I've made a huge mistake.
February 9, 2013 8:46 PM Subscribe
I drink (alcohol) too quickly during a night out, and it is becoming a problem. I need advice/tricks on how to slow down my drinking pace and not binge. Details inside.
Hi there, the question is near the bottom. I think I should give a bit of backstory first.
I had a night out with the boys yesterday. As usual, I noticed early on that my glass was going down at a much more rapid pace than that of my pals. I've always had this problem with consuming whatever I'm eating/drinking too quickly, but of course when it's alcohol the effects are more drastic.
So I ended up drinking far too much, losing track of the later part of the night, and also misplacing a bag (with important stuff inside, of course). There's a decent chance I'll be able to get it back, but fingers are crossed. I'm sick of doing stupid stuff like this, and is not the first time I have done stupid **** while out on the town. So this has gotten me thinking that I really need to tone down my drinking; my regular drinking pace is simply far too fast.
The problem is that I have thought this before and resolved to change things, but I always disregard these resolutions in the heat of the moment. I don't drink often (say, once a week) but when I do I unfortunately almost always lose track of how much I'm drinking and binge. And I think my body can't tolerate alcohol as well as other people, since I wake up with the worst hangovers imaginable.
TL;DR: I'd like to curb my binge drinking habit. Please suggest tricks/advice to catch myself from drinking too much and keep me in line with (or at a slower pace than) the rest of the group. I plan to stick to whatever plan I form from this point on.
Some things I've considered are: Always have a glass of water in between drinks, keep it to one drink per set time period (say, one beer every 45 minutes or so), one sip per minute, pretending to take a sip, having a cutoff point, etc. I have also considered going stone-cold sober, but really do like sharing a pint with friends every now and then and would rather simply try to tone down the habit.
Does anyone have any others? Any advice would be much appreciated!
Hi there, the question is near the bottom. I think I should give a bit of backstory first.
I had a night out with the boys yesterday. As usual, I noticed early on that my glass was going down at a much more rapid pace than that of my pals. I've always had this problem with consuming whatever I'm eating/drinking too quickly, but of course when it's alcohol the effects are more drastic.
So I ended up drinking far too much, losing track of the later part of the night, and also misplacing a bag (with important stuff inside, of course). There's a decent chance I'll be able to get it back, but fingers are crossed. I'm sick of doing stupid stuff like this, and is not the first time I have done stupid **** while out on the town. So this has gotten me thinking that I really need to tone down my drinking; my regular drinking pace is simply far too fast.
The problem is that I have thought this before and resolved to change things, but I always disregard these resolutions in the heat of the moment. I don't drink often (say, once a week) but when I do I unfortunately almost always lose track of how much I'm drinking and binge. And I think my body can't tolerate alcohol as well as other people, since I wake up with the worst hangovers imaginable.
TL;DR: I'd like to curb my binge drinking habit. Please suggest tricks/advice to catch myself from drinking too much and keep me in line with (or at a slower pace than) the rest of the group. I plan to stick to whatever plan I form from this point on.
Some things I've considered are: Always have a glass of water in between drinks, keep it to one drink per set time period (say, one beer every 45 minutes or so), one sip per minute, pretending to take a sip, having a cutoff point, etc. I have also considered going stone-cold sober, but really do like sharing a pint with friends every now and then and would rather simply try to tone down the habit.
Does anyone have any others? Any advice would be much appreciated!
What if you just have one drink and then stop there? You get the pint with friends and ought to buy a round for them at some point, but stick to soft drinks after the first beer.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 8:50 PM on February 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by croutonsupafreak at 8:50 PM on February 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
How about eating something heavy while/before drinking? I can't drink as much if I have a full stomach.
Also, only bring enough money to buy few drinks for yourself - when you run out of cash you can't drink anymore!
posted by littlesq at 8:51 PM on February 9, 2013
Also, only bring enough money to buy few drinks for yourself - when you run out of cash you can't drink anymore!
posted by littlesq at 8:51 PM on February 9, 2013
Best answer: Force yourself to drink a glass of water in between drinks.
posted by dobi at 8:54 PM on February 9, 2013 [18 favorites]
posted by dobi at 8:54 PM on February 9, 2013 [18 favorites]
What's your poison?
I used to have this problem in college when I was drinking sweet cocktails based around liquor and sodas/juices, like a rum & coke or a vodka cranberry.
I started drinking things that actually taste like alcohol, and my problems with this vanished.
