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The benefits of giving up alcohol

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28 contributors in last 30 days

iaincr Jun 2017 2:10pm, 30 Jun 2017 467 posts	0 iaincr Oscar, 5 years ago I would have had the same thought and succumbed, today If I have had a shocking day I will go for a run/cycle, the thought of a drink does not enter my head. It does get easier odaat. And thankfull this illness is cured by the simple act of not drinking alcohol. Good point tj!
HappyG(rrr) Jul 2017 5:15pm, 12 Jul 2017 26,870 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) Absolutely. If I had a violent and dangerous nut allergy, I wouldn't say to myself "Maybe I'll down a plateful of peanuts tonight." Or "Just one or two will be OK." Or "I deserve a peanut. Peanuts are nice. Most people enjoy them without any problems. Why should I be different?" Or... any one of a million other justifications I've tried to tell myself. Fortunately, I recognise I have a problem. My reaction to alcohol is violent and dangerous. So I won't touch the stuff. Keep up the great work guys. G
HappyG(rrr) Jul 2017 6:21pm, 16 Jul 2017 26,894 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) Everyone doing OK? All been very quiet in here recently. I'm assuming it's just because we're all busy using our non-hung over time having a generally awesome and happy life?! I know I am! Alcohol is just mostly sh*t. Clear as. G
LindsD Jul 2017 7:42pm, 16 Jul 2017 18,266 posts	0 LindsD Hanging in there, HappyG
mrs shanksi Jul 2017 8:16pm, 16 Jul 2017 8,077 posts	0 mrs shanksi Hya Happy G, yes you describe it perfectly. I'm really loving my running at the moment, lots of club sessions, parkruns, and two local hill races back to back this weekend. Life is good. Hope everyone else is doing fine x
mrs shanksi Jul 2017 8:19pm, 16 Jul 2017 8,078 posts	0 mrs shanksi I'm also more than halfway through couch 2 5k with my Dad and he ran 2 miles without stopping today for the first time in his life (he's nearly 69). This is so he can run our parkrun. I'm so proud of him.
LindsD Jul 2017 8:30pm, 16 Jul 2017 18,269 posts	0 LindsD That's lovely mrss
HappyG(rrr) Jul 2017 8:47am, 17 Jul 2017 26,895 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) That's cool mrs s. Would love to have run with my Dad (or Mum - she's still around but 80 now, so I think her running days are past!) Hi Linds. Just remember how awesome you are! Keep on living the dream people! G
emmdeecee Jul 2017 9:25am, 17 Jul 2017 2,177 posts	0 emmdeecee Some relationship advice needed, please. I am in the very early stages of a new relationship with someone I'm really into, and it's all really exciting. I have been sober a long time (18 years this weekend :)) and told her this soon after we met. She seemed to accept it but I just get a nagging feeling she doesn't fully get how serious it is for me to be around alcohol. Previous partners have not drunk alcohol in my presence but I think this one will and I'm not sure how okay I am with this. My recovery is strong and stable and I have not had any inclination to drink for many years so I think I can handle it. Should I just wait and see how it pans out? I don't want to make a big fuss at this early stage when she actually might not drink when with me. Any advice gratefully received!
Oscar the grouch Jul 2017 9:58am, 17 Jul 2017 292 posts	0 Oscar the grouch You are effectively talking about compromising your feelings here to accommodate the new relationship. You have found that on this issue you have been unable to compromise in the past. I think I would be all for being honest. If they are a keeper, they will understand and be prepared to make an adjustment. If you don't at least make your feelings known, then where is the relationship headed anyway?

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