Alcohol sucks

2

Replies

  • gehlerc
    gehlerc Posts: 651 Member
    Yes, I just said that.

    After years of drinking socially and other reasons I find myself more inclined to go for water.. especially after my previous stint with alcohol. I dunno, something about not being hungover and less bad decisions is more appealing these days and not to mention I feel like **** afterwards. 10 years ago it didn't seem that bad but nowadays it just throws me under the bus. Dislike. Anyone else go or going through a similar experience?

    I am with you. I used to allow myself one or two drinks / glasses of wine in the evening, a couple of evenings during the week and also on weekends. Then I decided to try to lose weight and limited myself to having alcohol only on Saturdays and in limited amounts (one or two drinks). While I enjoy that it makes me more relaxed in social settings, I've been thinking it's still not worth it. I make bad food choices when I'm under the influence, and I don't like the way I feel afterward--from the alcohol/bad food combo.

    And, yes, this has evolved as I've gotten older. Am I just old (I'll be 50 this summer), to have decided the alcohol just isn't worth it? I don't know, but I do know it's a choice that I feel good about--that will make me feel better. Now, I do have a significant investment in the contents of my liquor cabinet and wine collection. Don't know yet what I'll do about that....
  • Kissybiz
    Kissybiz Posts: 361 Member
    I got in a habit of going to happy hours almost every day after work or having a bottle (yep.. a whole bottle) somtimes when I got home with dinner. It was definitely a habit. And when I drank, I ate.. mindless eating. And yep.. felt like crap the next day.

    Now I rarely go out. After hitting the gym, I'm too tired even to go to karaoke night (and I'm the karaoke queen!). I don't really miss it that much, going out. The money I save helps pay for my personal trainer, so it's a win win. I still have wine on occasion, but a bottle lasts me 3 days. I measure everything to make sure I know exactly what I'm having. It feels good to be in control. My liver thanks me!
  • blessmy5
    blessmy5 Posts: 95
    I could share stories of drinking that would put hair on people's chests. :laugh: In the end it came down to this for me: if you're doing something that isn't working for you- then why keep doing it? There are plenty of people who are happy and don't drink. Plenty of people who are happy that don't smoke. Plenty of people happy who don't forget to pay bills on time.... It can work for anything that isn't working for you. Took me a long time to learn that there are truly happy people who don't drink- I never knew that. Sure never saw it growing up!!

    Next step is- if it's not working, what was I going to do about it? For me it was getting sober and stopping smoking. For others maybe it's not even going down the ice cream isle.

    So yeah, eventually I realized I was killing myself and what exactly was the point of that? I wasn't happy anyway. So I joined AA, doesn't work for everyone obvs, but works for me. Plenty of people can drink and be fine- I am not one of those people :noway:

    Bravo - Fantastic that you made a decision and then made it happen!!!
  • LTGPSA
    LTGPSA Posts: 633 Member
    I gave it up for good a little over 4 years ago. I was never one to stop at 1 or 2 - what fun was that, plus I only felt sluggish that way. It was all or nothing for me. Not that I set out to get trashed. I had fun with the social aspect of it, but I drank alcohol like water and when out partying with friends, I'd end up having too many before I realized it. One would think I would've never picked up the stuff considering how I witnessed alcohol abuse while growing up, but I did - started sneaking alcohol around 16 or so. Then one would think that a bad hangover or 2 might get my attention, but it didn't. I've been extremely lucky for all the years that I drank that I never caused harm to anyone nor to myself while drinking. It's not worth it to me for many reasons. Plus, what good is it for my health? It's not. Anyone who chooses to drink in moderation - good for you - that's your choice. I just don't see the point anymore and haven't for awhile. For me, it was just a means to mask internal pain. There are healthier ways to deal with situations in life - I'm so glad I'm there now. Great discussion topic - glad to know there are others who have seen their own light! :flowerforyou:
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    I drink way less now. But I still drink.
  • athensguy
    athensguy Posts: 550
    I have a glass of wine with my evening meal... the french are on to something.

    Indeed. Some studies have shown that people who drink a little bit live longer than those who don't drink and those who drink too much.

