I am far beyond being able to use the excuse that i have no heating in my house, therefore a trip to the pub to warm up and get my beer blanket on before coming home is acceptable. Maybe it is the change in personal circumstances and being back in 'single town' that drinking becomes more prevalent? Or does weather truly play a part in our drinking habits? There is supposed to be evidence to suggest that this is so, but is it true here in Perth...I mean really, it doesn't even get that cold?!? What about sporting clubs? I have recently started playing rugby where drinking is a big part of the culture...or is just coincidental that it just so happens to run during the winter season? Or, have I always drunk this much but can't remember? That's even worse!Having grown up in a binge drinking culture, meaning I do not drink every day but when i do i tend to overdo it in one hit, i love the social scene and good times that often come with drinking. So, in order to help me think about the benefits of not drinking as opposed to what i think i will miss out on, i did some research into how alcohol does in fact effect the body:
- Hangovers (nausea, headaches, stomach irritation)
- Exacerbated sleep problems like disrupted sleep and irregular sleep patterns, therefore resulting in fatigue
- Shakiness
- Embarrassment
- Vomiting
- Memory loss (those infamous black spots)
- Injury (by putting yourself in risky situations)
- Alcohol poisoning
- Physical and psychological dependence on alcohol (no one wants an addiction)
- Damage to the brain and liver
- Risk of cancer to the mouth, throat or oesophagus
- Increased risk of neurological disorders, heart problems, sexual problems (especially male impotency)
- Risk of emotional and mental health problems developing (like depression and anxiety)
- Problems at work or in relationships
- Weight gain (people tend to eat whilst they drink and usually eat bad foods. Also because alcohol is considered a toxin your body works to rid your body of the alcohol first prior to breaking down the food). The food we eat when we drink is what puts fat on, not necessarily the alcohol.
- And the list goes on!
As if the above isn't enough to rid my body of alcohol for a month I know i'm going to have to go through the mental anguish of wanting and all of a sudden needing to have a few glasses of wine during the week when normally i wouldn't think about opening a bottle. Why is it that when you say you can't have it, that you want it more than ever?! It does sound so very lame but I am going to force myself to go out and socialise, rather than be a recluse at home every weekend because i'm not drinking. Am i more boring without alcohol or is that just in my own head? Going out and actually socialising without drinking....can i actually have fun? Will people annoy me because i'm not as drunk as them ....therefore my tolerance is a lot lower? Will people invade my personal space and yell within half an inch of me? Sure they will!!....but I guess i'm just going to have to deal with that.I am however looking forward to waking up on a Saturday/Sunday morning and not feeling like death or that i had been gnawing on a dirty sock all night. I look forward to feeling full of energy, actually remembering the night before with no "black spots" and allowing my liver to start repairing and functioning properly.
So, i'm going to explore the emotions and feelings over the next month and report back on how my sobriety is making me feel both physically and mentally. I know that by not drinking i am rearranging all my actions, attitudes, ideas, relaxation time, how i consider myself to have fun, how i relate to people and how i spend my evenings....it is certainly going to be a test.
For those of you that don't drink, i envy you.....you must have read this and just thought how pathetic i am...to have to announce to everyone that i'm not drinking in order to achieve it. Well...you are right....sad but true.
Bottoms up ;)
