Have not had any alcohol since mid jan.
But lots of coffee.
But lots of coffee.
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First “I’m not drinking” practice...
- Thread starter RedWire75
- Start date
Why does it seem that when this subject comes up (which seems like an awful lot), the concept of moderation is completely lost?
2-3 beers a day is kind of a lot. Why not trim it down to one with dinner, or just on the weekends?
There is a lot of area to cover between not drinking at all and getting completely **** faced at practice or shows. Maybe its a musician thing, but most people on this planet can have one or two drinks and be done with it.
Most people can take a hit off a joint or a bong and be good to go. It isn't Reefer Madness where you take one puff and fling yourself out of a window. Not every toker is Cheech and\or Chong.
Admittedly "a little" coke or speed never seems to stay that way, but one toot doesn't cause all your teeth to fall out or the FBI to immediately kick in your door. However, there doesn't seem to be such a think as "a little smack." That always seems to go from 0 to 60.
Anyway, if someone feels like that is a change they want to make, cool. Controlling your life is awesome. Sometimes making a change just to make a change is a good thing; mix it up a little.
2-3 beers a day is kind of a lot. Why not trim it down to one with dinner, or just on the weekends?
There is a lot of area to cover between not drinking at all and getting completely **** faced at practice or shows. Maybe its a musician thing, but most people on this planet can have one or two drinks and be done with it.
Most people can take a hit off a joint or a bong and be good to go. It isn't Reefer Madness where you take one puff and fling yourself out of a window. Not every toker is Cheech and\or Chong.
Admittedly "a little" coke or speed never seems to stay that way, but one toot doesn't cause all your teeth to fall out or the FBI to immediately kick in your door. However, there doesn't seem to be such a think as "a little smack." That always seems to go from 0 to 60.
Anyway, if someone feels like that is a change they want to make, cool. Controlling your life is awesome. Sometimes making a change just to make a change is a good thing; mix it up a little.
I’m hardly the second coming of Carrie Nation, but the more I drink, not only do I get sloppier, I lose a lot of musical discipline, falling in and out of proper pockets, using unnecessary crutch notes..since we record every performance, sooner or later you got to face the music.....and the crap job you just threw down...
Big +1
They can be a real embarrassment for the band. And of course, the last person on Earth who will realize it, is them!
I enjoy drinking.
I realize that drinking and doing anything worthwhile are at cross-purposes with one another, so I have a lot of stipulations.
I don't drink if I have anything productive left to do for that day. Drinking only happens when all the necessary stuff is done. By definition this means I would never drink at a rehearsal or performance.
I don't drink more than one if I have to drive anywhere. A glass of wine with dinner, or a cocktail before, but not both. Most of the time it's just iced tea in any case.
I don't drink more than two if I have anything productive that I need to do the following day. I am fully aware that drinking is borrowing happiness from tomorrow.
I didn't need to come up with a bunch of rules. I just realize this is my normal behavior.
I can go for weeks or even months without drinking and not notice that I'm not doing it. Or I can join the wife in the backyard at sunset for three summer nights in a row enjoying the view, the quiet conversation, and a bourbon.
I realize that drinking and doing anything worthwhile are at cross-purposes with one another, so I have a lot of stipulations.
I don't drink if I have anything productive left to do for that day. Drinking only happens when all the necessary stuff is done. By definition this means I would never drink at a rehearsal or performance.
I don't drink more than one if I have to drive anywhere. A glass of wine with dinner, or a cocktail before, but not both. Most of the time it's just iced tea in any case.
I don't drink more than two if I have anything productive that I need to do the following day. I am fully aware that drinking is borrowing happiness from tomorrow.
I didn't need to come up with a bunch of rules. I just realize this is my normal behavior.
I can go for weeks or even months without drinking and not notice that I'm not doing it. Or I can join the wife in the backyard at sunset for three summer nights in a row enjoying the view, the quiet conversation, and a bourbon.
One of the few times you'll ever hear this on TB (if not the first): Listen to the drummer.
