Christmas on the wagon

B

Bristolboro

Well-known member
anyone having a go this year?

I'm trying just to see if I can but it's making me realize how much alcohol is a part of our culture, especially at this time of year. People buy you booze as well, which is an extra challenge.
Anyway, let's hope the wheels don't fall off.

Any advice as the terrain gets more bumpy.. there's potential pot holes everywhere.
 
It ain't easy. Done it before and it sucked a fair bit. But then I habitually drink a fair bit.
Things that help.... having a reason/motivation not to drink (weight loss/fitness goals for instance).
Being aware of just how much money you save by not drinking ... and have a positive plan for what you might do with that money (tickets for Taylor Swift or whatever)
A wife that nags the **** out of you might help, or might drive you back to drink, depending upon your disposition.

This year I decided to go 80 to 90% of the way there. Mostly on the 0% stuff (which is good these days ... the ales, cider and guiness anyway ... the wines and gins suck.). I'm allowing myself the odd pint/glass of wine when out, socially. I'm finding that much easier than full blown cold turkey.
 
I’ve been pondering going teetotal for a while now.

Dry Jan planned and might extend it. I’m doing a lot of driving over Xmas so won’t be drinking as much as I usually do.
There was a time where I’d start on the champagne at 10am on Xmas day and pretty much not stop all day with some drink or another.
 
I haven't really been drinking at all this year, probably count on one hand... possibly two....the number of times I've had a drink. Last one before last night was Bradford away 😬

Tbh found it dead easy, and realised it was a habit. Don't drink on a school night, so had a few beers/wine Saturday/ Sunday. But as you get out the habit, it becomes easy.

I'll have a few drinks Xmas (not getting p*ssed up) then go back to knocking it on the head in January.

I didn't even go to the 0% stuff, just pop and cordial.

Good luck👍
 
As a very moderate drinker it does annoy me the attitude that some people have to non drinkers. The "just have one" thing. No mate, I don't want one, I don't need one, I can enjoy myself with or without the consumption of alcohol.

So a message to drinkers. Non drinkers are not judging you, they may have a very good reason not to be drinking, accept that, buy them a soft drink if you want but just don't make a thing of it.

Thank you.
 
Will be my 3rd sober Christmas, just don't think about it and just enjoy not even thinking about it. Loads of great 0% around now. The only potholes are the ones you create. (Wish I could have that thought everyday). If you have a drink, so be it, don't let it be a problem.

I'm lucky, people know I am not drinking and never have had the go on, just 1.
 
I wasn't a big drinker but gave up totally last new year. Felt so much better for it but had a lapse on my birthday in summer whenbsomeone bought me a bottle of whiskey. Felt like crap for a few days after and took a couple of months to get back to feeling like I was before. Not planning in drinking at all this Christmas, even managed to navigate the works night out drinking 0% stuff which is widely available in pubs now. Feel much calmer, alert and sleep better when not drinking.
 
I drink less at xmas, mainly cos I am one of those that doesn't like busy pubs, and I am a zero-xmas person - for me its time I can enjoy on my own, whilst others can do all the xmassing they want. I also dont drink much at home anyway, as I am aware I like & partake in social drinking 'just a little too much' the rest of the year. That said, my daughter has just dropped a delicious box of very strong & gorgeous stouts off......

IMG_20231224_151341550~3.jpg
 
I havent been a drinker for many years, I am not teetotal as I will enjoy a drink on a few occasions, but limit my intake.

I decided to give up drinking years ago when my kids were young, partially for health reasons. I always felt very low the days after having a session.

Mates have always respected my decision to not drink, I usually end up driving, but that isnt so bad as I know everyone gets home safe.
 
Muttley said:
As a very moderate drinker it does annoy me the attitude that some people have to non drinkers. The "just have one" thing. No mate, I don't want one, I don't need one, I can enjoy myself with or without the consumption of alcohol.

So a message to drinkers. Non drinkers are not judging you, they may have a very good reason not to be drinking, accept that, buy them a soft drink if you want but just don't make a thing of it.

Thank you.
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Works Xmas do last year, wasn't drinking.

People looking at you very strange when you have a lime and soda......with a free bar.

No, there is no vodka in it
No, I'm not driving.
No, I'm not a recovering alcoholic.

I don't need to get stupidly p*ssed up to enjoy myself. As it was, the night was shyte and I was back in the house just after 10........anyhow......

👍
 
Trying to make an effort to cut down this Xmas, but as said , there's so many pitfalls in the way , and the drink culture on Teesside is horrendous imo !
Might just have a couple of baileys, but might not .
 
Will be my 8th Christmas dry! I briefly fell off the wagon about 3 years ago, when I stupidly thought I could go back to been a normal drinker again!! Big mistake...as within a couple of weeks I was back to even worse than when I first realised I had crossed that line into addiction. Best decision I ever made was to quit that poison. At 60, I feel like a 20 year old again (y). Have a great Christmas everyone.
UTB
 
Uncle_Marbles said:
Will be my 8th Christmas dry! I briefly fell off the wagon about 3 years ago, when I stupidly thought I could go back to been a normal drinker again!! Big mistake...as within a couple of weeks I was back to even worse than when I first realised I had crossed that line into addiction. Best decision I ever made was to quit that poison. At 60, I feel like a 20 year old again (y). Have a great Christmas everyone.
UTB
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Well done mate. Congratulations to you.
Bar man : what's your poison?

Says it all really 🧐
 
I have just quit drinking for good so this will be a dry Christmas for me. It's not my first though, I stopped drinking for an entire year a few years ago. It's hard but if you have the right motivation it's doable.
 
Beverleyred said:
Well I’m out already! Just had a nice glass of single malt whilst watching the ⛄️ and the snow 🐕
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I hate that film. It came out after my dog had died just a week or two previously, as soon as it started the old dog looked like my old boy and I knew he was going to die. I was literally in pieces watching, there was a scene with an abandoned ball in the snow...

...never watched it since.
 
borolad259 said:
It ain't easy. Done it before and it sucked a fair bit. But then I habitually drink a fair bit.
Things that help.... having a reason/motivation not to drink (weight loss/fitness goals for instance).
Being aware of just how much money you save by not drinking ... and have a positive plan for what you might do with that money (tickets for Taylor Swift or whatever)
A wife that nags the **** out of you might help, or might drive you back to drink, depending upon your disposition.

This year I decided to go 80 to 90% of the way there. Mostly on the 0% stuff (which is good these days ... the ales, cider and guiness anyway ... the wines and gins suck.). I'm allowing myself the odd pint/glass of wine when out, socially. I'm finding that much easier than full blown cold turkey.
Click to expand...
I haven’t drank for a few years now, but I agree about none alcoholic Guinness. It really is exactly the same as the alcoholic stuff. I’m addicted to the stuff now.
 
I'm starting to cut down or even go cold turkey on the booze. Although decided after Xmas and new year.

I work away all week in a house full of blokes. So it's been a mare not drinking. I've put on nearly a stone since May. I don't eat any differently. So it's 100% the booze.

Knocking it on the head when we go back on the 2nd. Honest 😂
 
It is tough.

I have been doing something similar. I started on 6 November. Have lost getting on for a stone so far.

Went down to 2 small meals a day with a small snack in between.

Allowed myself two days with one glass of wine each day in the last week. Then allowing myself 3 glasses tomorrow, as a treat.

Then back to 2 glasses a week after that.

Set your own rules and stick to them.
 
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