Adrian’s right: it’s so easy to drink far too much
I WATCHED the TV programme Drinkers Like Me in which Adrian Chiles admitted drinking 100 units of alcohol a week (Mail). I was that person, too, until I gave up on December 9, 2014. I started at 15 and when my drinking was at its peak, I was consuming 80 to 90 units a week. Like Adrian, l really enjoyed drinking, but didn’t class myself as an alcoholic, nor did I drink in secret. I stopped because I started to get a dull ache down my right-hand side, which was my liver saying ‘enough’. My father died at 58 through excessive smoking. I’m not judging him and I’m thankful for the time I had with him. The day he died was one of the worst of my life, so my motivation was that I was not prepared to put my son and daughter through the same experience when it was preventable. Do I miss a drink? Yes. I had some great times with my mates. But I would rather be around for my children and hopefully see grandchildren come along. My father knew his grandson for only 18 months and adored him; he never saw my daughter. Since cutting back on alcohol, I’ve lost lots of weight without trying; my waist is down from 38 in to 34 in, and my blood pressure and cholesterol are normal after being high. It is possible to stop drinking — you just need the right motivation.
PHIL BERRY, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs. THERE has been fury that alcohol firms are cashing in on heavy drinkers (Mail). Why is it always someone else’s fault? When are we going to take responsibility for our own actions? I’m not overweight because I eat sensibly and keep fit. I choose to drink because I enjoy it. I don’t drink every day and don’t have a problem. It’s my choice.
RICHARD WHITE, Winchester, Hants.