Quitting the bottle

[Tichtheid]

Good advice Slick, I went to a BBQ yesterday where I knew everyone would be off their faces by the early evening and lasted till 10pm before using my trapdoor - I had driven there so that was my way out.

[Kiwias]

Any Kiwis on here watching the Patrick Gower on Booze on Channel Three?

Listening to him discussing it ahead of time makes it sound potentially very enlightening.

[Kiwias]

You know you are basically on top of the demon when your SR team can dominate the league leaders and form team at their home ground for their 6th successive victory and not even think about having a drink to celebrate.

[convoluted]

Any Kiwis on here watching the Patrick Gower on Booze on Channel Three?

Listening to him discussing it ahead of time makes it sound potentially very enlightening.

As a rare drinker, I didn't bother with it.
But he got comprehensively bagged by the columnists the day after the first segment for making it all about himself rather than addressing the resultant social ills.
This sparked my interest in watching a replay on the Three app.

I thought he delivered a most effective anti-binge message -- primarily so exactly because of how he had personalized it. It seemed that without initially intending to, his examination of the drinking culture forced Gower to reluctantly confront then acknowledge the reality of his own alcohol problem.

[Kiwias]

Any Kiwis on here watching the Patrick Gower on Booze on Channel Three?

Listening to him discussing it ahead of time makes it sound potentially very enlightening.

As a rare drinker, I didn't bother with it.
But he got comprehensively bagged by the columnists the day after the first segment for making it all about himself rather than addressing the resultant social ills.
This sparked my interest in watching a replay on the Three app.

I thought he delivered a most effective anti-binge message -- primarily so exactly because of how he had personalized it. It seemed that without initially intending to, his examination of the drinking culture forced Gower to reluctantly confront then acknowledge the reality of his own alcohol problem.

Thanks for the comments. I still can't get the Three app to work here.

[booji boy]

Any Kiwis on here watching the Patrick Gower on Booze on Channel Three?

Listening to him discussing it ahead of time makes it sound potentially very enlightening.

I was going to bring this up on the PR bored for the Kiwi based posters. I found it an excellent doco but I question whether Gower is truly an alcoholic or had just fallen into bad drinking habits. He was obviously a very heavy drinker and frequent binge drinker and he chose to stop drinking completely. He didn't really address the idea of cutting back to moderate or sensible drinking. e.g. drinking only one or twice a week and only having one or two drinks in a session. Apart from that it was a really interesting investigation.

I gave up on part two which was just a panel discussion on the availability of alcohol in the community, how essy it us to access both at store level and online and how cheap it is. Panelists ranged from those in the alcohol and hospitality industry to those campaigning against alcohol (including Geoff Ross who made his money from vodka company 42Below and also fronted Moa beer) all the way to former All Black captain Kieran Read. Seen it all before.

[pjm1]

Ok, I’m not sure if my post here qualifies and is appropriate for this thread – please ask me to move it or redact/delete if not. It’s also long and rambling, for which I apologise…

I’m not planning on quitting the bottle, but I am very significantly reducing my consumption. I used to drink too much and during the first lockdown, it was becoming maybe a bottle of wine a night between my wife and I. More at weekends. Sometimes quite a bit more. Then I recognised the problem (at least in part) and cut out drinking Mon-Thu. Still left me drinking WAY too much at weekends… sometimes it would be a bottle and a half (just for me) and very occasionally as much as two bottles plus a gin & tonic – we’re talking probably 20 units in a single night on say a Saturday. Scary stuff in hindsight.

A week ago I had a bit of a heart scare – atrial fibrillation and very high BP. The former has disappeared as quickly as it came and the latter is back down close to my normal (slightly elevated by maybe 5mmHg systolic). GP put my mind at rest to a degree but I have a consultation with a cardiologist after I get back from hols to try to pin down the source of the AF. I’m otherwise fit & healthy – rugby reffing, 5 days/week exercise and a decent diet except for the booze. Currently not doing any exertive exercise because of the heart concern until I get it properly scanned/checked - brisk walks is all I'm allowing myself for the moment, which I think is sensible.

