The giving up/cutting down alcohol support thread! Part 3

graemecarter

fedupandskint wrote: »

Felt very tempted to open a bottle of wine this afternoon and tea time. My mood seems to be a big trigger for me at present

lower mood - cheer myself up with a glass of wine
brighter mood - reward myself with a cheery glass or two of wine

.

Ha, that is classic behaviour.
Whatever the mood, pick up a drink.
Weddings and funerals, etc

That is exactly how my alcoholic self justifies drinking to me.

maz123_2

annie_d wrote: »

Hya everyone, Hya Glitzy, Hya Shirley.

Well i went to the party and it was a struggle. "ALL OTHER" people there kept trying to get me and my brother to have a drink cos usually we r drunk and the life and soul of the party. This time we were a bit more reserved, more reflective and to be honest not as much fun as usual.
I nearly did have a quick tequila or two but didn't. It seemed much harder being away from home and not drinking. Anyway, i didn't give in and neither did my brother.

All done for another day so that's all the days of May for me so far BUT I have put on half a stone!!!!! That just cannot continue so tomorrow i am embarking on...............the Cambridge diet.

Yes, it's extreme but it works. So thats it for me...no alcohol and now no food!

I will be coming on here each day for all your wonderful support.

Good luck to everyone who has taken up the challenge with the demon drink. x

:Tthat's brill, to you and your brother.
i've just gone on the moderation bench having finished another essay, can't wait till the end of june! but it has been moderation 1 bottle of stella that's saying 1.4units, more than enough night before work. I've normally had a bottle of wine by now. Not another AFD but not complaining. Went to the pub today for lunch, stayed for 3 hours then excused myself to come and do some work- maybe i'm learning;)
One day at a time, query though, why are we all into similar music???
Hope everyone is well and had a good night
maz
p.s. i'm withdrawing from the lose 7lb challenge, it just aint working!!!:eek:

Bismarck

maz123 wrote: »

One day at a time, query though, why are we all into similar music???

same thoughts, same generation?

dunno really...

thoughts about dealing with mood triggers are spot on...I used to "celebrate" anything....could justify the fizz of a can with any little victory or small disappointment...

so much of this is in the head that it is literally frightening that there isn't a greater awareness of the perils...or should I say a desire to listen and acknowledge the truth of the danger it can pose at al levels.

"please drink responsibly"....

good luck everyone!

Pippilongstocking

fedupandskint wrote: »

Felt very tempted to open a bottle of wine this afternoon and tea time. My mood seems to be a big trigger for me at present

lower mood - cheer myself up with a glass of wine
brighter mood - reward myself with a cheery glass or two of wine

I need to work on the mood and emotion coping mechanisms better than at present. Just saying it out loud. I don't give in that often to a glass of wine to my emotions now but I feel I have made the link between the 2 at long last.

Day 12 AF for me please.

This reminds me of the time someone on here said exactly the same thing
1Terrible day - drink
2Great day - drink
3Ok day, nothing much happenned - drink
4Nothing really happenned but it wasnt a great day I think I need a - drink

Not sure if you were around when they said it, the thing that stuck in my head was the third one where on driving home they would find an excuse to and buy some wine - I remember someone saying 'nothing much happenned today but I know I will find an excuse like there was a 'scary puddle' on the way home so I needed a drink'.

If I am determined to go and get some wine after work or in the evening I try and put that phrase in my head - when I say to myself I just 'need it' (using the phrases above great day/ bad day/ etc) - I sarcastically tell myself - 'Oh no did you see a scary puddle?' - try and make myself see its my mood.

Sorry FUAS - your post really stuck in my head - great you have made a connection

Waivering myself at the moment so as the others say 'constant vigilence'.

Morning all - x

40somethingmum

Morning all:j

I would like to thank you for a fun weekend on this forum . I had a real giggle. Who said you need a drink to enjoy yourself.

