The giving up/cutting down alcohol support thread! Part 4

DEBTMONKEY1A

Nice muesli -home made by me! How healthy am I....(!)

cazzasmazza

Morning all,

Thank you for all your support last night when I was going through my trauma! It really really helped.

OH rang me reasonably early to pick her up (about 9.45pm) so we got a nice chicken kebab for supper. THAT cheered me up too

Slept like an absolute log last night - another 9 hours kip, plus the 4.5 hours I had yesterday afternoon. I feel pretty good this morning, compared to the last few days, so here's hoping things are improving for me physically. My neck's still stiff, so I'll keep an eye on that.

Saturday evenings - hmmmm yes. In fact any evenings......... they are VERY long without booze. I used to get blotto by about 9pm and have to pass out in bed most evenings, so I didn't have much time to do anything when I was boozing heavily.

Hobbies are a great thing. I've had many and aim to get more. Do any of you like drawing/painting? Cookery? Baking? Computer games? Crosswords? I know reading is up there on the list of passtimes.

My OH and I watch a lot of films - we love our cinema and DVDs. I especcially love world films - I've seen some incredible ones - but subtitles don't bother me! I know they drive some people mad.

And last week, obviously, AA meetings took up 2 evenings, which helped a lot.

There's a meeting this afternoon local to me, but I've not made up my mind about going yet. My OH and I might potter in the garden instead, if the weather stays nice. I'm definitely going to the meeting tomorrow evening and I feel strong that I won't pick up a drink today (famous last words!!) If I feel wobbly later I will go to the meeting.

So hugs and love to every one of you special people on here. You are all so important to me already.

Welcome to the new posters - this really is a great thread.

Have a super day. :j

Hugs,
Caz
xxxx

gargrave50

Morning all:hello:,

I have eyed the title of this thread for some time and for some reason today has brought an influx of us newbies to the thread!

My husband is worried at the amount I am drinking, and I also would like to cut down. I've been studying for 3 years to become a midwife, and its been challenging academically but also with family life. I've rewarded myself with a glass/bottle of wine at night when I am not working the next day.

My lightbulb came on to tackle my debts recently, my weight is the highest it has ever been and I know these surplus calories come from the devilish white wine.:rolleyes:

I need to reduce my drinking, I've always justified it by saying that I work shifts and can be working the weekend, so I need to have my weekend when I can. However, in reality it costs too much and I know I will feel and look better for it.

I'm starting a job in London (no midwifery jobs in Scotland) in October and will be in a flat on my own, and I worry that without the support of a forum like this I will fall into bad habits particularly as I won't have my husband to "nag" me. I'd really appreciate all of your support, and I've found it really inspirational reading this thread (although I have to admit I haven't read all of it!).:D

Thanks for reading, as its half way through August and there are 15 days left I am going for 10/15. Aim high!:T

barshamhillbilly

budget_babe wrote: »

Bhb hugs matey and how was the funeral? I am sorry if I have missed something? I don't think you have mentioned this??? But I hope you and your family are ok? Hugs xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Thanks for asking Budgie. I didn't really want to bore everyone, as I been banging on about what a bad time we've had over the last few weeks, but when you look at it I guess it was actually a bit of a hoot! It turned into a celebration of FIL's 'uniqueness' So I will give you a summary as it made us laugh.

The cortège arrived an hour early as they misunderstood what was happening. SO had to be sent away again. We hadn't even changed clothes.

He was heavily into old engines, antique tractors and electronics.
So we had ordered an antique tractor to lead the cortège into the crematorium. This turned up late - so we had to wait for 15 minutes at the entrance to the crematorium.

Then in the crematorium we had arranged to have 3 different bits of music played. They couldn't find the first one. Then played the second one instead. Then got in a muddle and started to play it again.

So we had a bit of a laugh as we thought the old !!!!!! was interfering with the mechanics and electronics still. :rotfl::rotfl:It was as if he was there pulling wires out and tinkering with things just for the hell of it.

Anyway then back to BIL's for some serious scary Essex style drinking (not me as I was driving .... but made up for it when I got home).

So as you can see, an eventful day. Though haven't been able to have an AF day since even though it was his own vices that killed the old !!!!!!.:o

(the buffet after was made up of all his favourite foods : jelly babies, candied shrimps, liquorice allsorts, stilton cheese, crisps, pickled onions ........ etc Not to mention the extremely large brandy toast. ( probably about 10 pub measures !)
Though cigarettes and brandy were optional

Anyway - I know I shouldn't put off the cutting down / quiting, but can't wait until schools back on and I'm back to work so I can get back to my routine, when it should be easier.

Did anyone see on the news about the man who has marooned himself on a small island in the Hebrides in order that he can give up smoking? He had a tent and supply of food and water and was left on the island to get over his addiction without being grumpy to his family ...... not a bad idea


Sorry to go on again

Roll on September

Andy
xx

eyeopener2

cazzasmazza wrote: »

Morning all,

Thank you for all your support last night when I was going through my trauma! It really really helped.

OH rang me reasonably early to pick her up (about 9.45pm) so we got a nice chicken kebab for supper. THAT cheered me up too

Slept like an absolute log last night - another 9 hours kip, plus the 4.5 hours I had yesterday afternoon. I feel pretty good this morning, compared to the last few days, so here's hoping things are improving for me physically. My neck's still stiff, so I'll keep an eye on that.

