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

winebox

jo1972 wrote: »

Thanks Maman

Beer bell's ringing now, gotta be vigiliant!

doesn't it ring a bit more quietly when not at work? (I hope!)

jo1972

winebox wrote: »

doesn't it ring a bit more quietly when not at work? (I hope!)

Really, no!

I thought I didn't have to go to the shop but OH is at the doctors and will come back with a prescription that he needs. He doesn't drive, it's an hour walk to the nearest chemist and I'm the one with the car :eek:

Was proud of myself cos I prepped my dinner earlier so I wouldn't have to spend too long in the kitchen tonight, plus I want to read a couple of diaries on here this evening so planning is going well....just a bit worried about going to tesco now :eek:

the_rugby_coach

GreyPilgrim wrote: »

Chaps, I've been considering bowing out of the challenge for a little while as I think it's being a little counterproductive for my own circumstances.

I think I'm doing really well! Since I started this on December 12th, I've had two nights of drinking - a massive drink (lager, wine, spirits) on jan 10th, and then 3/4 of a pint of lager on Feb 14th.

It's a massive turnaround for someone who in a typical week drank probably 5 nights out 7 (some nights being a couple of cans, some nights being stupid amounts). Since Dec 12th, I've had 65 alcohol free nights!!

I'm not missing the beer at all, and even that fact is a shock to me - I thought I'd be crawling the walls by now. The place I 'ideally' want to be is someone who doesn't drink and I think I'm 99% of the way there. However in doing this challenge, I'm constantly 'reminding' myself about the fact I'm not drinking and it's almost as if I'm perpetuating an issue that isn't there.

Not explaining it well...there IS an issue there, but I want to move on from it a bit. I want to be in the same place as someone who has never drank, and that person woudn't be counting the number of days since they drank, would they...? Does that make sense...?

It's like I'm constantly saying to myself "Just forget about alcohol. Don't even think about alcohol....have you forgotten about alcohol yet? Alcohol, alcohol, alcohol..."

If this sounds like maybe I'm 'giving up' the challenge, I promise you I'm not, I'm just following my gut instinct on this and doing what I think I have to have a happy, satisfied, secure alcohol free life. The thread has been invaluable to me in kickstarting the whole thought process of addressing my problems, and if I hadn't read some of your the experiences (in relation to the panic attacks / paranoia / anxiety especially) then I really would have believed that I was having some sever mental issues. If I hadn't joined, then I think I'd have just tried to blot out the bad feelings with more drink and started an even worse spiral.

Cake analogy coming up!
You put a cake tin full of cake mixture in the oven, set the temperature and close the door. If you keep opening the door to check on it every five minutes then it's going to go flat and fail completely. You need to walk away and leave it for a good couple hours.

Does that make anymore sense???? I need to walk away a bit and let my cake bake.

I'm going to forget about all this, and set a reminder on my calendar for May 25th when I will have hit 100 solid days without beer.

And I'll probably lurk a bit from time to time. I hope you understand?

GP, sounds very sensible. Good luck :T :T :T :T :T

I may do something similar at some point

TRC

beachbeth

winebox wrote: »

Beachbeth hi I'm really sorry to hear about your dog - they leave such a gap. This might not be what you want to hear right now but if you're in a position to, get another. Some years ago I had cats as in full-time work so could not have a dog & my favourite (called Rova, cos I wanted her to be a dog really! ) was run over & I was devastated (straight back on the fags after 18 months smoke-free, cos 8 a.m. seemed too early for a gin, back then...) & anyway, a short while later I was "found" by a stray like it was meant to be & it helped so much. It might seem disloyal but there are so many out there needing homes. I'd have 5 if I could!!!!

Ive already beaten you to it! I have 6 other dogs already - four Cavaliers and two Pugs. It has been such a help having them around and such a comfort too!

GreyPilgrim

fedupandskint wrote: »

Grey Pilgrim and miamoo,
Glad to hear you are both doing v.well and are so positive. I will miss your positive posts however I understand exactly what you mean by leaving/lurking/absent.

Already, I'm finding it hard to stay away...

eselt

I'll have that overhanging wall done very, very soon....

