Photo by taylorkoa22
Last weekend I decided to throw away the wine and lock up the beer fridge. Actually it wasn’t that dramatic, but I did decide to have a weekend free from alcohol. I normally drink in moderation and don’t consider alcohol to be a problem in my life (although it was a few years ago). That said, lately I have been drinking more frequently than usual so I wanted to put the brakes on this habit and consider some potential benefits of abstaining from alcohol.
The following is an account of my weekend, followed by my thoughts about the experience.
My Weekend Without Alchol
Friday
5pm: normally I would have a nice, cold, refreshing, delicious beer in my hand at this stage of the week. And there are actually some beers sitting in the fridge just waiting to be drunk. Instead to I go to the gym. So far so good.
7pm: it’s a quiet night at home. I don’t actually feel like drinking now, but I decide to remove the temptation by taking the beers out of the fridge and letting them get warm.
Saturday
5am: this morning I wake early. I spend my first hour awake with one of the funniest books I have read in a long time (Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert for those who are curious). Then I get writing for this blog. Why do I mention this in an article about alcohol? Well in recent weeks I have not necessarily been drinking large quantities of alcohol, but I have been drinking frequently. And this morning I notice a significant difference between how I feel (great) compared to how I feel the morning after even one or two drinks (ok).
7pm: tonight we are cooking steak for dinner, and my mind automatically drifts to red wine. I resisted purchasing a bottle earlier in the day when I was near a wine store, and at this stage of the night I have no wish to journey outside again (it is raining). The good thing, though, is that my desire for some wine pales in comparison to my desire for something else: food! This is easier than I expected.
Sunday
5pm: tonight I almost give into temptation. We go to a family dinner, and for some reason I am known to enjoy a drink (is it because I am Australian?). I manage to stay strong and decline the offers of red wine. At first people are a little surprised, but it’s no big deal and the night goes well.
Thoughts About My Weekend Without Alcohol
Friday and Saturday nights were surprisingly easy, but for the sake of this experiment I am glad I was tested on Sunday night. At one stage on Sunday night, I did ask myself “why, why why?” I was doing this. As I write this article, though, I can clearly identify the benefits of the experiment.
- Monetary: things are a little tight at the moment, so we definitely saved some money by abstaining from alcohol this weekend.
- Health and well-being: I noticed that, in general, I felt healthier whilst abstaining from alcohol. Also, substituting the gym for a Friday evening beer worked well.
- Productivity: put simply, I got more done this weekend. By avoiding alcohol in the evenings, I avoided the tired feeling I often get from alcohol. And in the mornings my head was noticeably clearer, allowing me to get more writing done, amongst other things.
- Social: I noticed that I was more alert on Sunday night whilst interacting with other people.
- Self-discipline: it was a good feeling to commit to something, then follow through on it.
All-in-all the weekend went well. I’m certainly not going to give up alcohol, but this experiment was a good reminder about the benefits of drinking less often and, when I do drink, of keeping it in moderation.
* * *
Attending sessions with an alcohol addiction counseling specialist may help you to slowly give up drinking.
The Blogging Blog
Well done, Peter! Two of my family members have recently begun alcohol-free lives and it’s given the rest a lot to think about. Good on you for staying the course this weekend! And great blog, btw. I usually read yours first!
I have done exactly the same thing this week. I don’t drink much at all but I had noticed over the last week that I was getting into the habit of drinking a bottle of beer with my tea. I had to stop because the sluggishness I felt each morning was awful. I feel much better now!
Thanks for the comments Ellen and Lynsey.
Lynsey you are right – it can become a habit to have a drink in certain circumstances, eg a beer Friday night after work or a glass of wine with dinner. Sometimes, though, the instant pleasure this gives us is just not worth it. This experiment has given me a greater awareness of the role alcohol plays in my life, and this will hopefully allow me to make better choices in the future.
I too have found myself drinking more frequently, I have also been consuming a larger amout then earlier in my life. Either that or I am just more conscience of my decision to have a drink.
It is funny how things happen, because I also embarked on a non-drinking weekend, although mine happened half by circumstance and half on purpose.
I feel that your 5 benefits were right on target, and an excellent addition to the post, your “thoughts about the weekend” really summed it all up for me, and will help me think more about my decision to drink.
It’s great that you (or anyone else) can show themselves they don’t need alcohol to have a good weekend :) You raise a good point that it’s not so much the quantity you consume if you are drinking (everyone can one too many at times), but rather the frequency of consumption that should be kept in check. Keep up the great postings! :)
This is AWESOME Peter– I sometimes go detox for a full month…let me tell you, you feel GREAT after. The funny thing is, when I go out with friends (while staying sober) I am just as funny and cool as always :)
RJ and Stephen: thanks for the great comments.