    Late‐Life Alcohol Consumption and 20‐Year Mortality
    http://goo.gl/RGFcN

    Article that references many studies:
    http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/AlcoholAndHealth.html
  • dinos
    dinos Posts: 1,390 Member
    No, alcohol doesn't suck, but you need to drink in moderation. The same principle applies to everything in life, be it food, alcohol, work, you name it.
  • Scott613
    Scott613 Posts: 2,317 Member
    I still drink the sauce every now and then

    images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRTVmGHfSS64eb_WyDtWN9GyQVngaYevk4TlsqDXTYQQhOvA5qWJSZJGWNM
  • stcar
    stcar Posts: 207 Member
    I am 4 years and 21 weeks sober.

    Lost 40 lbs and 15% body fat, also lost a great amount of fear, feelings that it was my place to control others, inflated sense if justice and of course hangovers.

    I never EVER thought I could even imagine a life with out alcohol, now I can not imagine life with it.

    When I go on vacation now, I see places, not just the inside of the bar.

    Life is way better these days, that is for sure.
    that is inspiring, I hope to follow in your footsteps :)
  • jillyt85
    jillyt85 Posts: 161 Member
    I get headaches from just one beer or one glass of wine and my weight will jump up 3-5pounds from that amount and stay there for a week. It's just not worth all that pain to me. I may have one drink a month, but it's not uncommon for me to go a few months without any alcohol. My dad is also an alcoholic, so I'm fine keeping alcohol out of my body.
  • mandy_freeman
    mandy_freeman Posts: 35
    Gave it up 2 years ago when I saw the calories. I don't miss the buzz, don't miss the hangovers and love the left over coin in my pocket.

    AMEN!
  • lizdavis07
    lizdavis07 Posts: 766 Member
    What? Noooo! :noway: *shudders and keeps sippin* :drinker:
  • salberic
    salberic Posts: 5
    Yes, its a love hate relationship. Wish could get the buzz minus the calories and hangovers. To drink or not to drink.
  • VeganPanda
    VeganPanda Posts: 582 Member
    I enjoy the buzz but I try to avoid it as much as possible because of the immense calories... I'd rather eat my calories!
  • wildcard29
    wildcard29 Posts: 322 Member
    Well why your saving your money you guys are killing my pockets. I'm a bartender and rely on you to drink and tip:) All jokes aside I very rarely drink anymore and it's because I'm sick of the day after. Feeling like **** and being worthless for an entire day just isn't worth it anymore. I enjoy being responsible, just don't spread that around lol!
  • incendia3
    incendia3 Posts: 57 Member
    I miss beer. Sadly, it's just too many calories.:sad:
  • tnrunningnurse
    tnrunningnurse Posts: 549 Member
    I struggle with this, I know it is empty calories, but I do like to have a pleasant buzz, I do not like having a hangover. My New Year's resolution was to get back to running on a regular basis and to run races/runs again. I have cut way back on my alcohol consumption and I am thinking about giving up altogether or only drinking sociallly.
  • JDMPWR
    JDMPWR Posts: 1,863 Member
    I love alcohol, not one bad thing to say about it.
  • Hayesgang
    Hayesgang Posts: 624
    So yeah, eventually I realized I was killing myself and what exactly was the point of that? I wasn't happy anyway. So I joined AA, doesn't work for everyone obvs, but works for me. Plenty of people can drink and be fine- I am not one of those people :noway:



    I just celebrated 15 months of sobriety on February 20th and I can honestly say that I don't miss it at all. It was destroying me and I didn't realize it. I am thankful I never got a DUI, lost a job, a family etc. but the reality is I lost myself. It was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made BUT I am grateful that I have the opportunity to get to know who I am, deal with my feeling/emotions on a real level and not cringe when I look in the mirror after a binge.

    I have applied some of the "Steps" to deal with my food and body issues as well. Thanks to AA, I have found a new way to live.

    My husband and some friends still drink and I'm ok with that, they haven't lost their right to drink but I have.
  • infamousmk
    infamousmk Posts: 6,033 Member
    The negative affects of alcohol you're all speaking of don't come from the booze, they come from overindulgence. Beer and wine both make fantastic beverage complements to most meals and a drink shared with friends is never a wasted moment. Instead of blaming alcohol for your hangovers and poor decisions, you should all take personal responsibility for your actions and blame yourselves.

