How many of you drink alcohol?

Miserum

Well-known member
I haven't had a drink in months until tonight, but used to drink quite heavily.

Something I noticed in particular tonight was a slowing of my ability to form coherent thoughts when talking. My memory was affected after just one, regular drink of liquor, so expressing myself while talking to a friend was more difficult, especially with more complex topics. I felt like an idiot, searching for words and concepts and then failing.

I've always thought that my memory wasn't that good, but now I'm wondering if my "bad" memory was simply a result of drinking too much. In fact, I can't even recall thinking that my memory was bad during these past few sober months, a thought that was prevalent when I was still drinking. And my "bad" memory has been a culprit in social anxiety because it made me feel dumb and outmatched in comparison to others.

Of course, being nervous has an effect on memory, but perhaps the cumulative effect of drinking alcohol has some bearing on that nervousness as well. During these past few sober months, despite my nervousness, my memory has seemed to improve from the times when I was drinking heavily, though I did not come to this conclusion until tonight. Looking back, it seems I have had an easier time remembering things overall while completely abstaining from alcohol.

Tonight did not feel good, but it seems to have given me a new perspective. And they do say that sobriety tends to reduce anxiety. Maybe there is some truth to that. Back to sobriety.
 
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theoutsider

Well-known member
I only drink socially. Two nights ago I went out with some co-workers and felt buzzed from just two beers. That shows how much less I drink now than I used to when I was younger and much more socially active.
 

Miserum

Well-known member
I only drink socially. Two nights ago I went out with some co-workers and felt buzzed from just two beers. That shows how much less I drink now than I used to when I was younger and much more socially active.

I think it's normal for many people to fall into a habit of drinking moderately as they get older. Too many responsibilities, less energy, and an unwillingness to get completely hammered and deal with the next day hangover probably contribute to it haha.

I'm simply not drinking for physical health, though I've obviously wondered if my past alcohol consumption has had anything to do with my anxiety.
 
No.
I can't because if I drink 2 or more glasses of it, I develop a bad headache, not long after it.
However, I wish I was able to get drunk, it would help me to relax.
 

LoyalXenite

Well-known member
When I was working I was a bit too heavy of a drinker, borderline alcoholic. Now I rarely drink, but thats mainly because I drive everywhere so I usually cant drink (probably for the best though)
 
I never liked drinking alcohol. I did try to get drunk a few times alone in my room and listening to music, it was interesting but I didn't see a reason to keep drinking alcohol every week, doesn't help me sleep either. I also felt really bad when I woke up the next morning with a headache. I can still enjoy a glass of good wine. These days mj helps me relax and sleep like a baby, I wake up feeling refreshed, calm and positive, until I get up from my bed and remember the things that make sad in this life.
 

anloor94

New member
I used to drink alcohol to improve my performance in social situations, but I have started therapy just 2 months ago, so I began drinking less alchohol than ever. Now, i only drink occasionally, in situations as parties or similar.
 

Pacific_Loner

Pirate from the North Pole
I haven't had a drink in months until tonight, but used to drink quite heavily.

Something I noticed in particular tonight was a slowing of my ability to form coherent thoughts when talking. My memory was affected after just one, regular drink of liquor, so expressing myself while talking to a friend was more difficult, especially with more complex topics. I felt like an idiot, searching for words and concepts and then failing.

I've always thought that my memory wasn't that good, but now I'm wondering if my "bad" memory was simply a result of drinking too much. In fact, I can't even recall thinking that my memory was bad during these past few sober months, a thought that was prevalent when I was still drinking. And my "bad" memory has been a culprit in social anxiety because it made me feel dumb and outmatched in comparison to others.

Of course, being nervous has an effect on memory, but perhaps the cumulative effect of drinking alcohol has some bearing on that nervousness as well. During these past few sober months, despite my nervousness, my memory has seemed to improve from the times when I was drinking heavily, though I did not come to this conclusion until tonight. Looking back, it seems I have had an easier time remembering things overall while completely abstaining from alcohol.

Tonight did not feel good, but it seems to have given me a new perspective. And they do say that sobriety tends to reduce anxiety. Maybe there is some truth to that. Back to sobriety.

Yup, same exactly as you. I used to drink way too much. During that period, my health was very bad, I was depressed, my anxiety was very high, my brain was a big bowl of jello and I had frequent depersonalization episodes as well to the point of blacking out even when not drunk. I slowly stopped drinking and everything because I was tired of the constant brain fog. It took years to get rid of it and now the sole idea of drinking annoys me because I know it will cause brainfog and speech impairment.
 
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Miserum

Well-known member
Congrats on the sobriety, Loner. :)

Never thought I'd really quit, but here I am.

But who knows what the future holds.
 

FountainandFairfax

in a VAN down by the RIVER
I haven't drank since I was a teenager.

I used to do it so I could go to parties and stuff, to make socializing easier, but it was never worth it. I hated being sick the next morning and the "friends" I made drinking disappeared as soon as they realized I wasn't boozing anymore.
 

anxi5

New member
I don’t drink often. I feel like I can’t form a coherent thought sober or intoxicated. But being drunk takes away a lot of the social anxiety. I can just talk and know it’s nonsense/undeveloped thoughts but not care.
 

kuze

Well-known member
I drink as an escape. When the walls feel like they're closing in, feeling buzzed takes me away. I don't like doing it but it works.
 
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hardy

Well-known member
I drink as an escape. When the walls feel like they're closing in, feeling buzzed takes me away. I don't like doing it but it works.

Basically an escape, ain't it? short term happiness long term brain damage..!
 
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