Alcohol: do or don't?

zeebs · Post by **zeebs** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 11:51 pm

Dang. I think that I don't like drinking anymore. I think I am going to quit. Thoughts?

ladycattat · Post by **ladycattat** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 1:17 am

Boy Howdy, Zeebs,that's a big ole can a worms?
You don't give the reason you're not liking alcohol....is it health reasons, or because you are using it to excess as some sort of escape?
I take meds so I am not supposed to drink, but I will admit, a couple of nights a week I will have a martini or a glass of wine. Usually it is to wind down from a crazed day as a SAHM. I know I really *shouldn't* have my cocktail, but if it saves Mommy from having a meltdown.....LOL.

If you feel you *need* to stop, you know of course of all the resources that are available. If you need to vent, you can PM me, I have walked some pretty slippery slopes in my life.
And forgive me if I am reading something into nothing.
Laurie

Xarata · Post by **Xarata** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 1:59 am

yeah that's a really loaded question... I think there's a lot of bkg info missing- are you talking about drinking with friends, drinking as a habit (like a glass of wine every night), drinking in excess...there's a lot of situations in which people drink alcohol, some of them are normal and perfectly healthy and some are not. I guess the best answer to your question is that if it's negatively affecting your health (physical, psychological, social) then you probably shouldn't drink.

If you just don't enjoy drinking, then why drink?

Post by **karen** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 2:05 am

There isn't much of a down-side to stopping. It certainly makes Sunday mornings more pleasant. If you need help we're here for you, or can at least point you in the right direction.

~*mikie*~ · Post by **~*mikie*~** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 5:59 pm

As one who walked away from it 20+ years ago & never looked back, I've never regretted my decision. I can get stupid enough on a glass of water,LOL; who needs something spiked?

mikie

lcash · Post by **lcash** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 11:37 pm

Hi, Zeebs,
People don't usually ask that question unless there's a subconscious reason to look at one's drinking patterns. I did some fair drinking in my youth (it was almost a requirement in the military when I first joined) - to be part of the crowd. At best, I was the designated driver, at worst I was miserable the next day. I was lucky - could have been much worse. I don't find that ETOH helps in socializing all that much - my behavior is much more socially appropriate when my inhibitions are under control. Since moving to a very conservative state 13 years ago, I've found that drinking isn't worth the high prices or having to buy alcohol at a state liquor store only open during banker's hours. My total consumption is probably 2-3 glasses of wine/year. My vice is sweets. There's just no comparison between the calorie intake of a couple of mixed drinks and a yummy brownie sundae. Despite many indulgences over the years, I've never been stopped for Driving Under the Influence of Chocolate! My recommendation is this - try no alcohol for a period of time, maybe 2-4 weeks. That will help you determine if drinking is all that important. It may require lifestyle changes though. In the military, I worked with servicemembers with drug and alcohol "incidents". They found abstinence to be very difficult when they spent all their time in bars! Good luck with your decision, and be sure to ask for support if you need it! We gals need to be there for one another, come rain, shine, alcohol or mmu addiction! Have a great Labor Day weekend. L.

zeebs · Post by **zeebs** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:37 pm

Thanks gals!
No, I don't have a drinking "problem". I always behave myself, even if I am completely drunk - I might slur or stumble but it's always in a good-natured, trying-to-keep-everything-together sort of way. I generally stop after two, or three on a party night. BUT... I think it might be exacerbating my migraine headaches. Just wondering if anybody else had strong opinions on booze cause my whole family is full of strong opinions on booze.

lcash · Post by **lcash** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 7:39 pm

My son experiences migraines - and has chosen not to drink. He found the alcohol triggered the headaches, regardless of how much he consumed. Again, some experimental voluntarily sobriety may help to determine if this is the case for you. Lauren

Post by **karen** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 9:04 pm

Booze can be a trigger- when I worked at a winery there were people who just couldn't drink certain reds because it would trigger them. Beer gets me every time- even if it's just one (no big loss).

Yes- alcohol can be a touchy subject in family's. My Mother doesn't drink, never really has, and can't stand to see anyone tipping a bottle.

Aeriel · Post by **Aeriel** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 9:09 pm

Since alcohol is basically a poison, it's hard to see how you'd lose much by limiting your consumption of it, or eliminating it completely. I think many people have strong feelings about drinking (or not drinking) because those of us who have the potential to be alcoholics can make life very, very unhappy for the rest. There are few people whose lives haven't been touched, and not in a good way, by someone who has a drinking problem.

OTOH a glass of wine or a drink is a pleasant way to unwind and socialize. IMHO the ideal would be to avoid alcohol most of the time, but to be able to take a drink on those occasions when I'd like one. Since I can't limit myself to that, I've chosen not to drink at all. I miss getting an alcohol buzz, but I sure as hell don't miss the other effects of drinking.

Alcohol: do or don't?

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