'stuck it out' I'll never know - she is long dead now.
As time went by my brother and I became the target of the physical abuse and it was tough to deal with - he used to punch us, kick us and spit verbal abuse.
The Police came and went, came and went, came and went, they never really did anything - I don't think Social Services really existed back then.
I remember the worst night was when I was about 14. Around 2 in the morning it had been going on for hours. My mum had been beaten, my 12 year old brother had taken a couple of heavy punches and I had been headbutted and was bleeding from the temple. We were all in the kitchen and my mum had been boiling a kettle of water. She suddenly picked it up and threw it at my father - he screamed as the water hit his chest (he was wearing one of those white mesh vests men used to wear way back and he coudn't get it off so he just burned and burned). I remember that scream well. I remember his skin reddening and blistering and then I remember his rage.
We had a huge tropical fish tank in our kitchen and my father put his fist through it and then there was the surreal sight of all these brightly coloured fish flopping around on the kitchen floor. Amidst all the mess and violence I remember wondering if the fish could be saved - I felt sorry for them.
My still screaming father then grabbed a knife from the kitchen drawer and tried to stab my mum with it and then something just snapped in me.
I was quite a big 14 year old and I remember jumping onto my father's back and down he went hitting his head hard on a radiator - I remember three things, his scream, his blood and his snot. My father was snorting mess everywhere. Blood was puddling on the floor.
I held him down around the throat for what seemed like ages. My brother was kicking him. My mother was punching him. He was thrashing about. It was a slow motion nightmare. I wanted him to die.
Fortunately the neighbors had called the Police who at that moment just crashed through the front door. They came in and they calmed things down and took my father away for the night.
As I say, an awful night. We were still in shock in the morning and I remember my mum keeping us off school for the day.
This went on and on for years. Until the night my brother (who by then was a very large and strong young man) witnessed a savage attack on my mother. I was not at home that night.
I later learned that my brother had 'dealt' with the situation. My father left home the next day and never returned. To this day my brother has never spoken of what happened the latter part of that night.
Initially my father went to live with his own mother and many years later died as a homeless alcoholic in a municipal park. What an end for a highly intelligent and artistic man.
I smiled when I learned of his death. I still smile now when I think of his death. Don't judge me too harshly for this.
***
I have reams of this stuff in my head - it sits in a little box that I rarely open.
But every so often something like this thread prompts a look inside. Four decades down the line and it is still painful.
During my life I have occasionally come across families dealing with this problem and as I say it makes me want to cry inside.
I mainly get upset about any children that are involved - I think of the nightmares, the 'why us' and the longing for sleep and quiet and some kind of normality. I think of a lost childhood. I think of what could have been.
***
It's a slippery slope this addiction. It starts with occasional amusing tipsy-ness. It manifests in 'he's the life and soul of a party' and this becomes a background to your life and then........ it imperceptibly accelerates and accelerates and then one day you find yourself facing a pop-eyed, salivating father who is coming at you with a broken beer bottle.....
I guess I'll just stop there.
***
I have little time for drink. I have even less time for people who drink heavily.
I like to hear stories of people that have had the courage to recognise that their drinking is becoming excessive and have been able to stop. Especially when young families are involved.
It makes me smile for the children....
Last edited:
Well done OP. I like a drink, especially in the summer, I stop each New Years day for a period, last year was my record, April 6th. I remember it well, flew into Catania, unpacked went for a stroll, saw a bakery that also sold 1 litre of wine for 1 euro, straight from the barrel into old water/pop plastic bottles.............. will try again in 2015.
hondated
Guru
- Location
- Eastbourne East Sussex
OMG you certainly sparked some memories there for me. First of all I am sorry to read that you had such a wretched childhood. Why you struck a nerve in me was that whilst my parents were not anywhere nearly as violent as your dad they too had alcohol filled violent arguments when I was a child. Like you when I want to I can still hear the screaming shouting and smashing of plates against the wall in my mind. Sadly my mum came from a family that drank alcohol as often as you and I might drink tea or coffee and it never helped her becoming a bar maid either.
Thankfully what it did for me having drunk moderately in my teenage years was to put me off of drinking alcohol.
But 42 years later I find myself with the assistance of AA supporting my son giving up drink. In a few days time he will have abstained for a year so that's some achievement in my eyes. However this being his first Christmas without having a drink has been difficult for him so if any of you too have struggled all I can say is just keep persevering and you will overcome your need for alcohol I am sure.
Well done to everyone that has managed to give up drink this year and for those of you still struggling just reread this thread and read how much better those that have managed to give up feel now,
Thankfully what it did for me having drunk moderately in my teenage years was to put me off of drinking alcohol.
But 42 years later I find myself with the assistance of AA supporting my son giving up drink. In a few days time he will have abstained for a year so that's some achievement in my eyes. However this being his first Christmas without having a drink has been difficult for him so if any of you too have struggled all I can say is just keep persevering and you will overcome your need for alcohol I am sure.
Well done to everyone that has managed to give up drink this year and for those of you still struggling just reread this thread and read how much better those that have managed to give up feel now,