As for what to drink:
If I must drink hard liquor, it's whiskey on the rocks. It's strong as hell, but at least you know what you're getting into. Unless you have an insane tolerance, you have to sip it slowly. The good stuff also isn't cheap, so unless your budget is endless you'll have to pace yourself.
More often, though, when I want to pace myself I stick to beer. Ideally something lower in alcohol, and a heavier profile. Guinness is brilliant for this. When I go to happy hour and haven't eaten since lunch, Guinness is my best friend. It's thick and rich, so you can't drink too much of it. And, while it's not crazy bitter, you'd never confuse it for a soda. It's also about the lowest ABV serious grown-up beer. It's respectable as hell and most places have it.
posted by Sara C. at 9:01 PM on February 9, 2013 [8 favorites]
I used to have this problem in college when I was drinking sweet cocktails based around liquor and sodas/juices, like a rum & coke or a vodka cranberry.
I started drinking things that actually taste like alcohol, and my problems with this vanished.
As for what to drink:
If I must drink hard liquor, it's whiskey on the rocks. It's strong as hell, but at least you know what you're getting into. Unless you have an insane tolerance, you have to sip it slowly. The good stuff also isn't cheap, so unless your budget is endless you'll have to pace yourself.
More often, though, when I want to pace myself I stick to beer. Ideally something lower in alcohol, and a heavier profile. Guinness is brilliant for this. When I go to happy hour and haven't eaten since lunch, Guinness is my best friend. It's thick and rich, so you can't drink too much of it. And, while it's not crazy bitter, you'd never confuse it for a soda. It's also about the lowest ABV serious grown-up beer. It's respectable as hell and most places have it.
posted by Sara C. at 9:01 PM on February 9, 2013 [8 favorites]
Best answer: I drink absolutely everything quickly: alcohol, water, coffee, you name it. When I want to slow down, I get a glass of water with my drink and alternate. Usually, I'll finish the water first, because most of the habit is in the physical act of drinking. You could try something like taking two sips of water for one sip of beer. Bonus points for going to a place that has carafes of water for you to refill as needed.
posted by Metroid Baby at 9:03 PM on February 9, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by Metroid Baby at 9:03 PM on February 9, 2013 [4 favorites]
Can you eat while you are drinking? Everyone I know who has this problem paces themselves by eating and only bringing enough money for two drinks and an appetizer.
posted by SkylitDrawl at 9:04 PM on February 9, 2013
posted by SkylitDrawl at 9:04 PM on February 9, 2013
You could ask your friends to help out by stopping you after one or two drinks.
When I don't want to get drunk, I have also asked bartenders to go easy on the alcohol or add extra ice for me. Beer is better than hard alcohol. Sugary drinks also seem to make me feel drunk faster.
Getting water between drinks is also good.
posted by dottiechang at 9:10 PM on February 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
When I don't want to get drunk, I have also asked bartenders to go easy on the alcohol or add extra ice for me. Beer is better than hard alcohol. Sugary drinks also seem to make me feel drunk faster.
Getting water between drinks is also good.
posted by dottiechang at 9:10 PM on February 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
When I want to slow my beer consumption I put a few drops of Tabasco sauce in the beer. It still tastes good and I like hot sauce, but it is hard to drink it too fast.
Strange but true.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 9:10 PM on February 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
Strange but true.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 9:10 PM on February 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Try chugging a couple of litres of water before you head out. That experience is disgusting enough that the disincentive to swallow will still be fresh in your mind once you get to the venue, your stomach won't be quite as keen to accept yet more liquid, the concentration of alcohol you're exposed to will be lower, it's something you can do before your judgement becomes impaired, and it will cut into your drinking time with toilet breaks.
posted by flabdablet at 9:14 PM on February 9, 2013 [9 favorites]
posted by flabdablet at 9:14 PM on February 9, 2013 [9 favorites]
Since you mention "pints" I'm assuming beer is your drink of choice. I'll order a non-alcoholic beer if I want to stay out for another round with my friends but don't want to have any more alcohol, like if I have to drive.
posted by alphanerd at 9:24 PM on February 9, 2013
posted by alphanerd at 9:24 PM on February 9, 2013
Sometimes when I have Gin and Tonics - I alternate with ordering just tonic - it tastes like I'm drinking a cocktail, but it keeps me from going overboard.
posted by nightwood at 9:26 PM on February 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by nightwood at 9:26 PM on February 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Just because you only drink once a week doesn't mean you don't have a drinking problem. Consider quitting altogether--your friends will still like drinking around you don't worry.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 9:54 PM on February 9, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by Potomac Avenue at 9:54 PM on February 9, 2013 [4 favorites]
What helped me was not letting myself forget that I didn't want to have the worst hangover imaginable again, ever. Having a few more drinks isn't worth being miserable for a full day afterward. (I get a hangover from like three drinks. Once I recognized that, it didn't bother me to switch to soda or sparkling water, I don't like feeling terrible the next day.)
