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The benefits of giving up alcohol

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28 contributors in last 30 days

Joopsy Oct 2017 7:28am, 4 Oct 2017 8,224 posts	0 Joopsy That's very true Gobi, I was asked how I managed it last week and I just described drinking alcohol as something I don't do, a bit like skiing.
LindsD Oct 2017 9:04am, 4 Oct 2017 19,444 posts	0 LindsD I like that.
Gobi Oct 2017 9:19am, 4 Oct 2017 61,666 posts	0 Gobi Nice
HappyG(rrr) Oct 2017 9:20am, 4 Oct 2017 27,553 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) It's very like skiing - expensive, takes loads of organisation, often disappointing, major risk of embarrassment, injury, even death. dead skull (can't remember if there is an avatar for it). Lots of reasons not to do it. G
mrs shanksi Oct 2017 1:44pm, 4 Oct 2017 8,242 posts	0 mrs shanksi Exactly HappyG!
Maclennane Oct 2017 2:30pm, 4 Oct 2017 19,522 posts	0 Maclennane Slightly different though, on the basis there isn't a ski slope on the end of the road, or in Tesco.
HappyG(rrr) Oct 2017 2:59pm, 4 Oct 2017 27,567 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) I'm still tempted at least once a year by skiing though Maclennane. There are ski holiday ads about 9 months of the year in FB/Google ads! G
Scorge Oct 2017 9:41pm, 5 Oct 2017 390 posts	0 Scorge a month short of 3 year now. it really does just become a part of who you are, and I barely think about it either. well done everyone : )
Joopsy Oct 2017 10:11pm, 5 Oct 2017 8,229 posts	0 Joopsy No difference at all to me Mac, I have the same interest in drinking alcohol as I do in skiiing regardless of the accessibility of either.
HappyG(rrr) Oct 2017 9:25am, 6 Oct 2017 27,594 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) Lol. Love that analogy. Well done Scorge. 3 years is def "embedded" isn't it? I know the real AA guys say never to get complacent, but it def gets easier, for me. 12 years is easier than 12 months was! G

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