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

graemecarter

winebox wrote: »

Thanks for your reply GC. What I meant was I don't enjoy the pattern of my drinking now.....having so much every day is, well, pointless, & getting boring. Addicted? Possibly / probably. Not physically I don't think, never get any withdrawal symptoms, but psycologically, certainly. That for me used to mean I was OK (not getting the shakes/DTs when I stopped) but over the last year or so I've come to recognise that whatever the type of the addiction, it is one, & just as dangerous.

I was encouraged 3/4 years ago when I had sinusitis for nearly 3 weeks, couldn't smell or taste anything for 18 days & so didn't have a drink in all that time. Why? Cos I like the taste more than the effect, I'm fussy about what I drink & never just want or crave "booze", & so I guess I feel that I'm still, if not sensible, at least discerning (!). (I was amazed by how many people encouraged me to drink - "you'll still get the effect" - but that wasn't what I wanted).

Do I sound as if I'm deluding myself? Maybe I am. I'm trying to be honest with myself; & there's no doubt that I've been drinking way too much. We'll see if I can turn it around....maybe I won't be able to.

A fantastic, honest post that shows amazing levels of awareness.
With that attitude, you'll make the right decision for you:T

fluffyb

Yes, milk thistle is fantastic for healing the liver and/or preventing any more damage.

Are you taking milk thistle Jo?

jo1972

I am taking milk thistle, just started :cool:

Eselt, thanks for your post, you have put my mind at rest. I'm not upset about this result, I needed a kick up the bum and I got it

graemecarter

I am sure if you don't drink Jo you'll be fine and have nothing to worry about

Concentrate on staying off the grog - if you manage that then all will be well

spinningsheep

Well work wasn't too bad ( I have a job in the NHS that involves working with high risk ex sex offenders sometimes which can be VERY stressful) and I got in at 9.30, only had half a glass of red so far, so gonna try and keep to 3 before bed and stop.

nettttie

Hi all

Just caught up with everything on here - some good reads, well lots of good reads.

We've been to Nando's (me and DS2+ his friend), I always have one glass of wine with my meal as that's what I enjoy, however, 40SM you can put me down for 3AF as I had coke zero - or whatever they call it these days! I really didnt want to waste one of my AF days on one glass of wine!

My liver enzymes have always been normal
My mums are slight high 64 - her doc says its nothing if you want to carry on drinking your 65 you can do!
My dad had an autopsy last year (he was dead!) - no liver damage at all, I even questioned the coroner!

They had both lived in Spain for the past 7 years and drank daily, and pretty heavily at times but had a fantastic diet.

So IMO its down to genetics and dietary factors. Most babies with foetal alcohol syndrome are born to black/hispanic New York women who drink heavily and have a poor diet - and its purely a western syndrome!

As well as feeling carp with this drinking I think my lads will soon be teens and phoning me for lifts as we are pretty countrified and I dont want to say No, I'm pished!! I'd rather get them home safely as they'll be pished! Not too soon though I hope.

off for an early night, thanks all for your help, support and encouragement via your inspiring tales :T

Rolandtheroadie

May was a bit of a washout but i've had some medical advice and its not good.
I need to lose 50 lbs so that I can have a vasectomy.
So I thought I'd double it.

I cant lose weight and drink. It's an impossibility.

Tonights my night off so i'm partaking, but i've been good for the past 12 days, losing 14lbs in the process.
My targets to lose 100 lbs, and also drink sociably (at the weekends only and only when i'm not working which'll average one in 5 weekends).

Bismarck

graemecarter wrote: »

However, compared to others, I had a very 'high' bottom. They lost everything first before admitting there was an issue.

I thought blackouts and occasional vomiting through alcohol were normal - just shows you the strength of denial.

talking of denial....you can even get to the point where you're convinced that everyone knows you're overdoing it but are actually condoning it because they've not directly tackled you on it!

it's like you won't let anything get in the way of your next session....

did I have a high bottom? in some respects, I suppose yes, but it could have been higher, if you understand what I mean.

did I feel odd going to meetings where people could list everything they'd lost/were losing and feel a fraud because Mrs Bis had stuck by me? No, not really...I've lost plenty as a result of what happened but I'm fortunate that I can get it back.

and now it's 2 years since I poured my last drink down the sink. I've battled hard not to make a big thing about it, in that in some way the number is insignificant in the scheme of things....

but, on the other hand...for anyone who wants to believe it is possible, if you want it, the fact is there....

and yet, each day can still have a little test for me...

constant vigilance....

always....

take care

Bis

Wanna_Bee_Free

Good luck scotsman - one of the guys at my Weight watchers meeting got to a loss of eighty pounds last week and he's done really well since he started coming (in the Autumn). It is possible - and giving up/cutting down alcohol calories is definitely a good help.

Another AFD for me 40SM, so that's 3/14

Sleep well folks.

40somethingmum

escapism wrote: »

hello

May I join u guys pls? I rarely go a night without a drink and would love to cut down - we (me and OH) have about 3 AFD's per month at the moment and we really could use the money elsewhere, my prob is wine, I come from a family of big drinkers and it has become a coping mechanism

Would love to join here as will keep me motivated

xx

Welcome Escapism :T We are a friendly bunch here so you will feel well at home in no time . Would you like to give me a target no. of AF days for June or do you just want to see how it goes ?

40SM