Also, are you ordering rounds? Just don't order another drink until everyone is having another round. It's like going to a restaurant and not scarfing down all your food right away so you won't have to sit there with an empty plate while the others finish. You might get used to paying attention to their pace and drinking more slowly, rather than have to wait for the others with an empty glass because you've finished yours in half the time. I don't think having a lot of extra water is going to help, you'll just reinforce the habit of drinking constantly and fast.
posted by citron at 9:56 PM on February 9, 2013
Also, are you ordering rounds? Just don't order another drink until everyone is having another round. It's like going to a restaurant and not scarfing down all your food right away so you won't have to sit there with an empty plate while the others finish. You might get used to paying attention to their pace and drinking more slowly, rather than have to wait for the others with an empty glass because you've finished yours in half the time. I don't think having a lot of extra water is going to help, you'll just reinforce the habit of drinking constantly and fast.
posted by citron at 9:56 PM on February 9, 2013
Best answer: Alternate alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Have a beer, then a water, then a beer, then a water. You'll drink more slowly that way, and your hangovers won't be as bad either. If you're drinking with people who aren't cool with you doing that (it happens) then you need to stop drinking with those people because they are pressuring you to do something harmful to yourself.
But drinking more than you want to drink is definitely a red flag. If you are having trouble with self control when drinking, you might want to think about stopping drinking (at least for a while, to give yourself some time to think about the place of alcohol in your life and whether it's healthy for you) or at least stopping drinking under the kind of circumstances where you tend to drink a lot.
posted by Scientist at 11:31 PM on February 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
But drinking more than you want to drink is definitely a red flag. If you are having trouble with self control when drinking, you might want to think about stopping drinking (at least for a while, to give yourself some time to think about the place of alcohol in your life and whether it's healthy for you) or at least stopping drinking under the kind of circumstances where you tend to drink a lot.
posted by Scientist at 11:31 PM on February 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Ask your friends what you do when you're drinking: Are you constantly sipping, are you taking big gulps, are you chugging like you're really thirsty? You've obviously got some habits going on here of which you're not aware--ask your friends to help you figure them out.
If you have a friend who's amenable, drink with him--literally. He orders drinks for both of you, at his pace. You're not allowed to prod, whimper or beg. You can pound your pint and wait, or you can slowly sip to keep pace with him, but you're only having what he has. Of course, that requires both of you to be in agreement on this. But the nut of the problem is that you can't govern yourself, and you need information to understand why. This would be a good experiment.
posted by fatbird at 11:31 PM on February 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
If you have a friend who's amenable, drink with him--literally. He orders drinks for both of you, at his pace. You're not allowed to prod, whimper or beg. You can pound your pint and wait, or you can slowly sip to keep pace with him, but you're only having what he has. Of course, that requires both of you to be in agreement on this. But the nut of the problem is that you can't govern yourself, and you need information to understand why. This would be a good experiment.
posted by fatbird at 11:31 PM on February 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Buy rounds? Even if you finish your drink in half the time it takes your friends, you still wait until whoever's round it is to finish their drink before you can have another. Alternatively, if there are too many of you to make buying rounds practical or you just think that sort of thing is too british ;) Pick the slowest drinker in the group and dont buy another drink when you've finished yours, only get another drink when that person is ready. Eventually you'll learn to "nurse it" like a broke ass student. You can also use other people as a sort of 'pacer', if your glass is emptying faster than theirs, stop drinking until they catch up. Yes, it will be a lot of effort at first but if will become second nature after a while and you wont have to be constantly comparing your drink with others, you'll just drink more slowly.
posted by missmagenta at 12:58 AM on February 10, 2013
posted by missmagenta at 12:58 AM on February 10, 2013
Best answer: Yeah, I'm the same way, I eat really fast, I drink (everything, not just alcohol- tea and water also) really fast, I also walk really fast- I think my internal clock might just be set to a different pace than the world. To slow down drinking, I'll choose a person at the table and if I've drunk more than them, stop until their glass has caught up to how much I've drunk they've caught up to me and make sure they finish their drink before I finish mine. Drinking water in between pints is a good idea, but unfortunately I personally can never remember to order water while I'm drinking beer, so drinking a bunch of water beforehand helps. Also, I have a tendency to leave early (early to bed, early to rise and all that), so if you've had two pints and you drank them quickly, consider just heading home.
