The benefits of giving up alcohol

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22 contributors in last 30 days

HappyG(rrr) Jun 2020 2:13pm, 1 Jun 2020 35,031 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) Totally Bazo. A lot of us, naturally, in here are goal oriented and like to have a target, work to it, measure success etc. Those are all good techniques. Esp for folk cutting down etc. And reporting progress and celebrating success can be great motivators and keep us all accountable. But ODAAT came from somewhere! Trying to make it to tomorrow can be overwhelming for some people. I myself have gone to bed at 5pm or just shut down or anything to otherwise write off a day, so that I could get to the end without temptation of drinking. Different for different folk. Stay strong everyone. Let us know if you're having trubs. G
Nicholls595 Jun 2020 2:17pm, 1 Jun 2020 20,590 posts	0 Nicholls595 I have to keep reminding myself that I wanted to cut down to help my VLM training. Worked fine from October til March (with a little holiday at Christmas), but struggling to "stay at the crease" this time around. I suspect the biggest problem is the fact that I don't believe for one minute that the race will be run in October. One day at a time is a great mantra, but like Bazo and Dio, I find it easier with a long term goal. Planning to nurdle my way to 2 not out today, by seeing off that trundler H.E ineken.
Bazoaxe Jun 2020 2:32pm, 1 Jun 2020 16,559 posts	0 Bazoaxe I’ve been pondering and I think ODAAT works for the people who are giving up for good. For those that want to cut down a target driven approach with something at the end (such as a race ) works better.
Bazoaxe Jun 2020 2:34pm, 1 Jun 2020 16,560 posts	0 Bazoaxe Although taking this off at a tangent I am currently on a 90 day running streak with a record of 100. Right now just running every day is my aim. Once I get to 101 though I may be happy with a rest day.
Derby Tup Jun 2020 2:35pm, 1 Jun 2020 42,538 posts	0 Derby Tup That’s a great observation Baz. I’ve every intention to not drink anything ever again and probably won’t because the appeal slowly decreases. I’m simply ticking off the days one at a time
Metro_Nome Jun 2020 2:35pm, 1 Jun 2020 5,407 posts	0 Metro_Nome Agree with that Dio- that's why I've decided to try for a dry June. My problem with ODAAT is I usually figure I'll allow myself some bubbles at the weekend. which can very easily slide into a Thursday... then into a Wednesday....
Metro_Nome Jun 2020 2:36pm, 1 Jun 2020 5,408 posts	0 Metro_Nome oo yikes that conversation moved on in the time it took me to type, sorry!
Nicholls595 Jun 2020 2:36pm, 1 Jun 2020 20,591 posts	0 Nicholls595 Sounds perfectly plausible Bazzers. You could say "Different strokes for different folks"? Today, the stroke I choose is a solid forward defensive push....
Derby Tup Jun 2020 10:47pm, 1 Jun 2020 42,545 posts	0 Derby Tup Mug of tea. Didn’t fancy beer
Diogenes Jun 2020 6:23am, 2 Jun 2020 49,332 posts	0 Diogenes Morning

About This Thread

Maintained by Merry Christmas and Happy NewG(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