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06.05.20, 16:54 PM General Topics
43 replies
Anyone on who gave up drinking. I did a few days ago, surprised how much I think of it at dinner and crave it. How long until this goes away? TIA [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
General Topics 06.05.20, 04:54 PM Flag
 

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No, but I want to. I never want to have just one drink. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 04:57 PM Flag
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Also, I feel drinking is a lot worse for you than we are acknowledging. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 04:59 PM Flag
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I agree which is why I decided it was time to stop. I watched a documentary about what alcohol does to your brain and I was shocked. Not getting drunk, just having a few really effects your brain. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 05:34 PM Flag
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what documentary was that? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.06.20, 12:12 PM Flag
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Me neither. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 05:35 PM Flag
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I gave it up 20 years ago and sometimes I still crave it. at a dinner party. or when I see young people at a cafe on a Friday afternoon. I really loved drinking [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 04:58 PM Flag
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PP: That's also what I love the most, social drinking especially outside in warm weather. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 05:01 PM Flag
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I gave up smoking about 20 years ago too. I also still crave that sometimes. When I'm 90, I'm going to sit outside with friends and have a beer and a smoke. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 05:03 PM Flag
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NP: I quit when I turned 30. I'm 47 now and just finally stopped having those dreams where I'm smoking (it was literally every night for a while). The week before the COVID shutdown in NYC I bummed a cigarette off of a coworker and it was GLORIOUS. Ironically, being thrust into a pandemic with a virus that attacks the lungs made me thankful I had quit. But, seriously - I think about that cigarette alot. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 05:12 PM Flag
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Did friends treat you differently? I'm concerned about how I am going to be greeted in a social setting now. Everyone I know drinks socially. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 05:37 PM Flag
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No one will ever notice if you don't point it out. No one cares as long as they can still drink. And all my friends drink. Mostly, I am an inspiration for friends who may be considering giving up. I have never had a negative reaction. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 06:39 PM Flag
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This. I quit drinking 20 years ago (I had terrible migraines and was eliminating things from my diet). In 20 years, only two people have ever said anything, and my friends are all social drinkers. No one cares if you don't make a big deal out of it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 07:22 PM Flag
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Same. I do not drink but go to bars with friends and nobody cares. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.06.20, 10:33 AM Flag
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Friends didn't, but my social life changed. At around 11pm, I'm ready to go home. In old days, I'd be opening another bottle. But -- that's middle age too [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 07:22 PM Flag
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I agree about the damage it does, my mom had dementia pretty early on, giving up drinking is one of the ways I take care of my brain health. Plus I don't really get the stress relief that I think I am going to get from having a drink (or 3). I always think it sounds like a good idea but then I just feel groggy really. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 05:08 PM Flag
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I still crave it sometimes but the longer you go and better you feel it becomes easier. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 05:09 PM Flag
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Thank you! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 05:36 PM Flag
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I gave it up for health reasons. The habitual desire went away after a few days but the psychological triggers still happen months/years later. I was not an alcoholic but I enjoyed drinking and still miss it at times. I really crave it when I’m cooking dinner on the weekends with dh and he’s having something. I tell myself, if I really want a drink I can have one after dinner. And I never do. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 05:21 PM Flag
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I also love cookind and drinking with dh [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 05:22 PM Flag
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Np: me too [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 06:51 PM Flag
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Ya know, sometimes I feel high and mighty for having absolutely no desire to drink... then I remember my weed habit. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 05:42 PM Flag
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+1 [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 06:29 PM Flag
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Still better. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 07:37 PM Flag
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It feels like there needs to be an inbetween program for drinking that isn't 100% never drink again. I mean, is that just only drink 1x a week? I know I can give it up entirely if I need to, but I don't believe I'm an alcoholic. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 05:58 PM Flag
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I replied below and have this to add - you don't have to be an "alcoholic" to decide to quit drinking. I think that kept me from quitting for so so long. In fact, I remember hoping I would never become an alcoholic - because that would mean I would have to quit drinking. And I loved drinking. There is no reason you need to quit drinking, other than your life can be so much better without it. I never would have believed that, but last year (the year I quit) was the best year of my life for just that reason. Good luck! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 06:36 PM Flag
