To become teetotal for this reason?

[DuckDuckGoose1984]

I’ve never had an issue or bad relationship with drinking alcohol. I don’t drink frequently and never on my own.

But when I do, I’ll have one or two pints. I never feel particularly tipsy and never drink too much. However, I always have a banging headache the next morning! No matter how many I’ve had.
I went out with work last night and I had just one pint of cider. Coincidence maybe but I have a pounding headache this morning. I don’t feel hungover or sick. I drunk a pint of water before bed as well.

This is the only issue I have.

I think I could go teetotal, but I do like having the odd drink at occasions and I feel I would miss it. I also feel a bit dramatic giving it up completely when I don’t drink much anyway.

Has anyone else done this?

Some people have allergies to alcohol or some of the ingredients in a drink. If not allergy then intolerance. If you choose not to drink, or only a small occasional then your choice.

If you are in Scotland think of the money you are depriving the government of!

Whatever you want to do is a valid reason. You don’t need to justify it. Alcohol is a poison so your body is reacting - and it’s worse if you’re not used to it. A heavy drinker wouldn’t notice the after effects of one pint but that doesn’t mean it’s ok. I don’t drink at all and I love the freedom from hangovers, it’s very liberating.

Why do you need a reason?

If you don't want to drink anymore just don't. Loads of people are teetotal - it's totally normal these days.

You dont need any reason at all to not drink. Alcohol is a carcinogen and technically a poison. Since I hit my 40s even one glass of wine makes me feel shit the next day and affects my sleep so I dont drink any more. Its lovely waking up feeling great every morning and my skin is glowing.

Try a glass of wine or a cocktail with clear alcohol (vodka, gin) instead?

I have recently - because I wake up with horrible muscle pains. It’s just not worth it. And I bloody love a drink. 😡

but hey, it’s and easy thing to do…

You can drink as little or as much as you want, the fact that a small amount gives you a raging headache the next day would be reason enough for me. Cheap wine makes my head pound. I'm basically teetotal 85% of the time. I drink if out for dinner or with friends. Partner is teetotal so rarely drink alone.
You don't have to declare it to the world if you don't want to, just decide if the consequences are worth it. "I'm not drinking tonight, doesn't agree with me at the moment" will suffice if you need to have a reason.

My friend gave up alcohol for the same reason and it’s also why I drink rarely these days.
Well, actually not quite the reason for me, one or two and I feel tired the next day but 3 or 4 often leads me to feeling absolutely rotten - I don’t mind if the event is worth the next day being written off but generally I just don’t bother.

DH has given up for the same reason. We think he's allergic to the Sulphites.

Op maybe have an alcohol version or a shandy??? Then you will still feel like you are having a drink but hopefully no after effects x

Why do you need to go 'Teetotal'
Like why the end to label yourself anything?

It's not a club you get a badge for or kicked out of if you have half a Guinness.

Just don't drink if you don't want to.
Drink if you do.

There, sorted.
Hth

I also feel a bit dramatic giving it up completely when I don’t drink much anyway

LOL why? unless you are planning on making some big announcement on social media or putting a notice in the local rag, how is it dramatic just to not drink? If I find bread gives me gut ache and bloating, I wouldnt say it was "dramatic" to stop eating it. I'd say it was sensible.

Maybe try alcohol free?

I am tee total. Similar reasons to you. I've never been a big drinker, but really feel it the next day f I just have one or two and I don't think its worth it.

For me, it is easier to not tell work colleagues I am tee total. Weird, I know but for some reason work colleagues (in my experience) seem to be more hellbent on enforced drinking than friends/family.

Because of this I have found that it is easier to just say "I feel like something non-alcoholic today" or come up with something the next day that I need to be up early for. I know I shouldn't have to come up with an excuse/hide it but it seems to be the only way of having the same conversations about why/having people call me boring. 🙄

Edited to also say that I agree with PP. Just because you are tee total, you don't need to call yourself that, and I recommend that you don't! It does come off as a bit "holier than thou", and if on the odd occasion you want a glass or half a glass of something to toast a celebration, you will end up with more questioning! Just go ahead and either drink/not drink and don't overthink it or make it part of who you are. 🙂

I think I could go teetotal, but I do like having the odd drink at occasions and I feel I would miss it.

Since drinking isn't a big part of your life, I think you could easily decide on a case by case basis - 'is having a drink tonight worth feeling crap tomorrow?' rather than 'going teetotal' for the rest of your life. Even alcoholics looking to quit are advised to take it one day at a time.

I'm drinking less and less the older I get because it isn't worth feeling rubbish the next day for the sake of a couple of pints. I just don't have the tolerance that I had 20 years ago.

it seems to be the only way of having the same conversations about why/having people call me boring. 🙄

Yeah I never get the boring accusations, there is literally nothing more boring than listening to someone who is pissed rambling on repetitively about their boorish views with their beer breath in your face

Yes I’ve never felt better since i gave it up completely. Alcohol is both a poison and an addictive drug which has been normalised by society.

Not the wine because of the sugars causing headaches but liquor is alot cleaner😉

It's never been my experience that tee-totallers are seen as boring.

Maybe it's an age/generation thing as I don't think alcohol is as popular amongst teens etc. these days.

This is how I have approached it.

Maybe it's an age/generation thing as I don't think alcohol is as popular amongst teens etc. these days

I think you're right- less young people drink now as health and fitness (gym/yoga etc) is very popular on instagram and social media in general. But I definitely have experienced comments when out but not drinking - eg "Oh come on- just have one, dont be so bloody boring" etc.. I suspect that people who feel very uncomfortable about others not drinking have issues themselves because otherwise why would it bother them, someone else not drinking doesnt affect them in any way.

I have up drinking years ago for that same reason. It just makes me so ill.

I used to get so ill with alcohol, then i swapped to gin and tonics and started to wake up completely hungover free now. I don't drink often, 3/4 times a year, but I can drink anything now as long as I have glass of tonic at the end, I'll be absolutley fine the next day. It's really weird.

You never need to justify going t total imo

You don’t need to justify; but cider is the absolute worst for hangovers; def steer clear. Maybe try a bottle of corona instead or a g&t like some pp suggested