Todd: a month? Now that would be a real challenge :) .
The month long idea sounds particularly difficult, especially with the holiday season just around the corner. All that pressure from family and friends! It’d be really, really difficult to stick to it.
When I was about 2 years old, I was at a barbeque where everyone was drinking beer. Throughout the whole evening, I kept sneaking over to the trashcan looking for freshly thrown out beer cans so I could drink the remnants of each can. After doing this all evening, I got really drunk and ended up having a horrible hangover. This little long past event has stuck with me. I was at an age where the incident left a lasting imprint and ever since that incident just the smell of alcohol makes me want to vomit. So, I’ve never even been able to enjoy a beer since I was about 2 years old. So that is one way to cure a kid from becoming a drinker—although one that could get a parent in trouble if done purposely ;). It is all psychological.
Alex, LOL – that is quite the story. I actually didn’t like the taste of alcohol initially, but I “grew” on me. My little boy, who is 8 months old, is fascinated by beer bottles which is a bit of a worry. I don’t think I’ll try to cure him though with your method, as you say it may get me in trouble :)
Alcohol-free beer is quite good in Vancouver/Canada.
It’s tastes the same, except for the “buzz”.
Hello Peter.
If you are interested in developing yourself, seriously consider totally giving up drinking. I used to drink a fair amount in my younger days. I have also seen first hand the damage that drinking can do to bodies and minds. I reached a stage in my life, during my mid-twenties where I turned my back on the bottle. Soon after I started to become interested in self-development after reading the Steven Covey books. Giving up drinking has given me mental clarity over the past decade and a half. I probably drink once or twice a year and I hate the sluggish feelings I have the next two to three days.
If you felt good after a weekend not drinking, imagine how good you would feel after not drinking for a year.
As a fellow Australian, my non-drinking often encounters social resistance, but most people respect my stance when they see my commitment to it.
Hi Ben,
Thanks for the comment. I can certainly imagine the benefits of not drinking at all – basically they would be the same as I listed in this article but on a permanent basis. It’s certainly food for thought. In fact my dad, like you, doesn’t drink at all.
I appreciate your experiment and the supporting comments. However, everybody seems to neglect the HEALTHY effect of alcohol. Several studies showed that a certain amount of alcohol per day increases your life expectancy (search google if you like)– if I recall it correctly, it was about one glass of red wine. So you might want to stay away from staying away from alcohol :). Of course, more than the said glass of wine/beer harms your health.
Happy New Year,
Kay.
@Kay,
With no disrespect to you Kay , this is the argument that many drink dependent individuals now trot out in order to encourage us non drinkers and rare drinkers to drink in order to make themselves feel more comfortable about their drinking. The fact is the latest research is showing that the health benefits of low and regular alcohol consumption have been exaggerated while the risks to our health go under reported. ( if not completely ignored ). The reality is we can obtain better and safer health benefits from drinking green tea , good quality chocolate or numerous other foods and beverages without the toxic effect of alcohol on the body and mind.
( Alcohol IS a carcinogen, and to varying degree an addictive drug ). Exercise, meditation , proper amounts of sleep, positive social interaction etc all have positive health benefits too.
Kind regards
james
Excellent article – great points! My husband used to love having a glass of wine with a meal every so often. He probably drank about 10 glasses of wine a year and he’d have the occasional shot of vodka when the mood struck him. After having a liver transplant, two years ago, alcohol is a complete no-no now.
The few years before the transplant he would feel ill for days after having just one drink. We never thought about it being a health issue, just a tolerance issue. So those reading this that do get ill quite easily from just abit of alcohol – go see your doctor.
As for me, I haven’t really had a drink since I became leagally able to drink – most of the fun for me was aquiring it lol I’m going on about 20 years since that date came and went. Champagne is real good though, I like a nice glass of champagne every year or two. Happy New Year!
I enjoyed your article about giving up booze for a weekend. For the last two years I have been doing a version of Agnostic Lent by giving up drinking for the months of January and February.
I feel great and going out is far cheaper. I have been able to get in 93 miles running in January. I sleep better and seem to be avoiding the cold that is plaguing many of my fellow toilers.
The first weekend of the first year is tough, but once I got used to not drinking (even though I host Happy Hours)
Thanks for the comment Marcus. Funny that you should comment on this article (which is a few months old) just now. The weekend just gone I didn’t touch alcohol at all….. and I wasn’t even tempted to. There is just so much happening at the moment in my life that I didn’t want the sleepy feeling that alcohol gives me. Interesting point about getting a cold – I can recall many occasions where a big drinking night has led to getting sick.
