I quit alcohol buddies

I vape on nicotine sorry but I don't smoke old fashioned way

Yeh I think I might have one of those too I don't know tho. It runs in my family as well as autism 

Be careful. Anything like that is treading a thin line if you have an addictive personality.

I don't smoke cigarettes lol I was talking about something else haha

Yes there definitely are ones that are less harmful according to studies anyway 

Nah I wasn't talking about nicotine. 

It's not always easy to give up alcohol especially if your autistic and think too much alcohol is an easy release 

Yes I will do that 

Wow I'm really pleased to hear that well done! 19 months is such a long time to be away from alcohol. It's such a bad drug it just makes me stupid and impulsive which isn't a good combination. I dont get why it's legal and accepted but herb  is not. Alcohol is soooo bad for you like genuinely some people lose they're soul to alcohol I have seen it happen it's scary! Yeh autistic people are more vulnerable to alcohol in my opinion because of social complications. Alcohol loosens you up enough to socially interact a bit more. But it's better to find an alternative coping strategy to increase social skills and extraversion. I used to be very introverted without alcohol. Now I am the opposite.

Thanks for all positive words and feedback. Yes I am 25 male so I have lots of potential to mark on the world before dying too young  

I never touched alcohol, apart from one Bucks Fizz in 2006 when graduating with my PostGrad. However, I have the same unhealthy relationship with food, money and 'Adult Material'. It was part of making myself feel accepted. However, it never truly manifest in success.

Most careers are, basically, drinking fraternities. It's never about the performance, in the office. Moreso the social aspect. For some, Happy Hour is more important than anything related to work.

The first step is always the hardest. Well done for getting on the wagon.

Well done, it’s not an easy thing to do, the change isn’t instant, I remember being permanently tired for the first 6 months. I discovered alcohol at the age of 15, it made me seem less awkward. It obviously helped me mask what I now know is autism. Unfortunately this love affair with alcohol continued for the next 40+ years. Realising I’m autistic was the start of changing my life. I’ve been alcohol free for 19 months and formally diagnosed since June. I’m changing career and moving 250 miles away from my home town, I too realised I didn’t have friends, they were drinking buddies, I don’t see them anymore. I thought alcohol was helping my anxiety, it was fuelling it. Obviously I will always be autistic, I now have a clear mind and recognise how to change a situation.

Well done Bananatropics26 , very proud of you! It's so tough to recognise you are in a bad relationship with alcohol, so to break out of that is very impressive! Feel free to keep checking in and telling us how you are doing. 

Well done you for making the decision to stop drinking alcohol. Your body will thank you for it, and just think of the money you will be saving that you can now spend on other things.

A former friend of mine, who also happens to be the mother of one of my son's friends was an alcoholic. According to my son's friend, she had been getting through about 6 bottles of wine a day. Her health began to suffer and her GP made it abundantly clear that if she made an effort to reduce her alcohol consumption, it would prevent her health issues from getting any worse and possibly even reverse some of the damage that had been done. Rather than heeding what the GP had advised, she carried on drinking, resulting in a diagnosis of alcohol-related brain damage. I cannot help but think it is a terribly sad ending to her life.

Throughout my life I have known many people who have developed an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. The effect it can have on the person, their family and friends, has perhaps contributed to me feeling absolutely determined not to end up going down that same path. On the rare occasions that I do drink alcohol, I stop as soon as I start to feel tipsy. For me, this usually amounts to one or two glasses of Prosecco.

Congratulations for having the clarity and courage to achieve this, it’s a solid move many do not take (but recognise). Alcohol kills more people each year than all illegal drugs combined. Yet, you can easily buy it. I always thought that a strange system. 

I do drink but I collect whisky and every Friday I’ll pour myself a 2 unit measure of my dram and sit back and savour it. That’s it. No more. For me, I never had any unhealthy connection or habit with it despite my mother being an alcoholic. Some people can manage like this, and it serves as a relaxing ritual, in the same way your smoking does. Arguably, your cigarette will kill you and is the single worst thing you could do for your health. But it sounds like this comes down to tolerance and relationship with each in your experience - you probably already know this. Are you planning on cutting out smoking too over time?

Drinking everyday is not a good idea, not least because it is expensive.

It is best to keep to 2 or 3 days a week, or less, it gives your liver a rest and time to recover. Also keep to the 14 units a week and it is not too bad. I always used the older limit of 25 units.a week as a guide.

It affects your sleep as it interferes with REM sleep. You get to sleep, may sleep.longer, but wake up feeling tired 

Note that women need to be more careful than men. That's not sexism, just a physical reality as cirrhosis occurs more easily.

The problem is alcohol can be addictive, like anything you rely on including exercise, eating hit chillis, smoking.

It'll never be banned as it's so easy to make. I used to make wine. Making spirits is illegal (for a number of reasons, tax, methanol and explosions with poor ventilation). I've never tried it  but one been to so e commercial distilleries.

In moderation it can help as a social lubricant. Being able to relax and have fun without feeling so self conscious can be a benefit. But it's not for everyone and if you can do without it then it is better.

Note that smoking is worse for you though. It ages your skin and damages circulation, even if you ignore the lung, mouth and throat cancer risks. The nicotine helps with focus, but there are better ways to get get that if you want it.

Respect for recognising a problem and doing something about it.

When I start struggling with any mental issues I stop drinking immediately. It made some Christmas presents I got one year rather awkward   but most people are quite understanding about it now I think.

I'm fairly sure it would be classified as an illegal drug if it were invented now. There are probably illegal drugs which are less addictive and less harmful.