30 Day Trial- No Alcohol

[recordrustle]

I have decided to give up alcohol for 30 days from the 6th July, because after reading this article on raptitude:
30 Days Without Drugs — Raptitude Experiment No. 3 | Raptitude.com

I thought it would be a good idea for me to see how I feel, save money, see how it is to go to a gig, interact with people in social settings without alcohol etc. I'm mostly worried about the weekend and if any of my friends will notice.
I'm going to do it and I'll update this every week.

[David Cain]

Right on, we can support each other.

I've had a few other readers tell me they're going to join me for this thirty days (including my mom.)

It will be interesting to see exactly how much resistance we face from other people in our lives. Some of my friends are heavy drinkers, and I know this will rustle a few feathers.

Can't wait to see your updates.

[Remiel]

Originally Posted by recordrustle

I have decided to give up alcohol for 30 days from the 6th July, because after reading this article on raptitude:
30 Days Without Drugs — Raptitude Experiment No. 3 | Raptitude.com

I thought it would be a good idea for me to see how I feel, save money, see how it is to go to a gig, interact with people in social settings without alcohol etc. I'm mostly worried about the weekend and if any of my friends will notice.
I'm going to do it and I'll update this every week.

What's going to happen when you go to one of those social settings and they start pressuring you to drink? What are you going to say to them?

[vilbara]

From Mindaugas tries to do not drink alcoholic beverages for 30 days - myNextHabit.com

There is no real reason to drink alcohol. I'm glad, that in my trial I had situations with social presure to drink alcohol. Now I know, that it is managabe to avoid alcohol in all situations, and will continue this habit.

Good luck with your trial!

[emeadow]

Most used line by my friends in social situations:

"oh, just one drink won't hurt"

Second most used line:

"they say a glass of wine a day is healthy for you, why would you go against that?"


It was hard for my friends to accept that I had removed alcohol from my life mostly because I did not want to be influenced by a substance anymore. But they finally stopped asking, and its much easier to spend time out now. I am sure because my mental conviction in the beginning to give it up 100% was not completely solid, and that allowed for the peer pressure to bother and influence me more.

[Eric Roosevelt]

I basically don't drink at all any more, except on very rare occasions, and it feels great to have broken free from that particular social convention. I don't think you'll regret trying this, recordrustle. Let us know how it goes for you.

[Inthon]

Drinking is almost always accompanied with smoking, low levels of communication and poor decision making.

You made the right choice, stick with it.

You don't miss what you no longer want - Charles Hugh Smith

[bluedragon]

When I stopped drinking for a long period a few years ago, I wasn't bothered at all by the peer pressure, although it was there, believe me. I even told my uncle and my cousin who were pressuring me, that I have read that drinking more than 2-3 units every single day is already classified in the field of alcoholism. They were embarrassed

However, what bothered me was that in social settings, I really felt the need for a drink to loosen up. I am not entirely sure that there is no reason to drink. But there is definitely no reason to exaggerate. If I drink often, it affects my mental concentration in the morning, it feels like my consciousness is walking beside my body and has trouble controlling it. However, I still drink a small glass of whiskey from time to time.

I know that from a chemical and biological point of view, there is probably no benefit to alcohol, but from an energetic point of view, I believe there is. In Chinese medicine, they sometimes use all kinds of wine to cure colds and other diseases. In the winter especially, for old people, they say that a little bit of alcohol "prevents 1000 diseases". I am still investigating since what I've read was mostly on the internet, but most sites that talked about the 5 elements nutrition said alcohol had its benefits if used wisely.

How about you? Don't you ever feel the need to drink alcohol without being able to attribute it to addiction and craving? Do you ever question the fact that one sip of alcohol or one shot of tequila for example could really have a positive effect on you in the right circumstances?

I would have no trouble refraining from drinking for 30 days of 300, if I believed it was the best possible decision.

[recordrustle]

Thanks for all your support everyone, its been going well (3 days so far!)

Originally Posted by Remiel

What's going to happen when you go to one of those social settings and they start pressuring you to drink? What are you going to say to them?

Well I've already had an opportunity to drink, I said nah thanks and then a comment from my flatmate "What are you going to do for fun??" in a somewhat jokingly manner. I jokingly said "Oh I'm gonna smoke heaps of weed instead". Then I said I'm doing an experiment and wanna see how I feel when I dont drink alcohol for an extended period of time.

I think its going to be harder when I get to the weekend and its habitual for me to have at least a beer with friends...I really like a good beer.

How are you going David?

[JRhodes]

I've very rarely drink. For many drinking is their primary way of socializing but I visiting a friend, or going to play sports. The rare occasion I do drink I don't get hangovers but I do feel very sluggish the next day. It's not something I'd want to do every weekend like some do.

[Said1]

I stopped drinking about a year ago, but had experienced long periods where I didn't drink, also. Most of my friends didn't care, but some of the heavier drinkers were almost offended. Not sure why, but whatever.

[Remiel]

Originally Posted by Said1

I stopped drinking about a year ago, but had experienced long periods where I didn't drink, also. Most of my friends didn't care, but some of the heavier drinkers were almost offended. Not sure why, but whatever.