Big weekend just past of entertaining etc. I backed off, had two very small (125ml) glasses of red on Friday night and a total of four drinks (doubles) at our party we hosted on Saturday, pretty evenly spread between 6pm and 3am – basically I felt sober the whole time throughout the whole weekend. Nothing on Sunday. I know that’s a long way from tee total, but for the first time since a month of abstinence maybe 4-5 years ago, I’m actually below the weekly recommended alcohol intake! I also felt great, both at the time and obviously the following mornings. I really enjoyed our party and the significant reduction in booze was neither here nor there and not noticeable (other than the fact I didn’t partake in karaoke nor did I flirt outrageously with my wife’s friends!)

My other consumption has been pretty good for a fair time, except for a previous liking of sweet things. For the last few weeks after watching a lot of Andrew Huberman (would highly recommend) I’ve switched intermittent fasting as I’ve never been a breakfast bunny. I typically have a very high fibre lunch (it works out about 40% fibre, 30% protein, 10% fat, 20% starchy carbs, negligible sugars) any time between 12.30 and 1.30, followed by a home-cooked dinner at maybe 7ish, where I’m also cutting back on carbs except in vegetables (and eliminating any added sugar and minimising contained/hidden sugars, e.g. sweet fruit) – I’ll have wholemeal pasta occasionally but generally sub potatoes for green veg. I often have a couple of squares of 85% chocolate at 8.30ish. My weight is quickly coming back down to where it should be – I was about 5kg over 3 weeks ago and I’m now sitting at 3kg over.

We’re going away for a fortnight’s cruise on Saturday. Unlimited food and booze. Normally I would have availed myself of both and “parked” whatever healthy eating campaign I was on. However, I’m really enjoying the feeling from both eating well – and in a restricted timeframe – and also the seriously reduced booze intake.

I’m just not sure how to best manage the latter. On holiday, I would have drinks every, without fail and, frankly, too much each day. Do I just stick to my 4 off, 3 on (or now more like 5 off, 2 on) which feels “wrong” for a holiday? Or do I just limit myself to a single drink most days? It’s unlimited champagne, wine, cocktails, branded spirits… so maybe a glass of champage each day and then just stick to slimline tonic? I don’t know if they’ll do non-alcoholic spirits, as the gin zeroes are ok.

Thoughts and advice welcome and apologies again for the length of rambling.

[Kiwias]

pjm1

No problems with the rambling nature or the length of your post, mate. It is good to have the background info.

I think you nailed the issue of how to handle yourself on the upcoming cruise pretty well in your last paragraph.

I suspect that the biggest issue you have in your mind is how others will see your lack of alcohol intake so I'll let you into one of the biggest secrets: nobody really gives two fucks about how much or how often you drink. Other than your wife, of course. She will be over the moon with your massively reduced intake.

So keep uppermost in your mind the thought that you are doing this for your own benefit and I reckon you'll be fine.

Cheers

[pjm1]

pjm1

No problems with the rambling nature or the length of your post, mate. It is good to have the background info.

I think you nailed the issue of how to handle yourself on the upcoming cruise pretty well in your last paragraph.

I suspect that the biggest issue you have in your mind is how others will see your lack of alcohol intake so I'll let you into one of the biggest secrets: nobody really gives two fucks about how much or how often you drink. Other than your wife, of course. She will be over the moon with your massively reduced intake.

So keep uppermost in your mind the thought that you are doing this for your own benefit and I reckon you'll be fine.

Cheers

Thanks Kiwias... you make (as always) some great points. Funnily enough, when I abstained for a month, other peoples' views was somewhat in my mind. Now it's not... I don't give two hoots because those who I respect and care about (and vice versa) will be really supportive. One thing I don't want to do is put pressure on my wife to do the same - she's not yet as the same place as me (to be fair, for me it's acute health related) and whilst I suspect she'll start to adopt a similar approach over time, I think she would feel a bit hard done by if she ended up doing it on this holiday. Does that make sense?