On preview: Exactly what missmagenta said.
posted by Enchanting Grasshopper at 2:13 AM on February 10, 2013
On preview: Exactly what missmagenta said.
posted by Enchanting Grasshopper at 2:13 AM on February 10, 2013
As a bartender, don't be afraid to tell us. We understand. I would personally lower my pour, make drinks in larger glasses (for more mixer) and/or politely suggest or without asked put water in front of you. Or even go to the lengths of making you wait longer for drink re-fills (and if I'm really on my game you won't even notice this).
A lot of these tips really do work - eating a full meal first, eating appetizers and such while drinking, alternating glasses of water with drinks, etc.
But if you regularly go to a bar or two of choice, the bartender probably already knows your drinking habits and would be happy to assist. It makes everyone's lives easier. If you got to a new bar, just tell the bartender you want tall drinks but not more liquor and would like to be kept up on the water supply so you don't go overboard.
posted by efalk at 2:50 AM on February 10, 2013 [4 favorites]
A lot of these tips really do work - eating a full meal first, eating appetizers and such while drinking, alternating glasses of water with drinks, etc.
But if you regularly go to a bar or two of choice, the bartender probably already knows your drinking habits and would be happy to assist. It makes everyone's lives easier. If you got to a new bar, just tell the bartender you want tall drinks but not more liquor and would like to be kept up on the water supply so you don't go overboard.
posted by efalk at 2:50 AM on February 10, 2013 [4 favorites]
I'm like Enchanting Grasshopper and do pretty much everything fast in the same way.
The way I usually handle this is to not buy another drink until someone else buys one (as usually we're doing rounds and either I buy for them or they're buying for me), that way we're still on the same amount of drinks.
posted by ryanbryan at 4:15 AM on February 10, 2013
The way I usually handle this is to not buy another drink until someone else buys one (as usually we're doing rounds and either I buy for them or they're buying for me), that way we're still on the same amount of drinks.
posted by ryanbryan at 4:15 AM on February 10, 2013
If you normally drink pints then make sure that you always go for the basic (i.e. lower ABV) rather than premium product. If that's something that you already do then consider switching to some kind of shandy to really lower the ABV whilst retaining the feeling of having a pint with the boys.
posted by MUD at 4:56 AM on February 10, 2013
posted by MUD at 4:56 AM on February 10, 2013
Best answer: Simply sticking to one drink an hour has always worked for me. If I down the first one, I drink water, or nothing, until the hour passes, then I order another.
posted by COD at 6:03 AM on February 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by COD at 6:03 AM on February 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: If you are buying your own drinks (instead of buying rounds, and then possibly buying additional drinks for yourself while others finish the round) then start at the end of the night and work backwards.
If you drink a pint every 45min, and the evening finishes at 11pm, and you only want to have 3 pints that night...3 pints times 45 minutes means you can start drinking beer at 8:45pm at your usual rate. If you arrive at 8pm, you order Cokes/water until 8:45pm.
Thus the time when you have to make the wise choice to pace yourself is while you're still sober and can exercise good judgementl easier than at 10:15pm when your drunk brain will find excuses to forget the water and go one beer over your limit.
posted by K.P. at 6:13 AM on February 10, 2013 [3 favorites]
If you drink a pint every 45min, and the evening finishes at 11pm, and you only want to have 3 pints that night...3 pints times 45 minutes means you can start drinking beer at 8:45pm at your usual rate. If you arrive at 8pm, you order Cokes/water until 8:45pm.
Thus the time when you have to make the wise choice to pace yourself is while you're still sober and can exercise good judgementl easier than at 10:15pm when your drunk brain will find excuses to forget the water and go one beer over your limit.
posted by K.P. at 6:13 AM on February 10, 2013 [3 favorites]
I tend to nurse beers for a looong time, but if I start drinking a hurricane or some other delicious sweet mixed drink (even ginger ale and bourbon), that can definitely get me to drink too much too fast. I agree with the advice above to drink something on the rocks.
