The Dark Mistress has been alcohol-free for about 6 weeks. I am noticing it less than I thought I would – given that my entire social life occurs in pubs and restaurants. The thing is… I will return to alcohol, because I actually respect the drug and it’s sacred mission. That mission, of course, would be social lubrication – a shift from the ordinary, the inspirer of irrationality – how else would we inhibited humans cross the boundaries of our own limitation? Apparently, after 2 or 3 months, when I return from the detox, I will be a cheap drunk too…
Because I respect alcohol as a drug, I want to pick when I drink – and ideally that’s not every night on the couch in front of TV. Although apparently, that is exactly the pattern that leads several thousand businessmen and women to alcoholism every year. If I want to be a choice-maker, I need a bit of distance between myself and the subject – so I’m giving it a break. I will drink when I choose – not when invited to the pub, not when there’s a work function, not when the box from Wine Selectors arrives…
When will this be? Good food occasions are done better with matching wine – but here a micro-sipping policy will apply. More important is the opportunity to exercise the option for a rare big night; randomly selected, maybe twice a year just for fun. I know I can dance without the influence, so these will be random occasions indeed. That leaves me the rest of the time, meeting friends at the pub, politely ordering a glass of mineral water.
Generations of Mums, Muslims and recovered Alcoholics know – choosing not to drink is perceived as a radical act. People understand detox – they’re just slightly ill at ease around it – it raises uncomfortable questions, like “should I be doing that too?” Alcohol is so pervasive; to disengage in any way is like going mad and joining the circus. Alcohol is an escape, why wouldn’t you take it? Alcohol offers stress-relief in a bottle, how easy is that? Alcohol is holiday without moving; who doesn’t like a holiday? Alcohol is the symbol by which marketers of less tangible products achieve sexiness – just look at those clean wineglass holding couples on banners outside new apartment buildings – you too can live this lifestyle if you buy here.
How do you know how much alcohol is enough…? My bet – if you’re looking forward to the next time you get to drink – that’s about enough. But opinions differ. Why do naturopaths say “very little, very rarely”, and governments say “2 a day and you’re ok”…?
The exact wording of the Australian Government Alcohol guidelines is “for healthy men and women, drinking no more than two standard drinks on any day reduces your risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury over a lifetime.” Sounds like a habit, but yippee. To this they add, “Drinking no more than four standard drinks on a single occasion reduces the risk of alcohol-related injury arising from that occasion.” … Hmmm. So – the government is telling us how to avoid known harm in a surprisingly un-studied area, it’s not telling you how to look after yourself and feel great.
Surely alcohol is medicinal you say…? In small doses yes. In TCM for example alcohol is used in very small amounts i.e.: a thimble full, to stimulate blood circulation, especially in old people. They advocate a few drinks in winter and then dropping it in spring for age-long good health. Very different from most modern-day alcohol consumption.
And for weight-loss, you can probably do without wine at 70-95 calories a glass! Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram, as compared to fat, which has 9. So a good way to remember this is to remember that alcohol has almost as many calories as fat! Want to achieve your weight-loss goal? Drop the booze.
Alcohol starred on TV tonight. In between flood bulletins there was a frank discussion of the topic on SBS, and a report of the archaeological discovery of a 6000 year-old ancient winery in a cave in Armenia. It’s not just you that has a relationship with alcohol – its all humanity.
Progress Update:
Weight-loss: 2 weeks in to food and 100 grams skinnier than when I finished the fast.
Fitness: First run busted, but a long way to get it back.
Stress-relief: Other people’s problems seem bigger.
Yours,
The Dark Mistress
The Balance Blog – A reflection on virtual life versus embodied life; ostensibly finding sunshine, holistic fitness, natural weight-loss and stress relief for an obsessed workaholic screen addict, with the occasional dig at the World Wide Web.
