The Surprising Results Of 6 Months Without Alcohol - Mike Thurston 

Hello you beauties. Watch the full episode with Mike here - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-x7nvM0n7pWc.html

Bro I thought these guys were the same person

I've never met a sober person who regretted giving up drinking...including myself.

Today I'm 909 days sober. I was a functioning alcoholic until October 1st 2020. Quit cold turkey. Haven't looked back. Good luck and strength to all strugglers out there. You can make it!

Really love your point Chris about “If you need to drink to enjoy your nights out, you are choosing the wrong nights out” spot on

Alcohol and cigarettes addiction actually destroyed my life. I could remember several years ago after divorce with my wife which brought me into my disastrous journey on Alcohol and cigarettes. I suffered severe depression and mental disorder. Got diagnosed with cptsd. Not until a friend recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. Much respect to mother nature the great magic shrooms.

Not drinking, being healthy, gym life, feeling good etc has hit critical mass. God knows I needed that to happen.

Andrew Huberman podcast on alcohol 100% changed my perspective on me even thinking that being a "weekend drinker" was fine. I quit IMMEDIATELY after viewing that podcast and feel GREAT every single Saturday morning! Watch that podcast in it's entirety and you'll likely see why your thinking is indoctrination and was incorrect all along. The facts were 100% what made it easy for me to quit.

220 days sober today. Remember watching Chris' 1000 days no alocohol video at the beginning. It was one of the things that inspired me to do this. Changed a lot, love every single day

I quit drinking alcohol on Christmas day 2018 because exactly what Mike described. When you're in your 30s hangovers last for days not hours, lifes too short to hate yourself 50% of the week

45 days sober here ⚡️ Never felt better in a decade Im 27 training for my first amateur fight 🏆 Stay strong lads, we got this 🤌🏻🤝🏻🧿

It's all about culture. As a Scot, every time I'm out with friends whilst not drinking the question is always "why aren't you drinking?" And it's sad that I feel like I need to justify it. My friend that has Crohn's disease gets the same question and he answers about his condition, then the subject is dropped. If I say "I just don't drink" it's then the follow up questions. One would hope the culture could change, but not a chance in hell up here.

As of now I made it to 80 days without a drink. I have been tempted but for the most part my friends have been really supportive. My mental health and sleep also improved.

You guys hit so many points that I’ve been thinking about lately. Turned 25 a few months ago and I usually drink atleast one night on weekends since my teens. I am starting to realize how confident and comfortable I am with myself and talking to others being sober. My sober charisma is soo much better.

“I like the reality I’m in now” wow that one is so true

I actually gave up drinking alcohol mainly because I suffer with IBS & Alcohol is one of my triggers, it’s only when I stopped I realise that 1. I didn’t need it 2. I didn’t like it 3. I only drank to fit in socially 4. To cope with anxiety & shyness ….. 7 years later & I still don’t drink alcohol & I love it 👍

Just over 12 years sober. Best thing I ever did for myself. I drank heavily from 13 to 33. I love that there's cool sober people for young men and women to look up to, now. Alcohol is ridiculous.

Did 3 months recently, then got back on the beers for the last 8-10weeks. Back to day one today. The benefits of not drinking much out way the fun/ social acceptance of drinking. Bring on the energy and focus!

Sobriety should be talked about much more. This is a very good topic Chris & Mike! I have got ADHD, and alcohol triggers more than just dopamine. It’s either no beer, or a full blown bender and no sleep, sadly. I don’t look down on people who drink, but those who will enjoy a better ‘real’ life. Great content 🤝

Great Interview - I saved so much money not drinking every day like i used too. Now im able to do more for myself and family financially as well as mentally.

3 months alcohol free today. 24m and loving it. I don’t miss being to hungover to work on Mondays, not remembering the weekends, blowing all my money on food and drinks, saying shit I’d never say sober, not exercising, not eating well, insomnia, impending sense of doom with a side of depression for days after drinking.. yeah I don’t miss any of that. Now I’m workin 40 hours a week, working out 4 hours a week, I’m fit and love the way that I look and feel, there’s clarity, I’m witty, I make people laugh again, I’m me again. Fk alcohol.

