Giving up alcohol

[ossie]

If you're a fighting foul-mouthed drunk, so uninhibited by the grog you supped that you grope the ladies and kick the dogs before going home to beat the wife and kids then I'll be giving you a reet good condemning.

The 'Wife beater' has been reduced to 4.6%..there will be no more of that nonsense I can assure you.

[in4time]

I don’t get all Pulpitspeak about alcohol but I do think the nation has an unhealthy relationship with booze. The vast quantities some people drink regularly strikes me as problematic. Reminds of the days when the USSR kept the comrades drunk on cheap vodka so as they didn’t cause trouble.

Personally I’m very fond of strong, interesting stouts but only find and drink them occasionally.

Ultimately I can’t ride with a fat head so drink moderately and hope to maintain a reasonable level of health until I cark it from something other than ODing in ‘Spoons!

[Carlton green]

The very widespread acceptability of the misnamed "moderate" drinking runs throughout society, and contributes to a culture of misery, disease, death and violence. Most people's "moderate" alcohol consumption is anything but, which they would quickly discover if they took the time to accurately record their consumption.

Over consumption of alcohol is endemic, but is not recognised. Too many people declare that they "don't have a problem", or "just enjoy a little social drinking". They are deluding themselves. They are addicted to a drug. And they are fooling themselves if they don't think it is doing them harm.

See my emboldening above.

She’s not wrong. The message didn’t go down very well here but that’s sometimes the way with the truth ( unfortunately some people found the final line of her post to be OTT so I have omitted that line ).

As with other recreational drugs there are large commercial forces that promote the use of their product regardless of potential or actual personal and or social harm. One way of such promotion is to encourage - or rather be seen to do so - moderate use of a product and to be in charge of what moderate is taken to mean. If I were a Brewer and had their commercial interest then three pints of beer a night would be what I would want labelled as moderate … steady consumption, long term consumption and a steady little earner. Addiction is a great business model and particularly so if your clients are financially sound, steady consumers and will be needing you for many years.

[Geoffroid]

At the start of the first Covid lockdown swimming pools were closed, but off-licences were declared essential businesses. I thought then that perhaps my country has a bit of a problematic relationship with alcohol.

[Mick F]

A mate of mine is in Derriford Hospital, Plymouth at the moment.
Admitted yesterday evening.

Pancreatitis.
Caused by gall stones ................. or alcohol .............. and he is a regular and an all-day heavy constant drinker.

I wonder if that's his wake up call ?

He's been told to stop drinking.
He's having a stomach scan today.

Yes, a wake-up call.

[simonineaston]

both worlds

[ANTONISH]

I drink almost everyday. I enjoy the taste of wine and beer, but not so much the effect, so you'll never find me inebriated. The last time I was really drunk was 20 years ago at a wedding in Hampstead. I put that down to an amazing variety of absolutely free alcohol, which lasted nearly two days.

I don't particularly like being drunk, but I do like a drink. The two are not immediately connected. I probably drink twice the recommended units for the week. But then again I probably eat twice as much cheese and dairy as I ought to. I may damage my health in the long term, on the other hand it might have absolutely no effect. I'm willing to take that risk for the pleasure I gain in the here and now. My father drank ten pints a night until he wasn't able to get to the pub anymore. This wasn't until his 77th year. He lived till he was 94, and said he never regretted anything. He was the life and soul of every party we ever went to

I can't abide people who condemn other people's vices (as if they didn't have any of their own!). Everyone has vices, and things they over indulge in, or would rather no one else knew about. Anyone who says they don't is a bare faced liar!

At one time in my life I was a heavy drinker - initially drinking to excess made me nauseous but I persevered and eventually I could drink until I fell over. I drank a fair amount every day over a couple of years.
I don't think it did me any good and these days I probably drink about 6 small glasses of wine a week.
I don't wish to condemn and there are always examples of long lived heavy drinkers - but in general heavy drinking is not good for ones health - and it's possible to enjoy life without copious quantities of booze.
Other vices are available.

