The benefits of giving up alcohol

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22 contributors in last 30 days

sweetpeas Jun 2020 7:55am, 7 Jun 2020 28 posts	0 sweetpeas I nearly wavered last night, so fancied a glass of red in a 'f*** it', self-sabotage kind of way. But, I didn't. Hazy AF, a mint Magnum and decaf tea got me through.
Diogenes Jun 2020 7:57am, 7 Jun 2020 49,548 posts	0 Diogenes Did great yesterday, thanks G, although it was very easy, even if Mrs D did get me to go for the shop for her Does anyone else get the urge when [not drinking but] buying alcohol for others to tell the checkout staff that it’s not for you because you don’t drink? Does it just sound like denial?
Oscar the Grouch Jun 2020 7:57am, 7 Jun 2020 1,624 posts	0 Oscar the Grouch Well done, sweetpeas. I would suggest it was a firm push back past the bowler, G. Straight bat as it were. I am rather fond of gin, so this was good.
Diogenes Jun 2020 7:59am, 7 Jun 2020 49,550 posts	0 Diogenes Yes, well done Sweetpeas and Oscar.
Oscar the Grouch Jun 2020 7:59am, 7 Jun 2020 1,625 posts	0 Oscar the Grouch Ha ha Dio... That's easy for me as I don't drink red, which is the other half' s tipple. Lord knows I tried to like it!
HappyG(rrr) Jun 2020 8:01am, 7 Jun 2020 35,101 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) Good work Oscar. A challenging delivery firmly dealt with! Dio, I've moved from mot wanting to tell people I don't drink to wanting to tell everyone and now settled on telling people happily if they ask. I think you can tell or not as you wish. Glad you had s good day. Well done. G
HappyG(rrr) Jun 2020 8:04am, 7 Jun 2020 35,102 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) Well done sweetpeas too. That's a tougher when a glass of red feels like a good idea. Each time you survive that temptation makes you stronger and it becomes less and less likely to feel like a temptation in the future. You're at the hardest stage and doing really well. G
Big_G Jun 2020 8:05am, 7 Jun 2020 22 posts	0 Big_G I think one of the things that took me some time to come to terms with regards to socialising is the fact that some friends have drifted away a bit. I'm just being honest, but I found that tough - not getting invited out for impromptu get-togethers etc. But, on reflection, really it was the booze that was the foundation of our friendship because as I said the other day booze was a big factor in all my social life. It is sad, but I've also realised it's the way it is. And new friends have come in to my life, and my social circle/life has grown in other ways as a result. I know I am new to this thread and I fully expect that this has all been discussed before, but in the first month or two, being landed with all this free time was actually quite difficult! I'm almost ashamed to say now that I was bored! I was asking myself "well, what else is there to do!?", and again getting my ahead around that took some time. Now, I still appreciate very much the extra time that I've got back. In terms of drinking in pubs with friends though, maybe I was lucky but I personally haven't really had a problem with that. I just have tap water, or if I want to push the boat out, a lime and soda Occasionally I may have an AF beer, but I'm quite happy with water really. I don't really like things like J2O etc as they seem very sweet to me.
HappyG(rrr) Jun 2020 8:14am, 7 Jun 2020 35,103 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) That's an interesting one Big G. By the way, please feel free to share any of these. We often go over the same things again, but to my mind it's all helpful. I don't recall, in 10 years plus on this thread, the having more time thing being considered a problem! Not trying to belittle it any way. Just not sure I've heard it before! I definitely think we've all experienced the problem that there's the temptation to drink when bored. I suppose maybe the flip side is having chosen not to drink to then feel bored with the time? I'd just never thought of it like that. What things have you done latterly with the extra time then everyone? I personally am not very productive so just going for a run of reading a book are probably my answers. G
Diogenes Jun 2020 8:16am, 7 Jun 2020 49,552 posts	0 Diogenes Totally understand all of that, big_g, having, my evening routine completely changed and I ended up going to sleep much earlier most days. I had more free-time at both ends of the day.

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