Are you one of these people who stopped drinking forever and writes about it on the 'What one small change improved your life' threads?

[ferriswheel]

Just that. I'm really thinking of never drinking again. There are the obvious reasons but I'm thinking ahead to all the things I want to achieve in the next couple of years and think a t total headspace would be a better way forward. But the idea of never enjoying a glass of prosseco again seems a bit far fetched.

Anyway, a few threads over the last few months posters have said it was the best thing they ever did. Can you inspire and motivate me by explaining a bit more about it please?

I don't drink for no other reason than it didn't suit me. So I stopped flogging it. No stupid reflux, no stupid red face. I think I'm allergic to cheapo plonk tbh.

Didn't really change my life apart from turn me into designated driver. And that's fine, too.

Oh - I don't miss it. People give you the hmmm face at first but soon give up pestering. And those that tried to trick me got the heave-ho.

People tried to trick you into drinking?? @DonkeyOaty

I've had spells of giving up and everyone assumes I'm pregnant. It does make life easier I'm never having to think about driving, taxis etc. Also the cost!

I might stop after Xmas for a bit too.

I dint drink either, stopped when I had 3 little kids and hangovers don't go together

My life hast changed!

I don't write a blog either

Try cutting down of it bothers you, the older you get the worse the effects and the longer it takes to recover

Ive had about 4 pints of shandy & 1 bottle of wine in 5 years now.

Its lovely to wake up feeling fresh & my bank balance is not suffering.

I never drank a lot, but gave up about 6 years ago when I realised DH is an alcoholic. I didn't want to risk drunken rows as he has a real nasty streak when drunk.
It has changed my life: better skin, minor health niggles gone, lost weight... and I get so much more done. My decisions and memory of events is much clearer as well.
I had 2 glasses maybe a year ago, and it hurt my stomach for days.

Ooohhh and the money! Someone recommended an app the other day, what was it?

I drank and it never suited me - always woke up with overwhelming anxiety about what I did / said and feeling very low

Stopped over 5 years ago

Don't miss it, don't spend as much - assume I would be much bigger than I am if I carried on drinking!

Most people don't care if you are drinking or not

An app? What was it? I love a new app!

So if you did have a glass what was the occasion? I think I need a new almost-never drink rule. But I can't work out what would make the exception.

Something like I've done drinking? It tells you what you would have spent. Domeone mentioned it on another thread.

Yeah the money is also a good motivator. But I'm more excited about the healthy skin. Can anyone recommend a soft drink option that's not just a fizzy drink?

I stopped some years back completely. Now only drink occasionally. I love not having hangovers and not having that horrible feeling of what I'd done the night before.

I don't drink and haven't for years!
The best thing about not drinking it is it levels out your emotions and the emotions you do feel are real!

I made the choice to stop drinking when having my children, not missed it and didn't need it on nights out and loved waking up fresh!
I will drink when I choose to ie mulled wine at Xmas, weddings etc but only 1 or 2.

I am always the driver but suits me as I like driving and I'm usually one of the last to leave a party as I love a dance!

Do what suits you. I have friends that feel they need to have a drink on a night out otherwise they feel they are boring and want to go home, which makes me a little sad for them

I drunk, but not a lot (more this time of year). I could easily go weeks without a drink if there was no social occasion that warranted it. I would find it boring to go to certain parties without having a drink at least. Unless you’re an alcoholic or allergic to it, the occasional drink is not going to stop you achieving anything, surely.

I think I'd make much better use of my evenings, generally. And I definitely prefer to leap out of bed.

I’m giving up alcohol in january to break the habit, then I intend to drink in moderation, which I’m not doing right now. Dry January feels like I’m about to climb Everest in flip flops but I either do it or i don’t and carry on hating myself. Good luck

I drink moderately, the odd couple here and there. I don't drink if I'm under stress or down, I've been down that road. I work in a pub, and honestly it's the biggest motivator. I see reliance and denial every day and it's more worrying to me than those who get really drunk on special occasions.
I won't be doing dry January simply because that's when work slackens off and I can get together with friends and family for a meal and a few drinks.
I don't think there's anything particularly wrong in a couple of drinks after a hard day, but I do think when it creeps and you start making excuses to yourself then it's having an impact. I really respect anyone who can see that, and then do something about it.
Good luck to all of you doing dry January or indeed dry anything.

once you stop drinking, and spend a bit of time with the people you used to drink with, sober, you will see drinking for what it truly is. believe me you won't miss it.

I stopped drinking forever and it didn't change my life or save me money really.

The longer I go without the more I wonder why anybody else does it.

I was only ever a binge drinker who would drink to get drunk. I've always hated wine as it all just tastes like cider to me no matter the quality. I think these things made it easier.

my DH lost 4 stone, stopped sweating constantly and being bright red, blood pressure dropped, stopped having bad knees and became more even tempered. but he really, really drank a lot

I stopped too. It made no difference to my life really. I guess I sleep better after a night out and didn't get a hangover again.

Ferriswheel as you asked for drinks recommendations, if you want a drink that “feels” a bit like alcohol my pregnant friend loved Seedlip - it’s a bit like gin but nonalcoholic.

I agree with bendywindy. Once you stop drinking, you'll see it for what it is. A massive waste of money and an addictive habit that ruins your health, makes you act like a twat and passes on bad habits to children.

Other than that, it hasn't really changed my life aside from being able to eye roll at those who can't seem to enjoy anything without having some alcohol in their bodies.

I have been dry for 8 years, but that's because I have an addiction to alcohol and if drinking will drink huge amounts.
I either drank nothing or a full bottle of whiskey, I don't understand and cannot stick to having just a couple of drinks. I am tiny but could drink rugby lads under the table.

I began to worry I had a problem so thought I'd try a dry January. The pleasurable shock at the lack of hangovers and the huge amount of money in the bank at the end of the month confirmed I did indeed have issues with alcohol. And haven't had a drink since.

There are still times of stress/upset when drinking is incredibly tempting, but I know the hangover and days of self loathing afterwards are just not worth it. I can happily go to a pub/club and not drink, but if the bar has my preferred whiskey my eye will find it in seconds.

It's not the 'best thing I ever did', but it was the beginning of developing real (rather than surface) self esteem and confidence which in turn has enabled me to have a much better life.

I barely drink these days. The main difference for me is I can now drive more places and don’t have to rely on public transport or rides when I’m ready to go home.

The main reason for me stopping was getting really sick after a big Christmas party. It’s almost like my body will only tolerate a certain amount of alcohol as I straight from very tipsy to violent vomiting. Not my idea of a fun night out!

I did actually get asked if I was pregnant at a Christmas lunch the other day as I was drinking water. I laughed and took it as a compliment as I’m in my 40’s.

I did dry Jan to March and dry Nov this year. It really broke the habit. I used to love booze but increasingly it didn't love me (just getting older!). So I rarely drink now. I'm calmer and happier and a bit thinner.