I’m thinking of giving up drinking. I’m not an alcoholic. I’ve never driven drunk or been arrested. Never even gotten in a fight. I’m your classic fratboy binge drinker but have always managed to stay out of trouble. But as I’ve gotten older I’ve drunk less and less. Now, that I’m 30, I’ve pretty much cut back to special occasions (wedding or vacation somewhere sunny) and usually only in intimate groups of people I am very close with.
Still, it feels like it’s not enough. It derails my fitness regime (Blake, you know what I mean) and generally makes me a lot dumber. I also find that it effects my mood greatly (both in good and bad ways) effectively magnifying it, both during and after intoxication. These mood swings are unpleasant.
I never started, but I think it is definetly beneficial to overall quality of life. But you’ll find there is a challenge of enjoying going out with friends, when everyone is acting like a lunatic. I usaully last till midnight lol
I find that as I get older, I no longer have as much interest in drinking either, for pretty much the same reasons that you cited.
I have also discovered, though, that I’m probably the kind of person that has never, and will never, be satisfied with what I’m doing and I’m always looking for the next thing to do in life, easily bored, etc. The hardest thing has been to realize that and embrace it for the source of energy that it is.
Having said that, I have gone through phases like this – not just with the question of to drink lightly or not to drink at all, but also things like new ideas with nutrition, health routines, time management, etc. Sometimes you just wake up and say to yourself, “it’s time to clean house.”
Most of the time these things are temporary, though when we have the epiphany-like vision at the start of these endeavors, we tell ourselves that they will be more permanent. I believe that you should just listen to your body and, if at some point later in your life you feel like having an occasional drink because your metabolism/chemistry has changed or you have different circumstances in your life, go for it and don’t worry that you’ve somehow gone “off track.” As you point out, you’re only an occasional drinker, not an everyday drinker, which most of the college-educated folks on AF can probably relate to.
I couldn’t give up drinking. I like it too much, but I don’t drink that often. I probably had a bit of a problem with drinking a year back, but a close encounter stopped that behavior. My friend actually stopped drinking all together. I find that it’s best to not do things in absolutes, so I don’t see any problem with drinking as long as it’s not all the time.
If you want to stop drinking, I would have suggested AA, but it seems like you’re not an alcoholic.
I believe I’m a few years behind you but already at the same stage with respect to how I view drinking. I dislike the aftereffects and the fact that it can ruin the entire next day. It lowers test production and of course increases your consumption of empty calories. When i was in a relationship i practically cut it out of my intake (with the exception of wine) but now that Im single i am finding myself boozing up on the weekend. And so, from introspection, i assume most of us drink to meet the opposite sex or escape reality. Lock up a dime piece and focus your spare time on more productive things is my only suggestion.
@OP - I think what you’re doing is perfectly normal. As I got older, I lost most of my desire to drink. I’ll still have a few if I’m on vacation or out of town or with friends, but that’s about it. I drink probably less than 15 days per year.
In fact, today is September 25. The last drinks I had were:
The evening of the first Saturday in June - 3 drinks
I also forgot–one day, my boss held a miniature office party (right before July 4) and made us orange sherbert and vodka. I’m sure it was fabulous, if you like orange sherbert and vodka. I don’t like either. I like beer.
Interesting that TRH mentions binge drinking specifically. I have found that having one beer or one glass of wine can actually be a relatively healthy and subtle way to enhance life. If you are training to be as stong as possible or something, then you should not drink at all (since it’s the most catabolic thing you can do, basically) but that is an extreme case. One or two generally will not hurt.
To me, the problem is the binge drinking. That is what makes you feel like crap and affects your body. One glass of wine, beer or a whisky/rum/vodka/tequila once or twice a week is totally fine. If the only time you drink, you binge drink, then you should probably try cutting it out and see how that goes.
+1 for Brain. Cut down on the binge drinking and monitor your buzz when you do drink so you don’t go over the edge. Maybe have a water between drinks. The hangovers will become less intense and will eventually go away.
I like drinking - makes me more outgoing, allows me to relax. I only get smashed probably a handful of times a year, mainly at weddings, big celebrations, big weekends etc. I do not drink much during the week and never drink by myself for the hell of it - always in social settings.