Giving up the demon drink

[KeithB]

Is it my imagination or has Gronk's post about how much he enjoys sticking his head into a bucket of lager killed this thread?
It's funny, but this thread had more posts per view that any other on my screen. There were some inspirational stories there. Now we have silence.
Go figure.
Keith

[Bigfish]

Going camping this weekend and this post reminded me to check the beer fridge ..  Only got 17 beers.....may not be enough for 2 nights seeing as the missus sometimes has 1 or 2 of my beers ( she usually has a few wines )


Approaching the big 6 0....but I still enjoy a few ales...especially around a campfire !!   

Heading off Thursday for 4 nights.  Chucked in 2 x 30 cans.  Decided to leave one pack at home and take a couple of bottles of Brown Brothers Rose instead...much more civilized.  If it gets cold I wont bother drinking though.  No way can I look at a beer if it gets cold..

[gronk]

Is it my imagination or has Gronk's post about how much he enjoys sticking his head into a bucket of lager killed this thread?
It's funny, but this thread had more posts per view that any other on my screen. There were some inspirational stories there. Now we have silence.
Go figure.
Keith

While my post wasn't intended to take anything away from blokes who want or need to give up the demon drink, it was also just a tiny bit tongue in cheek !!
But I certainly don't like sticking my head in a bucket of lager !!

While I enjoy a beer or two, don't let it stop you all from posting stories of NOT enjoying a drop or two !!   

[KeithB]

Thanks Gronk. I appreciate that. Yours and Bigfish's posts came across, at least to me, as a bit defensive. Last year we had 44 pages of "The drunk thread". I think there were also 9 pages for whiskey drinkers.

This is the only thread for people who have had enough of what booze has done to them and would like to, firstly, to share their experiences and, secondly, to learn from others. Or maybe moderate their drinking rather than giving it away. These are the folks who have got out the old Viagra eye drops and had a good hard look at themselves. I have found some of their stories to be quite moving and others most entertaining.

Anyone who feels the need to ridicule these brave folks by boating about their own drinking should start another thread. Either that or get those eye drops out.

Keith

[SEADOO]

My 2c worth.

I have never been a drinker, but I don pt mind an ice cold great northern in the shed with a mate. I'm usually done after 3 or 4.

I use to "get on the piss with me mates" when younger, but I think they call that binge drinking. I have never seen the point of getting fkd up, then spend Saturday and Sunday laying on the couch. I've had mates promise to help me move, or help me with something and end up not showing and left me hanging. Why? Because they decided to get on the piss.

Smoking is my kryptonite. I wish I can give those up. I hate smoking, but the feeling of a durrie in the morning with coffee is great.

Drinking, smoking are both addictive, and I will admit, I am also an addict. And as an addict, I know how hard it is for some one to give something up. I wish them all the best. I wish there was an AA equivalent for smokers.

[GeoffA]

.....
Anyone who feels the need to ridicule these brave folks by boating about their own drinking.......

I haven't seen anything like that, Keith.

[glenm64]

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference"

Sort of sums it up, regardless of your beliefs.

I grew up more worried more about what my mates thought, rather than what I actually valued. Drank too much, did lots if stuff I shouldn't have. I grew up with little parental guidance or communication.
When I had kids, it was a time for personal reflection. I didnt want them just going along with what everyone else did, drinking, drugs, bullying or anything else. I was determined for them to think for themselves, and give them the courage to stand up to their peers and say NO. ( I was actually ashamed of how weak a person I use to be)
Im proud of my 2 sons, they're far from perfect, yet able to make me feel a lesser man. They drink less than me, have never done drugs, have an great relationship with both Elaine and myself (she has to take most the credit) and stand by what they believe.
For myself, Ive cut down on the days I drink. Not drinking on work days at first was a challenge. To fill the void wasnt easy. Old habits as they say. But now it has become the norm.

I believe in everything in moderation my friends.
Dont spoil it with excess or austerity. Life's too short.
But if you cant control it, it will control you.

