6 months sober

[Bubbs]

I've made it 6 months alcohol free. The only drug I've taken in the past 6 months is lemsip. I no longer smoke weed/tobacco and seem to have no vices anymore.

For anyone thinking about giving it up then I would personally recommend doing it. My reasons for quiting were various:

1) horrible 3 day hangovers
2) finding I couldn't remember my weekends at all, memory was shocking. Almost as if they didn't exist.
3) find I needed alcohol to be comfortable in many situations.

It was the third point that really made me stop as i noticed that a friend of mine who's never drunk in her life never had any issues with feeling uncomfortable in any situations. And it occurred to me that since I was 14 I have drunk through every moment where i have felt uncomfortable and I was unconsciously relying on it. However by relying on it I was sidestepping the opportunity of personal development and becoming comfortable and confident in my own skin while sober.

So.. I put it to the test and stopped the alcohol and force myself into going to clubs on weekend and dancing, or going to team building events which are rebound for being a huge piss up with strangers and getting on with things. I'm not going to lie, it's been very fucking hard having to put myself out there without a safety net but I've come through the otherwise feeling more confident and comfortable than I've ever felt in my life. Shocking how alcohol can inhibit your personal growth.

Spent New Years totally sober and I can honestly say I didn't notice any difference in the fun I had. Still talked shit, still had a blast, still stayed up until 4am, but I awoke and remembered the night, I had zero hangover, and confidence that inbuilt keeps growing.

Funny because if i read this post 1 year ago I would have dismissed it instantly because I never questioned the drink. It was my companion and kept me feeling warm and buzzy in any situation... Feel like ive seen the light.

I don't consider myself a teetotal person and keep saying I will drink if I fancy it but that urge seems to be dying every month and I finally feel strong without it.

Anyhow thought I'd share as i am feeling great. Anyone else on here living a substance free life?

*written on iPhone so auto correct may have screwed some of the words up.
____________________
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

[cromwell]

Congratulations mate that's a great achievement. I've noticed in the last few months I've been drinking less than I used to, not really sure why, the way I've felt today has made me realise that when I do drink I should probably not hit it so hard.
Anyway well done mate.
____________________
"unbelievable"
Current - Suzuki Bandit 600
Ex's - Yamaha YBR 125

[Clutchy]

Genuine cool story bro.


I was saying the other day, I just cant be bothered to have any alcohol when this non-alcoholic drink just tastes so much better.

Recently gone off everything other than beer!

Well done to you though, bet you've saved some money?
____________________
Malaguti F12 Phantom-Dead, Suzuki AY50- Dead, NRG power DD LQ, CBR125.
*33 BHP restriction up on 10/12/14* Current bikes/car: SV 650 S/ MKIV GOLF
Guide to pass your test with no lessons!

[Shaft]

Good for you and I really mean that.

I consider myself fortunate that I know I'm an addictive personality, so I've stayed away from most drugs, but nicotine and alcohol are big weaknesses for me.

I was doing quite well with booze, but I've suffered a serious setback in the last couple of weeks, although I'm sure I will get over it quite quickly.

Fags will take a little longer, but I will succeed this year, unless I win the lottery, then I will take up smoking very expensive cigars
____________________
Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
WooHoo, I'm a Man Point Millionaire! https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234035

[sulphur]

Congrats lad! Big achievement mentally.

I'm lucky enough to not be arsed about drink. I could happily take it or leave it. In fact, until last week I don't think I had a drink for near 4 months. Mrs is completely T-total. She managed bars and restaurants for near 10yr, so she's seen enough to put her off drink for life haha.

Fags on the other hand, something she's struggling with giving up. She'll get there in the end though.

Bet your bank isn't taking such a hammering anymore.

[Bubbs]

Cheers guys,

Yeah I have a lot more money. Struggle to figure out what to spend money on anymore! All my money used to go on drink, drugs, fags... Now I'm trying to figure out what to do. So saving up for a bike.

Also another side effect of non drinking is weight loss, no longer eating kebabs/pizzas/curries/other snacks. None of my trousers fit anymore. Bonus!
____________________
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

[Pete.]

Seriously, well done. I've never been a heavy drinker, nor smoked, nor done drugs but one of my close family is alcohol-dependant and is completely closed-minded to any external assistance. I live in hope of the day he finds the strength in him to help himself.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[haroman666]

Well done. It would take a lot of bottle (Or lack of ) to do what you've achieved. I doubt i'll ever do it myself.

I appreciate the benefits of not drinking/taking drugs, but they don't outweigh the enjoyment I get out of it (at this point in life).

My hangover's last for never longer than half a day.
Memory... Doesn't seem to be a problem: I forget where I leave my phone/keys every now and then but that's normal for most people.
I'm a very socially awkward person, even before alcohol or drugs entered my life: And since, I feel my social life and skills are better off for it (Even when sober).

