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The benefits of giving up alcohol

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34 contributors in last 30 days

HappyG(rrr) May 2017 12:05pm, 11 May 2017 26,658 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) Ooh, just read back, and I didn't word that very well! I meant, "... back before 2005 when I stopped drinking, then... I would happily drink (many) pints of beer...!" Now, err... not! Depending on what your goals and your particular challenges are, one pint might be fine. Obviously, do be careful of the slippery slope. There aren't many on here that long term have just cut down to one successfully. That is what I did, for a long time, but as of a couple of years ago (Dec 2014), I changed to zero. It was just easier. Never that thought of "ooh, I've had one, but could I have one more? What would be the harm etc." Which I know for me would def have been the slippery slope. Best of luck either way. And well done getting this far. Well done Fenners, if that's your goal. Maybe being on the wagon in support will actually help you Dio. Didn't you want to cut down/give up anyway, from your previous posts. Bazo, I hear you - crazy expensive rounds in pubs nowadays. Andrew S - hey, maybe you should try it. Lots of benefits of not drinking, which is what this thread is all about! G
HappyG(rrr) May 2017 12:13pm, 11 May 2017 26,659 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) And the one pint point was directed to Oscar...
Oscar the grouch May 2017 12:26pm, 11 May 2017 240 posts	0 Oscar the grouch I got that far, Happy I was always a guy who couldn't 'just have one (or two)' so this is huge progress. As it goes, I don't want to remove it completely but that may be an inevitable by product as I no longer miss it.
LindsD May 2017 12:29pm, 11 May 2017 17,023 posts	0 LindsD Just saying hi.
Grast_girl May 2017 1:11pm, 11 May 2017 161 posts	0 Grast_girl I think I'm about a month in on my annual summer abstinence. Not struggling too much at the moment, but then the weather has been a bit rubbish. I find BBQ season hard for some reason. Oh well, will be a cheap date again by August.
HappyG(rrr) May 2017 9:49am, 12 May 2017 26,663 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) Hi Linds! waves That sounds great Oscar, nice one. It just got easier for me in the end to have none than to have one. I do like the alco free stuff though. Sometimes need to find a non-sugary sparkling, refreshing drink. As Grast girl says (hi, by the way and welcome to dry summer!) outdoor living seems to need sparkling, refreshing drinks, and alternatives to coke or sparkling water. Fresh lime juice in sparkling water is good. Lots of high quality ginger beers nowadays. And all the alco frees that we have listed in the article over there... >>> are good too. Happy summer non-drinking everyone (he says, as the rain clouds now inevitably roll in...!) G
The Jogger May 2017 1:13pm, 12 May 2017 1,169 posts	0 The Jogger The one I introduced on here ages ago was the Virgin Mary but I've had to stop that due to acid reflux, so now for me it's mainly good old fashioned water.
Grast_girl May 2017 3:24pm, 12 May 2017 162 posts	0 Grast_girl I mainly drink plain water anyway, so I do like to have something different at a party, usually Schloer (sp?). Might have to try a few different things this summer.
Diogenes May 2017 3:56pm, 12 May 2017 23,019 posts	0 Diogenes I've had 3 days off. We've been feeling tired and going to bed earlier. I've concluded that this is because normally we'd be opening a bottle of wine at nine which then wakes us up and gives us a reason to stay up.
g1ngerrevolution May 2017 4:05pm, 12 May 2017 1,064 posts	0 g1ngerrevolution I find I go to bed earlier too Dio. I think it's the lack of calories. I sleep considerably better though. I run really hot if I've had a drink.

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