I will feed back after the hols on how it goes. My only remaining question is whether I should go to the gym while on hols... part of me wants to but the other part is worried about over-exerting the old ticker.

Cheers!

[Kiwias]

pjm1

No problems with the rambling nature or the length of your post, mate. It is good to have the background info.

I think you nailed the issue of how to handle yourself on the upcoming cruise pretty well in your last paragraph.

I suspect that the biggest issue you have in your mind is how others will see your lack of alcohol intake so I'll let you into one of the biggest secrets: nobody really gives two fucks about how much or how often you drink. Other than your wife, of course. She will be over the moon with your massively reduced intake.

So keep uppermost in your mind the thought that you are doing this for your own benefit and I reckon you'll be fine.

Cheers

Thanks Kiwias... you make (as always) some great points. Funnily enough, when I abstained for a month, other peoples' views was somewhat in my mind. Now it's not... I don't give two hoots because those who I respect and care about (and vice versa) will be really supportive. One thing I don't want to do is put pressure on my wife to do the same - she's not yet as the same place as me (to be fair, for me it's acute health related) and whilst I suspect she'll start to adopt a similar approach over time, I think she would feel a bit hard done by if she ended up doing it on this holiday. Does that make sense?

I will feed back after the hols on how it goes. My only remaining question is whether I should go to the gym while on hols... part of me wants to but the other part is worried about over-exerting the old ticker.

Cheers!

Not worrying about other people's views is a big positive for you. I did not realise your wife has some issues with booze but I agree that you really don't want to be putting any pressure on her. Just be your normal charming entertaining self and things will be good for her.

[pjm1]

Thanks... and just realised that my usual sign off of "Cheers!" is perhaps not the most appropriate for this thread

[Kiwias]

Thanks... and just realised that my usual sign off of "Cheers!" is perhaps not the most appropriate for this thread

I sign off emails with Cheers all the time. No probs.

[Tichtheid]

Perhaps a free bar might be an opportunity to try out cocktails without the alcohol content?
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/col ... il-recipes

As for saying Cheers, in Scottish Gaelic the equivalent is Slàinte Mhath (approx pronounced Slanje Var), it translates as Good Health.

[convoluted]

... More than a quarter of suicides in New Zealand involve acute alcohol use ...

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/suicide-s ... Q6KZJCEQ4/

[Kiwias]

The last two weekends of AB rugby almost made me wish I was still drinking, as I would have been totally blotto by the end of the match and not remembered the result.

But I am still happily sober

[mat the expat]

The last two weekends of AB rugby almost made me wish I was still drinking, as I would have been totally blotto by the end of the match and not remembered the result.

But I am still happily sober

Goes to show you're doing great!

[Kiwias]

The last two weekends of AB rugby almost made me wish I was still drinking, as I would have been totally blotto by the end of the match and not remembered the result.

But I am still happily sober

Goes to show you're doing great!

Thanks, mate. Doffs cap.

[mat the expat]

Impressive mate!

[pjm1]

Perhaps a free bar might be an opportunity to try out cocktails without the alcohol content?
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/col ... il-recipes

As for saying Cheers, in Scottish Gaelic the equivalent is Slàinte Mhath (approx pronounced Slanje Var), it translates as Good Health.

Thanks for those. Yes, the alcohol-free pina coladas and the like were not bad shouts. My 11-yo son enjoyed them but I found most of them too sweet (am trying to mostly eliminate sugar as well as the moment). To be fair, my diet took a beating on holiday, but that wasn't a surprise really! On average, I reckon my drinking was about where I hoped - a good few days completely alcohol free, and a few where I probably had more than two. Now back home and able to get properly on with the high-fibre, no-sugar diet and more or less cut out the booze.

[Kiwias]

Perhaps a free bar might be an opportunity to try out cocktails without the alcohol content?
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/col ... il-recipes

As for saying Cheers, in Scottish Gaelic the equivalent is Slàinte Mhath (approx pronounced Slanje Var), it translates as Good Health.