Love this! Im 36 now and had troubles with Alcohol in the past. I am the same as I dont like how alcohol makes me feel anymore. I also don't have time to be hungover! Great chat!

“Nothing is hard when you set your mind to it” that’s a quote I’m saying to my self one month from now when I become sober.

A few years ago I participated in 4 Ayahuasca ceremonies in the jungles of Peru. Though it was NOT my intent, I have not had a drink since. My first ceremony was an eternal hellscape with one message: you can either be a drinker, or fulfill your potential. Pick one. Prior to that I drank very regularly (always socially). Now, I can't stomach the idea of drinking. Unexpected outcome, but I'll take it. Life has never been better, I've never been happier, healthier, more fulfilled etc.

My two absolute favourite creators. I can’t tell you how excited I’ve been for this video! If you guys made a 10 hour podcast, I’d be watching it straight 💪 keep up the great work gents

I quit drinking over two years ago. One of the best things I've ever done.

I lost my 17 year marriage due to my wife's alcoholism. The family unit that I cherished to always have and my now 9 year old daughter were the collateral damage. An otherwise potentially happy and beautiful life was destroyed because of it. I am now a single dad in his fifties trying to navigate a new world.

Im 21 and don’t drink a drop of alcohol. Most of my friends drink and literally tell me they wish they were like me and look up to me for it. It’s more than acceptable to not drink as a young person nowadays, it’s inspiring.

I’m going through this right now. Not enjoying drinking anymore and hate the feeling of being drunk. Hanging out with people that drink often is tough but that’s where discipline comes into play. I honestly don’t understand why i use to drink often. I think having something to look forward to and having goals makes drinking seem pointless.

Chris' point at 8:45 is completely spot on and it made me realize that that is EXACTLY what I do when I go out. I do this to cope with social anxiety and thinking sober me wouldn't be good to be around in these scenarios. Amazing video, thanks so much for sharing. Definitely have to watch the full episode

I think it's pretty simple.. People are more educated than ever on how bad it is, and, it's super expensive in a world where people are trying to spend more wisely

35 now, haven't been drunk since I was 30. I made the decision to stop getting drunk when going out, because it seemed my hangovers were simply getting worse (with age), and it's definitely not something I miss! I'll have some drinks during celebrations or big events, sure, but once I feel even slightly tipsy -- I stop and I go on the water wagon for the rest of the night.

I’m on 3 months sober :) and the comment on positives and negatives is so true.

After years of hangovers, DUI's and black outs, I'm 41 years old and I haven't had a drop in almost four years.

I agree wholeheartedly. But you are both saying this in retrospect after having gotten these experiences out of your system, and no doubt have some great memories from such occasions.

I’m currently witnessing my dad disintegrate from alcohol induced liver disease. It’s hard to witness but he made his life choices and is now unfortunately paying the price, I know in moderation you will be fine but it’s definitely changed my relationship with drink. I don’t want my son to see me going out like that.

When I learned that alcohol is an anesthetic and numbs your sense of reality, I thought - why would I want to numb my reality? Especially since I spent so much effort making my reality truly enjoyable & rewarding. I've since given up drinking and find that I can be more present, have better conversation, and more fully appreciate everything in life. If you find you can't give up drinking, ask yourself what kind of reality you'd enjoy sober - then work towards that.

This dialogue made me realize that whenever I drink it is socially and that is now seldomly, yet I still drink and not because I like to drink but because of my insecurities. Thank you.

Pretty rad this is becoming more mainstream 💪🏻🙌🏻💛. Right on both of you

Wow this is amazing. I go out once on a Saturday every few weeks and I love it! Getting hammered and a having a laugh with your friends is great fun

40 days today. Feel better than I have in years. Combined with exercise it’s the truth!

Aw man, growing up in Wisconsin, where drinking culture is rampant, drunk driving was like an Olympic sport. Friends would say, "but you only had 4 pints. you can still drive."

