The giving up/cutting down alcohol support thread! Part 2

winebox

Firstly may I say to Lurkio (pls note use of formal name now lurky (oops)), NTC, Jo & TRC (bar graphs???!!!! best stuck where the sun don't shine, methinks), thank you so much for your encouragement & support in making the Feb challenge an easy one to score; actually I thought a logarithmic interpretation of alcohol units vs food calories ingested vs units of dandelion & burdock (in imperial ounces, natch) might be the best way to score? (so to speak; funnily enough it's never worked with my approach to men :rotfl: )

Bis - your posts are often veiled & mysterious - I make probably inaccurate guesses at what went on & what's going on now....Suggestion: you write a book under an assumed name, get it published & then secretly PM me about it (not that I'm a nosy cow).

NTC - thanks for your idea re not just AF days but alch units - i'll try & do that too in Feb, there isn't a spreadsheet wide enough to record January's.

Lastly the bit; not AF today tho was so sure would make it; took day off work as had to go & finish clearing Dad's flat (rented, so pressure on to free it up) - always a grim job as anyone who's been there will know, lots of Mum's stuff still around too tho it's been 6 years - & it's hit me harder today than all the way through cos I won't be going there again, they'd been there 35 years. I have actually only had one glass of wine (in the bad old days would be half-way thro second bottle by now) & not enough in the house to be silly, but am v embarrassed - I even contemplated fibbing , then 'fessing up next week, but what's the point? But sorry to my "virtual partners" in our AF week.

jo1972

Patchoulli wrote: »

I've read "Rachel's Holiday," and it does strike a few chords, but is also very funny too. If you want a "heavy" book about alcohol, then get a bunch of tissues and grab a copy of "The woman who walked into doors" and also "Paula Spencer" by Roddy Doyle. Sad and very true to life, the first focuses on a woman beaten by her partner (fuelled by drink) and the second, her life in later years as a recovering acoholic with an alcoholic daughter. Neither are enjoyable in the true sense of the word but they are both sobering (sorry!) reads and wonderfully written.

Blimey, that takes me back!! 'Rachel's Holiday' is a fantastic book, very emotive for me and this was before I 'knew' about my problems. Roddy Doyle's 'Walking into Doors' was so sad and just like reading fiction but it's true life for so many women (and men) out there.

If you do want a hard hitting book (I mentioned this on the old thread, incase anyone thinks I'm repeating myself!) is Elizabeth Wurtzel's 'More, Now, Again', she was the one that wrote 'Prozac Nation', both books are amazing but the first one is about a woman that had various addictions to various drugs, alcohol, coke etc.. and finds that she can powder down the ritalin that she's being prescribed for her medical condtion (which we prescribe for children in the UK for Autism and various other problems :eek: :eek:) and how she deals with her new addiction, how she justifies getting it, and the ups and downs of numerous quit attempts. I laughed, cried and got goosebumps during this book, please read it. Although it deals with other issues like self-harm etc.. there are many mannerisms (sp?) in it which people might understand when you find that drink might control more of your life than you're happy with.

Pippilongstocking

WB - its a tough one doing your dad's house. I did my dad's flat a few years ago it was so hard and tough to do it - thoughts with you. xxx

Don't be embarrassed - its all baby steps right? And like you said before it wouldn't have just been a glass by now. xx

Hugs x

jo1972

Hey listen up WB, I've been where you were today and just like Eselt had to deal with a traumatic time, you have too and we all stand by you and please don't think you are letting anyone down, least of all yourself

115K

I just stayed in the pub for one drink and then came home. A soft drink I might add!;)

I read 'Rachel's Holiday' it was interesting and very funny in parts as well. Someone on here mentioned that it takes 28 days to form a new habit and I think there is a Sandra Bullock film about a woman with a drinking problem called '28 Days', I've never seen it though so I don't know if it's any good!

I quite fancy a can of lager, why do I keep leaving them in the fridge ready. Self sabotage.:rolleyes:

I'm not going to have one though, I said I would be AF today so I'm sticking with it.

I hope you are all alright.:A

*Mari*

Im creeping back in having well and trully fallen off the wagon again over the weekend, I feel really crap. I know what I need to do but am just making excuse after excuse to drink.
I know I need to check in with you guys on a daily basis as that seems to help me a great deal. Anyway here we go again...am definatly not going to drink today can't face it felt so rough this morning! So AF day 8/20 for me please Lurky:o

Just had a quick read through,
Winebox you are doing so well under the circumstances, sorting through things after a bereavement is so difficult and often brings back so many memories, bringing all those emotions back to the surface.

Jo you have been such and insperation to me, whether you are having a good or bad time you are always honest about it and share with us

Patchoulli have a fab evening with your girls :j

Hope everyone else is ok,

Mari x

Needstochange

Hugs winebox I think I can say with confidence that this challenge or not I would have sunk far more than you have today It must be one of the worst things for anyone to have to do when they are still grieving and I proud of your restraint through all of this sad time in your life.:A

On a lighter note can we add fiery ginger beer into your logrithmic calculation if it doesnt mess up the outcome. Thinking about it I would use calculus it will make all of this far easier:rotfl: Not sure I will make the week anyway as I have been invited to a girly meal out and gossip and that just screams out for pinot:o Today is good to go though Lurkio so thats 13 for me , that should sort out Wineboxes lack of motivation this week if only to match her WOMO buddy:D

Off to watch them pour alcohol down their necks in Holby city!

happyshopper

Needstochange wrote: »

Does anyone recommend any other books ( I have alan carr)

I second "The woman who walked into doors" and have just borrowed this from the library: "Women under the influence: alcohol and its impact" by Brigid McConville http://www.amazon.co.uk/Women-Under-Influence-Alcohol-Impact/dp/0044409192/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232481624&sr=1-1
Includes lots of interviews with women about why they drink and has chapters about what alcohol does to women's bodies. Scary, but I'm persevering, I think I do need to read it and it's very well written and readable.

hs

fedupandskint

11/21 days for me today (actual 11/20)

10 days left to reach the target and 11 days left in the month to get there. Might do, might not.....

GreyPilgrim

19/20 for me Lurkio. I'm still a bit miffed that I had that slip last weekend. Was really looking forward to having a 100% January.

And tomorrow is.....

GREYPILGRIMS FIRST ALCOHOL FREE BIRTHDAY!!!!

(well, in his adult life, anyway...)