Cheers Glen

[KeithB]

.....
"Anyone who feels the need to ridicule these brave folks by boating about their own drinking......."
I haven't seen anything like that, Keith.

Geof, with respect, I think that on this thread, that's exactly what it is. Fine on any other thread, but I submit not on this one.

Smoking is my kryptonite. I wish I can give those up. I hate smoking, but the feeling of a durrie in the morning with coffee is great.
Drinking, smoking are both addictive, and I will admit, I am also an addict. And as an addict, I know how hard it is for some one to give something up. I wish them all the best. I wish there was an AA equivalent for smokers.

Hey Seadoo, I am a nicotine addict as well. Five years ago I switched to vaping. I had to kiss a lot of frogs with various types of gear and had to try a lot of Shitty mixtures to get something that suited me. But I haven't looked back.  I was on 25 a day and my chest cleared up in two weeks plus my sense of taste and smell returned.  Nobody would say that vaping is good for you, but the experts in the UK say it reduces the health risk by 95 per cent. I now mix my own juice and can choose the nicotine content and flavour to suit myself. And it's about  ten percent (at most) of the cost of bloody Winfield Blues. PM me if you want details.

Thanks Glen. Your post came is as I was writing this one.

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference"....

I believe in everything in moderation my friends.
Dont spoil it with excess or austerity. Life's too short.
But if you cant control it, it will control you.

Cheers Glen

Gotta love that Serenity Prayer. On reflection, maybe moderation should be exercised in moderation.

Thanks everyone.
Keith

[gronk]

But if you cant control it, it will control you.

Cheers Glen

So true. And what a few here are saying, if you are unable to control it, don't do it.


BTW, I gave up that disgusting smoking habit 30 yrs ago..!! 

[GeoffA]

Geof, with respect, I think that on this thread, that's exactly what it is. Fine on any other thread, but I submit not on this one.
.....

OK Keith, but like I said earlier, I haven't noticed any ridiculing.
A light post is not ridicule IMO, but there hasn't been too many of those either.
Most that mention their consumption habits have been talking about times gone by.

[nab]

I'm nudging 40 and I barely drink anything, partly because I don't like wasting the next day with a hangover, partly because there is not much that I like the taste of! Even when I was younger I had a few big nights but that wasn't too often and I didn't hang around with those mates much. It has only been in the last few years that I have realised that I was much stronger minded than I thought I was, deciding to not hang around my drinker/hard core partying mates and spending more time with my sports/"geeky" mates. Back then it wasn't cool and some of the drinking guys gave us a hard time but I reckon I dodged a bullet, 2 of those guys are now in jail and one is a druggy...

[Bill]

Good on ya Mate for stopping.
I started seriously drinking in 1983 and continued right up into 2002.
I was a serious drunk, I drank to get hammered. None of that “silly” social drinking stuff for me.
I would have been drunk to some extent nearly every single day in those years.
I did so much stupid Shit in those years that if I allow myself to think about it I scare the Shit out of myself and feel so much shame. And that is only what I remember, not what “friends” told me I did when I blacked out.
I never hurt anyone else intentionally or physically but I know I let my family down every single day.
I did a heap of stupid stuff that could/ should have killed me or at least landed me in jail.
I drove drunk nearly every single day and never thought twice about it.
I’ve been sober for over 16 years now.
It does get easier I can assure you of that.
Bill

[KeithB]

OK Keith, but like I said earlier, I haven't noticed any ridiculing.
A light post is not ridicule IMO, but there hasn't been too many of those either.
Most that mention their consumption habits have been talking about times gone by.

You're probably right Geoff.  I think I'm perhaps being a bit precious here. Apologies to Bigfish and Gronk.
Keith

[Beachman]

I also agree with GeoffA’s post as I also don’t believe anyone was trying to ridicule anyone and there comments were within context and keeping the conversation real. If everyone on this forum replied they don’t drink then I would that BS.

We are all different and have all different views on Life and that my friends makes the world go around.

[KingBilly]

Some inspiring stories.  Well done to those who have shared such personal experiences.  Takes guts.

Respect to you all

Tink

[Bird]

So, hows it going Keith?