Intoxicants also gives me a subject matter that I can nearly relate to with anybody. Many of the people I socialise with or meet at parties are not interested about what I have to say about my ride down the A1 from home. Or that I haven't had my drum kit set up for 3 years. Or that I went on mountain bike holidays in the past... The only 3 subject matters (Motor/Mountain bikes and drums) that I have any opinion or interest in are all redundant with most people. So when drink comes up; that can easily fill 15 mins of awkward smoking conversation, which to me is better than pretending to be interested/knowledgeable in what everyone else is talking about for hours.
____________________
The mistresses: 2000 Honda CBR600f, 2000 Honda VTR1000

[BTTD]

If you research the definition of alcoholic you'll find that the opening post fulfils the definition. My original perception of an alcoholic was someone who is constantly necking bottles of vodka all day long and completely out of control, but the medical definition is more subtle (and accurate).
I only became aware of this when a mate admitted to his addiction, so I looked into it to try and understand what he was talking about. Like the OP he used drink to give him his confidence in social situations - and when you're young nobody thinks anything of it. He's now in his late 30's and he was still drinking like we did in our early twenties. It was easy to say that he was drinking too much, but none of us (his mates) really appreciated that he had a serious problem - he'd always liked a drink and it didn't really seem like anything had changed. Some of his mates still don't get it, and tell him that he's not a real alcoholic.
In hindsight it's robbed him of a huge part of his life.

[Bubbs]

[pike]

[Dave-the-rave]

I went to a party and stayed there for
23 years. By then the party was taking
place in the gutter. Yesterday I was
9 years clean & sober.

Keep it up Bubbs you're doing great.

[J.M.]

That's impressive, well done

I'm not dependant on alcohol, I don't go out drinking all that often to be honest (I don't go out that often to be honest), but I'm very uncomfortable in the situations that you used to use alcohol to cope with, so I admire how you're going in to them without a safety net now. Must be difficult but rewarding!

I need to do something to work on my confidence some time, like you're doing now. When I first joined BCF I was even scared to reply to posts
____________________
2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[J0Al1]

Cool and inspiring.

I am on day two hangover from NYE. It was a really fun night, I remember 'most' of it, but the parts I don't remember leave me uncomfortable, andparanoid.

Hangovers are hidious things, I've had more than my share and now I'm through with them. I'm too old for nights I don't remember (not that they are often these days). The way booze can make you behave is just not worth the risk.

I too used to smoke and drink because I was too shy to cope otherwise.

After a couple of months detox I am going to limit myself big time! My body has been calling to me for a while now to drop it or ease right off.

Anyway, well done, I completely understand.
Bloody good job.

[Knightsy]

https://fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/291/c/c/ccd6e0fdf4a096fecdd33be75032f634-d311hg6.jpg
____________________
09' Versys 650 | 07' FJR1300A

[el_oso]

good for you. If/when you drink/smoke again you'll really appreciate them more when consumed from time to time.
____________________
Duke 390
Previous: '05 XR125L | '96 XJ600S Diversion |'05 Suzuki GSXR1000 | '05 Honda CBR125-R | '97 YZF 600R Thundercat | '11 Honda CBR250
Car: Jeep Wrangler 4.0L

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Yeah nice one OP. Fwiw I only drink (beyond a bottle of beer) about once every six weeks or even less frequently. The next day reminds me why. Nowadays a hangover means weird guilt-bound depression through most of the next day (it's far from unusual for me to ring around and see if I need to apologise to people - I never do, but the fact that I get so convinced that I do made me pretty much swear off the stuff cos, basically, it was fucking with me too much).
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[Jayy]

Nice one! I've been alcohol free for about 3 years now. I have the odd drink, and I mean very odd like a can of beer or a glass of wine depending on the occasion.

Don't really touch drugs anymore either for a good 3 years as well. I have a little dabble in Ket but that's it.

Just given up smoking, which is my only real vice. It's so hard but I'm using one of the electric things to ease the suffering.

[pepperami]

I honestly mean this, and I`m not trying to be self righteous, but it`s nice to hear of folk who dont feel the need to be absolutely wankered when they have a drink .

Working in the clubs & pubs for a long time has really put me off getting drunk to such a state.
Also It makes me feel ill .
Dont get me wrong, I like a sherbert as much as the next guy, but I cant get my head around being that wankered.

I have some loooverly bottles of Scotch sitting at home but dont feel the need to drink them right NOW! and they will last well into the later part of this year .

A little of what you like wont hurt you (generalisation) works for me.

ps : cool op
____________________
I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[waffles]

Well done Bubbs, it takes courage to admit you have a problem and then to lay it all out there on the interwebs too. Hope you have a happier, healthier and now richer 2013!
____________________
Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[james1988]

Good effort there Bubbs! I'm thinking of stopping drinking in pubs and clubs but mainly for fiscal reasons. I brew my own beer and I've recently found that there is nothing in my local that I like any more or want to pay for.

Over Christmas, I drank a some total of 10 pints during the 13 days I had off work. The majority of them were bought when I was down the pub. The day after Boxing day I had some sort of revelation and decided that I really couldn't be arsed with the getting twatted culture and drinking in the pub 'because it was the thing to do' so now I've stopped it.

I don't ever envisage myself being completely teetotal but I'll be cutting right back from now on. You'll be pleased to here, your story has been a bit of an eye opener and has inspired me more to stop drinking in pubs.

James

[chrisw]

[Flip]

Good isn't it. I did 4.5 months sober but had a few pre planned nights on it at Christmas. Best thing I ever did. I didn't realise how much time and money was being wasted due to beer. (Or how much of a dick I was too live with) . Life is just easier now. I'll have a few more sober months now. Drinking responsibly is fun. Who knew?

[Bubbs]

[Red Devil]

Well done

I’ve just started a sober January which I decided to do on new years day, got myself in a right state on NYE and really regretted it. Need to give it a rest after drinking a lot over the Christmas period, might try carry it on to my birthday in March.
____________________
Thundersport Pre-National Sport 600 2014 #92
EMRA Roadstock 600 2013 - 3rd
www.facebook.com/MattJohnstonRacing