Quitting Drinking

electricxstars

Hey All!
So I'm somewhat new to the forum, but been a member for a long time. Currently I've been having problems quitting drinking. Most likely just because of lack of control, but it's become a bad habit and pretty much a go-to for my friends to do when we hang out. Whenever I do try to stop drinking cold turkey I usually gain weight because I'll turn whatever drinking I do into eating.

Do any of you have tips how to cut down or quit drinking without the ramification of stress eating?

hmg90

Having the same problem. Have crashed a couple of times and not only is the alcohol in itself terrible to my diet, but I get so hungry after I completely ruin my week. It's a big problem, but I'm not trying to just work it in slightly rather than going "cold turkey", i.e. eat healthy and just have a little gin/wine.

Kanuenue

How about you start planning more interesting activities than drinking when you go out with your friends? Drinking is easy, it's also easy to do something else. Try hiking, bowling, indoor rock climbing, go to the movies, take a healthy cooking class, try zumba/salsa/new dance class, see what's going on in your local scene that isn't at a bar, take a mini-road trip, have a picnic, go to a poetry reading, you get the idea. If you plan your evening around drinking, it's going to get out of control fast. Find an activity that isn't centered around booze that your friends and you would enjoy. Many of these activities COULD include alcohol (our theaters sell for example) but it will be a lot easier to go without drinking if it isn't right in your face like it is at a bar or house party. Good luck!

abihaila

I quit drinking 60+ days ago by joining a 12 step support group and I gained 5+ pounds. I was assured that I would eat more sugar and that not drinking was more important than the weight gain. All true. I've lost the five and more! Increasing my exercise and finding friends who don't drink has helped so much. Good luck!

elsinora

Quitting / banning anything always ends up reverting back to bad habits (unless you're an alcoholic).

I have yet to meet a single person that has quit drinking for good (i.e. longer than 2 years at least) or have quit and not been utterly miserable (as it usually goes with a lot less socialising).

Cut back and of course go without weeks of not drinking if there's not really an ocassion or you're not going out but I've found that drinking here and there has never hindered my weight loss nor stopped me running those marathons, triathlons or rock climbing.

As always - it's down to calories in vs calories out.

If drinking makes you not exercise and binge when hungover then address this and do things in advance to stop yourself!

Rosie_McA

I'm about 40 days in since I stopped with the alcohol and am enjoying the dual benefits of generally feeling more on form during the day and have more calories available to use elsewhere!
My strategy was to reduce steadily to zero rather than an abrupt stop. I asked myself whether I really needed that cold beer or glass of wine rather than just unthinkingly taking one.

Being out with friends was more of challenge. Most were supportive but one or two less so. One in particular would say things like "what's the point of living without a good glass of red wine". The change came when I stopped worrying about what others thought and concentrated on me. Now I just get asked what non-alcoholic drink I would like and my refraining is no longer a topic.

My only problem right now is the lost storage space taken up by all the unopened bottles of wine, beer, whiskies, and liqueurs!
I won't get rid of them though as I don't intend to try and make my place a teetotal zone for friends and relatives.

Best of luck!

hmg90

This thing is killing me tonight. I had two gin tonics and then I attacked the chorizo in the fridge. Luckily I stopped at a few slices, but still - the damage is done.

I'm trying to survive on 1200 calories - when I ate more I didn't lose. I have NO problems eating healthy in general. I grew up on a lot of seafood, well prepared meals, never really had junk food. I'll usually eat broccoli or cauliflower with a little bit of low fat cheese, and some lean meats or fish.
But as soon as there is alcohol in my body, I go crazy. I can actually feel my stomach rumbling and screaming for food and I look for the fattiest food I can get.

I'm depressed now. I feel like the only way to lose weight is going cold turkey, but at this point I don't see how. Am a full time student with an internship in the evening, struggling financially and without a drink at night, I'd actually slit my wrist. Might come across as an alcoholic, but I swear I don't drink a lot compared to most students, I never actually get flat out drunk.

Rosie_McA

This thing is killing me tonight. I had two gin tonics and then I attacked the chorizo in the fridge. Luckily I stopped at a few slices, but still - the damage is done.

I'm trying to survive on 1200 calories - when I ate more I didn't lose. I have NO problems eating healthy in general. I grew up on a lot of seafood, well prepared meals, never really had junk food. I'll usually eat broccoli or cauliflower with a little bit of low fat cheese, and some lean meats or fish.
But as soon as there is alcohol in my body, I go crazy. I can actually feel my stomach rumbling and screaming for food and I look for the fattiest food I can get.

