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Original poster

Is anyone else just completely over drinking alcohol?

72 replies

BasinHaircut · 12/12/2021 08:25

I think I’ve just decided that I don’t drink anymore. Had a party last night and had probably a bottle of Prosecco.

Regretted even drinking at all before the end of the party, couldn’t sleep, and now feel like shit and I know I will all day and it’s such a waste.

It’s not beer fear, I was probably the most sober person at the party so know I’ve not been a knob.

I’m about to turn 39 and I think I am done. I know people will think I’m boring but I can honestly say I don’t care if I never have a drink again.

Don’t know why I’m posting this except that no one is up yet and I have no one else to tell!

OP posts:

TuesdayRuby · 12/12/2021 08:29

I’m up… suffering from a monster (non-Covid) cold
I was meant to go out last night for girls drinks but had to cancel. I had FOMO missing out on them! But I know what you mean, the hangovers at 39 do make you question whether it’s worth it anymore. Especially if you have young kids!! Oof

I think when you really know you’re done is if it’s Friday and you’re still feeling like your post above OP. Can you report back to us and let us know if you feel the same, or whether you already have a cheeky Prosecco in your hand

Wowcherarestalkingme · 12/12/2021 08:33

I rarely drink anymore (also 39). The last time I had more than a few drinks I spent the next day throwing up. So not worth it. I’ve never been a glass of wine with dinner or drink after work person anyway, but it really has lost its appeal to me. Possibly due to having young children as well means I can’t afford to waste a day feeling rough when I have to be up the next morning.

DukeofEarlGrey · 12/12/2021 08:36

Yeah, I’ve been the same for years now and so have most of my friends. I do feel like an anomaly sometimes but just don’t want to spend the next day feeling shit and possibly regretting something I’ve said, however small. At uni we based our lives around getting drunk and although it was fun I sometimes look back and wonder what we might’ve achieved if that hadn’t been the received norm!

DukeofEarlGrey · 12/12/2021 08:37

I’m 40 but have been this way for a good 5+ years now.

DropYourSword · 12/12/2021 08:38

I’m not over drinking alcohol at all, but I think it’s because now I can absolutely drink it in moderation. I’ll have one, maybe two drinks. No way could I drink an entire bottle now.

LadyCleathStuart · 12/12/2021 08:39

I've not had a drink since I was pregnant with my first child (who is now 8). I had never enjoyed it so pregnancy was the perfect excuse to stop and I just never started again.

I live in the West of Scotland and honestly being a non drinker makes me feel like a total pariah but I'm old enough to not care anymore.

TheLeadbetterLife · 12/12/2021 08:40

I’ve just turned 40 and I’ve all but stopped drinking. My hangovers last two or three days and make me feel depressed. I can’t handle it like I used to, and I’m fine with that.

andadietcoke · 12/12/2021 08:40

I stopped drinking 3.5 years ago for 100 days and never started again. Anyone whinging about me not drinking is happy enough with the taxi service I provide and most of the people I socialise with now have only ever known me as a non drinker. AF options are so much better now, and for me it's the best choice - better sleep, less irritable, anxiety infinitely more manageable. I did have a really unhealthy relationship with alcohol though in terms of dependency for a good day / bad day etc.

Iggly · 12/12/2021 08:41

Yes, the more aware I am of the consequences, the less I want. We had a work Christmas lunch last week and I only had one Prosecco and even then I wasn’t sure why I bothered.

blissfulllife · 12/12/2021 08:42

I'm nearly 50. I used to enjoy a couple of glasses of wine of a Saturday night. Now even one glass gives me broken sleep, anxiety and a headache next day. I just listened to my body and stopped. The rare occasion I do have a glass I soon remember why I don't anymore. I used to miss that relaxed warm feeling while watching a movie with dh but you know what...a hot water bottle does the same thing 😂. Ffs I'm getting old lol

Thegreencup · 12/12/2021 08:43

I can take it or leave it now.

It also depends on what you're drinking. I wouldn't go anywhere near wine or Processeco because I know it will give me the hangover of death. Even in my teens and 20s, I couldn't drink wine without being ill.

Thegreencup · 12/12/2021 08:44

FWIW, my DH also cannot drink any lagers because they give him an awful headache.
So I do believe some people just can't drink certain beverages.

