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The benefits of giving up alcohol

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34 contributors in last 30 days

Grast_girl Jun 2017 2:40pm, 14 Jun 2017 184 posts	0 Grast_girl About half way through my usual no alcohol summer. Did have one slip up which thankfully didn't leave me a sneezing, sniffing, crying mess, but generally don't want that. I did feel like I kind of had to as it was at work, which is something that I'm not proud of, but explaining would have been awkward. Did feel humbled by the new Muslim guy in our department who can't eat or drink anything because of Ramadan. I would crack so fast (at least on the hydration front) and wouldn't be able to run at all I don't think.
HappyG(rrr) Jun 2017 3:32pm, 14 Jun 2017 26,772 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) Dehydration during Ramadan would be so tough. I could do not eating ok. Good job everyone. Surviving work, family and social nights out all summer long here! G
Oscar the grouch Jun 2017 5:35pm, 14 Jun 2017 258 posts	0 Oscar the grouch Well done all. Just been away for 3 days with work (2 over nights) and there is a bar which old me would have drunk the fixture at. However, not only did I not drink for the two days but when the evening meal was presented as 'meet at the bar at 7', I went for a run at 6 and met them for the meal in the restaurant at half 7. The comment was ' we were going to send out a search party' and my reply was 'sorry, but I prioritised a run'. No more was said and I casually mentioned to the only other fella who appeared not to be drinking that I would not be going there after either because my idea of 1 would not have been 1 in the old days and therefore I avoid. Very proud of myself - I also caught up on Runner's World and some books and clearly had no hang over on my course
LindsD Jun 2017 6:12pm, 14 Jun 2017 17,617 posts	0 LindsD All good stuff guys. Well done. I'm also struck by the way it's become who I am. Dad is very sick at the moment, which previously I wd have taken as a signal to hit the wine. Not in the least bit tempted.
Diogenes Jun 2017 10:01pm, 20 Jun 2017 23,653 posts	0 Diogenes I am inordinately proud of myself for not having had a drink yesterday. I have also refrained today, so far. I got as far as taking a cold beer out of the fridge when I poured out a glass of wine for Mrs D, but I put it back instead of opening it.
LindsD Jun 2017 10:22pm, 20 Jun 2017 17,720 posts	0 LindsD Well done! I've had a few drinking dreams recently. They are truly horrible.
Oscar the grouch Jun 2017 10:43pm, 20 Jun 2017 269 posts	0 Oscar the grouch Good stuff Diog. Stick with it Linds. Can't think it is anything other than your subconscious being naughty.
mrs shanksi Jun 2017 11:08pm, 20 Jun 2017 8,002 posts	0 mrs shanksi Well done everyone. I had a great time at the beer festival pulling the pints and enjoying the company and music. No need to drink and it meant I could be RD at parkrun the next morn. In the old days I would've written off Saturday. Life is much better now. Linds sorry to hear about your Dad.
LindsD Jun 2017 11:51pm, 20 Jun 2017 17,723 posts	0 LindsD Thanks. Actually no one in the family is self-medicating with alcohol, which I'm very pleased about.
Oscar the grouch Jun 2017 9:25am, 21 Jun 2017 270 posts	0 Oscar the grouch Yes - sorry, I missed that re your dad. Thanks Mrs S. Sending positive thoughts... also a good sign that there is no self-medicating in the family. It would be easy (understandable) to do so.

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