Could you give up drinking alcohol?

Don’t be silly, what else would people possibly drink?

Quackduck said:

I hasten to add I have never been drunk in the whole of my life. I used to drink in strict moderation and well within the recommended guidelines of what one should drink weekly. However, I used to take statins for a very high familial cholesterol level, which were damaging my liver, I was taken off them by my doctor. Although it was never suggested I should give up drinking, I decided it would be best if I did. I haven't missed alcohol one little bit, but I will probably have a small glass of wine on special occasions like Christmas Day.

Have other posters given up drinking alcohol?

Click to expand...

Bought nine mini bottles of Jägermeister the other week, it is made on herbs,

I had a cold thing that just would not go away,
did not seem to help though.

Maybe I should try a Jamiesons, it did the trick
a few years back.

I believe the Lord gently placed it on my heart not to drink, then He made me sick of it and took away my desire for it all together. Done deal, haven't had a drop since and don't want one. Just the smell makes my stomach flip.

Quackduck said:

I hasten to add I have never been drunk in the whole of my life. I used to drink in strict moderation and well within the recommended guidelines of what one should drink weekly. However, I used to take statins for a very high familial cholesterol level, which were damaging my liver, I was taken off them by my doctor. Although it was never suggested I should give up drinking, I decided it would be best if I did. I haven't missed alcohol one little bit, but I will probably have a small glass of wine on special occasions like Christmas Day.

Have other posters given up drinking alcohol?

Click to expand...

I've never really started drinking so it's not something that I have to put effort into giving it up. I have to be careful because a thimble full will make me tipsy. My dad collects tequila, they do come in amazing bottles but they taste like torture to me. The only alcohol I actually like are ones that don't taste like alcohol at all, but then you discover that they pack a punch after you already feel knocked out. I'm amazed you've never been drunk in the whole of your life! Wow. I have most of my life ahead of me and I've already had that happen, unintentionally. The only positive is that I'm fairly certain I'll never develop a habit because it scares me to lose control.

I do understand the challenge of giving up something you used to enjoy. I had to cut out coffee this year and it was seriously difficult.

I have stopped drugs and alcohol for a while now, and I feel much better. The bad news about getting sober... you get your emotions back. The good news... I got my emotions back. Now I can see how wrong I was in all that I did, but I'm doing much better now

Stanfordella said:

I've never really started drinking so it's not something that I have to put effort into giving it up. I have to be careful because a thimble full will make me tipsy. My dad collects tequila, they do come in amazing bottles but they taste like torture to me. The only alcohol I actually like are ones that don't taste like alcohol at all, but then you discover that they pack a punch after you already feel knocked out. I'm amazed you've never been drunk in the whole of your life! Wow. I have most of my life ahead of me and I've already had that happen, unintentionally. The only positive is that I'm fairly certain I'll never develop a habit because it scares me to lose control.

I do understand the challenge of giving up something you used to enjoy. I had to cut out coffee this year and it was seriously difficult.

Click to expand...

Obviously by your own testimony you have started drinking alcohol. The question is, can you stop it ? Don't deceive yourself, you either drink alcohol or you don't drink alcohol.

Quackduck said:

I hasten to add I have never been drunk in the whole of my life. I used to drink in strict moderation and well within the recommended guidelines of what one should drink weekly. However, I used to take statins for a very high familial cholesterol level, which were damaging my liver, I was taken off them by my doctor. Although it was never suggested I should give up drinking, I decided it would be best if I did. I haven't missed alcohol one little bit, but I will probably have a small glass of wine on special occasions like Christmas Day.

Have other posters given up drinking alcohol?

Click to expand...

I have given up drinking alcohol for Lent for the past ~25 years, and now that I am Eastern Orthodox, there are other fasts when I do not drink as well. But I have not given it up entirely. (I don’t drink heavily like I did in my college years anymore though.)

About a month ago, I stopped drinking alcohol in advance of a blood test. I have not drunk since, even though the test has been completed. Do not miss it a bit. However, I was a rather light drinker - perhaps 4 drinks per week. But I was quite a regular drinker - I would rarely go a week without a drink.

Again, don't miss it even in the slightest and plan to only raise a glass one rare occasions (e.g. at a wedding).

Quackduck said:

but I will probably have a small glass of wine on special occasions like Christmas Day.



Have other posters given up drinking alcohol?

Click to expand...

That's how my wife drinks.
Just a little occasionally.
I don't drink like that.
Been without a drink for 13 years -- sober.
Works best for me and many others.
M-Bob

I've been meaning to drink more - I bought a bottle of red wine a couple of years ago, but I haven't gotten around to starting a regimen of 1 small glass before bed. I just don't like it that much.

I would drink more if I went out more, but I'm a dreadful homebody/hermit.

We need something to dull our senses from everything that's going on in this crazy world. Alcohol is a good choice.

Had my last drink of alcohol in February of last year. Haven't touched the stuff since than.

Haven't had a drink since last night.

I enjoy a mixed drink before dinner. I like a Manhattan (ideally made with rye. But bourbon is good, too. Makers Mark is my go-to brand.) Or a dry martini (with either Tanqueray or Bombay Sapphire gin. Straight up, but icy cold. And, like James Bond, shaken, not stirred.) Having one cocktail before dinner is a relaxing and pleasurable part of civilized living. I’ll have a glass of champagne occasionally, but I’m not a wine drinker. Oddly, it makes me sleepy, whereas liquor does not. I’ve only been drunk twice. Which was many years ago when I was young and stupid. And the hangovers the next day were miserable—I could barely function. So fortunately, the way my body metabolizes ethanol keeps me from drinking excessively. (There’s evidence that alcoholics metabolize alcohol differently.) Not to mention that moderate drinking may confer some protection against cardiovascular disease.

OldWiseGuy said:

We need something to dull our senses from everything that's going on in this crazy world. Alcohol is a good choice.

Click to expand...

Or so they say,

“The water was not fit to drink. To make it palatable, we had to add whisky. By diligent effort, I learned to like it.” Winston Churchill

I would give it up but my master keeps filling my bowl up with it!

public hermit said:

“The water was not fit to drink. To make it palatable, we had to add whisky. By diligent effort, I learned to like it.” Winston Churchill

Click to expand...

Lady Astor: "You sir, are drunk!"

Churchill: "And you madam, are ugly. But the difference is that tomorrow morning I'll be sober."