BB - put me down for 13 AFD


Have a great day everyone

40SM

115K

Deleted_User wrote: »

This post isn't directed at anyone, but is in response to what I've been reading over the last few weeks.
I put on weight when I stopped drinking. However much I'd now like to lose half a stone, the change from drink to food means that my body shape has changed. This is good! I now have a waist that's been hiding under alcohol for years It took about a year for my body to get back into shape. I didn't do gyms or diets, my body just naturally readjusted to what it should be when not being continuously poisoned by alcohol.
Please be careful not to put too high expectations on yourself with weight loss (or alcohol free days for that matter) because if you fail to meet self-imposed targets it's likely you'll take this hard, which can turn into self-pity and the ensuing dramas for self and those around us.
I'm delighted this thread is here and thrilled the monthly targets for alcohol free days work for so many. I haven't been involved in that since I live by the simple rule that 'just for today' I won't drink. I don't project into the future (and that includes tomorrow) and it's keeping life that simple that keeps me sober. I just wanted to share my experience, I hope I haven't caused offence.
Finally, if you feel the need for a drink when things seem to be difficult, just remember that life is 10% what actually happens and 90% how you deal with it.
Thank you again for this thread. Hiphouse

:T (I want my waist back. I haven't seen it since the early 1990's!;))

Well done to everyone. :A

9th day for me today.

Wanna_Bee_Free

Morning all,

Fed up and skint, I really understand what you mean about good days and bad days and any old days being a reason.

Fay, I remember that post too about puddles on the way home and think it was Jo who said that.

I had too much wine yesterday, probably around a bottle. Still on 4/12 days. Could be worse, quarter of my target and half way through the month! :eek:

I need to avoid drinking 8 more days ie two more Monday to Thursdays. But one of them this week won't happen and the Monday of next week is a bank holiday so I expect it will have to be some weekend days as well.

Have a good day everyone.

fluffyb

Morning everyone


Another shiny new week
The wagon picked me up this morning so here I am again for a few days :j

PRICE_IS_RIGHT_2

Good morning everybody, and it is indeed another shiny new week, I must make sure I do not tarnish it by caving in to wasted Wednesday again.


Made a major life decision yesterday - decided to tell one of my very demanding clients (I work freelance in marketing) that I couldn't continue with this project. :T It was taking SO MUCH of my time, I couldn't do anything else - but this is my typical life pattern and has been for the past few years. It has been work, work, reward with drink, clean, sort out the house and 3 children, cook and freeze, then start new project and the whole cycle starts again. I've decided to accept less work - means less money though, eek. :eek: But at least my mental state should be clearer. We'll see how we go on. 'Living Sober' arrives soon from Amazon.


It's so helpful to read everybody's posts and their experiences - I can really identify with many. Especially Pariskate's experience this weekend - how many times have I done that???

And the justifications for buying just one bottle of wine .... the most tempting bit is seeing the displays of attractive wine bottles in the supermarkets as you walk in, and all the tempting offers on the wine. The supermarkets give the alcohol so much shelf space, obviously reflects the amount of profit made on this department - there must be so many people like the lovely people on this thread who drink far too much. There will be so many offers for next weekend as Bank Holiday draws closer.

Must get on. Have a good day everybody :j

115K

PRICE_IS_RIGHT wrote: »

And the justifications for buying just one bottle of wine .... the most tempting bit is seeing the displays of attractive wine bottles in the supermarkets as you walk in, and all the tempting offers on the wine. The supermarkets give the alcohol so much shelf space, obviously reflects the amount of profit made on this department - there must be so many people like the lovely people on this thread who drink far too much.

Very true.

I always identify drinking with socialising/ having fun in my mind even though I have had many, many nights drinking which was just me on my own drinking and watching TV.

I was on the phone to my mate the other day and she said something about her friend having a glass of wine and I kept thinking in my mind I wish I could have just one glass of wine and then stop but I know it would start the cycle again.

But I have stopped drinking and this will be the 7th day in a row now and dare I say it I looked in the mirror today and I am not looking as tired as I have done lately. My skin looks smoother (and a bit younger!) and I have less bags under my eyes and I am feeling much more positive at the moment.