I'm depressed now. I feel like the only way to lose weight is going cold turkey, but at this point I don't see how. Am a full time student with an internship in the evening, struggling financially and without a drink at night, I'd actually slit my wrist. Might come across as an alcoholic, but I swear I don't drink a lot compared to most students, I never actually get flat out drunk.

I have total sympathy because I was out drinking significant quantities during my student days but remained quite slim simply as a consequence of my sporting activities - football (sorry soccer), tennis, cycling, squash, swimming, cross-country running, skateboarding, surfing, and karate. Surprised I got time to complete my studies!

You also raise the other consequence of drink and that's the attack of the "munchies" once you start. I was terrible for it - cashew nuts, cheese, crackers, pickled onions, salami, etc.

D_squareG

One thing that helps me is not having my drink of choice in the house. Switch to something you don't like as well.

2. Put the bottle somewhere it isn't as easy to get. I put it in the basement.

3. Weigh the alcohol and log it. I know that you should measure, not weigh, liquids but they are almost the same. I find it very easy to set my glass on the scale and weigh out my liquor.

4. Best to stop at 4 ounces of hard liquor. I do go over, but I'm more likely to eat something I shouldn't.

5. Look at increasing your calories. You are hungry at only 1200. Easy to eat after drinking.

6. Think of the good things you are doing for your liver and brain when you don't drink. Not just your weight.

7. Think of alcohol just like anything else you have to control. You wouldn't pig out on french fries when with your friends. Think of drinking in the same way.

Good luck. It isn't always easy. You won't be perfect. Don't beat yourself up when you fall. Just keep trying.

quirkytizzy

I quit drinking 60+ days ago by joining a 12 step support group and I gained 5+ pounds. I was assured that I would eat more sugar and that not drinking was more important than the weight gain. All true. I've lost the five and more! Increasing my exercise and finding friends who don't drink has helped so much. Good luck!

I'm a recovering addict, too. I agree that getting new friends can help. OP: If you're having a truly hard time quitting, you might try a 12 step, even for a little while.

And congrats on your 60 days!

Autk79

Im with ya. I dont drink daily but I can seriously drink my 1200 calories in one night. I quit drinking a couple years back and lost 20 pounds in a couple months. Of course that was working out too but I worked out just the same when I drank alot. Now I only drink one day a week which is still at least 600 calories and I know I should stop but I dont. If you really wanna stop and wanna lose the weight you will. Just like I did before. Im trying to get to that point again lol. But the crown and cokes or jager are calling me every sat :ohwell:

KatherinesRiver

I used to be addicted to a variety of things. A new group of friends to hang with is my best suggestion. I gave up the old friends at the bars and beach hangouts. Too bad but just being around them was killing me. That was 1992. Life is better now!:flowerforyou:

WhiteRabbit1313

Hey All!
So I'm somewhat new to the forum, but been a member for a long time. Currently I've been having problems quitting drinking. Most likely just because of lack of control, but it's become a bad habit and pretty much a go-to for my friends to do when we hang out. Whenever I do try to stop drinking cold turkey I usually gain weight because I'll turn whatever drinking I do into eating.

Do any of you have tips how to cut down or quit drinking without the ramification of stress eating?

AA. You need to address the underlying reasons that you binge on alcohol, food, etc.

Brianna716

I'm not sure how I did it. I just decided one day in October to quit and didn't look back. I must say, my wallet and my waistline are happier for it. I think it had more to do with being ready than anything else. If I had tried to quit at any other time it may not have worked.

GertrudeHorse

Quitting / banning anything always ends up reverting back to bad habits (unless you're an alcoholic). I have yet to meet a single person that has quit drinking for good (i.e. longer than 2 years at least) or have quit and not been utterly miserable (as it usually goes with a lot less socialising).

Hi! Just wanted to introduce myself as someone who has quit drinking for longer than 2 years :-) The last time I had more than one sip of alcohol was in 2010. Every few months I will have a taste of some fancy new wine/beer someone else is drinking, but I don't count that as drinking.

While it was very difficult at first (and I did lose some friends who I am better off without anyway) it is one of the best decisions I've ever made in the long-term. Initially I cut down on social events, but after three months of sobriety I was able to reintroduce socialising to the same extent as before. Having fun without alcohol is truly possible and rather satisfying when you master it.

To the OP, I would suggest finding non-drinking activities to do with your friends instead. Once you have confidence without alcohol you should be able to socialise with people who are drinking and not feel tempted to participate. And don't worry about any initial weight gain, you can deal with that further down the track. Good luck!

rockmama72

Yeah, me too. In my diary, alcohol keeps coming up as my most frequent food! Well actually, it goes back and forth between raw spinach and alcohol, which is hilarious.

electricxstars

Thank you for the tips everyone! I agree about changing activities with friends would be a big help. I have also thought about joining AA, but my husband doesn't really support that idea. Are there any good sources online that have more info on a twelve step program?

starkitty4

I actually took part in dry for january to raise money for alcohol concern.. And I didn't miss drinking, in fact I felt better without it, so I've just carried on with being tee-total (if that's how you spell it) I think having a goal to reach that I could only do by not drinking made it much easier :-D

AlongCame_Molly

I have yet to meet a single person that has quit drinking for good (i.e. longer than 2 years at least) or have quit and not been utterly miserable (as it usually goes with a lot less socialising).