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Thank you so much for your post! I am separated with two young children. I have a lot of decisions to make of the next year and my life will change dramatically. All for the better. Although I am not an alcoholic, I have lately been drinking every night. I like to work out and want to have a clean life without alcohol and be of clear mind. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 11:02 PM Flag
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Good for you - you can do it! I can't believe I worked out so much and ate so well and still drank for so long. I knew deep down that it was the one thing holding me back. As an added bonus, I've lost 15 lbs and look and feel great. Quitting drinking also helps you be more there for your kids. I was always trying to get through bedtime, bath etc so that I could have a glass of wine, and now I am much more present. That will mean a lot to them as their worlds change this coming year. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 11:22 PM Flag
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Thank you for your thoughtful reply! I appreciate it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.06.20, 11:24 AM Flag
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I did about a week ago cuz I’m getting fat and trying to make a change [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 06:03 PM Flag
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Same here [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 06:43 PM Flag
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it will really help you lose weight not just because of the calories you won't be ingesting, but also, it'll help eliminate your sugar cravings. good luck! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 08:48 PM Flag
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Thanks. I hope so! Gained 10 lbs on top of 15 from pregnancies/aging so have a long way to go. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 09:26 PM Flag
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Are you adding in supports to help you or just trying to white knuckle it. I ask because I tried over and over to quit, but would crave a drink come Friday and then give in. Once I put supports in place and really changed my attitude it became almost effortless. I read This Naked Mind, the blog Tired of Thinking About Drinking and a bunch of other sober blogs and podcasts. It's been about 18 months now and I wish had done it sooner. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 06:31 PM Flag
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^^^ I also like this statement that I read the other day: "“Believing the lie we are sold that you have to hit rock bottom before you quit drinking is like accepting that your only choice is to find out how bad things can get. It isn’t. You don’t have to go there—you can pivot right now and instead decide that you want to see how good things can get. Which one sounds better to you?” [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 06:32 PM Flag
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I'm so happy for you! I don't have any supports but in life I typically am quite strong willed when I want to be. I gave up coffee a few years back and have not gone back, which is shocking to me as I loved it! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 11:04 PM Flag
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try to replace it with a seltzer water with lemon or tea after dinner. I love wine with dinner too, but I found that the feeling passes. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 08:45 PM Flag
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I gave it up for about a year and a half. After 30 days it got much easier. But then after a year, it got much harder again. So I went back to moderate drinking. Since I have experienced long bouts of not drinking, I realize that drinking is never the answer to having a bad day, stress, celebrating etc. I never feel better after drinking. So I really pick and chose carefully when I do drink. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 09:13 PM Flag
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You can do it! I don't have a drop Mon-Thurs and then savor my glass of wine or beer come Friday evening. Its almost time! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 09:41 PM Flag
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Gave it up 2 weeks ago. I take notice of when I crave it, and how long the craving lasts. I find it passes after not too long, and that nice, clear-headed feeling in the mornings is what's keeping me going. Stick with it! You got this. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.06.20, 01:25 AM Flag
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I agree. I almost two weeks in and the habitual part of drinking has subsided. I also find the current situation the perfect time to stop drinking. The lack of parties and sitting at an outdoor cafe with friends certainly helps! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.06.20, 11:26 AM Flag
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I have Been cutting way back over the couple years. More successfully at times than others. But for me, I think the first 2 weeks is the hardest. Once you get past that it gets easier. Outside of few glasses of wine on a couple occasions I haven’t been drinking during quarantine and I am not really even thinking about it. Although now that the weather is getting nicer, the rose and summer cocktails are about to come calling. I’m going to try to keep it up though. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.06.20, 01:39 AM Flag
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Late to your thread but gave it up 3+ years ago. I would say the cravings lasted a few months. I ate so much sugar that summer! I’ll watch this thread if you have questions. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.06.20, 11:59 AM Flag
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My in laws are nearly 90 and have been drinking since young teens. They are in amazing shape for their age. Very active sailors even now. I doubt they ever binged even once but one drink a day, usually their gin and tonic or wine. I am amazed it seemingly hasn’t affected them. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.06.20, 12:47 PM Flag
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