This highly broadcasted piece of spurious research has incensed me. I am normally unaffected when reading reports such as this, but the fact the Press is heralding the news so grandly, and the weak and insipid response from Drinkaware has driven me to write this blog.
Anyone looking to quit alcohol will see this latest news as yet another reason to either put off their decision to quit or to justify trying to moderate their drinking instead. I know that when I was an alcoholic, I would have lauded this report to my wife and shouted with joy at the inherent justification to carry on getting smashed every day. That voice in our head that tries to justify each drink we crave will be having a field day with this one. ‘Why give up’ it will say, ‘drinking is actually good for you!’ So, is the report really saying we should drink to be healthy?
I have read some highly regarded academic comment on this report and can summarise the following:
Four years ago, 800 or so people were asked how much they drank and if they had diabetes. Four years later they were asked if they had diabetes. The conclusion - those that said they drank were less likely to have or to get diabetes.
If you had asked me the same questions four years ago I would have admitted to drinking (but lied about how much I drank and probably admitted to five glasses of wine per day, not fifteen!) I would also have confirmed that I had type 2 diabetes. Now when asked four years later if I have diabetes, the answer is no! Conclusion – drinking can get rid of diabetes! The fact that in the interim I quit alcohol completely is not taken into consideration and in this study the participants current drinking habits were not even questioned. In other words, the report is appallingly researched and therefore meaningless.
I only have my own story to go by and the fact that I did resolve my type 2 diabetes after quitting alcohol and I am now totally free of that disease. Whether this is because of all the weight I lost through having quit or not is by the by, the fact is, I am now incredibly fit and healthy. I also have a new liver which IS a result of having quit alcohol, and a healthier heart, kidneys, and everything else besides.
So please do not be led astray by misleading reports such as this, you know alcohol is creating misery and stress in your life. Quit now and share the same wonderful life I have. You can read more about me and my story at www.idontdrink.net
Anyone looking to quit alcohol will see this latest news as yet another reason to either put off their decision to quit or to justify trying to moderate their drinking instead. I know that when I was an alcoholic, I would have lauded this report to my wife and shouted with joy at the inherent justification to carry on getting smashed every day. That voice in our head that tries to justify each drink we crave will be having a field day with this one. ‘Why give up’ it will say, ‘drinking is actually good for you!’ So, is the report really saying we should drink to be healthy?
I have read some highly regarded academic comment on this report and can summarise the following:
Four years ago, 800 or so people were asked how much they drank and if they had diabetes. Four years later they were asked if they had diabetes. The conclusion - those that said they drank were less likely to have or to get diabetes.
If you had asked me the same questions four years ago I would have admitted to drinking (but lied about how much I drank and probably admitted to five glasses of wine per day, not fifteen!) I would also have confirmed that I had type 2 diabetes. Now when asked four years later if I have diabetes, the answer is no! Conclusion – drinking can get rid of diabetes! The fact that in the interim I quit alcohol completely is not taken into consideration and in this study the participants current drinking habits were not even questioned. In other words, the report is appallingly researched and therefore meaningless.
I only have my own story to go by and the fact that I did resolve my type 2 diabetes after quitting alcohol and I am now totally free of that disease. Whether this is because of all the weight I lost through having quit or not is by the by, the fact is, I am now incredibly fit and healthy. I also have a new liver which IS a result of having quit alcohol, and a healthier heart, kidneys, and everything else besides.
So please do not be led astray by misleading reports such as this, you know alcohol is creating misery and stress in your life. Quit now and share the same wonderful life I have. You can read more about me and my story at www.idontdrink.net
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