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The benefits of giving up alcohol

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26 contributors in last 30 days

JenLov Jul 2019 6:44pm, 1 Jul 2019 593 posts	Quote Pin JenLov Well done Sigh, that's great!
Homer Jul 2019 10:19am, 2 Jul 2019 12,940 posts	Quote Pin Homer Lizzie - that article is really good, thanks for sharing. The bit about blame resonated loudly to me. As a scotsman raised around heavy drinkers, even at 19 I wasn't a drinker and kept getting the peer pressure. This statement stood out to me from the last year. "There are many things in life that may be my fault, but finding myself addicted to a highly addictive, widely celebrated drug I have been encouraged to use since adolescence in order to signal to the social herd that I am mature, healthy, attractive, successful, sophisticated, and friendly is not one of them."
Homer Jul 2019 10:21am, 2 Jul 2019 12,941 posts	Quote Pin Homer From my upbringing, not drinking was certainly "an act of tribal treason"
Homer Jul 2019 10:21am, 2 Jul 2019 12,942 posts	Quote Pin Homer But no more
HappyG(rrr) Jul 2019 10:57am, 2 Jul 2019 31,968 posts	Quote Pin HappyG(rrr) Interesting that you highlighted the same passage as me (my post 31950 on prev page) about not being to blame. Drinking defined me in my teens and twenties. I managed to survive it, but barely. I got through school, but only just (missed school due to drinking, got in trouble for being drunk at events and parties); avoided prison (got done for breach of peace etc.); avoided injury and death (fights at parties, falling down drunk in street, driving motorbike drunk etc.); got through uni (though I have no idea how, as this was a very heavy drinking time); achieved ok at sport, but don't know how (university rugby included playing drunk, never mind after match drinking); earned a salary (despite work night drinking incidents, being hung over at work to the point of sleeping in car, or puking in loos); managed to get married and have a kid (though separation and divorce were partly down to our bad relationship with alcohol, both of us). Some of that was my fault, but a lot of it was the pressure from society (and UK is worse than Mediterranean countries, and Scotland is worse than Home Counties England, for promoting a drinking culture). And then the actual alcohol itself - it's an addictive drug. I wanted to feel out of it. And people were telling me not just that it's permitted and legal, but that it's funny, cool, the norm, even expected of you, in some circumstances. I feel lucky that I survived and have seen it for what it is. A dangerous drug that society should treat like any other danger - I'm not talking about outlawing necessarily, but honesty about consequences, that's all. Base jumping is exhilarating and spectacular. But it's also a significant risk injury or death. Make an informed choice. And most people will choose not to do it. Drinking alcohol can give you mind and behaviour altering experiences that could be fun, exciting or numbing, if that's what you are looking to achieve. But it's also a significant risk of immediate danger due to impaired judgement and behaviour. And a longer term risk of addiction, damage to physical and mental health. Make an informed choice. Surely, like base jumping, most would choose not to?! G
iaincr Jul 2019 11:24am, 2 Jul 2019 562 posts	Quote Pin iaincr good post HG and lots of great points raised. your story not to dissimilar to mine. However, conversely for me, I think I was only able to address my drinking when I took responsibility for my behaviour and actions and not "blaming" it on addicition or the drinks fault. Now I know that the powerlessness over alcohol is a basic tenant of AA (AA worked for my dad who has been sober for 30+ years and many on here too so I am not knocking it) but for me blaming alcohol for my problems made it easier for me to slip and say, its not my fault its the disease of addiction and I am powerless to resist it. I know people who are trying to quit and use this rational to drink. I liked the alan carr approach where you recognise that alcohol is poison and why would you drink poison. Then to associate drinking with all the negative things it brings and to see a much simpler life without half the complications drinking brings. one thing for sure, however people manage to quit, I would doubt many of them would chose to go back to a life of drinking, for me it was so dull, boring and complicated. The only time I miss it is when I fly, which I hate and drinking took away all the anxiety, hopefully the doctor I am seeing this afternoon can give me something to make my flight on Friday easier. hope everyone well.
Derby Tup Jul 2019 11:49am, 2 Jul 2019 32,598 posts	Quote Pin Derby Tup ^ two fantastic (and brutally honest posts)
HappyG(rrr) Jul 2019 1:19pm, 2 Jul 2019 31,969 posts	Quote Pin HappyG(rrr) I would hope there are many safe and controlled drugs that the doctor can give you to help with an anxiety of flying Iain. Best of luck. And if first doc doesn't help, ask for a second referral. And ask advice in here - folk like V'rap are wonderfully helpful on what a GP may or may not be able to help with. DT, hoping all is well on your bloods check. G
Sazzahazza Jul 2019 1:21pm, 2 Jul 2019 791 posts	Quote Pin Sazzahazza Thanks for sharing the two above posts x
Derby Tup Jul 2019 1:22pm, 2 Jul 2019 32,599 posts	Quote Pin Derby Tup Thanks 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

Joopsy

Note: we're none of us experts, but we're happy to listen, to answer any questions and to offer support if you think it would help you. Except

marked above. Who are experts! :-)

(Note II: at Christmas some names may change a bit, but I'm sure you can still find us to fmail!)

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The benefits of giving up alcohol

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