Thanks for those. Yes, the alcohol-free pina coladas and the like were not bad shouts. My 11-yo son enjoyed them but I found most of them too sweet (am trying to mostly eliminate sugar as well as the moment). To be fair, my diet took a beating on holiday, but that wasn't a surprise really! On average, I reckon my drinking was about where I hoped - a good few days completely alcohol free, and a few where I probably had more than two. Now back home and able to get properly on with the high-fibre, no-sugar diet and more or less cut out the booze.

Sounds like a pretty good outcome all-round. Well done.

[Harveys]

Well done keeping the thread going over here.

Celebrated 14 years recently. No other action taken in my life comes close to matching this for generating meaningful change. The fruits of life get sweeter and more bountiful year after year.

[Kiwias]

Well done keeping the thread going over here.

Celebrated 14 years recently. No other action taken in my life comes close to matching this for generating meaningful change. The fruits of life get sweeter and more bountiful year after year.

What an inspiring way to sum it up. And it really does just keep on giving returns.

Well done on your 14 years, Harvey.

[mat the expat]

Well done keeping the thread going over here.

Celebrated 14 years recently. No other action taken in my life comes close to matching this for generating meaningful change. The fruits of life get sweeter and more bountiful year after year.

Well done chap!

[Slick]

Well done keeping the thread going over here.

Celebrated 14 years recently. No other action taken in my life comes close to matching this for generating meaningful change. The fruits of life get sweeter and more bountiful year after year.

Well done, really inspirational words.

I'm back off it as of 2 weeks ago after a "slight" blip and already seeing so many positive things happening with family and work. I guess I have to treat the slip as a learning curve, I can't moderate very well even after an extended lay off!

[Kiwias]

Well done keeping the thread going over here.

Celebrated 14 years recently. No other action taken in my life comes close to matching this for generating meaningful change. The fruits of life get sweeter and more bountiful year after year.

Well done, really inspirational words.

I'm back off it as of 2 weeks ago after a "slight" blip and already seeing so many positive things happening with family and work. I guess I have to treat the slip as a learning curve, I can't moderate very well even after an extended lay off!

Sorry to hear of your wee blip but it is encouraging to hear you have not let that overwhelm you. Sometime long ago after many failed attempts to cut down or cut out my drinking, I came to the acceptance that moderation was just not for me.

[C69]

After somewhat of an epiphany nearly 2 years ago, I can now count on my fingers how many times I have had too many drinksin the last 2 years and it is in single figures. I at times probably drank more in a month than I have in the last 2 years.
Definitely rather than probably tbh.
Only had a drink about 3 times in the last 6 weeks and now feel I know when to stop and for me more importantly when not to start.
Great thread lads, inspirational. Accepting that I had an isssue with drink was hard but glad to say my wife has been a rock.

[Kiwias]

After somewhat of an epiphany nearly 2 years ago, I can now count on my fingers how many times I have had too many drinksin the last 2 years and it is in single figures. I at times probably drank more in a month than I have in the last 2 years.
Definitely rather than probably tbh.
Only had a drink about 3 times in the last 6 weeks and now feel I know when to stop and for me more importantly when not to start.
Great thread lads, inspirational. Accepting that I had an isssue with drink was hard but glad to say my wife has been a rock.

What a superb post to read first thing in the morning!! It is no surprise that your wife is so supportive as having a sober husband in control of his drinking will make a huge difference to her life too.

All the best, C69, we've got your back.

[Slick]

After somewhat of an epiphany nearly 2 years ago, I can now count on my fingers how many times I have had too many drinksin the last 2 years and it is in single figures. I at times probably drank more in a month than I have in the last 2 years.
Definitely rather than probably tbh.
Only had a drink about 3 times in the last 6 weeks and now feel I know when to stop and for me more importantly when not to start.
Great thread lads, inspirational. Accepting that I had an isssue with drink was hard but glad to say my wife has been a rock.

Yup, top post mate.

