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

paybacktime2008

Bismarck wrote: »

to go back to the definition of alcoholic. whether I am or not doesn't matter.

what I do know is that I'd be more ready to wear the badge if it were better understood by society. To "come out" as an alcoholic can be needlessly devastating.

And this can itself cause denial. I can almost see it in my own words earlier.

Am I an alcoholic?

If I asked a stranger if I was they'd say no. Because I don't act or look like one.

Or at least, I don't look or act like they THINK an alcoholic would act.

I've forgotten a load of the stuff I used to know about defining an alcoholic. It simply doesn't matter. AA gave me some fantastic insights and simple things to remember. I choose to not drink. That's all folks!

I think thats the vital point. We do an exercise with kids at school where we get them to draw pictures of different types of people. One is a 'drug dealer' they always draw a man, wearing a hoody, generally smoking and looking a bit scruffy. It's good to challenge these stereotypes. My aunt, who died last year from alcohol related diseases, didn't drink in public or socially, however would lose weekends if not weeks when on a bender. I suppose I'm just using this space to consider my own relationship with alcohol. Earlier I was thinking 'Oh tomorrows Friday, Might treat myself to a bottle of wine' But i'm in on my own tomorrow, so maybe I should save it until I'm in a social situation, then I got to thinking.....maybe I'll never drink again. I'm rambling I know but I'm doing a bit of soul searching!

Thanks for listening!

Pippilongstocking

af for me so dosed up on coke and crisps that I am surprised I fit through doorways anymore.

Away to bed - ok night night hope you all good - will try and read everything through later, loads of posts today xxxxx

I wsa thinking same about friday night, nice bottle wine, but I don't want to drink in jan (hopefully) and get a bit of perspective about drinking in the house on my own. Thankfully I am busy tomorrow night driving brother to boat a bit later and so need to be af til 11pm - (that wouldnt have stopped me before)

So for that I thank you - still sleeping like a beast and waking up like a bear with two sore heads ergh.

xxxxx goodluck all xxxxxxx

maman

'this is my normal time for opening the wine'. This gave me a laugh jjef, just my usual time too! Waiting for the clock to come up to 6pm.

Anyhow I've managed my 4/4 AF target for this week and thank you all for your support. :j

I won't pretend it's been really easy particularly tonight.

'Hubby likes a drink too, but knows after a couple of glasses to stop - for some reason I just get the taste and after a glass I don't even think about stopping - I just keep going.'

Like Patchouli, my OH is a moderate drinker. He usually just has a couple of beers during the week. This doesn't bother me as I don't drink beer. Tonight there was no beer left but he found a bottle of Merlot someone had brought to our Christmas party. He opened that and drank a couple of glasses. I found this really difficult but persevered with my water all evening!! He has now gone to bed leaving a half-finished glass of wine right by the computer BUT I WILL NOT FINISH IT FOR HIM!!

I have also resisted a G&T (tried to convince myself that with slimline tonic wouldn't have many calories and that as we already had it in it wouldn't cost anything). I have managed only to munch one cracker with cheese and 3 pringles.

I think my problem is that drinking every night has become a habit and I enjoy it but I am determined to keep it within manageable limits!

yellowmonkey

Morning all :hello:

Interesting opinions viewed yesterday which is a good thing as we need all sides and peoples thoughts.

7/8 for me please Lurky Hopefully playing Golf today if the course is not frozen. Hope it is not otherwise I will end up grazing the remains of the Xmas goodies :rolleyes: and drinking Vimto all day. I am sure I am starting to look like the Phantom Rasberry blower of old London Town.If you remember that you are as old as me

Have a good one

ym

Pippilongstocking

maman wrote: »

'this is my normal time for opening the wine'. This gave me a laugh jjef, just my usual time too! Waiting for the clock to come up to 6pm.

Anyhow I've managed my 4/4 AF target for this week and thank you all for your support. :j

I won't pretend it's been really easy particularly tonight.

'Hubby likes a drink too, but knows after a couple of glasses to stop - for some reason I just get the taste and after a glass I don't even think about stopping - I just keep going.'

Like Patchouli, my OH is a moderate drinker. He usually just has a couple of beers during the week. This doesn't bother me as I don't drink beer. Tonight there was no beer left but he found a bottle of Merlot someone had brought to our Christmas party. He opened that and drank a couple of glasses. I found this really difficult but persevered with my water all evening!! He has now gone to bed leaving a half-finished glass of wine right by the computer BUT I WILL NOT FINISH IT FOR HIM!!