[simonineaston]

I enjoy the taste of wine and beer

Whilst I'm not doubting the sincerity of the statement for a moment, it's worth pointing out that the taste for alcohol is an acquired taste, like that of olives - or tobacco smoke, for that matter. We learn to like it, as much for the brain's anticipation of the effect. Put a teaspoon of beer into baby's mouth and they'll spit it out...

[djnotts]

A mate of mine is in Derriford Hospital, Plymouth at the moment.
Admitted yesterday evening.

Pancreatitis.
Caused by gall stones ................. or alcohol .............. and he is a regular and an all-day heavy constant drinker.

I wonder if that's his wake up call ?

He's been told to stop drinking.
He's having a stomach scan today.

Yes, a wake-up call.

And presumably a Liver Function Test. Pancreas and liver seem to be linked regarding cancer. I wish your friend the best of luck.
As an alcoholic (19 years and six months total abstention to date), I find it difficult to imagine moderate drinking, but I know that some/many can do it. I very much wish I could have a "couple of pints" now and again, but I know that that is not possible FOR ME.
The typical medical reaction to a heavy drinker's answer as to "how much?" is to double it. When I gave truthful answer of 2 bottles of spirits a day they assumed I was as good as dead! I do suspect that most folk with a problem do underestimate, even to themselves, how much they drink, especially when, as is increasingly the case, they consume more at home than in a pub.
Alcohol is an addictive drug, more so than say dope and speed in my experience. Heroin and coke a different league. I cannot speak on more recent recreational gear.
Will I have a drink if/when get the final 3-6 month left notice? Undecided, but doubt I'll need to spend very much!
Good luck to anyone who needs/wants to quit.

[simonineaston]

but I know that that is not possible FOR ME.

It's taken me decades to understand that our relationship with alcohol (and other addictions) is very individual. I've lost several friends to their addiction to alcohol and I still puzzle over how it was for them. To be able to stop, after a period of problem drinking, is a huge achievement and I would do anything I could to support that person.

[Bmblbzzz]

I don’t get all Pulpitspeak about alcohol but I do think the nation has an unhealthy relationship with booze. The vast quantities some people drink regularly strikes me as problematic. Reminds of the days when the USSR kept the comrades drunk on cheap vodka so as they didn’t cause trouble.

Personally I’m very fond of strong, interesting stouts but only find and drink them occasionally.

Ultimately I can’t ride with a fat head so drink moderately and hope to maintain a reasonable level of health until I cark it from something other than ODing in ‘Spoons!

Useful perspective. While health effects on the drinker are individual, there is a social effect, including financial and economic costs, that is wider and is externalised.

[Dingdong]

Like I said, I probably drink twice the units I'm 'allowed' each week. And have done so these past 35 years, with no ill effects. If it curtails my three score and ten,v I'll accept it. I know the risks, but the pleasure I've derived in Pubs and around good friends is absolutely worth it. I genuinely feel sorry for people who cannot drink anymore because of an addictive personality. It must be very boring.

Unrepentant, moi!?

[firedfromthecircus]

Lots of mentions of alcohol being a drug, but none so far of a more accurate description.

Alcohol is a poison.

This poison has some effects that you feel pretty quickly like getting tipsy, and some you may not feel at all until your liver fails, and all sorts in between.

At the end of the day if you enjoy poisoning yourself than have at it. But at least be honest about what you are doing.

This country has a serious issue with being honest in that regard!

[ANTONISH]

Like I said, I probably drink twice the units I'm 'allowed' each week. And have done so these past 35 years, with no ill effects. If it curtails my three score and ten,v I'll accept it. I know the risks, but the pleasure I've derived in Pubs and around good friends is absolutely worth it. I genuinely feel sorry for people who cannot drink anymore because of an addictive personality. It must be very boring.

Unrepentant, moi!?

How do you know that you are not addicted?

[Mick F]

Addicted?
What does that mean?

Habitual vs addictive is a moot point.
I drink most days, rarely ever drunk, but drink most days. Beers maybe as many as four pints throughout the afternoon, and a couple of wines in the evening.

Habit as far as I'm concerned.
There have been days when I've not touched a drop, and not suffered from withdrawal.

Addiction is a very different thing.