Install the app
How to install the app on iOS

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

Alcohol.......

Status
Not open for further replies.
The Esk

The Esk

Player Valuation: £70m
Following the untimely death of Charles Kennedy, and the news of Kenny Sansom's continued problems, alcohol and more specifically alcoholism is high on the news agenda.

There was a brilliant article by Alastair Campbell yesterday in the Sunday Times (unfortunately behind the paywall) but he has also written a sports/alcohol related piece on his blog:

http://www.alastaircampbell.org/blog/2015/06/07/5964/

Thought it would be useful to have a thread about alcohol - no agenda, but might help people in the same way the depression thread has helped many here.

I have copied the following from the NHS website:

Useful contacts for alcohol related problems.

  • Drinkline is the national alcohol helpline. If you're worried about your own or someone else's drinking, you can call this free helpline, in complete confidence. Call 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am – 8pm, weekends 11am – 4pm).
  • Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a free self-help group. Its "12-step" programme involves getting sober with the help of regular support groups. AA's belief is that people with drink problems need to give up alcohol permanently.
  • Al-Anon Family Groups offer support and understanding to the families and friends of problem drinkers, whether they're still drinking or not. Alateen is part of Al-Anon and can be attended by 12- to 17-year-olds who are affected by another person's drinking, usually a parent.
  • Addaction is a UK-wide treatment agency that helps individuals, families and communities to manage the effects of drug and alcohol misuse.
  • Adfam is a national charity working with families affected by drugs and alcohol. Adfam operates an online message board and database of local support groups.
  • The National Association for Children of Alcoholics (Nacoa)provides a free, confidential telephone and email helpline for children of alcohol-dependent parents and others concerned with their welfare. Call 0800 358 3456 for the Nacoa helpline.
Caring for an alcoholic? Find out where you can get support.


On a personal level, I have always enjoyed a social drink when out for a meal, going to the match or with friends, but over the weekend I've decided to give it up completely, not because it's a problem but it just seems a sensible thing to do.
 
I very rarely drink due to being on call, many will drink more every Friday Night than I do in a year and think that once they've had a full brecky they are good to go again, it's only when you stop drinking for a bit and then you have a couple that you realise how much it affects you.

That goes for most things that we enjoy abusing ourselves with as well btw, but some that aren't deemed to be socially acceptable / legal do far less damage to our bodies & organs, there have been thorough tests done on most substances by now but if they dont come down on the side of the lawmakers they seem to be ignored.


I remember seeing Shaun Ryder say that if it had only been Booze that he'd abused himself to excess with then he doubts he'd be alive, most of the time it was everything else but booze that he was out of his tree on.
 
Try not to drink these days as it seldom seems worth the hassle. A beer with a meal is ok but going out to drink I'm not so keen on. I saw Alistair Campbell on the Andrew Marr show at the weekend though and he's quite right about the social pressure to drink, especially if you're in a pub.

I'd say it's better than when I was growing up however as there are so many more cafes to meet people in now than when I was young, so there's perhaps less pressure to drink alcohol when/to socialise, but it's still there to an extent.

@the esk is your abstention part of your get fit regime?
 
Bruce Wayne said:
@the esk is your abstention part of your get fit regime?
Click to expand...

Not really Bruce, as I do not drink huge amounts anyway, just with the raising of awareness over the last week I've decided to stop. Having listened to AC and he was able to stop despite having a super high dependency, I'm taking it up as a challenge to myself.
 

Not a big drinker myself.

The last month I have drank more than I have in the last 4 years put together I think, but that will end now.

Still have a drink on a night out and so on, but it's not really for me.
 
the esk said:
Not really Bruce, as I do not drink huge amounts anyway, just with the raising of awareness over the last week I've decided to stop. Having listened to AC and he was able to stop despite having a super high dependency, I'm taking it up as a challenge to myself.
Click to expand...

Fair dos. Sure it will help your overall health no end either way.
 

Fuleco said:
Is this just going to be a self-congratual thread where people clap themselves on their backs for not boozing?
Click to expand...

It's what people make of it I'd say :) The depression thread was fantastic for giving people a platform to share their stories, and get a bit of help and support from the other folks on here. If this could do likewise then I'd say that's a good thing :)
 
I've not had any experience with AA but I have helped a family member through a gambling problem, which involved a lot of interaction with GA and the weekly meetings. If AA works anything like GA, which I suspect it will, then I can't recommend getting in touch with them enough. Some of the stuff you hear at the meetings is heartbreaking and hard to listen to, but I think in a lot of instances that's what kick starts someones change in attitude, it certainly did in our case.

I don't expect it to be a miracle cure for everyone, but if you're struggling with alcohol related problems then don't be afraid to get in touch with them.

*logs in to Paddy Power
 
Last edited:
Great thread. Some good resources there for people needing help, or needing help in helping another.

I'll have the odd drink now and then, but it's a rare thing for me. My Dad died of pancreatic cancer, which was said to be brought on by his excessive drinking of whiskey through the years. His illness was one thing, but the upset and trouble his drinking caused time and time again for Family was like a cancer in itself.
 
My arl fella was an alcoholic and it had devastating affects on the family and ultimately led to his death. I've got alcoholic tendencies myself so try to avoid the pub these days
 

Status
Not open for further replies.

Welcome to GrandOldTeam

Get involved. Registration is simple and free.

Register
Back
Top