Four years of not a drop, happier than I ever was when drinking (I wasn't/am not alcoholic) and my social life is better than ever.

Nice to meet cha.

rejectuf

My wife and I follow the same rules for drinking. It helps to have a partner keeping you honest.

We have one drink Friday, one drink Saturday. We love beer and good whiskey. We look forward to the drink and we always plan on it. Either a delicious and unique craft beer or an excellent hand crafted cocktail.

walterm852

I quit drinking 60+ days ago by joining a 12 step support group and I gained 5+ pounds. I was assured that I would eat more sugar and that not drinking was more important than the weight gain. All true. I've lost the five and more! Increasing my exercise and finding friends who don't drink has helped so much. Good luck!

Congrats ... keep it going :-)

florentinovillaro

For me, quitting alcohol was easy, although I've drank over 30 years. The last Gout attack caused by drinking beer sent me to the ER with the most terrible shooting pain on my right knee that I have ever felt in my life. What I learned from this is, everything is okay in moderation. Self control is the key, and over indulgence in anything is the enemy. Set 1 or 2 days per week, where you can have a few drinks, enjoy each and every sip and be content with not needing more. Now, I only have a glass on the evenings of hump day and Saturday as a reward for my efforts. Speaking from personal experience.

Capt_Inzane

Until you can build up some resolve you must stay away from places where drinking is going to be accepted. I haven't had a drink since Memorial Weekend of 2013. I just recently went to a friends that I knew would be drinking heavily. Even after a year (well almost) it wasn't difficult not to drink but the thought did cross my mind.

I don't know if I'll ever drink again, it's just not a big deal for me anymore. I know I want to be in my health/weight goals before I start drinking again so we'll wait and see when I reach those goals.

knra_grl

Nothing wrong with moderation but if this is a problem for you then I would say establish some different habits and maybe get a hobby to keep you busy.

Suggest outings with your friends that are more active and don't revolve around the pub scene.

sjaplo

So not happening. I created a separate meal in my mfp and called it beer. That way I track my carbs and calories in liquid form:bigsmile:

I jokingly refer to myself as a functional alcoholic. However - I have known a number of alcoholics over the years and the only thing that works is abstinence and support. Are you worried you are an alcoholic - or is it more about the calories? Try tracking your drinks my way - you'll see how much you are actually drinking. Also - when you are out with friends alternate between a drink and maybe a mineral water with lime or lemon.

walterm852

Thank you for the tips everyone! I agree about changing activities with friends would be a big help. I have also thought about joining AA, but my husband doesn't really support that idea. Are there any good sources online that have more info on a twelve step program?

If your issue is alcohol, www.aa.org
Once I did things without drinking, I noticed there some things that were better, like:
- not stuck in line at the bathroom for the big play at a game
- Never worried about driving
- never hung over
When you start adding events w/out alcohol, its easier to repeat again successfully. Everyone is different but I can totally be around it and have a great time. Bachelor parties, weddings, etc.

I had to do it regardless of what my spouse thought (but that was my situation, nobody knows your situation). I do know the restaurant business and alcohol have a high rate of "issues" so be careful ....and GOOD LUCK

dsnapp3

Like many who have responded here, I too drastically changed my drinking habits to kick start my weight loss and a bit of a life change. Over a number of years, I had gotten into a rut by enjoying a bit too much wine on a daily basis. A nice glass with dinner would invariably end up in an empty bottle before bed...mostly consumed by me. This not only affected my waistline, but also my sharpness the next morning and energy for work or play.

I decided to do a dry October. It surprised me how easy that was for me to do. So I carried it forward through November as well. I also play in a band, so being in the bar scene on a regular basis was an interesting challenge for me.

What worked for me:
a. During the work week - drank water and I'd have a nice herbal tea or something in the evening when I would traditionally reach for a glass of wine.
b. On the weekend, out and about, or in social settings I drank (and still do) sparkling mineral water with lime or lemon.

That couple of months with no alcohol did a couple things for me
1. Break the cycle I was in to regain my control - sleep better, eat better, exercise better
2. Lost a heap of weight
3. Saved money
4. Establish better habits - I now do look forward to a nice wine on a friday or saturday - but that is it


Good luck