the questions …. MY ANSWERS

Why did you stop drinking??

I was given 2 choices back in December 2022 LIVE or DIE, well there was only one choice, my liver and pancreas are knackered so stopping drinking was the one choice I had plus I want to see my grandkids grow up and reach my retirement still breathing. Basically 39 years of living a party lifestyle had finally caught up with me.

Pop or Alcohol Free Which is the better one??

Well from the diagnosis til probably end of April I drank pints of coke, orange and lemonade or loads of water then the day before a key footy game for my team I was in 2 minds to give AF a go but was scared that the pancreatitis situation would start again so even on the Saturday morning I was in the ‘pop or AF what do I do situation’, I made my mind up and thought try it and don’t go silly and see what happens. Mindset was okay and it was strange knowing I was drinking Stella AF, it tasted the same but did not have the side effects of falling over the place thinking you can beat everybody in front of you feeling but as of now 229 days in I am okay with the Alcohol Free lagers but I also switch to the drinking coke mode if there is no AF available, I don’t have the ‘Got to have alcohol feeling’ anymore.

Why drink Alcohol Free in a pub??

It’s the social side of life for me, being in a pub is one of the things I know best so why change that?? I feel comfortable in the environment even though I don’t drink now even with people drinking alcohol. It’s my choice to do this and I shouldn’t have to give a reason why!! If I didn’t feel comfortable then I would stay at home simple as that.

Do you feel better for not drinking??

Definitely, I did lose a lot of weight originally but even though I have my health issues COPD, High Blood Pressure & Diabetes my appetite has shot through the roof and I eat a bit more healthier and have put the weight back on so overall being given the 2 choices it as helped me improve me.

Surely a lager shandy won’t hurt??

Yes it probably will it’s got alcohol in it and there is no way I am going back down that road again.

Bet you got loads of money now??

Well I wouldn’t say loads of money but my bank account looks healthier, I spend loads on clothes and the house and holidays now rather than loads of booze everyday.

£50 saved on booze = 2 new polo shirts

They say things happen for a reason and the last 229 days they definetely have happened for the better and hopefully for a long time. Differnt outlook on everything and the future is getting brighter.