Saturday evenings - hmmmm yes. In fact any evenings......... they are VERY long without booze. I used to get blotto by about 9pm and have to pass out in bed most evenings, so I didn't have much time to do anything when I was boozing heavily.

Hobbies are a great thing. I've had many and aim to get more. Do any of you like drawing/painting? Cookery? Baking? Computer games? Crosswords? I know reading is up there on the list of passtimes.

My OH and I watch a lot of films - we love our cinema and DVDs. I especcially love world films - I've seen some incredible ones - but subtitles don't bother me! I know they drive some people mad.

And last week, obviously, AA meetings took up 2 evenings, which helped a lot.

There's a meeting this afternoon local to me, but I've not made up my mind about going yet. My OH and I might potter in the garden instead, if the weather stays nice. I'm definitely going to the meeting tomorrow evening and I feel strong that I won't pick up a drink today (famous last words!!) If I feel wobbly later I will go to the meeting.

So hugs and love to every one of you special people on here. You are all so important to me already.

Welcome to the new posters - this really is a great thread.

Have a super day. :j

Hugs,
Caz
xxxx

Fantastic stuff Cazza.

Does it feel like you have your life back? I certainly feel that way after this AF month. 'Tis a strange feeling how a Saturday night seems to go on forever when your sober. Seems a life time away from the drunken slump in front of the telly and OH telling me to go to bed at half nine..............

I went to Mr T yesterday and couldn't avoid the alcohol aisle ( I was buying crisps, ahem) as I have been doing but I wasn't getting any cravings, in fact I was looking at peoples trollys thinking. "Gosh did I really used to drink that much!"

Well, the battle continues today as Sundays were always a drunken blur.

Onwards and upwards!

E

beachbeth

I don't know if Im going to be able to keep this up. My whole family and OH's family drink. My OH usually has wine with Sunday dinner and Im going to want some because I didn't drink yesterday and haven't drunk much all week. The main thing that is stopping me drink at the moment is that my monthly 'friend' is due this week and I know that if I drink I will end up with a bad headache that lasts 3 days. Trouble is, my 'friend' is also making me feel tetchy and irritable and I know this will stop if I have a drink and I will feel more relaxed.

Theres the money side of it too. If I had been drinking like I usually do this week I would have run out of Malibu by Thursday (its actually Aldi's version of Malibu and is £5) and would have gone to Aldi to buy another couple of bottles, of which I would have drank at least one by now. As it is I still have half a bottle left in the fridge from the last time I bought them. So Ive definitely saved money this week.

Ive been itching for the past 2 weeks - legs, arms body, head, face - everywhere! The antihistamine puts a stop to this but i don't know whats causing it. Ive read the leaflet that comes with my Anti-d's and it could possibly be them. So Ive either got liver trouble or my anti-d's are giving me a rash. Im going to miss a tablet tomorrow (it won't have a catastrophic effect just missing one) and see if my itchiness is better. I also resolve to see my doctor this week to see what he thinks.

Its amazing how alcohol can produce this inner turmoil though isn't it? I crave a drink. I know it will give me a headache. Yet I know it will also relax me and make me less irritable. Plus its Sunday and completely 'normal' to drink with sunday lunch. Shall I, shan't I?

Pippilongstocking

Morning all slept in! - you lot being busy! Will catch up in a bit................

PIR and Budgie - hat question - within the next wee while possibly.............still thrashing out some sort of consensus between the parties

Wellies and a woolie hat will be compulsary

glasgowgirl

Morning,

So nice to wake up unhungovered and have the luxury of a work-free day that I can enjoy - rather than struggle through it, just waiting for it to be a decent time so I can have a hair of the dog. Hurrah!

Read in bed last night. Once I'd done the brushing teeth, get into bed routine all thoughts of wine seemed to go. Reading through the Twilight vampire series just now - managed to read for a couple of hours and enjoyed it.

Beachbeth - it's really difficult when all those around you are drinking and I'm not sure what to say to help. Others would be better placed than me to advise. BUT - would it be possible to focus on not drinking just for today in order to avoid the headache? If it's going to trigger a headache that will last for a few days, it really doesn't sound worth it today?

xx

changing_ways

Beachbeth :kisses3:. It's not easy when all around you are drinking.

Have a look back at Bismarck and GCs great posts of the past couple of days. It's the alcohol that's making your brain go round in circles like this.

My tuppence worth is that where I live (Scotland) the guidance to doctors dealing with patients with alcohol problems says not to start them on antidepressants because usually when they stop drinking the depression goes away so no treatment is needed. That's because the alcohol is actually causing the stress/depression problems that people think it helps with. The really creepy thing is that the booze stops you seeing straight enough to recognise this, and there's a bit of your brain fully occupied with trying to persuade you to drink even though you know deep down it's not a good idea..

changing_ways

And Caz , well done :T, you sound so focused and positive.

Welcome newbies, Pagan1 what was the chicklit you read? Was it one of the Marian Keyes books? I'd heard one of those dealt with alcohol but can't remember name.