A
male
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anonymous
writes:HiI recently made a decision to give up drinking. I have drank for 10 years and to be honest never massively enjoyed it...... I loved the social aspect but it always gave me headaches and terrible next day hangovers, as well as occasional memory-loss. I would drink no more than once/week. A couple of months back (admittedly after a day of drinking.. nothing out of control just sipping beers in the sun all day with friends) I had a hangover that lasted 5 days including periods of anxiety and paranoia which I normally never suffer from.I have made a decision to not drink again, pretty much ever, however I'm finding that people (I'm in the UK) think I'm a bit of a freak. I still happily go on nights out but I just drink mineral water. People can't seem to understand WHY I don't drink, or indeed WHY I would got out and not drink........ I must admit that since I started going out and not drinking I realise what stupid and dangerous situations drinkers get themselves into!!Anyone got any tips or encouragement?
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (22 April 2008): Hi
For the last ten years when I drink socially I have got totally out of control. I suffer from awful hangovers and feel ill for 5 days after.
Last week I managed to alienate 3 close and special friends and am going to have to do some serious grovelling.
I've known for a long time that drink does not agree with me. like the other lady 20% of the time I am fine and 80% of the time my behaviour is extreme along with severe after effects.
There is an awful lot of pressure socially to drink and i've made a decision that i'm going to stop drinking completely and see if I can repair the damage I have done! I only drink one day a week, luckily for the rest of the world it is'nt 7 days a week.
Not more alcohol for me!!
A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (10 February 2008): Good luck!
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (10 February 2008): hi, i'm currently in the same boat. I'm giving up drinking also, should have done it years ago, me and alcohol don't jive. Good luck, let me know how you get on.
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (10 February 2008): I have come to the conclusion that i must give up drinking. Should have done it years being honest with myself. Use it as a crutch in social situations as i suffer with anxiety but always end up regreting the night before. Me and drink don't jive. Time to knock it on the head once and for all.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (2 October 2007): Hey, I'm coming to the conclusion myself that I want to give up drinking. I was always seen as the party girl but now I want to be taken seriously. I want people to think I'm fun without using my drunken antics as entertainment for themselves. I've behaved like a brat at times when drunk and made some stupid mistakes - done and said things I can never take back. For every fun minute, there are more bad times and the hangovers only get worse as you get older.
At the end of the day you have to decide what is more important - your friends, family, health, self esteem, reputation; or the booze. I think you know which is the right choice so good luck xxx
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (5 September 2006): I will tell you that it doesn't matter what others say. I am an alcoholic in recovery and further more a recovering drug addict. And, trust me, people have said many things about me. But, the thing is that my life now is so much more productive than the people I used to drink or use with. You have made a great decision. I admire your strength. Tell those other people to kiss your a**!!!!!
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (5 September 2006): good for you, hang in there! I know how tough it must be for you, I gave up drinking myself a few years ago (whilst I was in college, so you can imagine how the news went over with my friends). You're doing it for the right reasons, and if people can't see that, well that's their problem. Let them cope with their hangovers and let them embarrass themselves in public, you can kick back and enjoy yourself with something non-alcoholic. All I tell my friends is that I have done some silly things (silly is putting it mildly) in the past and have well and truly embarrassed myself and have hurt people with my words or actions whilst drunk, and I don't want to do that anymore. I drink red bull now, so I still have energy and enthusiasm when out at night.
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A
female
reader, Nay920 +, writes (5 September 2006):
I want to say that i have much respect for you because you stop drinking my mom used to be an alcoholic and i know that its hard but you just need to hold your head up high be proud and look at your self in the mirror ever day and say that you love yourself i know it sounds kind of corny but it works please keep me posted.
with much respect,
nay
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (4 September 2006): Mate, society puts major pressure on people to drink and get drunk through the media hype. Being someone who doesn't drink a lot. I would advise you to build an extra social life around either sports or game minded people when you start to give up. Your friends may invite you out a bit less because of it, its just a harsh fact of reality. So make sure you join a few clubs so you have a fall back. People will say if they're really your friends they won't do that. Not true. Its just people hang out with like minded people.
Your doing a good thing for yourself so don't let other bring you down. Believe that you don't need a drink to enjoy yourself because its true.
Good Luck Mate.
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A
female
reader, b3x +, writes (4 September 2006):
 All I gotta say say is congrat's to you fella, you done a mighty thing by stopping! xx
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (4 September 2006): well if you think you should give up drinking it is up to you don't let anybody make your choices for you there your's to make no one else's it your life so lead it the way feel best
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (4 September 2006): Hello dear, I think you made the best decision in your life... just dont think what people think when you drink water when your out' you will never, never ever win with alcohol trust me' I think no one.. and always think' YOU ARE GOOD AS YOU ARE.... good luck ..XXX
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A
female
reader, bonym +, writes (4 September 2006):
 Friend first of all let me say how glad I am to hear that you have made such a good decision. Easier said than done, but you have really go to try and ignore the ignorance ofothers, forget the fact that they think you are weird for not drinking, I get it all the time, I never drink alcohol when I go anywhere and if I do its only one drink, but my friend you are doing yourself good so dont let others prevent you from doing what you have to do. Why should you feel bad, you have chosen the healthier option, and good for you. Be strong ok? Take care. xXx
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (4 September 2006): Good for you mate!
As far as drugs go alcohol is pretty bad. Your friends might make it seem like they think you're a freak but they are either jealous of your new found empowerment or they are not yet mature enough to see the problem with frequently getting drunk.
Maybe you will loose a few "friends" in this life changing decision. But maybe they weren't friends to begin with.
Maybe you will make new friends?
Stay strong in believing this choice will make you a healthier, longer living person. Don't doubt your choice. Just because all your current friends think it is normal behaviour to drink so often does not make it so. Most people, sooner or later, know when to call it a day and stop drinking so much alcohol. Good luck in the future!
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A
female
reader, Helen1986 +, writes (4 September 2006):
 Well I say good on you mate. Seriously I want to give up drinking but am finding it difficult. Its not that I need a drink because I dont and I can go without its just I like the social aspect of it aswell. The thing is like you I suffer from huge hangovers and never remember what happened whilst being drunk. I also change from a kind decent person into a nasty arrogant person, and I hate that person. I however have not got the will power like you have. All my friends call me a lightweight and egg me on to drink, so I do. Recently though my boyfriend sat me down and told me that he cant take my drinking any more so I also have made the huge decision to stop. I am fine though because like you I only drink once or twice a week so I am not missing it. I am just dreading going out with my friends and them laughing and taking the mick out of me. All I can say to you hunny is good luck and rememer you are not alone because I too am in the same boat. We are not frieks we just want to improve our health, so ignore them. Go for it mate
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A
female
reader, xxxsoulsistaxxx +, writes (4 September 2006):
 You sound very sensible and should stick to your guns on this one. There's no reason you can't enjoy the night and the day after too, if you don't drink! People do find it hard to understand this, I am one of them, then again, I'm only 19 so I'll probably grow out of it too! I also find that I get paranoid and very depressed when the alcohol is wearing off and I know it's no good for me!
Anyway, you stick to what you think is good for you. People will think it's weird because they've never done it but you can still have a great time without alcohol and will probably make a lot better decisions! I know for me, if there was no alcohol, my life would be a lot simpler!
Good luck
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (4 September 2006): Sounds like you have made a brilliant decision. Just think - not another hangover! I had a similar sort of alcohol intolerence and eventually came to the same conclusion - that myself and alcohol didn't mix. I've not regretted it.
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