what it's been like for me without drinking alcohol.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by ramonesfreak

I’ve gone from probably 30 to 40 beers a week, plus wine and other mixed drinks down to an avg of maybe 2 beers a week…for over a year now

Have not noticed any change at all, including my blood work, blood pressure or weight…..with the exception of a reduction in headaches

I have no idea why I reduced my consumption other than I just noticed I stopped craving alcohol the way I had for over 30 years. The strong urge to drink myself (always drank alone, never socially) into a coma just vanished over night. Strange

Originally Posted by ramonesfreak

Funny thing, just before seeing this thread I had gone in fridge and saw 4 Heinekens in there and thought how weird that I drank more beer everyday on lunch break at the restaurant when I worked in an office than I do now working from home, eating at home etc….the beer just sits there for weeks these days

I think that's all good news.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

I wish I drank more to build up some tolerance. I will have maybe 2 gin & tonics a week in the summer. One is enough that I am done for the night, just a half G&T more and I'm drunk, would not drive to go get some ice cream or something. I'd love to be fully functional after 1.5 drinks, they are so tasty and perfect while doing small projects or just watching youtube on a warm night.

I've never been a heavy drinker, but in my early 20s, I drank enough. I had a decent tolerance going.

Even if you "feel" ok, and "seem" ok to most folks after 2 beers, you'd still probably blow (or your blood would show) >.08. I think most folks >200-225# are >0.08 after 2 drinks in <1hr regardless of how well you seem to function.

Even if you seem OK, your functioning is still impared compared to when you're sober. You've just learned to deal with it, but you're slower and less sharp with fewer inhibitions. It would have been cool to have taken part of one of those experiments where they put you in a car on a short course and give you drinks while having you drive the course to show the deterioration.

[A930Rocket]

I was a social drinker with my friends. I could easily drink 12 or more beers on a Friday and Saturday night each. At 27, I met Ms. Rocket and because we were into so many outdoor sports, I gave it up haven’t drank since (36 years). I was tired of spending the money and feeling like **** the next day.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by pavulon

After awhile, not drinking can become a part of your identity--a way to see yourself with the will to keep that commitment.

After a longer while, you just don't think about it. I quit booze probably 25 years ago...

Not quite true...couple of years ago, a much loved pet died. Grieving, took a few shots out of Cindy's bottle (she still has one once in a while). Quickly discovered that I no longer liked the buzz, plus it seemed to make the grief worse. It made me feel physically and mentally worse. Diabetic and with AFIB now...maybe booze hits me differently than when I was younger? All I do know is that I no longer like the stuff, and really don't think about it...when asked "What woukld you like to drink?" by a booze pushing waiter or waitress, my usual answer is Iced tea, lemon, no sugar.

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

After a longer while, you just don't think about it. I quit booze probably 25 years ago...

Not quite true...couple of years ago, a much loved pet died. Grieving, took a few shots out of Cindy's bottle (she still has one once in a while). Quickly discovered that I no longer liked the buzz, plus it seemed to make the grief worse. It made me feel physically and mentally worse. Diabetic and with AFIB now...maybe booze hits me differently than when I was younger? All I do know is that I no longer like the stuff, and really don't think about it...when asked "What woukld you like to drink?" by a booze pushing waiter or waitress, my usual answer is Iced tea, lemon, no sugar.

I wasn't much of a drinker ever. A childhood of living with alcoholics for parents and grandparents and cycling through rehab and all the collateral experiences of chaos and rehab and relapse was enough to kill most interest. Then having to work at all hours and spending up to 21 continuous days on call made it a non-starter anyway. Call is no longer an issue but I'm on a looong roll so I too no longer think about it unless it comes up in conversation. I did recently go to a bar for a going away party and the take away was "these people are so loud and unfunny."

[Solamar]

My current meds don't play well with alcohol. Fortunately there are several new, very good, NA beers that I quite enjoy. I thought I would miss the alcohol buzz, but actually enjoy being fully functional after a couple NA beers.

[juanbenae]

i'm a better lay after a few drinks.... i think they call it whiskey dick...

im a two-pump-chump without some lube in up. i know what it takes to do my best work.