UnsolicitedDickPic · 12/12/2021 08:45

Me! I used to be a big drinker but only do so intermittently now. I had a relatively big night out a few weekends ago & whilst I enjoyed myself at the time, I could've had a similar night without the booze & the next day was a complete right off. I don't drink in the house anymore. Not a conscious decision, more an evolution. I will say that ex-DP is a drinker and that has contributed to my scaling back.

yougottasmilesobright · 12/12/2021 08:46

Yeah me! The thought of Xmas and the nights out has got me seriously thinking about quitting next year. But I know I'll never be able too.

crosbystillsandmash · 12/12/2021 08:47

Me!!

I've always been a heavy social drinker, bottles of lager, cocktails, lots of Prosecco etc but since hitting 50 I've had to accept that anything more than one small drink makes me feel ill for days!

I do a lot of socialising with my close friends, mainly at each other's houses and it's been a long process but I'm finally comfortable with being the non drinker of the gang!
They are also very lucky when we go 'out out' as I now always drive to ensure I don't cave and have an alcoholic drink!!

Tamtam86 · 12/12/2021 08:47

I have just been thinking exactly the same thing!

I'm 35, and we hosted a festive gathering last night with friends, and they are always quite boozy, but this year when I was getting everything ready I was looking forward to seeing my friends and the food etc but just had no desire to drink alcohol - in the end I did drink just because it's what you do (stupid I know!), I didn't go crazy and don't feel too bad today but not 100% and yes, just wish I hadn't and don't really have any desire to do it again. I'm thinking dry January might be the kick start I need this year!

EXEMBER · 12/12/2021 08:48

Me! I'm done! Can't do it anymore.

My other half (see what I did there) on the other hand still has an entire bottle if wine every night and most nights a g&t also.

He's a bore.

Actually - he's quite abusive and bullish, I've come to realise.

I'm not sure I really like him now I don't drink.

Hmmmmm

ssd · 12/12/2021 08:48

Im older than you op but feel the same. But i miss being able to drink. I know how nice a cold glass of rose wine is with friends, but i cant actually have one now.

Its rubbish!!

Valhalla17 · 12/12/2021 08:50

Well you had a WHOLE bottle of prosecco. Its a bit much. I do 2 glasses and drink slowly over the course of an eve, and glass of water before bed. You need to know your limit....or yes, stop drinking.

HolidaysAreHolidays · 12/12/2021 08:53

I feel the same OP. My drinking is now problematic. It's a couple of times a week, sometimes 3 times but I drink a lot on those nights. I've spoken to my partner and we are going to take a break for the month of January and try to reset . I feel my health could be better.

EnrouteNOTonroute · 12/12/2021 09:01

Unless it’s really really good wine with dinner or an excellent (and likely very expensive) cocktail then I don’t bother. It’s not worth it for me.
I can’t be arsed with Prosecco. I drink non alcoholic beer because it doesn’t give me a headache.

BuddhasBigBelly · 12/12/2021 09:01

I went Tee Total Sep 2020
I was quite an obnoxious, sweary mess when I was out and I'd had a few, plus I was drinking way too much at home so I decided to stop after about 32 years of heavy drinking
My mental health is great, I have more money, I've not been a twat and I wake up every morning looking forward to the day
I totally recommend it

BuddhasBigBelly · 12/12/2021 09:04

Read some 'Quit Lit'
Very informative and quite the eye opener when it comes to the evils of booze and how it can affect every aspect of your life

dudsville · 12/12/2021 09:06

I've massively cut back, started with dry January a few years back, this year I did dry Jan until March. Then throughout the year I've had regular alcohol free weeks, it felt good. Then I bought a crate of good quality wine, and yesterday I popped one in the fridge and it was empty by bed time. I haven't done that in a decade. I'm so ill and I've tarnished the enjoyment of the wine. Looks like dry January will be starting early this year.

FindingMeno · 12/12/2021 09:08

I've rarely drunk alcohol for a few years and stopped completely almost a year ago.
I can't think of one nice thing about alcohol any more.
After my youth splurge on alcohol I've always been a bit of a lightweight. Plus I've seen the devastating effects of alcohol on others I know.

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