The benefits of giving up alcohol

4 lurkers | 281 watchers

25 contributors in last 30 days

Fields Jan 2022 7:40am, 6 Jan 2022 1,726 posts	0 Fields I’m in for the day
HappyG(rrr) Jan 2022 7:41am, 6 Jan 2022 40,752 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) In today too. Well done Dio and Totri. This is becoming a habit?! G
Derby Tup Jan 2022 7:52am, 6 Jan 2022 53,573 posts	0 Derby Tup I’m in today
iaincr Jan 2022 7:53am, 6 Jan 2022 864 posts	0 iaincr morning all, 9 years ago today, I woke up hungover, the previous night a blur with an atmosphere in the house that you could cut with a knife, I was not popular (again). I knew I couldn't continue on this way and had a decision to make. I remember how daunting the thought of no more drink was, but I also knew that if I wanted to see my kids grow up and not be ashamed of me there was no other way. So in the first month, I literally went one hour at a time without drinking, lots of early nights and sleepless nights followed as my body had to learn to sleep again (rather than pass out). That first month was hard, however, thanks to the amazing support I received here and elsewhere and trying to stay in the present, the hours turned into half days and then into days. 9 years later I am so grateful that I still no longer drink. My kids cannot remember a time when I drank and made an a%$e of myself. For that I am so thankful. As the big book says, "We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.” 9 years ago I took back that power. Good luck to all where ever you are in your journey.
Totriornottotri Jan 2022 7:55am, 6 Jan 2022 1,950 posts	0 Totriornottotri Amazing Iain. Thanks for sharing and well done.
Sigh Jan 2022 7:59am, 6 Jan 2022 11,004 posts	0 Sigh Congrats Iain, a powerful post - thanks for sharing.
LindsD Jan 2022 8:01am, 6 Jan 2022 52,053 posts	0 LindsD Thank you Iain and well done. You were one of my inspirations.
GeneHunt59 Jan 2022 8:01am, 6 Jan 2022 2,986 posts	0 GeneHunt59 Morning all. In for another day. Well done Iain!
HappyG(rrr) Jan 2022 8:07am, 6 Jan 2022 40,755 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) Brilliant Iain, fantastic post. Must have a proper coffee and chat next time we are at a race together! G
Looby Loo Jan 2022 8:17am, 6 Jan 2022 1,963 posts	0 Looby Loo Nice one Iain.Well done Dio. Here today well done everyone.

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