Is there anyone here who gave up drinking alcohol completely?

[PVD99]

Obviously many of us know that it's hard to avoid drinking, especially in social situations where EVERYONE else is drinking. Then it gets to the point where people around you are drunk, and that's not really fun if you're sober. I think maybe I'm just done with the bar scene. I've just noticed that when I drink, I feel awful the next day (even if it's not even THAT much)... so maybe I should give it up completely. :haha:

[veniqe]

What are you drinking?

Are you mixing your drinks?

How much are you consuming?

[pisces2473]

I don't really drink, but that's because I'm not in many social situations. I wouldn't refuse a drink, if I wanted one, but mostly, I'm fine with water.

[embrassezla]

If I have one beer before bed without drinking a few glasses of water afterward, I get a headache the next morning that can last for 36hrs.

Drinking is usually not worth it to me. My tolerance is LOW. But I do have a drink every once in awhile, when I know I have plenty of time afterward to dillute it in my blood :rolleyes:

[Winter Storm]

I'm not at all ready to give up alcohol by any means. I'm having too much damn fun.

As for getting sick though, I've learned what drinks make me sick, namely mixed ones (ugh!) and steer clear of them, I also make sure to have some food in my stomach beforehand. I'm able to get adequately buzzed and rarely hungover.

[cheshrcarol]

Obviously many of us know that it's hard to avoid drinking, especially in social situations where EVERYONE else is drinking. Then it gets to the point where people around you are drunk, and that's not really fun if you're sober. I think maybe I'm just done with the bar scene. I've just noticed that when I drink, I feel awful the next day (even if it's not even THAT much)... so maybe I should give it up completely. :haha:

I actually never these problems. I don't mind not drinking when everyone else is. Usually I have to drive wherever we've gone that there's alcohol and I don't really need to get a DWI. And my friends aren't college aged (or wishing they were) party-ers any more, so no one's drinking themselves stupid. And I have to drink A LOT to be so hungover that I'm sick the next day.

[wordsmith]

I find that the less frequently I drink (which is just not super frequently, in general), the more sensitive I become to headaches from the dehydration from the alcohol. Which sucks, because it's like, "Okay, I don't have a hangover from two beers, but I do have a raging headache." This is combatted for me by making sure I'm downing water to match the alcohol. But I'm rarely out drinking even a moderate amount unless it's a special occasion/celebration.

[winneythepooh7]

I have a really low tolerance these days so one drink can get me either very tipsy or very tired, so I don't drink that much, even in social situations. I don't want to get inebiriated in Manhattan anymore because I can't just hop in a cab and go home........I live too far now and have to take a train, whenever it's scheduled to arrive. My friends on the island live far from me, so I don't drink much either to avoid the DWI thing..........

[SmilesSoSweet]

I started drinking at 19, stopped when I was 21 and picked it up again about 23. I drink on occassion. And I usually drink like crazy when I'm drinking with my cousins! :p

[mishl982]

Usually getting really sick after a night of drinking is enough to make me want to abstain for several weeks. :p I have tried quitting just to save money and calories , not because I needed to control myself or something, but haven't had much luck. I'll probably have a crazy night once a month or once every other month.

I'm not really the type to have hangovers, but I hate wasting the next day just being tired and worthless to the world. Fortunately my "bad" drinking nights are pretty rare.

[weary]

i've never really tried to give up drinking but i think that's b/c i've never been that much of a drinker in the first place. even when i was going through my *wild* stage, i preferred sex over drugs/alcohol! :0

of the people i've known who are social or even heavy drinkers, none have successfully given it up for long. i know 2 ppl who've given it up for life, but they were certified alcoholics and went through AA and the whole 9 (thank goodness).

[Kitty]

My boyfriend did. I think he gave it up completely at 30 and hasn't touched a drink since. He did it mostly because his Dad is an alcoholic and he didn't want to end up down the same path...and just didn't want drinking in his lifestyle.

[Winter Storm]

I'm not really the type to have hangovers, but I hate wasting the next day just being tired and worthless to the world.