Or even buy an expensive drink that you can't afford to drink a lot of.
posted by goethean at 6:28 AM on February 10, 2013
Or even buy an expensive drink that you can't afford to drink a lot of.
posted by goethean at 6:28 AM on February 10, 2013
Best answer: Rotate your drinks. 1 alcoholic beverage followed by 1 glass of water followed by 1 soft-drink. Then return to the booze and cycle again. The rule, however, is that you have to drink each beverage at a social pace -- that is to say, no guzzling the soda just to return to booze. This does a couple of things: it slows your intake of booze by spacing things out, it helps with the dehydration issues, and it keeps something drinkable in your hand so you don't feel you have to order another cocktail in order to be sociable.
posted by driley at 6:39 AM on February 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by driley at 6:39 AM on February 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
What works for me is to get bottled beers instead of pints. They tend to be more expensive (at least where I drink) so I feel like I have to cherish them and the small bottle neck seems to pace my drinking for me. T least I think that's why. As an added bonus my local has a great selection of bottled beers that they update occasionally so I get to taste new things.
posted by Ernest Frawde at 7:14 AM on February 10, 2013
posted by Ernest Frawde at 7:14 AM on February 10, 2013
I agree with COD - one drink per hour or quit altogether.
I've been there and 'was always the first one "done" and wanted another when other glass's were half full. I tried every trick in the book to slow down or have "just one or two" but nothing worked. I loved the sweeping feeling of calmness that would come over me but then I had to have more and more!
I recently quit for a month but I hated the idea of never having another drink so I have gone on a "one good drink" a month and I decide when I have it.
Daily I drink Vata tea to relax. Some of the non-alcoholic beers are ok for going out with your friends. I think Little Paulie girl has a good one.
posted by Tullyogallaghan at 7:59 AM on February 10, 2013
I've been there and 'was always the first one "done" and wanted another when other glass's were half full. I tried every trick in the book to slow down or have "just one or two" but nothing worked. I loved the sweeping feeling of calmness that would come over me but then I had to have more and more!
I recently quit for a month but I hated the idea of never having another drink so I have gone on a "one good drink" a month and I decide when I have it.
Daily I drink Vata tea to relax. Some of the non-alcoholic beers are ok for going out with your friends. I think Little Paulie girl has a good one.
posted by Tullyogallaghan at 7:59 AM on February 10, 2013
I organize a happy hour for professionals. We have a sponsor who pays for beer so it's easy for me to start with one because I'm anxious and coming from work and then I keep going. Last time though, I got a soda water with lime from the bartender at the beginning of the night and just got refills. It made me happy because I knew I was keeping my head the whole time.
That said, having water between drinks works really well for me too.
posted by kat518 at 8:19 AM on February 10, 2013
That said, having water between drinks works really well for me too.
posted by kat518 at 8:19 AM on February 10, 2013
Best answer: Drink tall wine coolers. We used to go to a bar after dancing; I'd be really thirsty and drink too fast. I started having white wine & gingerale, and asking for it to be extra tall. Also, alternate 1 drink/ wine/ beer, and water or soda. Remind yourself that drinking feels good, esp. the 1st 2 - 3 drinks, but that subsequent drinks don't really feel better, and that the hangover isn't worth it. I endorse the idea of going out sometimes and not drinking at all. It's a good way to de-emphasize alcohol's importance in your life.
posted by theora55 at 8:58 AM on February 10, 2013
posted by theora55 at 8:58 AM on February 10, 2013
Best answer: 1. Never be the only one getting a drink. Order only when a (slower-drinking) friend orders.
2. Show up after your friends - wait until they are 1-2 beers in before you start. There's no obligation to "catch up".
posted by Elagabalus at 9:59 AM on February 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
2. Show up after your friends - wait until they are 1-2 beers in before you start. There's no obligation to "catch up".
posted by Elagabalus at 9:59 AM on February 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: 1) Drink beer only.
2) Never, ever, drink shots.
3) If you have a mixed drink, chew on all the ice after you finish it before getting another drink.
4) Don't drink red bull (or any thing else with caffeine) while you're drinking, that only means you can get black out drunk and still walk around (and drink more).
5) One to two drinks per hour only.
6) Bring only cash with you to drink with and no credit cards or atm cards.
7) If you're at a house party, be careful about who you take drinks from. Even if they don't roofie you, people will often hand you drinks full of 90% vodka, etc..
8) Order tonic waters or just straight soda water between drinks.
posted by empath at 11:00 AM on February 10, 2013 [2 favorites]
2) Never, ever, drink shots.
3) If you have a mixed drink, chew on all the ice after you finish it before getting another drink.
4) Don't drink red bull (or any thing else with caffeine) while you're drinking, that only means you can get black out drunk and still walk around (and drink more).
5) One to two drinks per hour only.
6) Bring only cash with you to drink with and no credit cards or atm cards.
