4 ms·

I stopped drinking alcohol when I was 18 (I am 33 now) as I could see it was effecting how well I could study. Poor sleep, hang overs, etc. made me want to take

I stopped drinking alcohol when I was 18 (I am 33 now) as I could see it was effecting how well I could study. Poor sleep, hang overs, etc. made me want to take a break for a few months to concentrate on other things in my life. 6 months later I realised life was way better without alcohol. I was more motivated, I slept much better, I felt better, I could study and retain things much better than before. I wasn't a super heavy drinker, I am from the UK so started to drink with friends at around 16. Over the past 15 years binge drinking has become a big problem IMHO. I feel I am lucky to have avoided that! So here I am 15 years later and still not drinking at all. I would recommend taking a year off alcohol and see how it changes your life. Maybe it won't make as big a difference as it did for me but I would be shocked if it didn't make some noticeable differences to your brain.

cjsuk 9y ago
Couldn't agree more. UK here as well and there is a rather idiotic culture of social and binge drinking which I got into in the mid 1990s driven by "the pub" and "the club". I quit alcohol entirely in 2002 (15 years ago as well!) after getting married and decided to replace it with the magical elixir that cures all ills: water. The revelation of water came from having a saline drip after an accident. I felt fantastic afterwards. Full of energy, drive and able to actually process things in my brain. Turned out I'd spent the few years before this point entirely shrivelled up with dehydration caused by drinking only tea and alcohol. Trying to shake the caffeine monkey of my back now. That's just as bad. Drinking lots of water does help however.
- JoeAltmaier 9y ago
  Currently taking a break from caffeine now too. Just had lunch at my favorite place, the usual staff knows to serve me a huge mason jar of sweet tea (its a barbeque joint). I was bracing myself to refuse and ask for water - but a different guy was on duty. So no problem. But I feel the gravitational pull of caffeine every time I see the road sign for one of my regular places. It almost a physical rush.
navidfarhadi 9y ago
I would love to completely put alcohol aside as you did. However, I don't know how I would put beer and wine aside permanently. I couldn't tell you the last time I had a cocktail or distilled alcoholic beverage, but I love to drink craft beers and occasionally a glass of wine, solely for the taste. I cannot stand the feeling of being buzzed or drunk, I just enjoy drinking a few beers on Friday and Saturday night. I've noticed that it does affect my sleep though as I am often tired on Saturday and Sunday, even if I got 8-9 hours of sleep. I have a similar issue with other foods, like cheesecake. I love eating cheesecake on occasion but every time I eat it the very high fat and sugar content upsets my stomach.
- boundlessdreamz 9y ago
  Maybe move the beer and wine to lunch giving the body time to break it down?

cjsuk 9y ago

Couldn't agree more. UK here as well and there is a rather idiotic culture of social and binge drinking which I got into in the mid 1990s driven by "the pub" and "the club". I quit alcohol entirely in 2002 (15 years ago as well!) after getting married and decided to replace it with the magical elixir that cures all ills: water. The revelation of water came from having a saline drip after an accident. I felt fantastic afterwards. Full of energy, drive and able to actually process things in my brain. Turned out I'd spent the few years before this point entirely shrivelled up with dehydration caused by drinking only tea and alcohol. Trying to shake the caffeine monkey of my back now. That's just as bad. Drinking lots of water does help however.

JoeAltmaier 9y ago
Currently taking a break from caffeine now too. Just had lunch at my favorite place, the usual staff knows to serve me a huge mason jar of sweet tea (its a barbeque joint). I was bracing myself to refuse and ask for water - but a different guy was on duty. So no problem. But I feel the gravitational pull of caffeine every time I see the road sign for one of my regular places. It almost a physical rush.

navidfarhadi 9y ago

I would love to completely put alcohol aside as you did. However, I don't know how I would put beer and wine aside permanently. I couldn't tell you the last time I had a cocktail or distilled alcoholic beverage, but I love to drink craft beers and occasionally a glass of wine, solely for the taste. I cannot stand the feeling of being buzzed or drunk, I just enjoy drinking a few beers on Friday and Saturday night. I've noticed that it does affect my sleep though as I am often tired on Saturday and Sunday, even if I got 8-9 hours of sleep. I have a similar issue with other foods, like cheesecake. I love eating cheesecake on occasion but every time I eat it the very high fat and sugar content upsets my stomach.

boundlessdreamz 9y ago
Maybe move the beer and wine to lunch giving the body time to break it down?