Yeah, that was so me yesterday. I was out drinking Sat. and slept in til 4pm yesterday and nearly missed the whole day. I was trying to hard to get out of bed but the exhaustion kept knocking me on my ass :0

[pisces2473]

went through AA and the whole 9 (thank goodness).
I thought it's 12? :p

[meatwad]

"I had half my liver removed once and, I'm not supposed to drink, but...I do." -Happy Time Harry

I didn't start drinking until I was 26. I still don't drink that often, but I'm old enough to handle it without letting it become a problem, unlike my brother who started drinking when he was like 17 and can't get through a day without downing half a case of beer.

[meatwad]

I thought it's 12? :p

She was wasted through three of them and doesn't remember. :D

[pisces2473]

She was wasted through three of them and doesn't remember. :D
LOL by "9" she meant the whole nine yards.

[veniqe]

I never used to be a big drinker. One or two drinks would be enough for me.

I mean, eish, I'm a nerd. Nerds don't normally drink. I only started when I was 20.

But. My motto is that I don't trust teetotallers..

[wordsmith]

I can put away quite a bit of beer for a nerdy goody two shoes.

[aggiegrad05]

I've gotten to the "I'm just over it" point too. Now when I'm out with friends, I'll start with a mixed drink, have a couple of tonic water and limes, and then maybe have another mixed drink if they're still going strong. I know what you mean about everyone else being drunk while you're sober though. I've found that if you're in a chill, laid back kind of bar, it doesn't make as much of a difference if they're all wasted and you're not. Plus I think it's kind of fun to watch them get all droopy eyed and stupid :p

[veniqe]

I'm too nerdy to even drink beer. How many can you drink?

[meatwad]

I'm too nerdy to even drink beer. How many can you drink?

Like, eight...uh...teen.

[allie1105]

My drink of choice is red wine...yum! There is nothing better with dinner than a nice glass of Pinot Noir or Shiraz. I have one glass with dinner every night. If I am going out "drinking" (which I don't do much anymore), I am a martini girl. One or two and I am good to go. If I opt for a beer,which happens once in a blue moon, its usually a Hoegaarden or Magic Hat #9.

[Winter Storm]

My drink of choice is red wine...yum! There is nothing better with dinner than a nice glass of Pinot Noir or Shiraz. I have one glass with dinner every night.

Oh, I've become a red wine chick, myself. I'll often have a glass just home chillin' by myself. Right now, I love pinot noir, shiraz, merlot and chianti.

But if I'm going out, its usually beer and shots.

[Kitty]

I don't really drink alcohol unless I'm out for a nice dinner, it's a special occasion, or I'm partying.

I don't drink it at home or on a regular basis for caloric reasons.

[SmilesSoSweet]

I have yet to acquire the taste for beer. I don't want to. I will drink an occassional hard cider every once in awhile especially if I'm at a brewery type restuarant.

I don't drink any wines either. And maybe just a couple sips of champange, but that's it. I drink mixed drinks, but I don't drink them too often either.

[veniqe]

There's this fabulous new concept in SA. Yeah, I know, we're always behind with everything.

It's a place where you buy a swipe card, load it with as much money as you want, and buy wine with it. You can choose if you want a full glass, half a glass or just a sip. A sip is roughly the same amount you'd get at a wine tasting.

It's fantastic cause in this way, you can taste 4 or 5 different wines, for the price of one normal glass anywhere else.

We try to go there once a fortnight. They also have free olive oil and bread!

[EmberMae]

I don't really drink much at all, never have. I only like sweet drinks, no beer or wine for me, and I could do without the alcohol in those really. My fiance doesn't drink at all, never has. He doesn't like the taste and he has known some alcoholics which turned him against it.

[and1grad]

I cant find a drink I like enough to want to pay as much as they cost. Plus I often have a lot of fun with friends after they've been drinking. I accidentally knocked one of em over the other day but I told him that he only fell b/c he'd been drinking. He couldnt dispute it. *shrug*

[meatwad]

We try to go there once a fortnight.