Great you can keep on top of it, I’m 99% sure I can’t do that and have a feeling accepting that last % will be the hardest bit. In saying that, having just moved to the beach and been up early every morning to swim and mess around with the kids, I know fine well that wouldn’t be happening if I was drinking, so a great motivator

[Margin__Walker]

A week ago I had a bit of a heart scare – atrial fibrillation and very high BP. The former has disappeared as quickly as it came and the latter is back down close to my normal (slightly elevated by maybe 5mmHg systolic). GP put my mind at rest to a degree but I have a consultation with a cardiologist after I get back from hols to try to pin down the source of the AF. I’m otherwise fit & healthy – rugby reffing, 5 days/week exercise and a decent diet except for the booze. Currently not doing any exertive exercise because of the heart concern until I get it properly scanned/checked - brisk walks is all I'm allowing myself for the moment, which I think is sensible.

Good post, missed it at the time.

Atrial Fibrillation was one of the main reasons I cut out binge drinking completely several years ago (the other being fatherhood and it being incompatable with 6am get ups!).

Started happening occasionally after heavy sessions and wasn't a pleasant sensation at all. GP also fairly relaxed, but it seemed a fairly needless thing to put my body through. I also have to go easy on caffeine.

[Ymx]

Do you guys agree we should ask for this to be unstickied?

It is a great testament to the bored, this thread.

It’s wonderful hearing other peoples experiences, and I’m often missing them in a timely fashion because you can’t tell when the thread is updated.

[Ymx]

After somewhat of an epiphany nearly 2 years ago, I can now count on my fingers how many times I have had too many drinksin the last 2 years and it is in single figures. I at times probably drank more in a month than I have in the last 2 years.
Definitely rather than probably tbh.
Only had a drink about 3 times in the last 6 weeks and now feel I know when to stop and for me more importantly when not to start.
Great thread lads, inspirational. Accepting that I had an isssue with drink was hard but glad to say my wife has been a rock.

Yup, top post mate.

Great you can keep on top of it, I’m 99% sure I can’t do that and have a feeling accepting that last % will be the hardest bit. In saying that, having just moved to the beach and been up early every morning to swim and mess around with the kids, I know fine well that wouldn’t be happening if I was drinking, so a great motivator

I found that I wasn’t able to regulate it.

For me, I was terrified of not drinking again. It was actually a big barrier for me.
Immediately in my mind
- will not be able to socialise and have fun
- social stigma, shame of admitting alcohol to be a problem
- losing friends
- being perpetually tortured by not having booze


I can say I was pretty wrong.
- I found myself still to be enjoying myself in chat, banter, etc
- there is way less stigma these days. So many are opting to bin alcohol.
- haven’t lost any friends, even the heavy drinking ones
- it’s not torture at all, it’s actually living more. Not needing brain sterilised/numbed.

We are only on this planet a short time, I choose to be in the now and live it more.

I think the idea of giving up forever is too hard for someone still drinking and thinking along those lines. I say just choose to give up for a bit, and then extend it. After 12 months, the idea of not drinking again becomes easy, and obvious.

[Kiwias]

After somewhat of an epiphany nearly 2 years ago, I can now count on my fingers how many times I have had too many drinksin the last 2 years and it is in single figures. I at times probably drank more in a month than I have in the last 2 years.
Definitely rather than probably tbh.
Only had a drink about 3 times in the last 6 weeks and now feel I know when to stop and for me more importantly when not to start.
Great thread lads, inspirational. Accepting that I had an isssue with drink was hard but glad to say my wife has been a rock.

Yup, top post mate.

Great you can keep on top of it, I’m 99% sure I can’t do that and have a feeling accepting that last % will be the hardest bit. In saying that, having just moved to the beach and been up early every morning to swim and mess around with the kids, I know fine well that wouldn’t be happening if I was drinking, so a great motivator

I found that I wasn’t able to regulate it.

