Heroes Like These… (By Nick A)

I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they’ve always worked for me.

(Hunter S Thompson)

I had for a long time believed that alcohol facilitates creativity – just look at the lives of the most influential artists for a recurring theme of over indulgence.

My heroes are raging alcoholics… it’s not a good start is it.

Jack Kerouac - He pretty much drank himself into an early grave

I came across an article today that might interest anyone who wonders whether to write like Hemmingway you have to drink like him too. Dr Ian Smith a consultant in Addiction Psychiatry at Gartnavel Royal Hospital spoke at a conference in Edinburgh back in June this year on the subject.

The idea that alcohol and drugs can stimulate artists, writers and musicians to create great works of art is a dangerous myth and it can actually stifle creativity… The reason that this myth is so powerful is the allure of the substances, and the fact many artists need drugs to cope with their emotions… Artists are, in general, more emotional people and the use of substances to deal with their emotions is more likely to happen.

He said that many of the writers and artists that he had researched were most productive during times of sobriety.

This seems to me to be pretty obvious as anyone who has ever tried to write when they’re pissed would probably agree but I think it’s kind of reassuring when a scientist does some research to confirm it.

Cheap Booze (By Nick A)

A recent UK Government pledge to crack down on cheap alcohol sales would see the minimum cost of alcohol rise to 50p per unit by allowing Councils to implement  Local Bylaws restricting the sale of cheap alcohol. This would see six cans of the cheapest lager rise to about £6 or bottle of wine to around £5.

Although I agree that cheap alcohol particularly in pubs and clubs with ‘Happy Hours’ and ’2 for 1′ deals does fuel binge drinking culture I’m not sure that raising the price of shop bought alcohol is the right approach.

… Continue Reading

Muddled (By Nick A)

You can never have too much mint in a Mojito.

I’ve been off the sauce for about six weeks now – well, sort of. I had another ‘incident’ last weekend at a friend’s BBQ…

When I arrived I told my friend Richard that I wasn’t drinking, he seemed surprised but didn’t question my choice. I was introduced to lots of his friends from Uni and that slight feeling of awkwardness that a few drinks masks when striking up conversation with people that I’ve just met was soon forgotten. They were interesting people and I know this because I can remember what we talked about.

I was drinking ginger ale for most of the night, I had ice and a slice of lime in it too so it appeared like a spirit mixer and no one seemed to notice that I wasn’t drinking alcohol. I remember thinking how great it felt to be sober so late into the night. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, woke up the next day feeling great and was even able to help Richard when he phoned to ask me where his keys were.

“They’re in the kitchen on the shelf behind where I was standing making those Mojitos.”

Ah yes… the Mojitos.

… Continue Reading

Does a shandy count? (By Nick A)

I think it probably does… So in that sense my first night out whilst on my HSM failed.

… Continue Reading

No-Brainer (By Nick A)

Monday 21st June was Britain’s summer solstice; the longest day of the year was also the beginning of my Hello Sunday Morning…

My name is Nick and I grew up in a small fishing town on the south coast of England. The town lies between the slopes of two cliffs, one of which is crowned by the ruins of an old stone castle. Below it crooked cottages line cobbled streets and tall thin tar covered timber net houses sit on the beach next to old tangled fishing nets, bright orange buoys and bits of old driftwood. Seagulls circle and cry from above, little market stalls sell the mornings catch and the smell of salt and fish meanders through the narrow streets clinging to the onshore breeze.

The alleys, stairways and the caves that puncture the sandstone cliffs were ideal for a bunch of delinquent kids to hang around, light fires, smoke cigarettes and drink beer without being disturbed. There was little else to do. I remember the first time I got drunk, I was twelve years old.

1. Fill an empty plastic bottle with a mixture of whisky, vodka, rum, wine, stout and cider.

2. Sit in a circle with friends and take turns in drinking foul mixture.

3. Try not to vomit.

A recent pic from my travels in India, I'm pleased because we've found somewhere selling beer.

Today I live and work in London and although nearly twenty years has passed since my first drink I can see the effect of those early experiences in my drinking habits today. Once I start drinking I find it very hard to stop, this can lead to whole weekends spent out boozing and consequentially I suffer from hellish hangovers that can last for days where I have no energy or motivation.

I have often wondered whether my life would be more productive if I didn’t drink. Could I find something more interesting and inspiring to do to fill my spare time? Would choosing not to drink affect my social life; would it be better, worse or perhaps just different? How would being sober for an extended period of time influence the way I think about my past, present and future? Well there’s only one way to find out.

I’ve quit drinking for a month several times before but apart from the rest to my liver and the pennies that I saved I didn’t see any significant change. This time I’m going to abstain for a year in the hope of finding some answers to my questions. The worst that can happen is that I improve my health, give my liver a well earned rest and save lots of money… It’s a no-brainer really.