Is it a short carriage ride from ye olde castle?

[wordsmith]

I'm the reverse. It's super rare that I'll mess with cocktails. I love beer, and my dad is a winemaker, so I'm a fan of that, as well...but either is as likely as not to produce headaches.

[Kitty]

i don't get hangovers either and I can drink A LOT. Probably comes from the fact that I have a lot of alcoholism in my family.

[old_school_soul]

Is it a short carriage ride from ye olde castle?

Go easy on the damsel before I best thee with mine sword!

[old_school_soul]

I'm considering abstaining till May.. Starting today, LOL. I don't see the point in ever completely stopping, even "alcoholics" should learn moderation.

[wordsmith]

I don't see the point in ever completely stopping, even "alcoholics" should learn moderation.

I think that's a pretty personal individual decision best left to people who know their own will, limitations, and addictive behaviors.

I don't intend to ever rule out alcohol, but I'm also not an addict. If I were, I wouldn't see any merit in attempting to learn moderation.

[veniqe]

Oh, thank you for protecting me from the ruffians, Old_School_Soul!

Modern DID's (Damsels in Distressneed) all the help they can get.

[meatwad]

Go easy on the damsel before I best thee with mine sword!

Nay mine friend! Forsooth, that mine steel should rend the flesh from your bones!

[AshleyJordan]

I've never had a problem with drinking and so never considered giving it up completely. I do, however, have a good friend who is a real PITA when she drinks (see my New Year's Eve thread,) and have only been able to salvage our friendship by telling her that I'll only see her at totally "dry" events. This is a little unfortunate because most of the events either one of us frequents involves alcohol, but better than a) shutting her out of my life b) putting up with her absolutely intolerable drunken outbursts.

[bridgetjones]

I'm considering abstaining till May.. Starting today, LOL. I don't see the point in ever completely stopping, even "alcoholics" should learn moderation.

Hooray hooray the first of May ye may want to wait 'til after St. Patty's Day!!!

Well I like to drink and can drink alot without hangovers. Except for tequila. Oy... However I mostly drink on weekends and moderately most of the time since it is a) expensive and b) fattening.

However if you are an alcoholic then I guess you might not be able to control yourself. Kinda like Doritos and me... :0 Cannot stop at one... :0

[sondra_finchley]

I never really got into the drinking-till-you-puke thing but at the same time Ive also found over the years that I am really sensitive to wine (fall asleep with one glass) or beer (blood sugar shoots up and I get massively irritable). Alcohol ( usually beer or wine) also messes with my sensitive sinuses or I have an allergic reaction to some preservatives in some beers but not others which equals a headache that is out of this world. Newcastle Brown Ale, I fear thee.

Oddly enough I can drink mass quantities of hard alcohol and not feel anything or have any of the reactions above, though I do still feel like I need to run a 10K or something the next day because my system feels all haywire. So- I socially drink when it comes up and tend to have beverages that have a mixer thrown in so its watered down a little. But- those occasions dont come up much anymore, so Ive effectively retired from the bar for the time being. :P

Interesting to note- my family for the most part are hard alcohol drinkers- martinis, manhattans, straight scotch, vodka/gin tonics and the like. Some alcoholism too, but that was two generations back from me.

[Chameleon]

I didn't start drinking until I was 23, by then I'd had a couple years of babysitting my really obnoxious drunk co-workers and swore never to be that much of a PITA. I find that my bladder dictates how drunk I can get, which usually isn't far past buzzed. Red wine sometimes gives me a headache, I don't like the taste of beer and I can drink just about anything as long as it's sweet (and not melon or amaretto flavored, flavored sake probably gets a veto as well).

I've had one hangover, when a "friend" kept bringing me really strong drinks at a party with intention of getting me to hook up with a friend of his. I don't hang out with him anymore and now I make my own drinks when there is no bartender present.