For me, I was terrified of not drinking again. It was actually a big barrier for me.
Immediately in my mind
- will not be able to socialise and have fun
- social stigma, shame of admitting alcohol to be a problem
- losing friends
- being perpetually tortured by not having booze


I can say I was pretty wrong.
- I found myself still to be enjoying myself in chat, banter, etc
- there is way less stigma these days. So many are opting to bin alcohol.
- haven’t lost any friends, even the heavy drinking ones
- it’s not torture at all, it’s actually living more. Not needing brain sterilised/numbed.

We are only on this planet a short time, I choose to be in the now and live it more.

I think the idea of giving up forever is too hard for someone still drinking and thinking along those lines. I say just choose to give up for a bit, and then extend it. After 12 months, the idea of not drinking again becomes easy, and obvious.

Ymx

A superb post to read first thing in the morning. I like how you stress the positive benefits of not drinking, highlighting that we are not giving something up but rather choosing a better life.

[Ymx]

Unbelievable!!

I’m assuming kiwias is not behind this.

Drink more alcohol, Japan urges its young people


Residents aged 20 to 39 are invited to submit ideas for strategies to increase alcohol consumption, including promoting drinking at home

Japan has launched a drive to get young people to drink more alcohol.

The move comes after many stopped drinking during the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to less revenue for the National Tax Agency.

Now, the agency has invited anyone aged 20 to 39 to submit ideas for strategies to increase alcohol consumption, including promoting drinking at home.

Entrants to the "Sake Viva!" contest have until Sept 9 to come up with ideas, with the winning plan being announced in November and adopted by the NTA.
Consumption of alcohol in Japan has fallen by 25 per cent in the last quarter-century, for reasons including an ageing population.

The trend was exacerbated by the pandemic as young people stopped going out to restaurants and socialising as much.

In 2020, taxes from alcohol sales saw their biggest fall in three decades. In that year consumption of beer, which was the worst affected drink, was down by over 20 per cent.

Earlier this month, an NTA official told the Japan Times that the move to working from home had also impacted drinking and taxes.

"If the new normal takes root, that will be an additional headwind for tax revenue."

According to the World Health Organisation alcohol consumption per head is significantly less in Japan than in the UK, although still more than in China.

[Slick]

After somewhat of an epiphany nearly 2 years ago, I can now count on my fingers how many times I have had too many drinksin the last 2 years and it is in single figures. I at times probably drank more in a month than I have in the last 2 years.
Definitely rather than probably tbh.
Only had a drink about 3 times in the last 6 weeks and now feel I know when to stop and for me more importantly when not to start.
Great thread lads, inspirational. Accepting that I had an isssue with drink was hard but glad to say my wife has been a rock.

Yup, top post mate.

Great you can keep on top of it, I’m 99% sure I can’t do that and have a feeling accepting that last % will be the hardest bit. In saying that, having just moved to the beach and been up early every morning to swim and mess around with the kids, I know fine well that wouldn’t be happening if I was drinking, so a great motivator

I found that I wasn’t able to regulate it.

For me, I was terrified of not drinking again. It was actually a big barrier for me.
Immediately in my mind
- will not be able to socialise and have fun
- social stigma, shame of admitting alcohol to be a problem
- losing friends
- being perpetually tortured by not having booze


I can say I was pretty wrong.
- I found myself still to be enjoying myself in chat, banter, etc
- there is way less stigma these days. So many are opting to bin alcohol.
- haven’t lost any friends, even the heavy drinking ones
- it’s not torture at all, it’s actually living more. Not needing brain sterilised/numbed.

We are only on this planet a short time, I choose to be in the now and live it more.

I think the idea of giving up forever is too hard for someone still drinking and thinking along those lines. I say just choose to give up for a bit, and then extend it. After 12 months, the idea of not drinking again becomes easy, and obvious.

Yeah, great post.

