The benefits of giving up alcohol

7 lurkers | 281 watchers

33 contributors in last 30 days

Bazoaxe May 2022 7:43pm, 10 May 2022 22,629 posts	0 Bazoaxe Hi I still watch but for the time being not an active, or should that be inactive, thread member.
Looby Loo May 2022 8:33pm, 10 May 2022 2,430 posts	0 Looby Loo I've been feeling a bit of a fraud the last few days as have been in but not confessed to then not staying in. I had been alcohol free for over 30 days this period. I was away for the weekend and did consume some alcohol. I didn't overdo things like I would have had in the past. Friday afternoon I had one drink Sat 2 then Sunday 1. I have no plans to drink this week. Didn't feel any benefit to drinking at all and all I was thinking was how it was a waste of money.
Rob_H May 2022 8:41pm, 10 May 2022 First-time poster!!	0 Rob_H I'm a watcher and have never posted, I've not drunk alcohol since 31st December and find the thread really helpful in making me feel like I'm not the only one doing this! Maybe I'll check in from time to time...
Scorge May 2022 8:43pm, 10 May 2022 984 posts	0 Scorge always here, even when i'm not. jft.
Rosehip May 2022 8:59pm, 10 May 2022 25,167 posts	0 Rosehip Hello Rob, what a great thread to put your first post on Use whatever helps I’m still in for today at least, though I have succombed to a glass of Nozecco as the sodastream cartridge has run out, so there’s no fizzy water.
Sigh May 2022 8:59pm, 10 May 2022 13,879 posts	0 Sigh Welcome Rob!
Derby Tup May 2022 9:01pm, 10 May 2022 55,367 posts	0 Derby Tup Great to see your post Rob
HappyG(rrr) May 2022 9:03pm, 10 May 2022 42,288 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) Rob, brilliant to hear from you. Thanks so much for posting. And welcome to the Fetch forum participation! Please do check in periodically. And if you want, share your story to help others - why you stopped, how you have found the process, and of course, what benefits you are enjoying most! Wow, it's great to hear from new people. I really do feel it's almost more normal than not now! G
WA May 2022 9:26pm, 10 May 2022 9,860 posts	0 WA Hello Rob! I wouldn't say you're a fraud Loobs. You set out to cut down and you've clearly done that. There are definitely other things to spend your money on though
Looby Loo May 2022 9:34pm, 10 May 2022 2,431 posts	0 Looby Loo Very true WA and thanks. Welcome Rob and well done.

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