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The benefits of giving up alcohol

2 lurkers | 282 watchers
21 contributors in last 30 days
HappyG(rrr)
HappyG(rrr)
Oct 2018
9:33am, 22 Oct 2018
29,401 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
Well done guys. All going well.

I was very glad to be able to have a chat with my local Big Issue seller. He was off his pitch for a couple of days during last week and I asked after him in the Big Issue office. He'd got his normal number of magazines on Monday, but they would check on him. On Friday he was back on his pitch and he said he'd had a couple of days off for "a wee libation". I plucked up courage this morning to tell him that I had a drink problem but that I was dry now and much happier. Would he like to talk about it. Nearly 30 mins later... we had talked a bit. He's been in rehab before, but he says he'll try them again as he really doesn't want to "lose days" like this again, when he was doing so much better.

I really hope he can take steps, and I feel that asking him about it is not nagging, but just caring. What would you guys think? Thanks.

Big boozy weekend at ours with friends visiting. Very glad not to be a drinker anymore! :-) G
Oscar the grouch
Oscar the grouch
Oct 2018
9:41am, 22 Oct 2018
833 posts
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Oscar the grouch
Good stuff, G. What I have learnt over the years is that often a comment from a conversation will have a lasting effect. So, even if this conversation has appeared to not carry any weight, who knows where it might lead for him. We all need a spark from somewhere.
Sigh
Sigh
Oct 2018
9:43am, 22 Oct 2018
2,298 posts
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Sigh
That's a lovely thing to do G, definitely caring. You're also sharing with him your experiences, which shows that there is an alternative. Good on you.
LindsD
LindsD
Oct 2018
9:43am, 22 Oct 2018
24,951 posts
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LindsD
That was kind and supportive of you, HappyG.

We had four younger family members round last night. Two cousins and their partners, all under 30. I had bought beer and wine and they brought prosecco. Nothing stronger than tea was drunk by anyone other than OH. I hope that times are changing...
Goofee
Goofee
Oct 2018
9:44am, 22 Oct 2018
1,877 posts
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Goofee
It sounds a very caring gesture to me HappyG
Joopsy
Joopsy
Oct 2018
9:51am, 22 Oct 2018
8,755 posts
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Joopsy
Good stuff G. I have sat with many a homeless person and told them I am an alcoholic, not for any other reason than they've told me they have a drink problem and I can relate to it. Just the human interaction itself is more than most people will give the guy. Top man. X
Sigh
Sigh
Oct 2018
9:55am, 22 Oct 2018
2,300 posts
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Sigh
I hope so too, Linds.
Derby Tup
Derby Tup
Oct 2018
11:51am, 22 Oct 2018
27,314 posts
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Derby Tup
Oscar makes a good point
Derby Tup
Derby Tup
Oct 2018
8:11pm, 22 Oct 2018
27,316 posts
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Derby Tup
Day 69. No alcohol taken today (I’m cooking curry - an activity which would have historically meant a beer or three to aid creativity)
mrs shanksi
mrs shanksi
Oct 2018
9:08pm, 22 Oct 2018
9,329 posts
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mrs shanksi
Well done G, 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 medal Contact TBOGUA medal 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 star
Joopsy star

Note: we're none of us experts, but we're happy to listen, to answer any questions and to offer support if you think it would help you. Except star marked above. Who are experts! :-)

(Note II: at Christmas some names may change a bit, but I'm sure you can still find us to fmail!)
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