Giving up alcohol

[Jdsk]

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.

The most useful short summary is to think of four components: physical dependence, psychological dependence, withdrawal and tolerance.

But that's not how the guidelines for excess consumption of alcohol currently work in the NHS. They're cited upthread.

Jonathan

[Jdsk]

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.

I'd encourage anyone consuming that much alcohol to cut down. And if they can't manage that on their own to seek professional help.

Jonathan

[Dingdong]

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.

Addiction to alcohol (or any other substances) is quite evident, when it's the first thing you reach for the morning when you wake up, and the last substance you ingest before going to bed. And during the day it's the one thing, above all others which occupies your mind. Of the few alcoholics I've known, none of them have been able to give up drinking on their own

Alcoholics anonymous is an excellent organisation, and I've heard they provide tremendous, round the clock support to those that suffer this debilitating disease. An addictive personality is a well recognised psychological condition, treatable in some ways, butb often requiring long term support.

I've a lot of respect for those who abstain completely, but like I said previously, it must be very difficult to go through life without the well researched social and personal enjoyment of alcohol.

[Dingdong]

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.

I'd encourage anyone consuming that much alcohol to cut down. And if they can't manage that on their own to seek professional help.

Jonathan

I think that's quite a ridiculous observation. I'd say 90% of my friends and ex colleagues drink similar amounts on an evening at the pub. Extrapolated to the national populous, can you not see how bizarre your statement is. Alcohol is enjoyed throughout Britain, with little deleterious effects on the vast majority of people.

It is consumed because it is a very effective, and relatively safe sedative drug. And has been so for over 3000 years. Argue that with your hyperlinks.

The recommendation of 14 units of alcohol per week is laughable, roughly 6 pints of beer or 10 small glasses of wine. The vast majority of people in Britain, who are drinking in pubs, or at home would do that in one sitting. Like I said I've been doing twice the recommended amount for over 35 years with no observable deterioration in my physical or mental well-being. Quite the opposite in fact

The abstainers that I know, are not a happy lot.

[Jdsk]

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.

I'd encourage anyone consuming that much alcohol to cut down. And if they can't manage that on their own to seek professional help.

I think that's quite a ridiculous observation. I'd say 90% of my friends and ex colleagues drink similar amounts on an evening at the pub. Extrapolated to the national populous, can you not see how bizarre your statement is. Alcohol is enjoyed throughout Britain, with little deleterious effects on the vast majority of people.
...

How many units per week did you calculate from that description? (In the first instance assuming that it was accurate rather than the traditional underreporting as mentioned above.)

Thanks

Jonathan

[Dingdong]

I'd encourage anyone consuming that much alcohol to cut down. And if they can't manage that on their own to seek professional help.

I think that's quite a ridiculous observation. I'd say 90% of my friends and ex colleagues drink similar amounts on an evening at the pub. Extrapolated to the national populous, can you not see how bizarre your statement is. Alcohol is enjoyed throughout Britain, with little deleterious effects on the vast majority of people.
...

How many units per week did you calculate from that description? (In the first instance assuming that it was accurate rather than the traditional underreporting as mentioned above.)

Thanks

Jonathan

See above. 28 per week. On a personal basis. Which I would describe as "less than moderate drinking"

[Dingdong]

I think that's quite a ridiculous observation. I'd say 90% of my friends and ex colleagues drink similar amounts on an evening at the pub. Extrapolated to the national populous, can you not see how bizarre your statement is. Alcohol is enjoyed throughout Britain, with little deleterious effects on the vast majority of people.
...

How many units per week did you calculate from that description? (In the first instance assuming that it was accurate rather than the traditional underreporting as mentioned above.)

Thanks

Jonathan

See above. 28 per week. On a personal basis. Which I would describe as "less than moderate drinking"

I would love to know what your vices are, so we can all have a pop at them. Perhaps you are embarrassed to say....

The man who says he has no vices, is a liar.

[Jdsk]

I think that's quite a ridiculous observation. I'd say 90% of my friends and ex colleagues drink similar amounts on an evening at the pub. Extrapolated to the national populous, can you not see how bizarre your statement is. Alcohol is enjoyed throughout Britain, with little deleterious effects on the vast majority of people.
...

How many units per week did you calculate from that description? (In the first instance assuming that it was accurate rather than the traditional underreporting as mentioned above.)

See above. 28 per week. On a personal basis. Which I would describe as "less than moderate drinking"

Are there any health guidelines that don't recommend cutting down at 28 units per week? It's twice the upper limit for regular consumption currently recommended by the NHS "to keep the health risks from alcohol to a low level".

Thanks

Jonathan

[peterb]

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.

- expensive habit. Average now around £4 a pint - £16 an afternoon, plus however much more in the evening. Let's say 4 days a week at £20 a day, (and it's going to be a lot more than that if you are a serious drinker) - £80 week, that's over £4000 a year. All that money pi88ed away. I'd rather have a new bike!

[roubaixtuesday]

A bit of a chasm here between "drink is the root of all evil" and "5 pints a day has no effect on me"

Here's the relationship between drink and death. 50 units a week roughly doubles your chance of dying from an alcohol related condition.