I never liked the idea of getting my happiness from anything outside of myself which is my only reason for not drinking lol. I love your post 🌺

I’ve always had a perfectly healthy relationship with alcohol, and even then, I’ve always wondered why I ever started drinking… I barely drink as it is, but there’s a small voice in my head that tells me to just completely stop.

GREAT TALKING POINTS 👍🏾💯 .. 6 YEARS SOBER NOW MYSELF.

They don’t call alcohol a Spirit for nothing. It’s a portal for lesser beings that take hold of your body & mind. It makes you do, think, act and feel in ways you never would if you’re in a pure form.

Excellent podcast. 5 stars, perfect. Thank you!

Trauma causes addiction. People who just go back to drinking even though they actually want to quit have unresolved shit. I don't drink anymore and really don't want to drink because I am healed from my childhood trauma. I don't know how exactly it happened, just try to do the right thing. Exercise and healthy life style and shit. They help.

Ive trappered backa ton , working out/ job/ and not waking up with zero hangover is awesome. I just remembered that feeling of that and the liquor store what its going to bring in morning!! plus the money saved.

I have stopped drinking for a few weeks. I was starting to drink almost every night where I did not have to wake up early the next morning. I saw myself being pulled into alcoholism; stop before it becomes very hard not to drink.

2:20 i also like myself better as a person when im sober. Im compassionate, more kind, have more patience , i joke around, etc. I wont let alcohol destroy the person who i truly am

I’m in my 50s and haven’t had a drop of alcohol since I was 24. I don’t miss it. I never liked it when I was drinking. Hated how I felt when I was buzzed or drunk. I only drank because it was what my friends were doing, and after a really heavy night I just decided no more. Never regretted that decision and I’m actually really happy I have stayed absolutely firm with that resolution. I’ve watched too many lives get completely torn apart by alcohol.

I was a functioning alcoholic for 14 years. Too many stories for the comments 😂 I quit in 2016 for almost 3 years, relapsing at the end of 2018, but now Im up 2 years again without a drink. Ultimately, it was cannabis that turned it around for me, which I'm not saying is the right for everyone, but it was for me. Sending good vibes to those still going through the struggle. 🙏

As someone who has never drank, this was interesting to hear. I've always envied people that drink and now I'm thinking that maybe I made the right choice

Glad I came across this video today. I’ve only drank in 4 occasions this year, which is very unlike myself. I’ve found that being practically sober has given almost a sense of freedom (how it feels anyway). I wake up early in the mornings just ready to go, I feel like I’m slowly starting to make the right steps towards achieving my goals, and the idea of even being drunk is just a nightmare scenario for me. There’s absolutely 0 positives to being intoxicated imo. Now I’m not saying that going for a drink w your partner/mates/family etc makes you a bad person or anything along that line, but for myself I just feel that being intoxicated has 0 benefit on my life so why out myself through that

Absolutely perfect summation of the nightclub experience for me and my coping mechanisms for it. So pleased I'm past the age where I have to pretend to enjoy that environment.

I'm convinced that this conversation is not possible without having drank to excess in your teens and twenties. I know many people my age and older that still blow-out every weekend, which is fine, however this form of clarity can only be achieved with a certain level of maturity and self-awareness.

Great monologue on why you shouldn't drink alcohol.

Sober since 2017 never regretted giving up. It wasnt working for me and I wasted so much time drunk or hungover. No way to enjoy this one life! You do have to get to like yourself. I drank to escape my own self... Takes some adjustment but so worth it.

Thanks this was so great.

There’s things that taste better, will leave you feeling better and cost less. So why bother? Stop worrying about peer pressure or feeling left out. Do what’s good for you, your body, health, life, when possible.

I was drinking for 16 years. Now im sober for 1.5 years. No shakes, no urges, no pressure. But I remind myself about what I was every single FUCKING day. Alcoholic Anonymous got me trough and thought me how to be better. If you have the sickness go and sit trough a meeting. They made me stop drinking after my second meeting.