Gp you will be missed, I have a problem with an overhang too, but it only appears when I try to do my jeans up when they've just been washed............ Totally respect your decison, whatever works for you will be the right way. Good luck with lard loss- very jealous.

Oh Beachbeth, you sound so down, hope you are OK. Even though your GP didn't seem that supportive (and I've met quite a few who don't understand why people with alcohol problems just can't 'get a grip') he has given you the same meds as I've had prescribed in the past. Heavy drinking depletes B Vitamins, which you need for a healthy nervous system and cell repair, so a BIG dose (ie.not the sort of dose you get in supermarket multivitamins) is often given- my doctor used to give me daily injections in the leg, hurt like hell. The chlordiazepoxide is a benzodiazepine used to relieve anxiety short term and the aggitation, tremours, panic etc of alcohol withdrawal. You usually take them over the first few days to take the edge off and they used to work for me, although I do remember a floaty feeling and feeling a bit drowsy, but as I had gone through cold turkey before with no meds it was a welcome relief not to feel full blown withdrawal. If you don't feel comfortable taking them go back to your GP, but I would say certainly don't drink if you do take them. Even though you say your GP didn't really listen, I think the fact that he gave you these meds suggests that he/she suspects you are physically dependant on alcohol- they only usually prescribe these meds for very short term use as you can become dependant on them and withdrawal from them is quite distressing. Take care- can't really give you any advice about whether to take them, thats got to be your decision, I can only say they made withdrawal symtoms managable for me, whereas when I tryed to go cold turkey on my own I was crawling the walls and even had fits. Make sure you try and eat too- by about day 3 your appetite should be coming back and you'll get some physical and psychological energy back.

Best of luck everyone, take care.

Oh, meant to say Jo thats just what I'm like- alcohol has always been my first reaction to stressful situations, and complacency has tripped me up so many times now. Right I'm going to make a 'responce to stress' plan..............................

beachbeth

Thanks eselt. I told the gp that I drank 4-5 glasses of vodka each evening and didn't think to say that this is usually preceded by a glass of red with dinner too. Also, 5 vodkas is the minimum and sometimes I have more than this. When I don't drink I don't get withdrawal symptoms but I just absolutely crave the alcohol.

I can't seem to bring myself to take a tablet because Im only a small person and tablets usually affect me more than other people and I have to be careful. I haven't had any alcohol either though so thats a good thing. I would just love to go and vegetate in front of the tv though now like I usually do with a glass of something. Ive decided that Im going to have a cup of decaff at 8.00 with some toast if Im peckish instead.

budget_babe

Lurkio wrote: »

I think maybe you should be looking forward, not back....

DON'T LOOK BACK IN ANGER, I HEAR YOU SAY. I FEEL LIKE AN OAISIS SONG COMING ON.:T
Dear Lurky, hope you and Esther are well? Btw Esther you haven't been about much, hope himself hasn't got you chained to the kitchen stove, :rotfl:Hugs to you and your family. xxxx

Jo you are doing really well, keep positive and please take care. Big hugs xxx
Beachbeth sounds like you are having a rotten time, I hope things get better for you soon sweetheart, take care, hugs. xxx
Gp good luck and take care. xxx
Miamoo I am pleased to her you are doing so well, keep up the good work. Hugs xxx
Winebox 18 af days for me please when you do the scores. Take care, hugs. xxx
Bhb I am going to put you on the missing list, if you are lurking please post so we know how you are? Hugs xxx
Ra if you are lurking? Hi and hugs, take care. xxx

There is alot of you missing at the moment hope you are all doing ok, thinking of you in you absense. Take care all of you, big hugs xxxxx

Nite everyone, love n hugs xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

fedupandskint

AFD No 13 today! No temptation to drink today or this evening yipee!!!

glasgowgirl

11 days AF for me please WB.

GP - totally understand where you're coming from, wishing you the very best with everything.

Fedup - you're doing great! V impressed!

Was really tempted to have a glass of wine tonight cos there's a bottle in that I'd got at the weekend for people who were supposed to be coming round (but didn't). Got through the danger hour though and am now on the Nescafe (Jo - hope you're not too horrified by this! Will need to suss out your Doewe Edwards (sp?)at the weekend!!).

xx