Thanks for the comment. I can certainly imagine the benefits of not drinking at all – basically they would be the same as I listed in this article but on a permanent basis.
Two years after making a decision not to drink any alcohol at all, life just gets better and better!! Its just so good to be rid of the sickness, tiredness and paranoia. Weekends actually seem longer now. It took me over 4 years to come to this decision but it is the best one ever made.
Well, I love wine and coffee but gave both up 12 years ago and have never given in. Sure, I’ve been tempted here and there but the consequences aren’t worth it. I’ve noticed that I certainly look better for my age than my friends who drink. They tend to drink a lot, mind you, but that’s easy to do. Which is one reason why I don’t!
Adorned With Lifes last blog post..Taking a Break from CrazyLand
Im having my first weekend without drink but its going to be tricky! Ive been a heavy binge drinker for nearly 10 years and noticed more often over the years it isnt exactly doing me any good. Its going to be difficult but im going to keep myself busy this weekend and maybe have a thorough read of the other comments on tips to stay away from it :)
I have eventually accepted that i may have a problem where alcohol is concerned so stopping is going to be very daunting as it has been a big part of my life but now hitting mid twenties my mind is thinking more and more about my future.. where is it going? where am i going to be in another 5 10 years time? do i really still want to be plastered every weekend work 5 days then be drunk for the weekend still recovering on a monday? fair enough it can be fun but when its intervening on goals you are trying to set and affecting areas in my life i know this has to be done.
So here goes roll on the (very different) weekend lol!
peter, I am on the 14th day of a 21 day fast from drinking! I am so glad to have read this as my boyfriend is coming to visit today and I always go in to “vacation mode” with him.
this should give me the strength to persevere today!!
I feel great by the way.. havent honestly wanted it.. but tonight will be the test!
hey there…your story really got me as i am a beer drinker and i LOVE it!!! Not a day after work pass by that i feel like having one. I dont drink till am all completely drunk but more of an unwinding or after a long day.
But i must try this..a weekend without alco!!! thanks for the story..am inspired..i know australian love their beers!! cheers mate!
I stopped just a week ago. I was a heavy drinker, every day 3 big drinks of vodka and soda. I’ve blanked out many times, forgotten what I did the night before just before falling asleep, decided it was too much. I hope I am strong enough to never start again. I admit I love wine and champagne, and margaritas, but I do believe the hard liquor is easy to give up. Used to drink a lot of beer, got over it, and only drank once in a while…
I admit I was scared to stop but as each day passes it gets easier. Note, booze is all over the house and I’ve been strong enough to pass it up. There is a God! lol
Peter
I’ve just found your blog entry on the internet and it is a fascinating insight into how booze is everywhere interlaced into our social lives and the workplace. This was the biggest thing I learned when I gave up for a month in September 2009.
I actually found it easy to stop but I was surprised by how often alcohol cropped up in any given week (meeting friends in the bar ofcourse, drink after work, with a meal etc). I also found people asking me why I drank OJ and lemonade the whole time. Others said, “Go on, have one, it won’t harm you”
Looking back, I realise that I was offered drinks or felt the pressure to have one at least 5 times a week!
So now it is January 2010 and I have given up for January to let my body recover from the excesses of New Year. My intention is to give up for January and then maybe just carry on month by month. I love the energy you get back when you abstain and the activity that fills the void left by endless evenings talking drunken rubbish with friends in a smelly bar.
I am 266 days off the grog. I feel heaps better. Like a different person. I recommend it.
First reply of 2011, Saturday morning 4 June I’m up before my 5 yr old daughter only because I drank lime and soda yesterday evening whilst chilling , the weather didn’t help 26c in the Uk and another hot one today.
Cant remember the last time I woke up feeling fresh on a Sunday either, so here goes another day fingers crossed.
Just wanted to add remember what life was like when we were all kids back in the 80s before we discovered alcohol we managed to still have fun out on the bmx or hanging around just having a laugh how we forget ! Nice reading all the previous stay positive thanks.
My wife and I stopped drinking 4 days ago. It WAS becoming a problem. We have also embarked on a walking program. It feels so good! This morning I have so much energy I can’t believe it. God willing, we ain’t gonna drink for a long time!!!
Love,
Tea tote
I am currently trying to do a month without alcohol but I don’t think I will make it! As soon as I saw your words “…a nice, cold, refreshing, delicious beer in my hand ..” my mouth instantly started watering. Well I’ve gone without since the grand final on Sunday and usually I’d have more than a few during the week so I think that’s a damn fine effort! Although I do have to point out I feel fantastic and have dropped 2kgs in 5 days. Note to self, no more weeknight drinking.