I gave up drinking for four months last year and felt amazing. However, I fell back into it. Now I am five weeks sober and I won't be regressing this time. The trick is to find out what psychological need is being met by alcohol and deal with that need in a non-destructive manner so that alcohol is no longer needed.

I stopped drinking a few years ago. But that was only because drinking alone is a worrying sign, so I never drank alone only with a drinking buddy. That stopped for a while when he had a baby, so we drank tea during the day instead of beer in the evening for a while, and then the pandemic times occurred, leading to me still having an unopened bottle of gin from my birthday in 2019.

It is so strange , there are so many things we do to optimise performance, nootropics, ice baths, meditation practices and apps…. But one things that massively improves energy, libido , clarity , an endless list … we often don’t let quitting drinking on our radar. I wonder if we spoke differently would that change … like instead of “ah yeah, I have a glass of wine some evenings just to unwind “we said “ I drink most of a bottle of wine , often the whole bottle at least 3 nights a week to help with anxiety and feeling lonely “ “I like to go out drink from time to time “ to “I feel the need to drink regularly and usually over 5 drinks” … “I sometimes have a glass or two of wine watching a movie “ to “ I find I don’t enjoy being by myself with a movie unless I have a bottle of wine with it” …. “A cheeky pint “ to “drinking to intoxicate myself when I had planned not to “ … “a little drinkie “ to “ a bottle of wine “ … “a couple of beers now and then “ to “ drinking over 6 pints regularly “ … if we called things as they are it would change our view. Even just getting the amount right, a couple and a few, how often are they actually 2 or 3 ? Now and again …. How often is that 2 or 3 times a week? … drinkie , scoop, cheeky one , the cutezy terms … do they hide something from us ourselves ?

I’m 45 years old and never ever drank myself out . I decided to stop drinking or at least how long I can go without a drink. 15 months not even a sip! I love the feeling of not wasting my money . What I do I like going for an ice cream or a coffee. So much other treats versus alcohol .

Quit drinking and lost 20 pounds in a month in a half. Realized alcohol was literally making me binge eat to satisfy my stomach so I didn’t get sick, because I was drinking 2 beers a day. I was in the Marines at one point where we drink pretty heavy, so leaving the Marine Corps I still drank but just cut it down. So I thought 2 beers was like nothing. Not drinking made me realize this was not normal and I saw my appetite was much smaller when sober and I didn’t have the cravings I used to have or eat bullsh**. Now. It’s made losing weight so much easier and my brain feels so clear. Honestly not drinking again unless it’s a celebration like stated in video. Feel more like myself than i have felt in years.

Chris I just want to say you inspired me a while ago to stop drinking. As of 2023 I have only gotten drunk once and tipsy twice. Thank you for making these, I dont have a substance problem I just want to make myself the best I can be and alcohol has not helped me do anything in my life. It has only made me stagnate. And my hangovers are FUCK**G awful now, so thats a big reason too

No alcohol since 2017, not even in sweets, and no interest in ever drinking again. Banned it completely from my house and family.

Cannot believe both of yous are from Newcastle Uni !! I am a recent graduate from Newcastle Uni and been sober for more than a year from alcohol.

I did go out at weekend and had a few drinks at a club,I wasn't legless just had a good buzz on and actually had a great nite

I met a couple of lifelong friends but didn’t really enjoy uni due to exactly the reason described here of drinking to try to enjoy it. I remember never feeling so alone than buzzing drunk in a club at the end of the night with some anthem pop song blaring in the background. I wish we’d felt better equipped to talk to each other about our feelings back then as I’m sure many others felt similarly. I still feel lonely sometimes but never like back then.

I think this really says alot about British alcohol culture, as well as how you are raised. I was raised in a dry household, and the faith community I grew up in did not condone the use of alcohol or tobacco. Then I attended a small college that was a dry campus. So I never felt compelled to drink. I have had alcohol in the past, but the last bottle of beer I drank was in July of 2022. And I don't miss it or crave it. It just strikes me as funny that these nice guys (and yes I think they're nice people truly) have gone sober and are extolling the superpowers of being sober as if it's the the 'new thing', when in reality many people have never drank alcohol all through history (for a British example think of the Quakers).