So it's pretty unlikely that drinking at that level genuinely does no harm, however tempting it is to think otherwise.

From https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... e_2018.pdf

Personally I like a drink, and have got into a habit of drinking most days - far too often - albeit very rarely more than a couple of beers or equivalent.

Anyone who thinks they can drink double that in a session and not be "drunk" has a different definition of "drunk" to me.

[Dingdong]

A bit of a chasm here between "drink is the root of all evil" and "5 pints a day has no effect on me"

Here's the relationship between drink and death. 50 units a week roughly doubles your chance of dying from an alcohol related condition.

So it's pretty unlikely that drinking at that level genuinely does no harm, however tempting it is to think otherwise.

Screenshot_20221031-182312_Samsung Notes.jpg

From https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... e_2018.pdf

Personally I like a drink, and have got into a habit of drinking most days - far too often - albeit very rarely more than a couple of beers or equivalent.

Anyone who thinks they can drink double that in a session and not be "drunk" has a different definition of "drunk" to me.

I drink roughly half of that. Aside from a recent bout of COVID, at my last medical I was given an categorical clean bill of health. In fact with my cycling miles, the consultant said I had the musculature and cardiovascular system of someone twenty years younger. My liver function test was excellent. I challenge those that have other vices to admit them. Alcohol is, as far as I'm concerned a safe and reasonably priced sedative, and it also tastes very good indeed.

What are your vices? Are you concerned about them, do they make your life miserable/complex, or are you too ashamed to admit them in an anonymous forum?

It's all too easy to point the finger and criticise others, when you have a log in your own eye.

[roubaixtuesday]

A bit of a chasm here between "drink is the root of all evil" and "5 pints a day has no effect on me"

Here's the relationship between drink and death. 50 units a week roughly doubles your chance of dying from an alcohol related condition.

So it's pretty unlikely that drinking at that level genuinely does no harm, however tempting it is to think otherwise.

Screenshot_20221031-182312_Samsung Notes.jpg

From https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... e_2018.pdf

Personally I like a drink, and have got into a habit of drinking most days - far too often - albeit very rarely more than a couple of beers or equivalent.

Anyone who thinks they can drink double that in a session and not be "drunk" has a different definition of "drunk" to me.

I drink roughly half of that. Aside from a recent bout of COVID, at my last medical I was given an categorical clean bill of health. In fact with my cycling miles, the consultant said I had the musculature and cardiovascular system of someone twenty years younger. My liver function test was excellent. I challenge those that have other vices to admit them. Alcohol is, as far as I'm concerned a safe and reasonably priced sedative, and it also tastes very good indeed.

What are your vices? Are you concerned about them, do they make your life miserable/complex, or are you too ashamed to admit them in an anonymous forum?

It's all too easy to point the finger and criticise others, when you have a log in your own eye.

I wasn't intending to criticise anyone. As I wrote, I drink most nights.

[Dingdong]

A bit of a chasm here between "drink is the root of all evil" and "5 pints a day has no effect on me"

Here's the relationship between drink and death. 50 units a week roughly doubles your chance of dying from an alcohol related condition.

So it's pretty unlikely that drinking at that level genuinely does no harm, however tempting it is to think otherwise.

Screenshot_20221031-182312_Samsung Notes.jpg

From https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... e_2018.pdf

Personally I like a drink, and have got into a habit of drinking most days - far too often - albeit very rarely more than a couple of beers or equivalent.

Anyone who thinks they can drink double that in a session and not be "drunk" has a different definition of "drunk" to me.

I drink roughly half of that. Aside from a recent bout of COVID, at my last medical I was given an categorical clean bill of health. In fact with my cycling miles, the consultant said I had the musculature and cardiovascular system of someone twenty years younger. My liver function test was excellent. I challenge those that have other vices to admit them. Alcohol is, as far as I'm concerned a safe and reasonably priced sedative, and it also tastes very good indeed.

What are your vices? Are you concerned about them, do they make your life miserable/complex, or are you too ashamed to admit them in an anonymous forum?

It's all too easy to point the finger and criticise others, when you have a log in your own eye.

I wasn't intending to criticise anyone. As I wrote, I drink most nights.

You may not be, but other people are, while steadfastly refusing to admit their own vices. Fairly hypocritical, I'd say.

[roubaixtuesday]

You may not be, but other people are, while steadfastly refusing to admit their own vices. Fairly hypocritical, I'd say.

Probably best to direct your remarks at them?

[Mick F]

Two pints at the pub is £8 at one of them and £7odd at another or two. One pub has a loyalty card and when you have ten stamps, you get your next one free.

Good long dog-walk, or a good cycle ride involved too.

Home afterwards and do stuff ......... today I got the leaf blower out and blew the leaves off the (long) drive .......... but I usually do something for a while. The car needs a wash!

Then a couple or three cans of cheap Lidl beer, before making the evening meal.
Have a glass of cheap Lidl wine with it, and maybe another one afterwards. I'm on my second glass of cheap Lidl wine now.

That'll be it booze-wise today.

Not addicted in the slightest, just drinking habitually with my lifestyle.