Comments on: Experiment: Abstaining From Alcohol

By: TheHappyPhilosopher

TheHappyPhilosopher — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 14:45:48 +0000

In reply to Amy. I have done shorter periods, but 6 months was the longest. When it becomes a mindless habit I like to give it up for a while to reset. I've noticed it becomes easier the more I do it, which indicates to me quitting is a skill like any other.

By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 14:29:22 +0000

In reply to Frugal Mom$ter. I am curious, too. Have you done another alcohol sabattical since this article? I just started one and am hoping to get to 6 months, but it will be challenging in the culture I’m surrounded by. The last time I abstained that long was when I was pregnant with my boys who are now 6 and 7 years old! I have to say I’m a lot happier and sleeping(especially dreaming) the best I’ve done in a long time. I took about a month off before a relapse last week at a Xmas party, but now really trying to change my habit. I love herbal tea too, and I look forward to that at night now.

By: Frugal Mom$ter

Frugal Mom$ter — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 13:44:02 +0000

I would be interested to see where you are at this point and if you’ve found yourself drinking more or less than before. I have done the One Year No Beer challenge for 90 days and it was life changing. The habit crept back, but this time I think I’m ready to just say no for good, as I have so many other goals in life that it doesn’t support. Well written, love your writing.

By: TheHappyPhilosopher

TheHappyPhilosopher — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 21:01:17 +0000

In reply to Mr. RIP. Awesome! 18 months is impressive. Your comment makes me want to go back and visit Italy. I was there something like 15 years ago and I still miss the food. Never had better food than the week I spent in Italy!

By: Mr. RIP

Mr. RIP — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 20:47:48 +0000

Nice report! I did a similar experiment at age 19, after a couple of “getting drunk” episodes where I went too far.
In my experiment I didn’t touch any alcoholic beverage for 18 months and it was a big success. I restarted drinking after that but never got drunk again so far. I’m so happy I did that experiment and showed myself I’m totally not addicted. I did the same with Coca Cola 🙂

P.S. I’m Italian, in Italy drinking is legal from age 18 (or 16? I don’t remember!)

By: TheHappyPhilosopher

TheHappyPhilosopher — Wed, 04 May 2016 18:43:19 +0000

In reply to PhysicianOnFIRE.

7 weeks is nothing to sneeze at, especially if drinking is a daily habit. Nice work! I find that it’s just too easy for me to go from choice to habit. The book The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg is a great read on how habits are established and how they never really go away. Reverting to old routines brings back the habit. I have found this to be true for me.

http://amzn.to/24yhqnF

By: TheHappyPhilosopher

TheHappyPhilosopher — Wed, 04 May 2016 18:34:01 +0000

In reply to Jessica. Thank you :)

By: TheHappyPhilosopher

TheHappyPhilosopher — Wed, 04 May 2016 18:33:40 +0000

In reply to Jeff. Haha! That's great. I tried running once with those "barefoot shoes" and I couldn't walk up stairs for a week so I can relate!

By: Jeff

Jeff — Sat, 30 Apr 2016 00:45:41 +0000

Great article, Jeff. Because of sleep issues, I generally limit my alcohol intake. Maybe I should take it further. Ironic…before I even saw your email notification this afternoon, I saw a picture of a funny sign this morning that I wanted to text to you…
“I hate when people say you don’t need alcohol to have fun-You don’t need running shoes to run, but it fucking helps!”

By: PhysicianOnFIRE

PhysicianOnFIRE — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 20:28:31 +0000

Six months is a good long stretch. Good for you. I’ve gone 7 weeks a couple times (Lent) and 18.5 years once (that would be from birth). I do enjoy a tasty beer, but don’t like it to be so habitual that we grab one every non-call night after the kids go down, which is pretty close to how it was for awhile.

It’s not any kind of sacrifice, but we limit ourselves to alcohol a maximum of 4 nights a week. It’s not limiting, but pouring a beer into the glass becomes a choice rather than a reflex.