I agree that the biggest barrier at the moment is getting my head round never drinking again, but not perhaps for the reasons you had, think it's more about those really enjoyable drinks and how to replace them. By really enjoyable drinks I mean that first pint of cold lager on a hot day, or that first pint of ale on a cold day, or that whisky in the evening or the amazing new wine. I chose my words quite carefully there because what I've come to realise is it really is only that first drink that is enjoyable, the rest are actually a bit of chore that I have because everyone else is. Unfortunately that response doesn't kick in at the time!

I do still wonder if after a year, or 2 years I could moderate but also thinking if I go that long, whats the point in going back. This is stuff you guys already know.

Your 2nd list is 100% what my thinking is. This weekend I did parkrun, spent the afternoon with the kids on the beach, next morning went swimming in the sea with a group of lads and met friends and family in the afternoon for a BBQ. I had an awesome weekend but I know for a fact if I'd been drinking I wouldn't have done half of it and the the other half I'd have done with a grimace. It's a no brainer.

[Ymx]

I do still wonder if after a year, or 2 years I could moderate but also thinking if I go that long, whats the point in going back. This is stuff you guys already know.

I think you’re absolutely spot on. Perhaps you get yourself to that 2 year mark, and then see how you feel. completely your choice, and see if you still have desire to.

[Kiwias]

Unbelievable!!

I’m assuming kiwias is not behind this.

Drink more alcohol, Japan urges its young people


Residents aged 20 to 39 are invited to submit ideas for strategies to increase alcohol consumption, including promoting drinking at home

Japan has launched a drive to get young people to drink more alcohol.

The move comes after many stopped drinking during the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to less revenue for the National Tax Agency.

Now, the agency has invited anyone aged 20 to 39 to submit ideas for strategies to increase alcohol consumption, including promoting drinking at home.

Entrants to the "Sake Viva!" contest have until Sept 9 to come up with ideas, with the winning plan being announced in November and adopted by the NTA.
Consumption of alcohol in Japan has fallen by 25 per cent in the last quarter-century, for reasons including an ageing population.

The trend was exacerbated by the pandemic as young people stopped going out to restaurants and socialising as much.

In 2020, taxes from alcohol sales saw their biggest fall in three decades. In that year consumption of beer, which was the worst affected drink, was down by over 20 per cent.

Earlier this month, an NTA official told the Japan Times that the move to working from home had also impacted drinking and taxes.

"If the new normal takes root, that will be an additional headwind for tax revenue."

According to the World Health Organisation alcohol consumption per head is significantly less in Japan than in the UK, although still more than in China.

[Kiwias]

I agree that the biggest barrier at the moment is getting my head round never drinking again, but not perhaps for the reasons you had, think it's more about those really enjoyable drinks and how to replace them. By really enjoyable drinks I mean that first pint of cold lager on a hot day, or that first pint of ale on a cold day, or that whisky in the evening or the amazing new wine. I chose my words quite carefully there because what I've come to realise is it really is only that first drink that is enjoyable, the rest are actually a bit of chore that I have because everyone else is. Unfortunately that response doesn't kick in at the time!

I do still wonder if after a year, or 2 years I could moderate. but also thinking if I go that long, whats the point in going back. This is stuff you guys already know.

One of the biggest benefits of having weekly self-help group meetings is that it reduces the period of not drinking to one week, rather than your whole life, which I admit is a fucking scary concept at first, though it does fade after time until drinking again becomes a foreign concept.

Yep, the bolded bit is something I know only too well but this too will fade when you become settled in a life without alcohol.

[Ymx]

I took a different route, actually saw someone for CBT. Also for managing anxiety. Fortnightly and then reduced frequency after a couple of months.

I really really did not want to do group stuff. But it works for many.

I think CBT worked really well to manage urges, understand triggers, and provide a bit of inner steel to keep going. I liked the scientific explanation my councillor gave about how the mind and body operates.

[Kiwias]

I took a different route, actually saw someone for CBT. Also for managing anxiety. Fortnightly and then reduced frequency after a couple of months.

I really really did not want to do group stuff. But it works for many.

I think CBT worked really well to manage urges, understand triggers, and provide a bit of inner steel to keep going. I liked the scientific explanation my councillor gave about how the mind and body operates.

