When Do You Abstain?

[bluesbassdad]

Right now I'm recovering from an allergic reaction to some unknown substance. (I know it's allergic because the manifestation exactly matches my reaction to a certain antibiotic.)

Because one symptom is an extreme digestive disturbance, I have not had a drink of bourbon for six days. Only today have I finally felt well enough even to consider having one in the next day or two.

That got me thinking about deliberate, temporary absention and the reasons for doing so. What situation, physical or otherwise, would cause you to abstain for a while? Does anyone subscribe to the theory that abstaining for one month a year will allow one's liver to regain some of its capacity? (I once knew an M.D. who believed that to be the case.)

Do you find yourself behaving differently during a period of abstention? In my case, moments ago I posted an item in the Politics forum that strikes me as a bit cranky in tone. I wonder whether I would have felt moved to write it at all if I'd had my usual ration of bourbon lately.

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[NeoTexan]

I also had a medical problem (gallstones and gallbladder surgery) which sidelined me for about a month.

Mr. Einstein, add this to your relativity postulates:

Sobriety makes time slow down.

[clayton]

I often have martial arts training on weeknights. On those evenings, I almost never drink. I typically get home exhausted and dehydrated, and eat dinner and drink lots of water.

On non-training nights, however, it's open season on the bourbon bottles.

[TNbourbon]

...Does anyone subscribe to the theory that abstaining for one month a year will allow one's liver to regain some of its capacity? (I once knew an M.D. who believed that to be the case.)...

It's always been my understanding that only overindulging in alcohol consumption -- especially often -- even damages the liver, so I've had no loss of capacity that I'm aware of. That's confirmed 2-3 times annually from blood tests to gauge the possible effects of Lipitor use on my liver, however.

Other than Gazebo events, and the like -- when lack of overindulgence is a sin, and virtually impossible, in light of available offerings -- I seldom overindulge. Although I might taste 5-6 items in an evening at home in front of the computer, it's a half-ounce at a time. So, a 3-4-ounce 'sitting' is an all-nighter for me.

Generally speaking, I do not consume bourbon until after supper (usually post-7 p.m.), or when there is any chance that I'll be spending time with my 4yo 'grand-buddy'. Sometimes I just don't feel like pouring anything bourbon (last night I came home from work and had diet cherry cola, for example). Other than that, I feel no need to abstain for health or stoicism reasons.

[kbuzbee]

A while back I went through a period of 'sour stomach'. No idea what caused it but all night I could just taste the acid. Felt like a commercial for acid reflux. Having a drink during that period just made the feeling worse, so I didn't. Fortunately, that has passed. Like Tim, I don't think a nightly 3-6 oz does any liver damage and don't worry about it being a nightly indulgance.

Ken

[SBOmarc]

I'll let you know...

[robbyvirus]

I had a bout of gastritis a couple of years ago that prevented me from drinking any alcohol for a few weeks. I felt like crap and I had no desire to drink as a result, so it didn't bother me. While I eventually got better, I can longer drink much bourbon straight...I usually need to drink it with an ice cube to avoid upsetting the stomach. Oh, the compromises we are forced to make!

[Edward_call_me_Ed]

I happen to be abstaining right now. Not very strictly. I did go out with some friends the other day.

I would like to loss some weight so I have gone back on Atkins. Also, I had been indulging rather too much around my birthday and felt the need to hit the reset button as regards alcohol use. I don't intend to stay away long this time, only about two weeks. I will still be on Atkins so I will be drinking more moderately than usual.

Ed