If you’re tea-total, can you tell me the benefits?

[Butterscotchsauce]

I’m leaning towards giving up, just need some inspiration to help motivate me a little more.

If you’ve given up drinking, I would love to hear what you have found to be the benefits to your life or to others around you please, thank you

I live in a town with crap public transport so nice to know l can always get myself home by driving!

This thread was originally not about addiction, someone asked the advantages, and I pointed out I was not a fan of complete teetotalism because it is extreme, then someone tried to imply I couldn't see the advantages because I am alcoholic, I took exception and pointed out that someone trying to imply this is more likely to be addicted themselves- before virtue signalling, maybe look at the rest of the thread next time.

No guilt, shame, self-hatred. Instead, self-acceptance, being myself more, knowing myself much better, liking myself a lot more, being more stable, feeling more whole, feeling healthier & happier

I’m just going to echo everyone else. I’m over a year now and can not believe the change in me. I was having health issues and these have been hugely improved, I’ve lost over 2 stone. Hair and skin look great, I’ve had loads of compliments. I wake up refreshed, the quality of my sleep is so much better.
Im happier, I used to equate a glass of wine (which would turn into a bottle plus) to stress relief and relaxation but it’s a total lie. Now I don’t drink I'm much more relaxed and a lot less stressed! I also had the best Xmas in years last year as I was really present for it.
The first 6 weeks are tough but it gets so much easier. Anyone reading this thread just give it a go, you won’t regret it.

I saw all of that before I replied to you. I stand by my response

Stand under your bridge then.

I have to say that I’ve never noticed much difference whether I’m drinking alcohol or not. I don’t get hangovers or do regrettable drunken things, and I don’t notice any difference in my body.

You sleep better, have More money for things that aren’t poisonous. No feeling rough the next day. Stopping tolerating things that aren’t actually fun unless you’re impaired your judgment…

If you mean addiction to health, wellbeing and cost-saving, then yes guilty. Addiction to alcohol? Not here.

Saving a lot of money.

My husband and I gave up 12 years ago, now 58, feel better, skin is better, no bloated look, no anxiety, no brainier

How is choosing not to do something extreme? If I don't smoke, don't vape, don't take hard drugs, don't drink alcohol am I being extreme? What if I don't drink tea or I'm a vegetarian? Are those all not good things?

I was always more of a binge drinker than a regular drinker. I’d never drink at home but I could handle my alcohol and if I was on a night out, I’d drink a lot. But, I could then not drink for months if I wasn’t going out anywhere.

Nearly three years ago, I really got into weightlifting and fitness. It then seemed counterproductive to drink alcohol, as I always wanted to be in the gym first thing on a Saturday morning. It’s a lot of empty calories when you’re trying to lose weight.

I then slowly just stopped drinking very much at all. I’d maybe have a few drinks, interspersed with water throughout the night and realised I hated being hungover. I would have a crap night’s sleep, get heart palpitations the next day and was so tired. It also leads to poor food choices (for me, anyway).

As I’ve drank less and less, I’ve realised I don’t like the taste of alcohol. The last few times I’ve had a few drinks, I haven’t enjoyed the taste and I don’t like the feeling of being tipsy. So, I’m inclined to just give up completely. I may have a few Bucks Fizzes or Baileys at Christmas (I actually like the taste of those drinks). But, I’ll see how I feel this Christmas.

I enjoy being healthy, slim, having clear skin and a really good, regular sleep schedule. I’d always struggled with sleep in the past. Plus, I’m now always at the gym on a Saturday and Sunday morning, which I wouldn’t do if I were hungover.

Also, I think not drinking is becoming more common. I know several people who don’t drink at all.

You feel genuine happiness without thinking could this situation be improved with alcohol l. It’s the joy of childhood and earlyvteen again

Read This Naked Mind. I had worse anxiety after drinking and was a bit of a dick when drunk. The peace of mind is the best thing. Plus no hangover which was about 4 days!

Same, except as a matter of principle, I always left a glass in the bottle, so only drank 2/3 to 3/4.

Fewer calories, less weight, better sleep, feel better about self. Also if I don't drink, I make better food choices.

I had 100 days off. Thereafter, I have a glass on a Friday night and if we go to a dinner with friends or formal function, I"ll have 2 or 3 glasses.

I don't need to be tee total but I think having a minimum of 6 day a week alcohol free is helpful. DH and I went to the theatre last night and had a pizza first. We had 0% lager with it and in the interval DH had a coke and I haf a lemonade.

What’s wrong with being completely teetotal if that’s someone’s choice? I don’t really understand what you mean. I’m not teetotal as I will have a small drink at Christmas (so about 99% teetotal).

Alcohol massively affects my mood the next day in a negative way, even though I only drank one glass of wine a night. Without it I sleep better and feel clear headed the following morning. Also, my alcoholic bil almost died in August from a bleeding oesophagus and other complications. Since recovering very slowly from this brush with death, his skin looks so much better and he’s getting his appetite back. He lost so much weight but couldn’t eat when he was drinking. It’s really made me think after seeing him in this situation. Is alcohol really worth it?

Yep.
Alcohol creates a mass of 'heat' /energy that the body has to immediately busy itself with breaking down and expel.
The calories in your food are left largely to 'sit' until the alcohol has been processed.

I agree re the reduction in breast cancer risk, assuming those of you who are looking to reduce that also breastfed children if you had any/only took hormonal contraceptives for as short a time as possible etc? I guess every little you can do helps here?

I only ever drink in special occasions, maybe once or twice a year. I avoid it because even with one drink I have a headache, sugar crash and anxiety. Without it I just wake up and get on with my day. It’s not worth it!

Not an alcoholic, but definitely drank more than I should, probably a lot of us here. I cut out alcohol to lose weight, about 4 months ago, and at the same time as going on a diet.

I save about £1000 a month since cutting out alcohol, takeaway, and food out. Not sure how much of it was the saving from alcohol, but I do know that if I hadn’t cut out alcohol then I would NEVER have cut out takeaways…they were the vice at the end of the night after/while I was drinking. I’ve also lost 4st in that time too.

I mean. I love a drink but this is bonkers.

No hangover, healthier, save money, more energy, clear head, no beer belly, no anxiety, no mood swings. Lose weight.