My very first time having a drink was last fall in the UK! I ordered a very sweet strawberry kiwi (I think) cider. I’m grateful for the experience, now I’m sure that I don’t like alcohol.

I've never liked the taste, I was just drinking due to peer pressure before. But once I've gotten over that my life became better. I realized I dont need alcohol to enjoy friends company or be confident and talk to people.

I quit drinking after a night out for new year (so the beginning of 2019) aged 25. I wasn’t an alcoholic by any means but I’d get really bad hangovers etc. When I was on holiday during Summer of that year I went for a night out with my friend and drank again. I didn’t enjoy it, and that’s the last time I touched alcohol. Almost four years sober and over six years being Vegan. Just do what makes you feel healthy and don’t worry about other peoples opinions.

So well put, wow.

Even small drinks get me lethargic and give me massive headaches. Plus almost all of it tastes like battery acid. I plan to never drink again (it’s been almost a year since my last drink, and I don’t miss it AT ALL)

I wonder how much the trend of younger people drinking less (if at all) is driven by the proliferation of smart phones and social media. In the modern environment I could see the idea of being out of control in public being terrifying because if you say or do something profoundly stupid or embarrassing (as many of us have countless times while drunk), everyone around you would be able to capture that moment and it could live forever online.

I needed to hear this today. I don’t think I’m a full blown alcoholic, but I’ve definitely got a problem. I recently did 12 months and I felt great. But there lays the problem, I gave myself a short time frame, then got back on it. I didn’t hit it hard, but I definitely started putting on weight and I noticed the problems rising again. I felt so guilty. I felt like I failed my family. Chris, I remember you saying you did 1000 days. About a week ago I had a Ironman race that went dreadfully, and I said that’s it, no more. I’m doing 1000 days.

Great upload! ☺️

I would never regret to quit drinking but I do enjoy feeling. It takes away my anxiety , makes me more social , and sometime I like who I am when I am drunk. Thing is I run a lot and it kills my running times and gains at the gym because I put in so much bad weight. Also it cost a lot of money to drink.

I used to be a huge drinker from my teenage years through my early 30s. I tapered it down when I married and had a family to occasional drinking. Even with occasional drinking, I couldn't limit myself. I no longer like how I felt after drinking and looking forward to sobering up. I decided to do dry January and never looked back. Now I'm 68 days alcohol free. I'm 57 going on 58 and I just regret I didn't start this when I was born much younger.

Congratulations., it’s not easy… You are admired! Your liver will be much stronger and healthier!

I went for dinner Friday night - food and wine. Saturday comedy show - pub - wine. I said to my BF the next day I am so over this lifestyle. The pub had too many drunk people and it’s the first time I just felt this isn’t giving me anything back. I’d rather be waking up fresh, going for a hike or being away on a weekend of active adventure. My fun no longer comes from alcohol. I fear I will have to move away from those who still want this lifestyle. I feel I’m onto my next chapter, it’s the only way I can describe it. Like I’ve woken up asking why? Very inspiring to hear I’m not ‘the boring one’ as those who still want to drink label me when I tell them I don’t want this anymore.

Clarity is priceless.

18 years Sober,never give up there's no hopless cases 💪🙏🙌

I decided to give up drinking 4 years and 3 months ago. Had been in the military for over 20 years which is an environment that encourages drinking. I work in the fitness industry and therefore work in an alternative environment that has helped me to not want to drink anymore. As Mike states, waking up with a hangover and missing a day because of alcohol is not productive.