That sounds really good. I'm chuffed for you.

[Ymx]

Is this what is used in AA? Or is this a very religious edition.

What Are the Principles in the 12 Steps of AA?



Step 1: Honesty

“We admitted that we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.”

The first step in AA is about admitting your powerlessness, which boils down to a level of honesty that many addicts haven’t reached until now. Many people under the spell of addiction or alcoholism think that “it’s not that bad” or that they can “stop at any time.”

It’s almost counterintuitive: The way to be released from the power addiction has over you is to admit how truly powerless you are. Carrying honestly forward in your sobriety doesn’t focus on being honest to others, but to yourself.



Step 2: Hope

“Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”

Step 2 is about finding faith in some higher power, and the accompanying principle of hope means that you should never give up that faith, even when you suffer a setback.

This virtue is easy to understand when it comes to practicing it on a daily basis. In recovery, not every moment will be positive, but if you keep that hope and faith alive, you’ll come back out on the other side.



Step 3: Surrender

“Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.”

In Steps 1 and 2, AA instructs members to strip themselves bare of ego and power. Step 3 involves putting yourself at the mercy of this higher power and moving forward for “Him” — or whatever your higher power may be — over the selfishness of addiction.

The way to carry this principle forward is to always remind yourself that you’re at the mercy of a higher power, and you don’t come first.



Step 4: Courage

“Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.”

Step 4, which involves documenting every mistake you’ve ever made, is clearly tied to courage. Some of your past will be painful, and you’ll likely have to face some of your biggest regrets.

Living with courage means that you can start fresh without forgetting your past completely.



Step 5: Integrity

“Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.”

Step 5 is about taking the moral inventory made in step 4 and admitting first to God, next to yourself, and last to another person.

You can practice integrity in your recovery by talking through everything that you feel guilty about and your mistakes. Basically, having integrity is to live honestly.



Step 6: Willingness

“Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.”

In step 6, you have to prepare for your sins to be taken away by admitting to yourself that you’re fully ready to move past them.

Willingness as a virtue means you have to be ready to be absolved so that you can move forward without looking back. You should have willingness in everything you do.



Step 7: Humility

“Humbly ask Him to remove our shortcomings.”

In step 4, you made a catalog of your past, and in step 6, you admitted them and released yourself from the guilt and shame. Step 7 is being willing to be released from your past. In step 8, you ask God, or another higher power, for forgiveness.

Humility is one of the simplest principles to understand because it’s straightforward. When you’re humble, you’re cognizant of the fact that you’re not a major part of the bigger picture. Humility in daily practice means never seeing yourself as more important than you are.



Step 8: Love

“Made a list of all the persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to all of them.”

Love is empathy and compassion, and Step 8 asks you to make a list of everyone you’ve wronged in your journey to where you are now. That’s not all, though. You also have to be willing to make amends, which shows that you truly care for the people on your list.

Practicing your sobriety with the principle of love means that you’re not just existing for yourself but in service to the people you care about.



Step 9: Responsibility

“Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.”

By Step 9, you’ve forgiven yourself for your past. Now you need to make amends to others so that you can start fresh with them as well.

The principle of responsibility is reflected directly in this step, and practicing in life is clear: If you hope to remain close with those around you, you must be honest and open about your mistakes that impacted them.



Step 10: Discipline

“Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.”

Step 10 relates to its own principle very clearly. It’s one thing to take personal inventory and admit our wrongs one time. It takes discipline to continue to do this over an entire lifetime.



Step 11: Awareness

“Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.”

Step 11 is about moving forward without losing track of a higher power. The continued awareness this demands makes it easy to pair the step with its accompanying principle.

Living with awareness means always paying attention to the higher power that guides you.



Step 12: Service

“ Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”

The final Step of AA is to pay it forward. You’ve worked your way through the entire process of growing and setting yourself up for success in sobriety, and now you have the opportunity to guide less experienced members through their own journey. Living with the principle of service means it’s your responsibility to help others as you were helped when you first started to work the 12 steps.