Giving Up Alcohol

The 10th anniversary came and went without me noticing.  As a friend remarked at lunch the other day, "you don't even think about it these days do you?"  I don't.  The benefits in terms of alertness, concentration and sleeping all manifest themselves within days and in about 100 further days the chemical cravings have faded.  In the absence of temptation,  thereafter, its up to the individual.  I decided to carry on and haven't regretted it for one second - I feel good, sleep like a top and have saved myself (tens of ) thousands.  Of course there were social difficulties on the way, adjusting to events or gatherings at which alcohol has been the central attraction, for one.  Resisting the temptation to make a sarcastic rejoinder to the patronising, "are you sure you won't just have a soft drink," required some temperance and the boredom of listening to ones friends talk increasing scribble at increasing volumes was tiresome.  But that is all in the distant past and, as my friend said, I don't even think about it these days.  I recommend it!