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The benefits of giving up alcohol

282 watchers
23 contributors in last 30 days
Derby Tup
Derby Tup
Jan 2019
9:01am, 31 Jan 2019
28,777 posts
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Derby Tup
G_g that’s my philosophy. I dread to think what even a pint of real ale would do to my bowels at the moment anyway :-O
Grast_girl
Grast_girl
Jan 2019
9:10am, 31 Jan 2019
562 posts
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Grast_girl
You're right about the having a drink to celebrate/commiserate culture HappyG.

I was at a party last weekend, and had planned to have a drink (as I'm not in my usual summer abstinence phase). Took it slowly at first, as it didn't look like there was going to be any food (there was in the end), then basically stopped completely because I wasn't really enjoying it. The others in the group started talking about being sick in an uber after drinking 2 bottles of prosecco in an hour and almost being charged £200 (their girlfriend saved the day by cleaning up after them). Then others were saying to the same person "that isn't water is it?" repeatedly.

There's definitely a group of people who are problem drinkers, in that they feel the need to pressurise other people into drinking (too much).
HappyG(rrr)
HappyG(rrr)
Jan 2019
9:50am, 31 Jan 2019
30,322 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
I think you've hit the nail on the head their Ggirl. I think it's an insecurity about their own drinking and need to drink, to excess, that then makes them want to encourage others to join them. That was certainly me, in the bad old days. I'd have a need to drink at lunch time midweek, dinner and drinks out or weekend get completely bladdered, and I wanted others to want to too. Hence the pressure.

I just avoid those sort of people (people like I was!) now. Toxic. There's no telling them the irony of being sick, falling and injuring themselves, being stupid, even inappropriate behaviour etc. isn't funny, it's just sad. Cuts no ice. Not when you're in that bubble. Or possibly because you are in a bubble? Sad really.

Good day for a clear head and a bit of running with clear, blue skies and a bit of DOMS in legs from last night's intervals! :-) G
Derby Tup
Derby Tup
Jan 2019
10:03am, 31 Jan 2019
28,780 posts
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Derby Tup
I used to be bad too. Encouraging / facilitating others’ drinking maybe to justify my own excessive behaviours
Brother Iron
Brother Iron
Jan 2019
10:39am, 31 Jan 2019
16 posts
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Brother Iron
Hi all, Have just checked in to see how things are going and to report that all is well and sober in my part of the world. A couple of cans of 0.0% after work seems to be plenty for me at the moment. I'm not brand particular so long as it's cold and fizzy.

I was never very much of an encourager of others. In fact I was never much of a social drinker. If I wanted to socialise I'd usually be happy with coffee and a chat. If I wanted to drink it was usually because, for whatever reason, I wanted the effects of alcohol.

DT. I've just caught up with your blogs. My thoughts are very much with you and my wishes for strength and a good outcome.
Derby Tup
Derby Tup
Jan 2019
10:43am, 31 Jan 2019
28,783 posts
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Derby Tup
Bro great to hear from you. You are doing brilliantly!! Thanks for kind thoughts
Derby Tup
Derby Tup
Jan 2019
10:53am, 31 Jan 2019
28,784 posts
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Derby Tup
Dec 4 you first posted (I just checked). Keep up the good work Bro
HappyG(rrr)
HappyG(rrr)
Jan 2019
11:37am, 31 Jan 2019
30,324 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
Indeed, very well done BrotherI, you're doing great.

It's interesting how different our predilections are. I would drink at home, to excess, by myself. But I was probably worse when I was out and encouraging others to join in, to help to justify it, I guess. :-(

So happy not to be there any more! :-) G
Derby Tup
Derby Tup
Jan 2019
11:41am, 31 Jan 2019
28,789 posts
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Derby Tup
G your drinking of yore sounds like mine
g1ngerrevolution
g1ngerrevolution
Jan 2019
11:42am, 31 Jan 2019
5,652 posts
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g1ngerrevolution
Changing tack slightly, has anyone read / listened to "Freedom from our Addictions" by Russel Brand?

I'm not a massive fan of his, but I'd like to know what someone who has done a 12-step program thinks about his representation of it.

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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