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The Good Drinker: How I Learned to Love Drinking Less

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And sober living is weaved into the text throughout; though it is not the only topic, everything supports it. I always assumed that my friendship group, which was 98% made up of drinkers, merely reflected society, but that’s nonsense. I can freely admit that both of us drink far more than the recommended limits – and definitely when on holiday would be up at a level similar to Adrian’s historic levels.

Perhaps he’s cut down from his past consumption but I’m not convinced the halo polishing kit needs to come out of the cupboard just yet. The “soul” of the book’s title doesn’t refer to a religious idea by the way, but more to an internal essence we all have. I have a number of friends who have given up alcohol completely, and had various mental health issues entwined with alcohol issues (although none were lying in a doorstep alcoholics, cracking open the vodka at breakfast) but at the same time I didn’t feel my husband and I had ‘that much of a problem’.It’s a really good mix of being informative, factual – but not preachy – and most definitely not ‘it’s my way or the highway’. This is a positive for book for all of us who drink too much, know it and want to to do something about it.

This pocket-sized book presents the most essential poems in his dispensary: those which, again and again, have really shown themselves to work. Personally I think he’s consumed such large quantities of alcohol in the past stopping altogether rather than drinking in “moderation” as he likes to describe it would be more sensible. The book covers the basics of making cocktails (whether alcohol-free or alcohol-full), the ingredients, the equipment. He starts by discussing the basics of his approach, emotions and how to handle them, and our self-beliefs. thinking that on a day on holiday with wine starting at lunchtime, pushing through the afternoon with a beer in the sunshine, cocktails before dinner, and yet more wine with dinner – it probably wasn’t dissimilar units wise.He listens to people, is open to all their ideas, reads round the subject of alcohol addiction (because that, guys, is what we actually have) and offers some great advice. But this book is a great addition to the still very small collection of books aimed at the moderate drinker. There is balm for the soul, fire for the belly, a cooling compress for the fevered brow, solace for the wounded, an arm around the lonely shoulder - the whole collection is a matchless compound of hug, tonic and kiss' Stephen FrySometimes only a poem will do. One line particularly stuck with me: ‘If you’re feeling thirsty, it’s almost too late: your body is already dehydrated.

However, he also points out that a lot of people who drink a lot are put off by the thought of total abstinence – and therefore don’t bother looking at their drinking levels at all, because moderate drinking isn’t often deemed an option. A matching drinks flight to a taster menu in a lovely restaurant is one of life’s fabulous luxuries. Kate and Mandy are familiar faces in the Club Soda community, and this is not their first book either.Reading Chiles' book mad me realise that my drinking story was remarkably similar to his own, and I guess many readers will feel the same. I've raced off to games hours early to give me a chance to drink a lot of beer in a relatively short time. These poetic prescriptions and wise words of advice offer comfort, delight and inspiration for all; a space for reflection, and that precious realization - I'm not the only one who feels like this. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice.

Adrian Chiles presents a different proposition to heavy drinkers wanting to do something about it; instead of abstaining, how about drinking in moderation?

So, if you’re a heavy drinker, even if you’re experiencing (as I did) no noticeable ill effects, think about moderating while you can. So, it’s greatly to our advantage if we can find a way of making the stuff work for us, rather than the other way around. Whether you are suffering from loneliness, lack of courage, heartbreak, hopelessness, or even from an excess of ego, there is something here to ease your pain.

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