Today is the 1,000^th consecutive day that I’ve been off alcohol! (2 and 3/4 years)

It has now become very easy to keep alcohol out of my life, and although I don’t think that everyone should cut out alcohol, I’m pleased that I’ve managed to. 

I’ve already written about why I quit and how quitting alcohol has benefited me, but I thought I’d get together some stats and links which might surprise you too.

I don’t want to tell people what to do in regards to drinking, that’s definitely not my place and I wouldn’t want it to be. Most people drink sensibly, but I know that I binged, and probably a lot of other people binge too.  Once I started, I could never get enough of it, leading to 1-2 day hangovers from hell, and god knows what else.  I tended to just drink because it’s what you do, it’s what everyone does. It’s engrained in our culture.

Now, instead of drink being a habit for me, not having drink in my life has become my habit. And I like it. 😀

Anyway, to mark this occasion, of being 1,000 days off the drink, I thought I’d share some information I got from the Scottish Government website, some snippets from the Scottish Governments Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Bill: 

(Thought from me.. Maybe we can just handle our booze better?!?… joke).

• 25 people die in Scotland every week as a direct result of their drinking (1,300 a year – 1 in 20 deaths!)
• Accident and emergency units treat an average of 4 alcohol-related cases every hour.
• Alcohol misuse in Scotland costs £3.5billion every year – equivalent to £900 for every taxpayer.
• At least 65,000 children in Scotland live with a problem drinking parent.
• Half of Scottish prisoners and 77% of young offenders were drunk at the time of their offence.
• During 2009, Scottish hospitals dealt with 39,278 alcohol-related discharges.
  Of these, 36,121 (92%) were emergency admissions.

• Living longer and healthier lives;
• Tackling the significant inequalities in Scottish life;
• Having strong, resilient and supportive communities where people take responsibility for their own actions and how they affect others;
• Living our lives safe from crime, disorder and danger;
• Realising our full economic potential with more and better employment opportunities for our people;
• Our young people become more successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens;
• Improving the life chances for children, young people and families at risk;
• Having our children have the best start in life where they are ready to succeed.’

Now, is it any wonder I’m pleased I’ve given up? (including all the positives I’ve got from giving up)

More information here:

The Scottish Government Website: Alcohol
Alcohol Focus Scotland

Do you want to know more about alcohol or giving it up?
Then go here: 🙂
http://www.drinksmarter.org/