Very Happy Phil

Happy New Year! I will tell you a little story; I attended the only sober New Years party in Perth! Hosted by happy wise Buddhist monk Ajhan Brahm, the event was fun and full of great people.

Over the last two weeks I celebrated Christmas and New Year and a friends wedding AND I did them all without alcohol! I had a great time! Of course we don't need alcohol or food or presents to celebrate anything! There are many reasons why I choose not to drink alcohol and at least one relates to happiness;

Drink is a depressant!

There are pros and cons to drinking alcohol as well as pros and cons of not drinking alcohol. I stopped drinking alcohol about 4 years ago. Here are a few of my reasons why I don't drink;

More happiness/positive
More energy
No alcohol mood lows/swings
Better mental and physical health
Clear head, especially the morning after
Driving ability
Self Control
Challenge! (Peer pressure and culture pressure to drink like everyone else)
Save money
No alcohol induced misbehaviour/aggression/violence
Avoid the empty calories and nutritionless contents of alcohol
Inspire kids to do the same
Inspire others to do the same

Pros of drinking;
Some research shows Moderate drinkers outlive teetotalers and heavy drinkers. (But I am very healthy and I think I will outlive drinkers and non drinkers!)
Some people 'need' alcohol before they give themselves permission to have fun and enjoy themselves!
Some friends may feel uncomfortable/insecure if you don't drink alcohol with them

Here are a few of my favourite quotes which inspire me;

Alcohol is the world's most popular drug.

'Everything in moderation'

A study published in The Lancet Medical Journal seems to indicate that daily moderate consumption of alcohol may help ward off Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. Previous studies have already shown that daily, moderate alcohol consumption helps prevent both heart disease and stroke. Moderate consumption, (between 1 to 3 drinks per day), is one of the key phrases because the adverse effects on health of excess alcohol consumption is beyond doubt. (source; epic4health.com )

One person in 25 is dependent on alcohol. 1 in 4 four men and 1 in 7 women drink more than recommended levels.

"While many factors may influence an underage person's drinking decisions, including among other things parents, peers and the media, there is reason to believe that advertising also plays a role." (Federal Trade Commission, Self-Regulation in the Alcohol Industry, 1999)

"Each year excessive alcohol use kills over 4,000 kids under age 21"
-David Jernigan, CAMY's executive director.

Alcohol advertisers spent Billions on alcohol advertising. The UK government collects £10 Billion in alcohol tax. Alcohol misuse costs UK up to £6bn a year. The Scottish Government recently spent just £10,000 on one anti drink Driving campaign.

59% of Scottish 15-year-olds drink alcopops. 17% of 15 year-old-girls and 12% of 15-year-old-boys reported having had unprotected sex as a result of alcohol. (Source: Scottish Executive)

There were 11,782 drink-driving offences in Scotland in 2002. These included 820 drink-drive accidents, which resulted in 1,270 people being injured and 50 people being killed.

1999 Scottish Crime Survey found that 69% of men who committed assaults had been drinking. Alcohol was involved in the majority of domestic abuse incidents reported by respondents to the Scottish Crime Survey in 1999.
A third (32%) of prisoners agreed they wouldn't have been in prison if they hadn't been drinking (Source: 4th Prison Survey)

Low or moderate amounts of alcohol can amplify emotions both positive (e.g. joy, happiness) and negative (e.g. anger, depression). Heavy use can actually cause anxiety and depression. There is a strong link between alcohol and suicide.

Using alcohol to deal with stress is a bad idea. Drinking alcohol stops us from sleeping properly and being short on sleep makes life more difficult all round.
Alcohol can actually cause anxiety and depression.

It's important to drink sensibly and have non-drinking days as well as not drinking too much at any one time. What can go wrong if I drink too much for too long? The list is as long as your arm already and researchers around the world discover new things about alcohol's effects all the time. We've narrowed it down to the things we're certain about;
1.Cancer
2.Mental health problems
3.Heart disease
4.Stroke
5.Changes in physical appearance
6.Diabetes
7.Sexual health problems
8.Man breasts
9.Pancreatitis
10.Memory problems
11.Drownings
12.House fires
(Source; wellscotland.info )

70% of men who complete suicide are found to have drunk alcohol before doing so.

In a survey 28% agreed 'When out with friends I would encourage them to drink even if they say they don't want to'

Celebrate sober! Have fun! Be silly! Be outrageous! You will blend in with drinkers!

Whether we are celebrating a great day or a great grand prix, we can celebrate without alcohol!

I think I will outlive red wine drinkers! I drink red grape juice!

Have a HAPPY day!

KEEP HAPPY!

Very Happy Phil
:)

Remember,
"Celebrate sober! You CAN do it! You will remember it!"
– Very Happy Phil