7) If you're at a house party, be careful about who you take drinks from. Even if they don't roofie you, people will often hand you drinks full of 90% vodka, etc..
8) Order tonic waters or just straight soda water between drinks.
posted by empath at 11:00 AM on February 10, 2013 [2 favorites]
I find that I drink too quickly when I am not interested in the things around me. So, it helped me to get friends that I like more and feel more natural around so I concentrate on talking with them or making them laugh. Or, go to more interesting places so there are interesting women to flirt with or interesting things to look at and interact with. That way, the drink is just kind of peripheral and I drink way more slowly.
posted by 3FLryan at 11:30 AM on February 10, 2013
posted by 3FLryan at 11:30 AM on February 10, 2013
Best answer: I have a lot of friends that do the cocktail, tonic on ice with lime, glass of water and then a cocktail method, you get the long tail, slow and steady low grade buzz. It's also very hard to have more than 3 cocktails this way.
posted by bobdow at 12:18 PM on February 10, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by bobdow at 12:18 PM on February 10, 2013 [2 favorites]
I do this, and also have a bad habit of going drink for drink with men who have significantly larger tolerances than me. So I swap (one gin, then water, then gin, then plain tonic and so on). And we do 'shouts' so I don't get another drink until all four of us are done.
I'll occasionally go with a cocktail when out but I still will drink them fast (so instead of my usual pace of two-three drinks per companion's single drink, it ends up a cocktail per single drink, which is hardly better). I make sure I have things to do with my hands as well.
posted by geek anachronism at 4:16 PM on February 10, 2013
I'll occasionally go with a cocktail when out but I still will drink them fast (so instead of my usual pace of two-three drinks per companion's single drink, it ends up a cocktail per single drink, which is hardly better). I make sure I have things to do with my hands as well.
posted by geek anachronism at 4:16 PM on February 10, 2013
Best answer: Another vote for alternating with water or soda. You may even want to start with water, as suggested above - maybe you're just *thirsty*.
(Also, I slow down by ordering something I like less - it's a good way to force yourself to try something new too.)
posted by maryr at 4:37 PM on February 10, 2013
(Also, I slow down by ordering something I like less - it's a good way to force yourself to try something new too.)
posted by maryr at 4:37 PM on February 10, 2013
Response by poster: I appreciate the input, everyone. I'm going to try one night of alternating between water and beer, and then another night of limiting my alcoholic intake to one drink per 45 minutes. Whichever one of those works better, I'll stick with. If both of those don't work out as planned I will consider abstaining from alcohol for a while, as I'll be convinced that I don't have the requisite self-control to drink in moderation. I'll report back after both experiments are finished!
posted by Kamelot123 at 6:51 PM on February 10, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Kamelot123 at 6:51 PM on February 10, 2013 [2 favorites]
And keep remembering how much it sucks after you've had to much. You are an adult with adult responsibilities and relationship. One or two stupid mistakes puts them in jeopardy.
posted by jander03 at 9:35 PM on February 10, 2013
posted by jander03 at 9:35 PM on February 10, 2013
Response by poster: Update:
Experiment one: Successful for the most part.
Experiment two: Unsuccessful.
I've had much more success with the water strategy. It seems as long as I'm drinking *something* my mind is happy - it's when I have an empty drink in my hand that I tend to get fidgety. I honestly drink so fast that I've refined the process to one alcoholic drink per two glasses of water - I just pretend I'm getting one of the waters for a friend, then down it at the bar :)
I've only had one drinking session where I've gotten out of control since this question, and that was following experiment two, which I pretty much gave up on after the first couple of drinks. Keeping track of the time while I'm drinking takes the fun out of it for me.
Thanks for your help and support, everyone!
posted by Kamelot123 at 4:45 AM on September 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
Experiment one: Successful for the most part.
Experiment two: Unsuccessful.
I've had much more success with the water strategy. It seems as long as I'm drinking *something* my mind is happy - it's when I have an empty drink in my hand that I tend to get fidgety. I honestly drink so fast that I've refined the process to one alcoholic drink per two glasses of water - I just pretend I'm getting one of the waters for a friend, then down it at the bar :)
I've only had one drinking session where I've gotten out of control since this question, and that was following experiment two, which I pretty much gave up on after the first couple of drinks. Keeping track of the time while I'm drinking takes the fun out of it for me.
Thanks for your help and support, everyone!
posted by Kamelot123 at 4:45 AM on September 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by lineofsight at 8:49 PM on February 9, 2013 [6 favorites]