The benefits of giving up alcohol

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26 contributors in last 30 days

Sigh Nov 2021 11:58am, 29 Nov 2021 10,649 posts	0 Sigh Great post HG!
HappyG(rrr) Nov 2021 12:04pm, 29 Nov 2021 40,331 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) Gosh, that formatted badly! Thanks guys, that's a great perspective too Loobs. It was soo hard then, and it's 99% easy now (very occasional difficulty arises, but rarely) 7 years on. Things I have learned: I can have fun without alcohol but, the things I go to and do are different e.g. food, not just drink; just 2-3 hours, not 10 hours; activities not just pub I am "allowed" to be a non-drinker. I don't "owe" anyone the right to be their drinking buddy! I can and have dropped some "friends" (more acquaintances) Plans are important (but I've always liked a plan!) When to go and when to leave (and how - car is great!) Not just important for those with true addiction and risk of crisis, helps even with just the anxiety of being different etc. Support is important I'm lucky that my missus doesn't drink much anyway. Even the most caring of family or friends might not "get it". Be prepared to explain how you feel, what it means to you and all the thinking you've probably done. You may need, or at least benefit from, professional help - AA, Al Anon, your GP, counselling services etc. Don't be scared to ask for help. And you lot are great, for me, my chapter or group! Any better? G
Derby Tup Nov 2021 12:04pm, 29 Nov 2021 52,923 posts	0 Derby Tup Super post I keep thinking about what someone posted recently - if anyone asks why you don’t drink it’s none of their business (polite version)
GeneHunt59 Nov 2021 12:05pm, 29 Nov 2021 2,576 posts	0 GeneHunt59 Ditto - great post HG.
WA Nov 2021 12:13pm, 29 Nov 2021 9,283 posts	0 WA Fantastic post Happy. And thanks all for your ongoing support x
mrs shanksi Nov 2021 1:21pm, 29 Nov 2021 13,163 posts	0 mrs shanksi Great post HappyG
Diogenes Nov 2021 1:35pm, 29 Nov 2021 64,822 posts	0 Diogenes My contrariness makes it easier for me to not drink when everyone else is, or thinks I should be. What I find more challenging is when I am drinking for myself. I did Christmas and New Year 2019/20 alcohol free with no problems despite spending new year away with our best friends, all of whom were drinking lots. I had a great time, and only one person seemed to mind. It was only once the routine of back to work had set in that I became preoccupied with the internal battle. Anyway, I’m in today.
AdrianB1066 Nov 2021 6:39pm, 29 Nov 2021 8,768 posts	0 AdrianB1066 Thanks for a great post HappyG and you fantastic support on this thread.
Jaks Nov 2021 6:40am, 30 Nov 2021 39 posts	0 Jaks Great post HappyG. I remember when you used to drink just the one at the Fetch Big Mile party and I was in awe of you being able to do that. It’s took a long time for me to become AF and not use alcohol as a crutch when meeting people. In for today.
mrs shanksi Nov 2021 6:41am, 30 Nov 2021 13,165 posts	0 mrs shanksi Morning all, I'm in today.

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