The benefits of giving up alcohol

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HappyG(rrr) Jan 2017 1:44pm, 10 Jan 2017 26,261 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) Well done PO making it through a weekend. Why do you feel it was "dull"? (Just as a reminder, many of us in here have booze free weekends every weekend ) Hope you can keep it going and get benefit from it. Hi Fenners - Happy New Year. What's your new goal/approach? G
Perfect Organism Jan 2017 1:56pm, 10 Jan 2017 626 posts	0 Perfect Organism I possibly felt it was dull as it was the first weekend for a long time that I hadn't drank at all. Not only that, it was coming off the back of a very social December. The first weekend in January probably always feels a bit tepid in comparison to the madness of the festive season. I guess there was also an association thing going on. I have a drink the majority of weekends, associate my weekends with relaxation and fun, and therefore probably associate alcohol with relaxation and fun. I hope I can keep it going too. It's certainly an achievable, quantifiable goal. It complements running quite well too!
HappyG(rrr) Jan 2017 2:05pm, 10 Jan 2017 26,262 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) And the suggestion that we (well, I anyway) would make is that it's still possible to have fun and relaxation without alcohol. More fun and more relaxation in my case! But good luck with your goals. Definitely complements running and healthier and more active life generally, no doubt. G
Fenland (Fenners) Runner Jan 2017 2:36pm, 10 Jan 2017 11,062 posts	0 Fenland (Fenners) Runner Hiya HappyG;-) My goal is a modest one. I want to cutback.
Scorge Jan 2017 6:20pm, 10 Jan 2017 331 posts	0 Scorge good luck to everyone with goals in mind first two days back at work like these would have had been scurrying for the bottle in days gone by, now just a shrug of the shoulder, hit the gym and empty the head. much better way of dealing with it. not drinking today.
Bez-head Jan 2017 7:12pm, 10 Jan 2017 4,635 posts	0 Bez-head Day 10 Double figures- longest span of sobriety since Jan 2015. Go me lol Did have a thought but banished that thought Well done everyone
geordiegirl Jan 2017 7:44pm, 10 Jan 2017 7,950 posts	0 geordiegirl So is it cutting down alcohol that's caused the cold or the cold that came to stop me drinking......
geordiegirl Jan 2017 7:49pm, 10 Jan 2017 7,951 posts	0 geordiegirl Well done to all cut backers and quitters I admire the will power to never drink again for me it's definitely a cut back aim. I did ok last week (pre virus) and managed to keep my drinks under control. Couple of nights off and nights drinking cut down too. My friends are doing a water challenge to promote Water Aid and for the whole month only drinking water !!! Not even a brew that is hardcore. The idea been that when all you have to drink is water it makes you appreciate having clean safe water at your disposal. Anyhoo enough of me rambling I'll be back with an update when I'm well and can make a choice on not drinking. Keep up the great work all.
Joopsy Jan 2017 9:18pm, 10 Jan 2017 7,953 posts	0 Joopsy If I genuinely thought my life would be more fun with alcohol I would start drinking again. I don't think it will today though so I will give it a miss, I shall assess the situation again tomorrow and let you know my plans.
Diogenes Jan 2017 10:17pm, 10 Jan 2017 19,880 posts	0 Diogenes Giving it a miss again today, myself. 9/10 in 2017

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