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The benefits of giving up alcohol

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27 contributors in last 30 days

Derby Tup May 2020 7:32am, 26 May 2020 42,223 posts	0 Derby Tup I think certain people’s experience just resonates with others. Rightly or wrongly what you have talked about on this thread that happened in the past sounded very familiar to my experiences and inspired me to carry on not drinking once I’d started. You improved their life with a change of behaviour and I wanted to do the same Sigh is in a similar position but different. In his case it was about timing but also the obvious positive physical effect of giving up alcohol
LindsD May 2020 7:35am, 26 May 2020 37,012 posts	0 LindsD Thank you. I know what you mean.
Diogenes May 2020 7:43am, 26 May 2020 49,077 posts	0 Diogenes DT, you are doing a very similar job for me. Thank you.
Derby Tup May 2020 8:00am, 26 May 2020 42,225 posts	0 Derby Tup Stick at it bud ODAAT
Sigh May 2020 8:12am, 26 May 2020 6,381 posts	0 Sigh Thanks, DT. Apart from this thread it's pretty lonely out there in the real world for non-drinking buddies. You all inspire me to keep it up.
Wombling Plodder (Welsh Womble) May 2020 8:43am, 26 May 2020 3,035 posts	0 Wombling Plodder (Welsh Womble) You are all inspiring I am still very much all or nothing and found myself setting another NA target last night - until the next special occasion!! Why do special occasions have to involve alcohol - that is for me to answer!! So instead of focusing on that date, I am going to try to focus on ODAAT instead. Have a great day everyone
Oscar the Grouch May 2020 8:50am, 26 May 2020 1,598 posts	0 Oscar the Grouch It is an excellent question you raise and one of the ways in which I fall down all the time. My problem at the moment has been 'little and often'.
Metro_Nome May 2020 8:51am, 26 May 2020 5,391 posts	0 Metro_Nome I've put my back out (hopefully not too badly), meaning I'm pretty sore and can't turn to cycling, which is the thing keeping me sane right now- so feeling pretty miserable. Usual response is to turn to a glass of bubbles. trying to fight that.
HappyG(rrr) May 2020 8:55am, 26 May 2020 34,953 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) I think your circle of friends changes, or the way you interact with them does. Not drinking becomes more normal. We had a Zoom call with about 15 odd family for my 7 year old nephew, weekend before last. My step sister's dad had a goblet of red wine the size of a goldfish bowl in his hand (this was 1pm) and my sis had a message from him that he'd enjoyed the artisan gin she'd sent him for his birthday (neat over ice) earlier. Earlier than 1pm?! That would have been me, 15 years ago. And worse! Still enjoy having people round, going to people houses, out for dinner, Christmas etc. I can't last as long. After 3 hours of meet, chat, catch up, eat, chat a bit more, I'm done. My theory is that when drunk it's not that you "have more fun" it's just that as your brain dies, your brain needs less to stimulate it and simpler things that would normally bore you seem entertaining. When you're sober the daft chat just sounds dull, not hilarious! I'm fine if I've got something to do. I can dance with my wife for a few hours if at a party / event. Or others, if they are suitably relaxed people. Or eat, do a quiz etc. But just standing with a glass in hand speaking boll*cks has def lost its appeal. Same at home. Once movie is finished, chat is done, game is finished, I tend to go to bed and get a good night's sleep. Staying up late was again a factor of the brain thinking the chat was interesting, when actually it wasn't. Or sometimes pursuing more nefarious ends, which was even worse. Eww, shudders just thinking about it. Sorry for the early morning reminiscences. WP/WW's question just set me thinking. Stay strong everyone. You know it makes today a better day! G
mrs shanksi May 2020 8:57am, 26 May 2020 10,653 posts	0 mrs shanksi WW I always associated special occasions with alcohol and that is what stopped me from giving it up completely for about 5 years. My parents would always have wine /whisky and it was just what we did. On my 40th I received many bottles as presents. But after too many wasted mornings and even whole days after I realised I had to stop completely. My life has been so much better since. It's not a'reward', I don't feel I 'deserve' a glass of wine. I've not changed my friends since giving up, I've realised most of my close friends didn't drink much and now I'm more like them. And I've inspired others to give up too.

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