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The benefits of giving up alcohol

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32 contributors in last 30 days

Derby Tup Jun 2020 12:18pm, 26 Jun 2020 43,653 posts	0 Derby Tup Good work McG
Diogenes Jun 2020 12:37pm, 26 Jun 2020 50,330 posts	0 Diogenes I'll be back
mrs shanksi Jun 2020 12:53pm, 26 Jun 2020 10,885 posts	0 mrs shanksi All fine here. For a change we're having iced coffee this afternoon. The coffee is cooling now. Have a great weekend everyone 😀
Sigh Jun 2020 1:02pm, 26 Jun 2020 6,749 posts	0 Sigh All okay here. Prompted by this thread and then reflecting back, I'm closing in on two years since I had a drink, at the end of the month. It's an odd feeling. Without any specific date to note, at some point I decided not to drink again; I've not been tempted to deviate from that; and therefore the fact that it'll be two years doesn't feel significant. But I wouldn't ever have got to that state of mind without the fantastic support on this thread, so thank you everyone!
HappyG(rrr) Jun 2020 1:02pm, 26 Jun 2020 35,334 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) Similarly hope everyone is doing OK. McGooh, we'll done on 0.5 Year! Nice milestone. Fizzy water weather here - still warm n humid, rains haven't hit yet in East Lowland Scotland. G
LindsD Jun 2020 1:11pm, 26 Jun 2020 38,321 posts	0 LindsD I have also been making iced coffee. Boiling here, but have tea.
Diogenes Jun 2020 1:30pm, 26 Jun 2020 50,331 posts	0 Diogenes Well done, McG. I'd be interested to know whether non-drinking is now normal for you and something you don't even think about or whether you are still occassionally tempted? I suppose that's a question for all long-term abstainers and some will be different to others. I know that once I have stopped completely again I will still be tempted often, and feel like I was missing out, whereas I know that I would never ever be tempted to smoke another cigarette, and even the thought of it would be abhorrent.
HappyG(rrr) Jun 2020 1:34pm, 26 Jun 2020 35,338 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) I think about it a lot Dio. But then I think about a lot of things - climate change and politics and kids and grandkids and work and sports and music and philosophy and.... But I don't worry about it now. Ever. It's normal and life now. Much happier. Was I think only person slightly guiltily smug when reading of the "drinking alcohol" accusations of the crowds on beaches and parks recently. Of course, 20 years ago that would have been me, so I have been part of the problem, so not much call to be smug. G
Winniefree Jun 2020 1:37pm, 26 Jun 2020 1,712 posts	0 Winniefree Fine here, looking like I’ll manage my 6th week within the 14 unit target. Dio I know I’ll always be tempted because I enjoy drinking, even in moderation and I’m lucky that I can sustain it. I like the taste and the sense of occasion. It’s an approach that works for me, I know it doesn’t work for others, I have a family member for whom it is all (as in days of oblivion) or nothing. She has chosen nothing and I’m hugely proud of her.
McGoohan Jun 2020 2:02pm, 26 Jun 2020 45,977 posts	0 McGoohan It's an intriguing question Dio. The long hot evenings mostly are when I would happily have an alcoholic drink. Sit outside, watch the sunset, enjoy a cold glass... I was thinking about it last night and I reckoned on balance the reality doesn't often meet up with the imagination. Fr'instance, last night the neighbour's had a load of people round for a barbecue and they were all getting a bit pissed and laughing at nothing much. I don't begrudge them their barbie but it was a bit less peaceful on this side of the fence. Then all the midges came out 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