[nikorock28]

Never been drunk here. I had 3 drinks the night I turned 21 and 2 another night. A Mike's Hard Lemonade every now and then in college.

[allie1105]

When I was in college, I drank a LOT. My sorority sisters were quite the party girls, so we were always out, and would get pretty wasted. By my senior year, I was over it and didn't partake as often. Just this past weekend, a few of them came to visit me and we were chatting. They STILL do that stuff regularly - like I stated earlier, I have red wine with dinner or an occasional martini at the bar...but no more drinking until I puke. I just don't have it in me anymore! I didn't "give up" drinking, but I sure did cut down.

[redav]

Alcohol ( usually beer or wine) also messes with my sensitive sinuses or I have an allergic reaction to some preservatives in some beers but not others which equals a headache that is out of this world. Newcastle Brown Ale, I fear thee.

Oddly enough I can drink mass quantities of hard alcohol and not feel anything or have any of the reactions above, though I do still feel like I need to run a 10K or something the next day because my system feels all haywire.
When I was young, I had bad allergies, and went through a desensitization treatment. As part of that, they tested me for just about everything, including brewer's yeast. That may be what you are allergic to.

I don't drink, and never have. I've never felt the need or desire to. I don't like being around drunk people, so the whole bar thing isn't on my to-do list. Nearly all of my friends also do not drink, so it doesn't affect 'fitting in' in social situations.

[fxskier]

I NEVER drink during the week. I'll drink 2-3 weekends per month, either on Friday or Saturday night (never both)- depending on which night I go out. I'll admit that I have somewhat 'girly' taste in drinks. I don't like beer at all, and the only wine I'll drink is a reisling. I prefer mixed drinks, the sweeter the better. Crown & Coke is my favorite. I'll usually drink them at bars- I like the taste and they're not 'girly' at all (at least I don't think). I'll have maybe 4-5 mixed drinks (a Stoli cranberry or two, and a Crown & Coke or two) and sometimes we'll do a shot.

I won't drink during the week because I don't drink alone, and don't want dependence to become an issue.

[Lindsey4884]

I used to drink a lot. In fact as recently as February. I would usually go out with guys I met at bars, drink heavily and make bad choices. But, in mid-February I met someone who does not drink at all and hasn't for a long time. I found I really respect that and haven't had a drop since! I'm off of it for Lent, but after that I don't think I'll be drinking much!
I agree about hangovers too. I just can't seem to be myself the day after staying out til 5 am drunk as hell!:haha:

[meatwad]

I've been DRUNK once, and had the hangover the next day to go with it. Never again.

[Ciderhillnh]

I have never given up drinking, and none of my friends have either, but since this has become a discussion on how much we have and what we drink, Ill weigh in.

I never drank in high school and really didn’t until my senior year of college. My signature was going to a house party with a large bottle of Arbor Mist in a paper bag (so I didn’t have to worry about their being a lack of booze or only beer which I don’t drink)

As for now……Ill have a glass of white wine with dinner 2 nights a week (typically when Im at my parents). I cant drink red because it gives me migranes.

I don’t get hung over, never wake up with a headache or a stomach ache. Ive only thrown up from drinking ONCE and I swear its because someone slipped something in my drink because I only had 4, and I can put back way more than that, and Id had a hearty meal that night before going out.

As for frequency…..most times Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Though Thursday is usually 1 or 2. Friday if we're just hanging out at someones house it might be one, if we're going out its usually more like 2 - 10.

I don’t get falling down take care of me drunk. I get a bit buzzed and silly and my friends love it because they don’t have to take care of me, and typically I stop by midnight to drink water and sober up to drive.

My friends also don’t get pukey drunk. They get silly like myself and that’s the end of it. So even if one of us isnt in the mood to drink, its not like we're hanging out with a bunch of drunks and its crappy and boring.

We arent a group of partiers, but we do go out to spend time together at bars, pubs, clubs whatever. We just like going out and doing something fun.

I don’t drink beer. Im a mixed drink, or shot kinda girl. I enjoy flavored vodka and rum.