I'd guess it is because they want people around them who are like themselves. It is alot like a highly negative person going positive. The highly negative friends get bothered by it because it is shaking up their comfort zone. It has little, if really anything, to do with you.

[findinginspiration]

I used to be a pretty heavy drinker back in my college days and for the first few years after. When you stop drinking and your alcohol tolerance fades, it really shows you the impact that drinking has on your body. Now if I have 3 or 4 beers at night, I definitely feel it the next morning.

I have found that my weekends are much longer and more enjoyable when I don't go out and drink a bunch of beers.

I applaud you taking on this challenge.

[zenmasterben]

I quit drinking more than two years ago... and I don't miss all the things that comes with it, like hangover

Good luck

[recordrustle]

Thanks findinginspiration and zenmasterben!

Well its the weekend, I went out for dinner, my friend got a beer and I quite felt like one too. But I didn't order one.
She offered me some but I said no thanks and then told her how I want to have a break. She said cool and that she wants to stop too!
I feel pretty good, I ended up having a jam (making music) and having fun. So its sweet...

[David Cain]

Yeah I haven't had any problems so far, but today is the first day of the first weekend. Let me know how your weekend goes.

[CoolBee]

You can do it

Did you see this thread
having fun- without alcohol...

[recordrustle]

Well the weekends been and gone, there weren't any gigs I wanted to go to so haven't been challenged in that sense.
On Saturday I went to the movies, before it I went out for dinner then to a specialty beer bar with my boyfriend. I told him my experiment and he joked about it but then when we went to the bar he asked if I wanted a coke or whatever so he didn't pressure me which was good cos this bar has extremely awesome beer. I felt slightly weird without a drink in my hand so I had a ginger beer.
I did get a txt from my friend saying to come drink at theirs and go this gig but wasnt in the mood for this type of music. I think if I went I would have found it hard because that would be the primary activity at their place, I think theres something on next weekend I'm keen for so I will probably end up at their place eventually. I can handle it.

It felt good to not be hungover on a Sunday, instead of going somewhere to have breakfast because i couldnt be bothered making something, i went to the supermarket to get stuff and made an awesome breakfast at home. Way more satisfying.

I think if I wasn't documenting this on the forum I would be way more inclined to drink so I'm glad I put it up here!

[David Cain]

Hey how do you feel physically? Any different?

[recordrustle]

hey

well David, dont really feel that different, i did have a headache (i hardly ever get them) after about a week into this experiment but i dont know if that was because i had a bit of a cold recently. mostly felt the same as usual though.
read your experiment log, good on ya for cutting out coffee and tea as well!

[recordrustle]

another weekend...and i still haven't touched alcohol.
it was challenging on friday night, i went out to a byo restaurant and my friends were all drinking wine. it was quite odd to be sober and see my friends drunk, i had a good time though almost better than other times when i've been having wine at byo places.
it feels like its been ages since i had a drink, its only been two weeks!
my mood is a lot better i noticed, like i have much more energy and less of my down days.

[tsjechov]

Well you are doing great! You really get more energy on water, it feels so great. Good luck!

[Beuford]

The only times I've ever drunk alcohol was when I was offered a taste of wine as a child. I intend on never drinking it.

[BlackFalcon]

If you don't go to places that people drink at, it won't be a problem.

[recordrustle]

BlackFalcon -"If you don't go to places that people drink at, it won't be a problem."

huh? i dont wanna deny myself things i enjoy because there are people drinking present. i love going to see bands play and stuff like that.
im not finding this challenge problematic, im finding that its an opportunity to experience things differently.

[oscardelben]

Originally Posted by Remiel

What's going to happen when you go to one of those social settings and they start pressuring you to drink? What are you going to say to them?

I would say: "I don't need to drink anymore". I used this phrase when I gave up smoking a few years ago. 2 months ago I gave up alcohol but nobody is telling me to drink.

[hkalchemy]

After years of trying, I quit alcohol (and smoking) almost two years ago. Once you truly WANT to give up something, it becomes very easy.

Giving up for 30 days as an act of willpower is a different thing, though, becasue you're always thinking of that day when you can have a drink (or a smoke or whatever).

Make it easy on yourself - decide never to have another drink again. Ever.

[recordrustle]

Today it is a beautifully sunny day and I really want to drink a beer. A nice cool glass of pilsner..sit on the lawn and just be. I spose I can just sit on the lawn and just be...

[ang569]

Originally Posted by recordrustle

BlackFalcon -"If you don't go to places that people drink at, it won't be a problem."

huh? i dont wanna deny myself things i enjoy because there are people drinking present. i love going to see bands play and stuff like that.
im not finding this challenge problematic, im finding that its an opportunity to experience things differently.

I think this is a very encouraging statement.

You seem as though you are standing firm in your new social role. I think that's great and just wanted to give you some fuel to keep on going. Great job!

[Jumanji]

This is great - I just started a 30 day trial without alcohol on the 10th of this month so I am almost two weeks in now. For me it has crept up and become a real problem so I decided I really could do without it. I really felt like a cold beer a couple of days back when I was tired after a hot day but I want to see the 30 days through.

I will check up on your progress and hopefully I'll be able to match it!