    *adjusts beer4life sash*
  • Jennloella
    Jennloella Posts: 2,286 Member
    oh yeah, worse hangovers more often, just makes me sleepy, etc. I really don't even enjoy it anymore =/ but when I was in my 20's.....oh man .
  • Qarol
    Qarol Posts: 6,171 Member
    The negative affects of alcohol you're all speaking of don't come from the booze, they come from overindulgence. Beer and wine both make fantastic beverage complements to most meals and a drink shared with friends is never a wasted moment. Instead of blaming alcohol for your hangovers and poor decisions, you should all take personal responsibility for your actions and blame yourselves.

    *adjusts beer4life sash*
    Word.

    Got a Wine4Life sash I can wear?
  • infamousmk
    infamousmk Posts: 6,033 Member
    The negative affects of alcohol you're all speaking of don't come from the booze, they come from overindulgence. Beer and wine both make fantastic beverage complements to most meals and a drink shared with friends is never a wasted moment. Instead of blaming alcohol for your hangovers and poor decisions, you should all take personal responsibility for your actions and blame yourselves.

    *adjusts beer4life sash*
    Word.

    Got a Wine4Life sash I can wear?

    Of course! I keep it in my fancy wine-fan hope chest! *rummaging for wine sash*
  • didyb
    didyb Posts: 19 Member
    I notice you said- "10 years ago" it didn't affect you as much. That's one of the issues. I never thought that I would drink less-- I do love my wine-- but the older I get, the less I can drink and still feel half-way decent in the morning. Of course, not helping is the fact that many mornings I wake up with a "hangover" and realize I didn't drink the night before. What's up with that? Here's to clean living!
  • Heaven71
    Heaven71 Posts: 706 Member
    I drink on a fairly regular basis, but I don't know why anymore. It's usually fun while I'm doing it, but the way it effects me (hangover breakfasts, smoking while drunk, etc.) doesn't seem to be worth it anymore. It's so hard to cut back though, because all of my friends drink, and when they do it, I want to too. :/

    I drink pretty regularly as well but i always pass out before I get so drunk that I have a hangover.
  • rejs1170
    rejs1170 Posts: 23 Member
    I am with you. I have been a very heavy drinker for years. I was never realy in control, just kept drinking until I felt numb, fell asleep, or worse. Lost friends, lost jobs, almost destroyed my marriage.

    I am not sure if I can really give it up entirely, but I am now down to drinking 1-2 times per week, instead of every night, but I am not sure I can go all the way...yet.
  • TDGee
    TDGee Posts: 2,209 Member
    The negative affects of alcohol you're all speaking of don't come from the booze, they come from overindulgence. Beer and wine both make fantastic beverage complements to most meals and a drink shared with friends is never a wasted moment. Instead of blaming alcohol for your hangovers and poor decisions, you should all take personal responsibility for your actions and blame yourselves.

    *adjusts beer4life sash*

    QFT

    Being grown up isn't half as fun as growing up- The Ataris
  • kaylammurphy
    kaylammurphy Posts: 63
    I have never been a big drinker, for the reasons you listed. I never liked any of that, even when it wasn't "that bad." I will have a drink rarely, maybe three or four times a year, but generally speaking, I am a tetotaler :)
  • _SusieQ_
    _SusieQ_ Posts: 2,964 Member
    I've noticed I have actually started drinking MORE since on MFP. All those damn wine drinkers on my FL have my scoping out new things to try at the store.

    It's all about moderation and perspective. Obviously if alcohol causes problems for you aside from mere calorie count, then by all means you should address that. Otherwise pass me a corkscrew.
  • onedayillbamilf
    onedayillbamilf Posts: 662 Member
    The negative affects of alcohol you're all speaking of don't come from the booze, they come from overindulgence. Beer and wine both make fantastic beverage complements to most meals and a drink shared with friends is never a wasted moment. Instead of blaming alcohol for your hangovers and poor decisions, you should all take personal responsibility for your actions and blame yourselves.

    *adjusts beer4life sash*

    I love you, you know this. You're my Kortyboo....but even just one glass of wine makes me feel laughy and happy, but it also makes me feel like crap. I have stopped drinking often because I get tired of my stomach burning from just a tiny amount.
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