One needs to build up their confidence and self esteem without alcohol. I don't drink and I an be shy sometimes when dancing and my adult daughter said mom who cares what people think of you. And it finally clicked so I go out to the clubs and dance cause I love dancing and the music and I'm completely sober I love it now

One thing ive noticed about quitting alcohol that you need to be careful about is that you’re likely to replace it with another vice: one Ive seen being common is sex. And yes that can be an addiction too… a detrimental one. Especially if you are in the fitness community, where a big by product of your hard work is romantic attention

For me it was ecstacy. I tried going out to big parties without and just couldn't do it. Standing in a big crowd, the ecstacy allowed me to cope with the noise and the lights etc.

still blows my mind that spending £100 in a pub and getting absolutely fucked up is completely normal but having a joint or just chilling sober etc is completely frowned upon and mocked. such a backwards society

I stopped it too back in early 2014. I haven’t missed that poison at all since then.

I've stopped drinking since mid April, not a drop of alcohol, nothing but water. I never thought I could manage, I thought water was boring, and nothing beat having a good buzz with friends. It's been an adjustment for my friends, but for me I am now perfectly capable of having a great time being with close friends just drinking water. Getting into fitness has been an added motivation. I know alcohol screws up muscle growth, so when you're busting your ass in the gym, the last thing you want is your efforts to go even a little bit to waste because of alcohol so it helps to stay on the path, and honestly after a month I wasn't even thinking about it anymore. I do not miss alcohol, I feel like I could go the rest of my life without a drink by now and I'd be just fine. I should mention I never had a drinking problem though, so I'm not sure how easy of a transition it is for someone who has one.

For one point in the why drink (sometimes) category, especially for men, and just a couple, not getting wasted, is the capacity to have difficult emotional conversations you don't know how to have. Example, most men are emotionally inarticulate. Especially at a young age. Most dad's of past generations are worse. A few drinks can aid both in overcoming some obstacles and bond as they feel the consequences of expressing their emotions less. It's a double edge sword I know. But just wanted to throw it out there.

I'm currently in uni, though admittedly not in the halls (I live at home), so I virtually never drink. Maybe a few beers on my Dad's birthday or something, but that's about it. I don't really have any desire to go out drinking, even though at the time I can see why it would be fun. I just have other things that bring me joy.

I was raised in an Italian family, where when your old enough to hold a cup, you would are old enough to drink. I didn’t view myself as an alcoholic, per say. I’m a social drinker, BUT, it’s NEVER served me well. Cheers to everyone letting it go. 💜🙏 I don’t need social interaction if the consequences are booze induced.

That is so true...being the only sober person in a group of drunk friends sucks balls. I used to drink a lot of beer when I was in my 20s. I didn't mess with the hard stuff a lot because my uncles got me commode-hugging drunk on liquor when I was 14 and I woke up, not only with the hangover from hell, but I had also come down with a respiratory infection so the whole vacation was was like a 2 week extended hangover and after that any time I tried to drink liquor, my throat would lock up and I could barely force myself to swallow it. But yeah, every Friday, Saturday, and, Sunday (because that's the night they held the dart tournament), I'd be at the bar throwing dart or shooting pool, drinking beer. I didn't get completely hammered every night, but there were definitely a few rippers. I remember one night my friends wanted me to do karaoke with them, but I don't really like being the center of attention and really didn't want to. They wouldn't let it go though so I finally caved on the condition that they buy me three 151 depth charges. Lordy, I was hammered, but I was told that out of the four of us I had the best voice. Go figure. That's probably not saying much though, lol. Although, we did get applauded, so I guess nobody's ears were bleeding. After 30 though, I pretty much quit drinking. I worked midnights and just wasn't up for hitting the bars on my nights off. Now I drink with the intent to get drunk about 3 times a year, New Years--on the anniversary of my dog's passing--I drink a bottle of champagne. On my Mom's birthday I drink a bit of her favorite peach brandy and on the anniversary of her passing I drink shots of Absolute vodka. I might have a beer or two every now and a again just because I get a craving for the taste, or if I'm sitting around the campfire with friends when I go camping, but those are random events.

I can’t even be in a pub or a club sober when I gave up I had to stop goi g to these places the anxiety I got being in there sober was awful.

205 days No Alcohol 🏆 Sleep is much improved. Life is a lot better and gratitude comes into focus much more often now.