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The benefits of giving up alcohol

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27 contributors in last 30 days

The Jogger Nov 2016 10:16pm, 28 Nov 2016 1,127 posts	0 The Jogger I mean ODAAT not that you only ever give up for one day.
Joopsy Nov 2016 10:29pm, 28 Nov 2016 7,911 posts	0 Joopsy That's true enough TJ, 5114 x 24 hours. Anybody can do 24 hours.
HappyG(rrr) Nov 2016 12:25pm, 29 Nov 2016 26,155 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) Well done on 14 years Joops. Top work. Lol at half open bottles. I used to open a bottle, finish it, then deliberately open another one, so that the next day I would "have" to finish it! It gets easier though Dio. I used to be annoyed to see a half finished bottle of red or white in the kitchen and feel tempted by it. And bottles of beer in the cupboard or fridge were a temptation. But I can genuinely say now that it doesn't bother me. We have spirits in the cupboard, wine in a rack, beer in the cupboard etc. And if my missus has had a couple of glasses out of a bottle and it's open in the fridge, it's no different to me to a half empty tin of beans - if it's been there for a few days and is going off, it goes in the bin! We're coming to the Christmas party season at work. I always struggle with this a bit, but am feeling more positive about it this year. I know my strategies now - I'll allow myself to leave early if I'm bored or uncomfortable. But I'll look forward to chatting to those I know and like, dancing where that is available and joining in any games or other silliness. But I'll leave when I want. And I will get home fine (my car will be parked right outside), I'll sleep fine, I'll be in work a normal time the next day and I'll have a perfectly normal next day. Unlike those planning days off, trying to reschedule work around their self-inflicted pain and illness the next day. I know which I'd rather, thank you! Keep on keeping on everyone! G
LindsD Nov 2016 12:29pm, 29 Nov 2016 13,366 posts	0 LindsD Well said, HappyG The one thing I would disagree with of all those is dancing. Since I gave up, I cannot bring myself to dance. But I can live without it, mindful of all the other benefits
HappyG(rrr) Nov 2016 12:33pm, 29 Nov 2016 26,158 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) It might be a time thing Linds. I used to enjoy dancing drunk (don't think anyone else did, as I sweated on or punched - accidentally or otherwise - other dancers). Then I found it hard sober at first. Now, I don't give a flying fig what anyone thinks. And I love holding my wife. G
LindsD Nov 2016 12:39pm, 29 Nov 2016 13,367 posts	0 LindsD Could be. I'm very clumsy, have poor spatial awareness, and whilst not generally self-conscious, feel self-conscious dancing and know that I'm rubbish at it. Perhaps I will get over it.
iaincr Nov 2016 1:00pm, 29 Nov 2016 452 posts	0 iaincr I agree HG re xmas nights out, One of the biggest benefits is not worrying about how much of an arse I have made of myself at my works night out and the post party depression afterwards! Last ear after watching my fellow workmates drink shots like teenagers I have found myself double booked on this years planned night out and had to decline the invite. on dancing I could barely dance when drunk, now it feels like the most akward thing to do in the world! I blush at the though of having to attempt it sober!
Scorge Nov 2016 8:32pm, 29 Nov 2016 305 posts	0 Scorge bizarrely enough I'm not a fan of dancing, but will quite happily pound the karaoke machine and murder the memory of some poor innocent crooner with gay abandon nowadays. only got two parties and both of them are fairly sedate affairs i'd imagine, so not too bothered, and being a mature student in the assessment chamber this month is keeping me distracted (albeit stressed a touch). 753 n.o.
Bez-head Nov 2016 9:08pm, 29 Nov 2016 4,608 posts	0 Bez-head Dancing was invented to muppttise the masses. No likey
Bez-head Nov 2016 9:09pm, 29 Nov 2016 4,609 posts	0 Bez-head Muppettise God's sake!

About This Thread

Maintained by HappyG(rrr)

Looks as though this thread has become popular again, here in 2010 (it's now 2024, and it started in 2008, so I think "ever popular" might be more apt! :-)

G )

Good Luck everyone.

A recent plea for those struggling to "reach out" as they say in US of A!

"Anyone not feeling strong and confident, please shout out. Or fmail. Or any other comms that works. Don't drink alcohol when you don't want to, for lack of someone to talk to. Pick up the phone, not the bottle."

Some acronyms, in case people use them:
JFT - Just for today
ODAAT - One day at a time
KIS - Keep it simple
TBOGUA - The Benefits Of Giving Up Alcohol (the title of this thread!)

New feature: article/blog of the month (period may change randomly!) Swittle's wonderful 14,611 days blog: (see links below)

Linking Joopsy's 17 year blog too, cos it's awesome!

There is a GREAT article summarising some of the benefits, to save you having to trawl through the thread (includes links to helpful apps and other resources).

And a great list of Alternative Drinks started by the lovely LindsD:

Please add to these articles and make them as valuable as possible! Thanks! :-)

G

And one from way back when...
Dirt Monkey's brilliant blog on TBOGUA too - go try this...

Rebel has recommended a couple of good books:
The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober: THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
by Catherine Gray

The Alcohol Experiment: 30 Days to Take Control, Cut Down or Give Up For Good
by Annie Grace

A great response from a health professional in Ireland responding to a question from a Guardian reader about why the warnings on alcoholic drinks that are coming in:

theguardian.com

"Alcohol is responsible for at least 1,000 cancer cases every year in Ireland, with one in eight breast cancer cases arising from alcohol use. Even one to two drinks per day increases the risk of developing cancer, and that risk is the same whether those drinks are wine, spirits or beer. Unfortunately, there is a very low level of public awareness that alcohol has been classed as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning it is carcinogenic to humans. That is why Ireland has passed legislation that provides for health information labels on alcohol products, including warnings about cancer, liver disease and the danger of drinking in pregnancy. It is unsurprising that the alcohol industry, which promotes its products with carefully crafted myths of good times for all, is objecting to the mandatory provision of facts (Anger brews in Italy over Ireland’s plans for alcohol health warnings, 12 January).
Dr Sheila Gilheany
CEO, Alcohol Action Ireland
"

And the all important fabulous services:
Alcoholics Anonymous
National Helpline (FREE) 0800 9177 650
help@aamail.org

Al Anon
020 7403 0888

medal

Contact TBOGUA medal

We're adding in our own Fetch offer of one to one contact too, for anyone who doesn't want to post in the thread for whatever reason. Please feel free to fmail ANY of the names listed below.

- - - -
HappyG(rrr)
( Oscar the grouch RIP )
mrs shanksi
Derby Tup
iaincr
Love Lettuce
DocM
LindsD
GeneHunt59
GregP