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

cazzasmazza

Sam - everyone has their own way or ways to deal with the cravings to drink again. I am finding that talking about it with someone, or a few people if necessary and being honest about my cravings is helping loads. Don't keep it to youself - a support network is the best thing you can have.

That's why lots of people (I don't know them very well yet either!) at the AA meetings have given me their phone numbers, in case I feel wobbly. They've told me to ring them any time to talk it through. Like many people have said on here before, it really is the first drink that makes you drunk, because after one drink, you just can't stop (well I can't anyway) so it is so vital that you don't pick up that first drink.

Keep yourself busy too - boredom definitely increases my cravings. Do anything - put some feel good music on, dance around, go for a walk (even if it's in the rain) clean the house, pick up the phone and talk to someone, do some gardening, surf the net, chat on this thread or anywhere else you wish, do some ironing, paint (!) - just do anything to keep your mind and hands busy.

I have also found that keeping a nice range of AF drinks in the house helps loads too, my current favourite being J20 topped up with lemonade, which is really delicious and nice and sugary to help with the cravings! We also have full fat cola in, other fizzy pop and lots of squashes, herbal teas and so on - so I can't make the excuse there is nothing nice to drink in the house.

Also ensure you don't get too hungry, as booze cravings can often get worse when you haven't eaten for a while. And I always preferred to drink on an empty stomach (v. bad I know) because I got my booze buzz more quickly.

Hope that helps, Sam. Good luck and we are all here for you.

Caz
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samandsheryl

BHB - I guess a sugar kick is much needed when you live somewhere resembling noah's ark! Must be so much to do all the time. I used to have goldfish as a kid, but even found them too demanding!

YM - Thats brilliant. Over half a month so far. I know from last year when i stopped for a few months that after the first 25 days i found my stubborness kicking in and i was constantly aiming for the next milestone, eg 50 days. Very disappointed that i decided to have a drink on day 98, it was a family wedding and once i'd had a sip of champagne for the toast there was no turning back.

samandsheryl

Cazza - Thanks for your response, i have never really kept alcohol in the house. Whatever i bought i made sure i drank in one sitting to avoid the temptation on weekdays. The biggest problems i have are at weekends where all my socialising is done in a pub. Keeping busy is a good idea though. I start college at weekends again on Saturday so this may help me (Can't beleve i'm actually looking forward to it!!).

Sam

maman

Hi

So we're on to (k)nits now!!

I realised I needed glasses when I was driving down a dual carriageway and thought what's that white horse doing in the central reservation? When I got closer it was the back of one of those old lollipop shaped keep left signs! Opticians PDQ! Fortunately it's only for driving, footie and telly and no deterioration over the years.

Sam, most of us have used soft drinks in the weaning off period. I'm currently into hot Ribena. However mostly I'm over that now and manage a night with water with my meal and a hot drink before bed. Also displacement like a class, gym, reading, knitting (!) helps. I do admit it's easier for me as a cutter-down.

I usually try not to respond to comments on threads about Baker days but I can't resist!:o Baker days are holidays for children. When Kenneth Baker decided that teachers needed training for various new initiatives etc he took 5 days off school holidays and allowed schools to plan them when needed. Teachers lost 5 days holidays, children didn't. That's why we rarely have a full 6 weeks summer holidays any longer and finish/start terms on days other than Fridays. Schools do their best to tag them onto holidays and weekends because that's what parents say suits them. It is impractical for all schools to have the same days because not enough trainers to go around. (jumps down off soapbox and slinks away)

miamoo

Good morning everyone (well afternoon now:o) but it was morning when I started catching up with this thread!:rotfl:

I am on 1/22 ym!
I watched crimewatch last night, and then I watched dragons den that I had recorded, I slept really well and didn't wake up till 10.30am!!

I have to take the kids to school later for their target setting day, and they are back in tomorrow (thank god!)

Things that help me is keeping as busy as possible, if I had the money I would be out every night just for the first week or so swimming,cinema,bowling it breaks the habit I find.

Marthasdad

So_Sad_Angel wrote: »

Martasdad....great savings achievement ...I am adding up my savings so far too....sadly as I usually post on the BR board I better not put a `savings` total in my sig!! ....shame as I feel quite proud to have saved £4 a day since Saturday = £24 !! whoo hoo !

Well done Angie - it's a bit like they say you should do when you give up smoking and see how much money you save - seems to work for me, glad it is working for you too!:T

SAM - maybe this could work for you too? Don't know if money's tight for you but for me with a 2 year old and a 1 year old, every penny counts in the house and it really works for me (kind of addictive!?)

winebox

yellowmonkey wrote: »

I have to wear glasses now for driving and CPU work. I am afraid it is a sign of old age coming on :eek:.
ym

Thanks for that ym (btw I can't bring myself to click on thanks for the nit pic (geddit? :rotfl:))

My eyesight is becoming a mare! I wear contacts but now need reading glasses to wear with them :rolleyes: to read close-up stuff. When I take them out & put my ordinary glasses on I have to take them off to read close up! I gets very confused (also an age thing!?)

winebox

maman wrote: »

Hi

So we're on to (k)nits now!!

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:oh very good

cazzasmazza

samandsheryl wrote: »

Cazza - Thanks for your response, i have never really kept alcohol in the house. Whatever i bought i made sure i drank in one sitting to avoid the temptation on weekdays. The biggest problems i have are at weekends where all my socialising is done in a pub. Keeping busy is a good idea though. I start college at weekends again on Saturday so this may help me (Can't beleve i'm actually looking forward to it!!).

Sam

Gosh, that's a toughie. Socialising and parties etc. are one of the main reasons we all use as an excuse to drink more, IMHO. If being in a pub is going to lead to you drink again, I can't see any other way but for you to stay away from the pub! Sorry if that sounds harsh!

In meetings, we've talked about these kinds of trigger events. Most people said they prefer not to put themselves in these situations in the first place, as they know they will be "dancing around the fire" and get burnt.

So they don't go. Or if they do go, they have some friends or family with them who know they do not wish to drink and who will support them with that throughout the evening. Plus, beforehand, they will agree a time to leave, e.g. 10pm or 11pm, so the night doesn't become too long and unbearable for the non-drinker.

And driving always helps - it's always a great excuse to fence off peer pressure to booze.

Even if you are super good and don't drink at the pub with your mates, I reckon there is little point being there, if you are going to have an absolutely miserable time and feel jealous and resentful of everyone who is boozing.

I am nowhere near the stage where I can go to a pub or a party with people I used to drink with and not drink myself. I know the temptation would overwhelm me and I would be foolish to think otherwise. Perhaps I will never get to the stage where I can go out to such places and events, but that is a small sacrifice to make for a fuller, happier and healthier life being sober.

Hugs
Caz
xxxxxxx

samandsheryl

Marthasdad - I'll give it a go, money isn't too tight but in the past whenever i've saved for anything i got really addicted to it so it's worth a shot!

Cazza - No need to apologise, you hit the nail on the head. I should definately aim to avoid the pubs, i want to stop drinking so badly it would be silly to even tempt myself.

Sam