The benefits of giving up alcohol

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22 contributors in last 30 days

Metro_Nome Jun 2020 11:06am, 3 Jun 2020 5,411 posts	0 Metro_Nome I've tried various alternatives (I still have a bottle of nosecco in the cupboard actually)- but actually find them worse in a way if I try to substitute. Because I really do just love the taste of prosecco/cremant/champagne! I'm better to stick to diet coke (my other vice) rather than try to substitute because I just think "this isn't the same" That said, I do love elderflower. I have a magnum of sparkling elderflower which may need cracked open at some point- though it's too big to put in the fridge!
LindsD Jun 2020 11:51am, 3 Jun 2020 37,413 posts	0 LindsD You just need to find what works for you.
Derby Tup Jun 2020 11:55am, 3 Jun 2020 42,607 posts	0 Derby Tup In a nutshell I was really into the n/a beers when I stopped drinking and wanted to try and rate as many as possible. I only have the occasional now now
sweetpeas Jun 2020 12:42pm, 3 Jun 2020 23 posts	0 sweetpeas Derby that's interesting on the reflux / acid thing, seemingly in the same boat with that. My hunch is gastritis. I have had two phone GP consultations and they'll escalate it in a couple of weeks if it's still bad. Starting back on Omeprazole today after not needing it for months after a previous silent reflux episode (presumably also wine related). Did yours gradually improve with no drinking? The last time I had a couple of sips of wine I was in a lot of pain. MN - it's a bit trial and error I think. What a pain about the elderflower not fitting in the fridge. I guess decanting it would make it flat?
Derby Tup Jun 2020 12:49pm, 3 Jun 2020 42,609 posts	0 Derby Tup Stef my wife has had all kinds of issues with silent reflux etc but probably not related to drinking My indigestion more or less cleared up as soon as I stopped drinking. Basically I had a serious infection and was on IV antibiotics for four days then tablets for several weeks. I was determined to get rid of the infection so stopped drinking. Basically I never started again
HappyG(rrr) Jun 2020 12:56pm, 3 Jun 2020 35,066 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) I can't remember if I mentioned this one before, but I had what was diagnosed as IBS by GP (I used to take colofac to control it, thought it didn't do much) 15 plus years ago. Haven't had it since I stopped drinking! Many things have changed in that time - stressful work (which the GP pointed to as cause), stressful home (i.e. before my now lovely wife of nearly 15 years!) etc. But could it have been the alcohol? Or at least exacerbated? At the end of the day, it's a very weird thing to put into your body: in high concentration e.g. spirits, large quantity e.g. binge drinking or regularly e.g. every day drinking? Another benefit?! G
Sigh Jun 2020 1:02pm, 3 Jun 2020 6,507 posts	0 Sigh I've had no unexplained inflammation of joints since I stopped drinking alcohol. Joint pain / inflammation was a regular occurrence the night after a binge, especially after spirits.
Derby Tup Jun 2020 1:06pm, 3 Jun 2020 42,611 posts	0 Derby Tup Agree. Ethanol is toxic (and a carcinogen). Not a good substance to be introducing into your body orally, for pleasure, on a regular basis. If someone offered you a 5% solution of ethanol in a two litre lab vessel you probably would wonder what on Earth they were threatening you with or for
Derby Tup Jun 2020 1:09pm, 3 Jun 2020 42,612 posts	0 Derby Tup Sigh I’ve heard people talk of the likes of rum ‘getting in your bones’ after a heavy session
Sigh Jun 2020 3:19pm, 3 Jun 2020 6,509 posts	0 Sigh Well, it's not getting in mine (not again, anyway!)

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! :-)

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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! :-)

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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