The benefits of giving up alcohol

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25 contributors in last 30 days

HappyG(rrr) Apr 2020 7:37am, 29 Apr 2020 34,714 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) CB, that's hard. Does he have any fitness goals like running or cycling? Then you could use the argument that gaining weight is hindering his progress to those goals? Or just vanity, if he's getting a paunch? But he really needs to identify a problem and to want to change. Good luck to you both. G
cackleberry Apr 2020 9:40am, 29 Apr 2020 1,769 posts	0 cackleberry Thanks for all the support guys. I'd been on the drink aware website last night and also worked out the unit consumption, another 4 pints last night puts him at around 18 units in two days. I looked at the glass recycling tub this morning and wondered about emptying it out with all the bottles in a line so it's a physical representation of what is going on. As for fitness goals, I just don't know. Recently (just before lockdown!) my main running friend took him hiking/camping. They had two wild camps and hiked about 28 miles in two days, very hilly. He was just about broken. I asked if was inspired to do some training and he just said no, he's simply not going to go next time. When he stopped smoking he had a specific reason - we were going to Nepal. He quit approx 18 months before we went. Literally just like that. Never had any problems, very little cravings.
Rascal Apr 2020 8:41pm, 29 Apr 2020 34 posts	0 Rascal I honestly didn't think I could give up the booze. I liked alcohol but it didn't like me. So something had to give. I made rough estimates for how long since. But I sat down with dates & worked it out properly. Today is my 850th dry day and feel so much better without it. I am grateful to Fetch and the running community for giving me something better to focus on. Big up this forum and contributors.
iaincr Apr 2020 8:44pm, 29 Apr 2020 633 posts	0 iaincr brilliant, well done Rascal!
mrs shanksi Apr 2020 8:52pm, 29 Apr 2020 10,543 posts	0 mrs shanksi Cackleberry- I agree with what everyone else has been saying, I wish you both good luck. Rascal, I could have written that, congrats on 850 days 😀
Derby Tup Apr 2020 8:59pm, 29 Apr 2020 40,790 posts	0 Derby Tup Big up Rascal from FE
Derby Tup Apr 2020 9:00pm, 29 Apr 2020 40,791 posts	0 Derby Tup And respect where it’s due
LindsD Apr 2020 9:54pm, 29 Apr 2020 35,803 posts	0 LindsD
DocM Apr 2020 9:56pm, 29 Apr 2020 34,050 posts	0 DocM Awesome rascal.
HappyG(rrr) Apr 2020 10:26am, 30 Apr 2020 34,718 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) Well done Rascal, that's great. Have you been lurking here for nearly 3 years and only just outed yourself?! (or is that a memory fail on my part, if so, apologies). Well done anyway. A much better world, imho. CB, keep us posted on how things are going for you/your hub and if there's anything we can help with or suggest? Or just to check in here for a bit of support. By the way, there is a formal body which helps families of people with drinking probs - Al Anon (the link in sidebar). Maybe have a look on that site and see if there's any info that might be helpful? ALl the best, 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