Thinking about giving up alcohol

I have decided that alcohol doesn't make me feel very good about myself. Whenever I go out and drink, or stay in with a drink I feel really sad and depressed about life, even after one...

You are doing the right thing

Dont listen to to friends, peer pressure will stop you from being strong....I feel the same about alcohol, my husband drinks too much albeit on his days off, although I dont mind him doing it, I too have done some naughty/embarassing things when Ive been drunk. You can chill out in others ways and dont need alcohol to do it.....maybe have some goals in life, get involved in circles where drink isnt hand in hand...that sort of stuff.....I have enjoyed a glass or two but find that it does drag you down....keep strong and stick with the tee-total life...it can be fun....Ive given up wine which was my 'chill out'....I find I dont need it now....

Enjoy life - there are some hunky teetotal guys out there so.....

Best wishes - Pomeraniancrazy

There's nothing wrong with being tee-total

I only don't give up drinking because I like the taste, but yes, if you find yourself getting depressed from drink stop. My GP has advised me to not get drunk as I suffer from manic depression. It aggravates depression and paranoia and messes with your mood regulating system.

So good luck, and good on you!

Alcohol can drag you down....

Alcohol can take a toll on some more than others. As we age (even at 30) our bodies are more sensitive.

Do you eat well? Take vitamins? Say positive affirmations?

Good luck deciding to care about you...

lifeplus.com/site try some nutrition.

Good luck!!!

great to hear you are taking such a proactive step in your life!! in my experience its good to drink less alcohol (or none at all) but i think its healthy to replace the void with something else - exercise maybe? its just making small steps at a time, no need to rush and just relax

Not drinking

Try the AA molly's web site. I decided to give up drinking for a month and now I only drink very occasionally and only one glass. This is a brilliant supportive group of people from hardened ex drinkers to people like yourself who just want to stop drinking. I can't recommend them enough and they definately helped me to change my lifestyle for the better.
Mrs E Peel

Everything in moderation

Just try cutting down, it doesn't have to be all or nothing. When you go out, move the emphasis away from 'getting wankered' and just concentrate on having fun, it doesn't have to be the same thing, you know!

My suggestion for you!

Hi,
I find that alcohol can make you feel depressed and this is the same for nearly all people. I work with young people and educate them on how to moderate their drinking. There are some people who can have an addictive nature and this means that they get addictive to drinking large amounts. It would be best I suggest not to drink on your own. If you feel you lack in confidence try seeking out an assertiveness/confidence course in your locality. Usually the local adult ed. classes run one. Assertiveness course are really good, or buy/loan a book on assertiveness.
If you have a close friend confide in her, I am sure she will support you and if you feel there is an underlying reason why alcohol makes you feel the way you do, discuss this with someone close. You may be drinking to suppress your feelings about something, so I think you should confide in someone.
Hope this helps,
All the best,
Jammie58

I agree

I totally agree but in one detail. You should give up drinking. No drink any more because of the addiction. This is what my psychiatrist and psychologist adviced to me. It is better than cutting it down (reducing it, isn ... sorry Im Spanish). Moreover, I agree you will need a close friend to talk with, to rely on and tell him/her whenever you feel like drinking and why. You should think of your reasons for drinking
Of course, alcohol is a depressor drug: you can feel very well when youve just drunk but later you feel much worse.
Think about it and decide if you really want to cut this problem out.

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I really understand what u mean. My situation is a bit different from urs- I always get a hangover and a terrible headdache, even if I do not drink a lot, one big beer or one glass of whine does it to get a headdache. Thats why I decided for me to stopp trinking alcohol.
But it is really difficult because everyone asks u why you aren' t trinking and u have to explain and the people look a bit blank. But I feel better - especially the next day.
I have done some very embarrassing things as well when I was drunk - I am still ashamed of them - so thats a good second reason to stopp trinking but it is still difficult to stand the others...