I have also resisted a G&T (tried to convince myself that with slimline tonic wouldn't have many calories and that as we already had it in it wouldn't cost anything). I have managed only to munch one cracker with cheese and 3 pringles.

I think my problem is that drinking every night has become a habit and I enjoy it but I am determined to keep it within manageable limits!

Just wanted to say well done and this mirrors my own situation really - don't stop after one - OH can take it or leave it. Then again if there's a pack of crisps in he will eat every packet til they are gone. When I have tried to explain my drinkinng to anyone else they have been to identifiy something that they have a trigger for whether its chocolate, ice-cream, biscuits or crisps - drinking is so destructive where as the rest I guess have their own issues I don't think they are destructive as alcohol.

Much love to you all - x - still fuzzy headed - how can that be?

Needstochange

yellowmonkey wrote: »

Morning all :hello:

Interesting opinions viewed yesterday which is a good thing as we need all sides and peoples thoughts.

7/8 for me please Lurky Hopefully playing Golf today if the course is not frozen. Hope it is not otherwise I will end up grazing the remains of the Xmas goodies :rolleyes: and drinking Vimto all day. I am sure I am starting to look like the Phantom Rasberry blower of old London Town.If you remember that you are as old as me

Have a good one

ym

Well according to my scales (which granted are a bit dodgy but I cant use that as an excuse) I have gained 4lb in my week of AF days:mad: :mad: great thats that bit of motivation gone then :sad: :sad:

I have been picking quite a lot so I need to get that sorted I guess or I will be the phantom rasberry blower of old London Towns fat assistant:rotfl:

AF yesterday so put me down for 5/8 please Lurkio

yellowmonkey

Golfs off :sad:

Going to graze through the Celebration and Quality street tins

ym

Lurkio

Latest list for 9th jan........ let me know your scores and I will update as we go.....

1 - Lurkio (target 31/31) - Actual 8
2 - jo1972 (target 31/31) - Actual 6
3 - Needstochange (target 15/31) - Actual 5
4 - Miss Piggy (target 31/31) - Actual 4
5 - Mollypolly (target 31/31) - Assumed 8
6 - winebox (target 15/31, WOMO clause) - Actual 6
7 - eselt (target 31/31) - Actual 1
8 - *Mari* (target 31/31) - Actual 6
9 - Grey Pilgrim (target 31/31) - Actual 8
10 - 115K (target 10/31) - Actual 5
11 - jjef (target 25/31) - Actual 5
12 - the rugby coach (target 25/31) - Actual 7
13 - yellow monkey (target 30/31) - Actual 7
14 - Bismarck (target 31/31) - Assumed 8
15 - beckseven (target 31/31) - Actual 6
16 - barshamhillbilly - **taken medical advice**
17 - happyshopper (target 28/31) - Actual 8
18 - Nessa56 (possible )
19 - miamoo (target 31/31) - Actual 7
20 - Mrs Lurkio (target 27/31) - Actual 4
21 - polaroid (target 31/31) - Actual 7
22 - paybacktime2008(target 25/31) - Actual 4
23 - budget babe(target 31/31) - Actual 8
24 - lillibet dripping (target 20/31) - Actual 4
25 - biscotte (target 25/31) - Actual 6
26 - fayjmck (target 26/31) - Actual 4
27 - fedupandskint (target 21/31) - Actual 5
28 - maman (target 13/31) - Actual 4


Post by Spring Watch Girl:

"Well, week 5 of no alcohol and I see a different person in the mirror. My eyes no longer look dull and vacant, they actually have a little sparkle and my skin doesn't look like uncooked pastry anymore. I feel that I have won a battle but not yet the war. Hope everyone else is at the point they want to be, I never want to be that person I was, I have been tempted but I just think back to what I had become. The sun is shining at the moment and I feel good and want to continue to have the sun in my life."


Secretary Lurky

mollypolly

yellowmonkey wrote: »

Golfs off :sad:

Going to graze through the Celebration and Quality street tins

ym

Whilst stepping on the Wii Fit???:D

biscotte

Another AFD for me yesterday so it's now 6/8 and I'm feeling very pleased.

Fayjmk and mamam I really do identify with what you're saying. I'm fine if I don't start but once I do the stopping is difficult. Must say that I haven't missed it at all these past 6 days but I'm aware that the weekend may be a dangerous time. Friday evening at least we are travelling so that'll be 'dry' but Saturday will be tempting.