The non drinking thread

**BrowneIssue** · 3 October 2009, 23:25

Sorry, but I cannot help.

By popular demand, I have put on two batches of home-brew beer. One is a conventional kit beer: a Woodforde's Norfolk Ale, specifically their Norfolk Wherry Best Bitter. In about ten days I'll be bottling 40 bottles of rather pleasant supping ale.

The other is to pacify DS23. It is a TPD Special Bitter.

Based on a traditional Almonsbury Old Yorkshire Bitter recipe, but even more strongly hopped because that's how I like it. That'll be a small batch and going into a five gallon barrel. I am looking forward to that being ready in about three or four weeks. It should last about, oh, 5 days.

**NickFitz** · 4 October 2009, 04:51

If you drink heavily, and particularly if you have been drinking heavily for a long time (which sounds like the case with your brother-in-law) then you should not simply cut off drinking in one fell swoop. To do so can cause serious health issues and even death. Just a couple of months ago I read in the local rag of a chap's inquest; the coroner determined on the basis of medical evidence that the cause of death was due to the chap having come off the bottle all at once, leading to a major disruption of his metabolism. He died in his sleep whilst stone-cold sober, due to his system producing something to combat the alcohol, and which was poisonous to a sober individual. No alcohol => death.

If one's system is habituated to large doses of alcohol, the sudden deprivation thereof can send the metabolism totally haywire. Anybody who has been a serious drinker for a long time - and I don't just mean somebody who has a bottle of vodka on waking up in the morning and carries on from there, but even somebody who "only" has a bottle every evening - should consult their GP, and if necessary seek referral to a specialist, before knocking off the sauce.

Any competent doctor will advise against the "knock it on the head" approach, preferring a programme of steady reduction, including regular check-ups. The "Stop now or you'll be dead in a week" warnings that so many now-sober celebrities speak of in interviews are given in cases where they really will be dead in a week, and are accompanied by immediate hospitalisation so they can be kept under constant observation to prevent their system collapsing under the strain of life without booze. Of course they don't mention that: they skip straight to the vaguely-heroic sounding "...and I've never had a drink since then" bit

Worthy of note: withdrawal from heroin, though deeply unpleasant, cannot in itself cause death. Withdrawal from alcohol, whilst it can be much less unpleasant, can be fatal. For some reason they don't teach this in schools, although it would make sense to do so. I learnt it from Panorama sometime in the late Seventies, and have since confirmed it from medical sources.

To sum up: at least have a couple of shandies after your bike ride. On Monday, make appointments with your respective GPs to find out the best way for each of you to go about it.

**Pogle** · 4 October 2009, 06:28

Not sure how true the previous post is - but my own experience of 'people dependent on alcohol' and at over 70 units a week that includes you - is that stopping it dead works just fine. Yes the cold turkey is crap, but if you have reached the stage of well in excess of 100 units a week, as both my brothers had, it may be the only way.

They both joined AA ( not NOT the motoring organisation) and haven't touched a drop in 3 years. They now deal with their problems instead of drinking them away and still go to meetings regularly.

**Torran** · 4 October 2009, 10:12

Less than 20 units a week these days. Don't have time to sit and get bladdered anymore. I'll be sober by the time I'm 40 at this rate.

**Sysman** · 4 October 2009, 10:26

Originally posted by NickFitz View Post

If you drink heavily, and particularly if you have been drinking heavily for a long time (which sounds like the case with your brother-in-law) then you should not simply cut off drinking in one fell swoop. To do so can cause serious health issues and even death.

Epilepsy can also be brought on by sudden withdrawal from heavy alcohol intake. Having seen an ex-gf go that way I'll second the advice to consult your GP.

**Lockhouse** · 4 October 2009, 10:57

A always give up from New Year until I go on holiday in mid-Feb. Rest of the year I try to only drink Fri-Sun.

**BrowneIssue** · 4 October 2009, 11:10

Originally posted by Pogle View Post

Not sure how true the previous post is - but my own experience of 'people dependent on alcohol' and at over 70 units a week that includes you - is that stopping it dead works just fine.

After a bit of web browsing, I'd go with what the furry ape says.

An account of a one litre per day man going on to mechanical ventilation. This also says how the death rate whilst under specialist treatment of alcoholics during withdrawal is now below 1%.

The BMJ recommends, amongst other things, the use of Valium for treatment.

Withdrawal can cause low potassium.

Apparently the alcohol withdrawal seizures are epileptic fits.

"Alcohol withdrawal can be fatal."

From The Nursing Times: "The quantity of alcohol consumed does not necessarily dictate the severity of symptoms" and "Delirium tremens can be fatal if untreated."

I think I would like to suggest you do some research before giving out medical advice. Remember: GIYF.

**HairyArsedBloke** · 4 October 2009, 11:23

I've been on the limited booze allowance for sometime now. A boozy week is three pints three days a week evenly spread. More than that and my body seriously suffers. It's only weak, boys beer I can drink too.

The sad thing is - I'm beginning to like it that way.

**PM-Junkie** · 4 October 2009, 11:46

Originally posted by suityou01 View Post

I was round at my brother in laws tonight. He and I were mates from way back. We had a serious chat tonight.

His drinking has been Olympic for a good long while (Vodka by the bottle)
Mine has crept up this year. When we worked out the units we were both in excess of 70 units a week.

So we have a pact to not drink. Tomorrow we go for a bicycle ride, and have talk of badminton, table tennis, and even squash.

Although we don't want to get ahead of oursleves. To be honest, my drinking is quite bad, but it is a recent occurance. He has been hitting the Vodka for a number of years. That said, I get that I am in trouble.

So tomorrow is another day. If anyone else wants in, then this is the time. 1200 midnight, it's soberville for suityou01.

My sincere apologies for taking the mick out of you....clearly you have a medical problem, and it is small wonder that most of your posts are depressive and doom-ridden. I thought you were just trying to wind people up.

In all seriousness, regularly drinking 70 units of alcohol a week indicates you need help - urgently. I would direct your attention to this page (there are loads of others) on the impact of high volumes of alcohol.

I have a family member who has alcohol issues similar to yours and who is going through the therapy (which despite some people's opinion of the NHS is actually quite impressive). None of my business I know - but if you do want any info please feel free to contact me offline and I'll help any way I can. I'll probably be away all week on business, but I'll reply as soon as I can.

And look on the bright side - said family member is a Southampton supporter, and he is still coming through it despite all the depression that that alone must cause!!!

The non drinking thread