[Gogar]

i cracked a beer when I opened the thread and got to post #21. I spent all day in the sun so a cold beer was pretty perfect for the 10 seconds or whatever it took me to drink it.

[sc_rufctr]

Good for you Vash. I've always enjoyed a drink socially but I don't drink regularly.

My ex wife has destroyed herself with booze. Once she starts she can't stop!
Awful and way too common. IMO It's the worst drug there is because it affects everybody around them.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by juanbenae

i'm a better lay after a few drinks.... i think they call it whiskey dick...

Whiskey dick means Mr Frisky remains at rest.

I like painting car fenders and hoods after two beers. Relaxes me.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Gogar

i cracked a beer when I opened the thread and got to post #21. I spent all day in the sun so a cold beer was pretty perfect for the 10 seconds or whatever it took me to drink it.

All day in the sun would've been a 12 pack ... easy... back in the daze... slow & steady all day long... nights too. Never liked a cold beer doing yard work or right after ... only H2O. And all those damn rock shows

Can't remember my last beer fwiw.... but just not like back in the good ol' daze... every weekend

[jrj3rd]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

I wish I drank more to build up some tolerance. I will have maybe 2 gin & tonics a week in the summer. One is enough that I am done for the night, just a half G&T more and I'm drunk, would not drive to go get some ice cream or something. I'd love to be fully functional after 1.5 drinks, they are so tasty and perfect while doing small projects or just watching youtube on a warm night.

If you like the taste and the alcohol doesn't like you, you might want to check into the newer non-alcohol spirits (NA gin is commonly available)

[ramonesfreak]

Confession - After seeing this thread yesterday, I went out and cut the lawn and promptly drank the 4 Heinekens and 2 cans of Kolsh in fridge and blazed a doob in the remaining sun while cranking up the tunes. Wife brought a bottle of wine home that a client gave her and decided to try that too. Partied all night long. No regrets.

The key for me is to not do this daily, and I dont

[Cairo94507]

Never been a big drinker. I remember being drunk 2 times when I was a teenager. That was enough for me. Now I may have a single beer a couple times per year or with a dinner with friends I may have a glass of Cabernet. That's it.

[berettafan]

If i'm being honest i'm not sure man can improve on the sensation of being lightly buzzed on the porch listening to good tunes. I'll pass on the pot but 3 or 4 beers (or teas in my case) and some Bowie, Steely Dan and the occasional Soundgarden...does it get any better?

Boobies in the face notwithstanding.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by ramonesfreak

Confession - After seeing this thread yesterday, I went out and cut the lawn and promptly drank the 4 Heinekens and 2 cans of Kolsh in fridge and blazed a doob in the remaining sun while cranking up the tunes. Wife brought a bottle of wine home that a client gave her and decided to try that too. Partied all night long. No regrets.

The key for me is to not do this daily, and I dont

Don't ya have a shade tree for that moment in the sun ?

Do as I say.... and not as I did

Moderation & balance is key... in just about everything....

'ere

[vash]

Originally Posted by berettafan

If i'm being honest i'm not sure man can improve on the sensation of being lightly buzzed on the porch listening to good tunes. I'll pass on the pot but 3 or 4 beers (or teas in my case) and some Bowie, Steely Dan and the occasional Soundgarden...does it get any better?

Boobies in the face notwithstanding.

for me it's a beer or a whiskey with family/friends sitting around a campfire poking at it with a stick.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by berettafan

If i'm being honest i'm not sure man can improve on the sensation of being lightly buzzed on the porch listening to good tunes.

+1

From Slipknot to Sade to Mozart. Whatever tunes float your boat

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by vash

for me it's a beer or a whiskey with family/friends sitting around a campfire poking at it with a stick.

Ya know what hell is?

Give a guy a campfire, a stick, and a beer .... then tell him to pick only two !

[ramonesfreak]

instead of a stick, I use old ski poles. It takes approximately 3 years of almost daily campfires to melt a ski pole down to a 6 inch stump

just an FYI