Kick the Drink. . .Easily!

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I have a list of excerpts I've jotted down as I've read, but not sure if I'm allowed to post them so I'll just throw out this one-liner that I think sums up what he's trying to convey: Jason Vale fearlessly confronts every misconception about alcohol and a teetotal lifestyle and offers practical, down-to-earth advice on how to overcome issues such as: `what do I tell my friends and family?'; `will people think I'm boring?'; or `where will my confidence come from?'

The good news is that after the first week or so, it gets much, much easier. I barely think about booze during the day, and at night - well I do think of it sometimes but not in the sense of wanting it. I've been out for meals with friends or family in the evening and driven home with a smile all over my face. Jason Vale takes an honest and hard hitting look at people's conceptions of our most widely consumed drug. Jason's major argument is there is no such thing as an 'alcoholic' and that we are conditioned to accept alcohol as a 'normal' substance in today's society despite the fact that it is the major cause of many of today's social problems and a wide range of health issues.The only part I disagree with is where he continually says that alcohol has no advantages whatsoever. If that were the case, I doubt anyone would touch the stuff! The warm, fuzzy happy feeling that comes from having the first one or two is what hooks people in and is a benefit for those feeling insecure, or tired, or down. It's not really an "advantage" per se because it's actually your body responding to mild poisoning, but it feels like one and is very alluring. That being said, the warm fuzzy happy feeling is really nice, but unfortunately most people can't stop there (I often struggled to) and that's where the issues start. I find myself being much more productive. I get up early for the gym. I remember my evenings. I feel great all the time. I haven't dieted but in a month I've lost 8 pounds in weight. I've saved LOTS of money and my self respect is at an all time high.

More encouraging is the fact that many testimonials (a generous number of which are listed in the front of the book) indicate it has not only given readers the strength to `give up' alcohol, but that it has removed their desire to drink. This is the root of the success and appeal - because the result is permanent (and not an ongoing struggle of willpower) and, as the title suggests, because it is easy. There is a downside but only a small one. I do occasionally have a slight sense of loss when I pass the alcohol aisle in the supermarket or when I see friends drinking. Not that I want to drink, but it was always my treat at the end of the day and now I don't do that. I find myself developing other rewards - for example I've become very fond of a bowl of ice cream about 9pm! The feelings of loss are reducing in intensity as time goes by. Also, you sometimes smell other people's alcoholic drinks and feel quite nauseous. The strangest thing of all is that occasionally I have a dream that I've been drinking and when I wake up I feel disappointed in myself, until I realise it was only a dream.So I did read it and unsurprisingly no damage was done and I am still happily and contentedly alcohol free. The first week or so was hard work; not so much physical pain or anything like that but thinking about booze A LOT. The book really helps with this though because it teaches you how to think differently about alcohol. You get a desire and immediately counter it. The basic premise of the book is that everything we've come to accept about alcohol is a lie and everything it promises you is false. Without these techniques I'd never have made it through the initial difficult period. Booze doesn't have nearly as much hold of me as it once did. I still think about it but not nearly as much as I did. On the rare occasions when I get a craving I try to isolate what is causing the craving and read the appropriate chapter of the book. It's quite comforting to do that. I'm also going to do some work on some things causing the odd craving which aren't directly dealt with in the book. The great thing about the book is that once you understand the principles you can apply them further. So for example, I realised that champagne parties before Christmas were an issue as I felt I was missing out on the sophistication. With the tools that the book has taught me, I have changed that bit of mental software so I now realise it is me being sophisticated by not drinking. Early in the book Jason confesses that his text contains its fair share of brain-washing, or rather repeated, mantra-like messages which serve to break down common perceptions about alcohol.

It is increasingly hard to drink a small or `moderate' amount of alcohol and `controlling ` your intake is a constant, exhausting battle - not drinking at all is a simple mental reprogramming that is blissfully easy in comparison. Jason realises the dominant feeling experienced by those contemplating a life without alcohol is fear. Fear they will no longer enjoy life; that their social life will be neutered; that they are forever depriving themselves of a precious treat. It also does grease the wheels of social interaction. While I do not think being intoxicated actually does make it any easier for me to talk to new people at parties, or make me a more interesting or lively person, it does help many of us get together with long-term partners. I don’t agree with all his points. For example, it could offer a pleasurable effect. Being “numb to the world” as it he puts it, could be thought of as pleasurable if you are not happy with your live.

Customer reviews

The weight continues to come off me - and even Christmas week when I ate for England I didn't put any on! Vale points out that our society promotes drinking at nearly every celebration. Let’s drink to so and so’s promotion, birthday, wedding, graduation, christening, team making it to the Super Bowl etc. Consider how many alcohol related commercials ran during the Super Bowl; and the ads are always glamorous. Jason Vale states at the beginning of his book: “I write, but I am not an author. I will never win a literary award and I don’t have an Oxbridge education. What I do have is an incredibly simple way for you to understand the nature of the trap you are in and a ridiculously easy route out if you choose to take it.” I loved his honesty right up front- never worried a minute about the formatting of his sentences- just read it like listening to a conversation- perfect for me! I discovered a passion for sobriety after about three months of giving up alcohol `for a while'. It did not take long to realise that life without alcohol was immeasurably better in every way.