Remember, whether you're drinking a lot or just a little, the first thing to go is your judgment.
Remember, whether you're drinking a lot or just a little, the first thing to go is your judgment.
That’s my plan but I need to get out of the habit for a bit first. Then go back and maybe only 1-2 times a week and 2-3 a time. If it starts creeping back it’s time to cease all drinking though.
Plus there are benefits to your liver at 6 weeks and maybe I drop some pounds in that time.
I probably sound like every alcoholic though and I should just stop all together.
We were a big coffee band. We drank coffee and sit around the table and talked and laughed. Would practice for a hour and a half take a break more coffee more practice. We were the only band that travel with a coffee pot. Our light guy would set the coffee pot up behind the amps at gigs. Funny how things change. Glad the drinking days were over for all of us.
At practice, the guitarist and I only have one..... right after another. 
People drink for different reasons and there are different ways to drink. If you are just pounding one after another, that's not great for your body. If you were doing that with a high ABV Quad or something you'd be hurting in a bad way.
Drinking water while drinking liquor is key to staying alive. Some would suggest that drinking equal amounts of water is both one way to keep your liver from shutting down, and acts as a little bit of a deterrent. That's a lot of liquids and it may not become worth it if you made yourself do that.
I will have a beer or spirit because I legit like the taste. That's why I don't drink rubbish booze. There is no point. The cost factor helps me mitigate my intake, as does availability. If you are a booze snob, you have to do way more work to get your drink on.
Mindfulness is something a lot more people should engage in. That means being 100% true with yourself as to why you are doing something. If I consciously want a beer or a 7 and 7 to ease the butterflies before a show, I'm being honest with myself as to why I'm doing it. If you find yourself slamming 3 beers in an hour and can't really validate that, then you need to look deeper. We laugh at "peer pressure" but in truth none of us want to be the party pooper. We also don't want to feel like the world is whizzing around us in a happy inebriated smear while we sit there like a lump. That has more to do with feelings of social anxiety or inadequacy than being truly hooked on a substance. If you are drinking because that is "normal", and sober is the aberrant, irritating state, now we have a problem. I know my fair share of stoners that spend so much time high that they feel "off" when they are sober. True alcoholics may end up feeling the same way. At that point you've altered your sense of reality and biochemistry to a point where you really should take a hard step back. Which is hard to do when under the influence, but seriously uncomfortable when you aren't in your happy place. Therein lays the trap. However, if you accept the pain, knowing that it is coming, it helps you roll with it. If you step into the ring you should expect to get punched.
I'm not belittling your situation and I do truly understand the difficulty you are facing. When I stopped drinking (so much) at practice it got a little boring. I wasn't into it in the same way. You have to learn a new normal. You have to find new ways to get into your performance. It will come.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
It's easy to get into that habit. Go to rehearsal for the music, not the brews.
My last drink was...
About 6 minutes ago.
Then I just found another beer behind the pot roast leftovers in the 'fridge.
And I have several cold ones in the fridge in the barn.
So whatever beer I drink last tonight will be my last one.
Until the next time I drink, probably tomorrow.
Now excuse me while I go turn up my 1,400w amp running into my 3620 cabinets.
About 6 minutes ago.
Then I just found another beer behind the pot roast leftovers in the 'fridge.
And I have several cold ones in the fridge in the barn.
So whatever beer I drink last tonight will be my last one.
Until the next time I drink, probably tomorrow.
Now excuse me while I go turn up my 1,400w amp running into my 3620 cabinets.
This is a great thread and a there seems to be a lot of self control around this place. Maybe I was the one who was out of control until 2017 came around. On Jan 1 that year I quit drinking alcohol and it has made a dramatic improvement in my life and in my playing. The every night routine got old. I drive a long way to rehearsals and gigs and the thought of drunken driving now scares me to death.
Carry on!
Most people can turn down their drinking, but about 12% of the population has a drinking problem and for them, the first drink is just the start. So, the solution is not to take the first drink. Congratulations to anyone that looked inside and said "I have a drinking problem and I can change".
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