ABIU to completely give up alcohol

[Cozytoesandtoast00]

I do not have a problem with alcohol.
I only drink at the weekends and have one or two glasses max an evening.
My issue is is that I've been diagnosed with depression and I sometimes think that even that small amount of alcohol has an impact on my mood. For example, I'm now watching tv all day today, rather than being active as I was in the week.
The thing is, I'm not sure it is the alcohol and often put it down to other things and I really enjoy a glass at the weekend!!
Anyway, Has anyone else noticed this?
And how did you feel when you have up entirely?

Alcohol is a depressant, it may help your depression if you give it up. Going tea-total helped my wife with her depression.

Thank you randomchap
I just thought that a glass of wine would not have an affect a whole day after.
Maybe you're right...

A couple of glasses of alcohol would affect her for a couple of days. It doesn't affect everyone the same way but if you feel it might help, try it. You can always change your mind.

Don't bother with alcohol free wine though, it's not worth it, never had a decent one

Thank you.
Good advice 😊

YANBU. If something entirely avoidable is contributing even slightly to your depression, it would be silly not to give it up. Nobody needs alcohol. I'm about to give it up too.

I don't drink much, max of 3 drinks a night if I do. But I think it makes me feel more "down" the next day, so I'm doing "dry May" to see if not drinking at all has a positive effect on my mood. So far so good.

I've cut dramatically down on booze recently (was a glass of wine a night type), and I find it has helped a lot with my anxiety and depression. And just overall wellbeing.

Am drinking Heinken Zero no-alcohol beer as then it feels like a drink, and you're not just having orange juice or whatever in the evening.

Plus turns out I prefer virgin cocktails to alcoholic ones anyway . Elderflower cordial with soda water is also lovely, or tonic water on it's own.

Out of nowhere I had a bout of severe anxiety last week, never experienced anything like it in my life. So I've decided to give up alcohol (not a big drinker anyway, maybe a glass a fortnight), but anything that could contribute to that feeling is out the door as far as I'm concerned as I never want to feel like that again.

I was completely total for 6 years and I loved it. I felt more alert, fresher and not bloated. Just try it and see how you feel, you can always have the odd drink socially if alcohol isn't a problem for you.

Well, you might as well try it :)

If it makes no difference, you can always start drinking it again.

I stopped drinking on 1st Jan this year primarily because of the way it makes me feel the following day. Yes hangovers are awful (especially when you're over a certain age) but it wasn't just that for me.
I have had depression & anxiety and alcohol exacerbated those dark feelings. I would feel so low with a hangover & it was taking a long time to get over the misery & self hatred.
I have always been a drinker, and at times a heavy drinker. And I can't ever have just one, I would get carried away every time I drank. But weirdly it's been fairly easy to give up alcohol probably because I know it makes me feel so absolutely crap.
I can't say I'll never drink again but I may not.

Thanks for all if your replies.
Yes it's true. I have nothing to lose in trying and I think I know deep down that I should do this.
NottonightJosepheen I'm hoping I can build up that mental resilience!
And another thing it takes so much energy deciding every weekend whether to have a drink!!
Watch this space, I'll update with how it's gone.

The Naked Mind by Annie Grace has stacks of brilliant info. Look up the Alcohol Experiment where you give up for 30 days and work out whether you want to cut down or give it up. She is very scientific, great experts, videos . Loads of info re the conscious and unconscious mind. If nothing els she is so interesting I think it would help you decide

Thanks Confusedbeetle
Will look that up!

I stopped in 2014, due to massive mental health issues. It was a lot worse the day after I drank, no matter how much I drank. It’s definitely helped all that. I’ve had it occasionally since then but not in the last year as I find I’m really not bothered by it anymore and much prefer the taste of Diet Coke! Waitrose also do some lovely alcohol free wine if you do enjoy the taste.
I found other people always tried to make me drink but find just saying “can’t because of health issues” gets the message across.

I’ve decided to quit drinking after overcoming ptsd and depression. I’ve picked up mindfulness etc. I just don’t feel I need it and don’t want to dull senses anymore good luck

I gave up alcohol last July. 10 months on, I don't miss it one bit. I don't miss the blues I would get, sometimes for a whole week after a particularly large night. I don't miss the guilt I would feel, missing family days out because I was too hung over. I don't miss spending all that money on a night out.
I love being sober. I love that it is the one thing in my life I appear to have some control over. I like being the odd one out. I love the admiration and curiosity it has brought from others rather than judgement. It has helped my anxiety and depression in some ways. But without the 'escape', in other ways I have had to deal with my mood in a more difficult and 'real' way.
I would highly recommend the book "The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober". Good luck!

YANBU. I believe there are many good "mocktail" (alcohol-free cocktail) recipes out there. You may like to give those a try.

I personally believe that everyone (especially those of us who have mental health issues - I have generalized anxiety disorder) needs to have something healthy that they do to relax. As long as it's legal and not harmful to you or anyone else, anything goes.

Me, I read or sew. Some people paint, draw, write, sculpt, build LEGO, exercise, walk, dance, do woodworking, join clubs or discussion groups, build models or puzzles, cosplay, etc. If you like pounding sand, seriously, get yourself a sandbox and POUND SAND. It doesn't matter what it is, as long as it works for you and isn't harming you or anyone else. Hubby likes to draw and update maps on the computer. If all else fails, he goes on Ground Zero and Ground Zero Two and pretends to blow things up with atomic bombs (Seriously, it's a thing. You can Google it.)