Probably the most interesting concept in there was how the author admits that Alcohol was a "net-positive" in life. Which adds a whole different flavor to the article. The decision to stop drinking alcohol takes a different meaning when a person can be intellectually honest about the situation.
I'm personally interested in society's relationship with alcohol now. There has been a huge change over the last decade and I don't think anyone fully understands it. Alcohol consumption is down from what I understand, but so is ALL risk-seeking behavior - which can include things like pursuing romantic relationships and starting businesses. Meanwhile there is a massive downturn in psychological well being.
Does anyone have any unbiased studies on this phenomenon? Has there been a more thorough investigation on the matter?
Alcohol was a net-positive in so many ways for me. I talk more about that aspect in the 6 month post here: <a href="https://www.bobbytables.io/p/six-months-sober" rel="nofollow">https://www.bobbytables.io/p/six-months-sober
I'm always a bit disappointed when I look at the effects of staying sober.
All these people writing about how they turned their life around, sleeping better, thinking clearer, getting more healthy, etc.
I stopped drinking 3 or 4 years ago and I don't feel any better for it.
However, I only drank like one or two nights a month, when going on a party, so most of my life I was sober anyway.
The only thing I noticed is that I'm now more awkward in social situations. I mean, sure, I might be healthier than before, but I don't have any numbers for that. It's just a thing I assume to be true.
I scored a 1-2 for AUD (12 beers a week), so extremely mild - and the only thing that has improved is having a deeper well to draw from emotionally, when things get tough. It does feel like it was a net positive too.
But there are also things like potentially living longer, which don't have a feel.
You noted that you were on the lower end of alcohol abuse practices for people with drinking problems, and bemoan that changing didn't do more to improve your life.
If you were only 15 pounds overweight, you wouldn't expect to see the same gains in health, energy, and so forth as someone who was 100 pounds overweight.
jppope · · focus · HN ↗
I'm personally interested in society's relationship with alcohol now. There has been a huge change over the last decade and I don't think anyone fully understands it. Alcohol consumption is down from what I understand, but so is ALL risk-seeking behavior - which can include things like pursuing romantic relationships and starting businesses. Meanwhile there is a massive downturn in psychological well being.
Does anyone have any unbiased studies on this phenomenon? Has there been a more thorough investigation on the matter?
btables · · focus · HN ↗
k__ · · focus · HN ↗
All these people writing about how they turned their life around, sleeping better, thinking clearer, getting more healthy, etc.
I stopped drinking 3 or 4 years ago and I don't feel any better for it.
However, I only drank like one or two nights a month, when going on a party, so most of my life I was sober anyway.
The only thing I noticed is that I'm now more awkward in social situations. I mean, sure, I might be healthier than before, but I don't have any numbers for that. It's just a thing I assume to be true.
zamalek · · focus · HN ↗
But there are also things like potentially living longer, which don't have a feel.
k__ · · focus · HN ↗
None of my grand parents made it over 65, all of them heavy drinkers.
So, I'd probably have that going for me.
IAmBroom · · focus · HN ↗
If you were only 15 pounds overweight, you wouldn't expect to see the same gains in health, energy, and so forth as someone who was 100 pounds overweight.