Alcohol self help thread II

Horasio

I'm not a heavy drinker but do have a couple of questions to ask about alcohol and it's effects.

Why is it sometimes when I drink (the same drink), it really helps (I don't need a lot) and fixes my mood and other times it can really make me irritable, argumentative and depressed?

Also, why do different drinks have different effects on me?

I like to have an occasional drink for the taste and atmosphere but it is so unpredictable - does anyone know why?

Horasio

feelinggood wrote:

You doing alright tonight Jayne?

Chris- are you about? Are you okay?

Well done on ciggies beer, thats great
Day 2 nearly done, feelinggood again

Well done on day 2

Have you heard of the '3' milestones approach? It is supposed to be good for any addiction or anything you are trying to kick. My addiction isn't alcohol but food - I overeat till I pop then feel (but not) sick (I know this is the alcohol thread, so a bit OT)

It goes

3 minutes
3 hours
3 days
3 weeks
3 months
3 years

I have heard that if you can get thro any of the 3 milestones (which are the hardest parts of quitting) you are doing well.

So get through today and you will have reached Day 3:T

feelinggood_2

CCStar wrote:

I'm not a heavy drinker but do have a couple of questions to ask about alcohol and it's effects.

Why is it sometimes when I drink (the same drink), it really helps (I don't need a lot) and fixes my mood and other times it can really make me irritable, argumentative and depressed?

Also, why do different drinks have different effects on me?

I like to have an occasional drink for the taste and atmosphere but it is so unpredictable - does anyone know why?

Can't answer your questions I'm afraid CCstar - although alcohol does tend to just heighten my current mood - even if I'm hiding it. If I'm upset when I am drinking, I tend to get more upset.

Also, funny how you mentioned the taste. You know whats sad? I hate the taste of alcohol - don't like it at all. Why is it then that I need a drink so badly when it tastes so bad?

Different drinks do tend to affect people different, probably just the different make up of them.

jayne.doe

god i love the taste when i feel a craving i can actually feel the taste i cant explain it but i know i want it.... today is better tho than yesterday. And i used to have a hangover on a monday morning so thats another positive i dont today. See beer another positive:) Morning fg. Got to go and finish my housework but will keep an eye on my notepad:)

jayne.doe

in answer to your question cc and i can only answer how i see it. Alcohol is a depressent so for me it usually calms me down and allows me to feel peaceful if i am drinking at home. If i am out i go wild, party moment i guess and dance till i drop (literally) or if we are out at a dinnerparty drink until i drop, usually my head hits the table!!! (very impolite on your host:)) If i am in a bad mood it heightens that mood and makes me nasty. If i am in a good mood same again. The problem with alcohol is it is so unpredictable, and i dont know what i will do half the time, and thats what scares me.:( I dunno about different drinks coz at the end of the nite i didnt know what i was drinking so i mixed and matched according to what i could get hold of.:o

feelinggood_2

jayne.doe wrote:

dunno about different drinks coz at the end of the nite i didnt know what i was drinking so i mixed and matched according to what i could get hold of.:o

I'm usually quite good at sticking with one drink, helps me avoid hangovers. That said, I had lots of tricks so that it looked like I was drinking the same amount as OH, but was usually having 5 more drinks a night than him - or more.
When out in a big group I was awful for mixing and matching - we used to go for a curry in a group of 12. The waiters would bring us each a liqour at the end of the meal - baileys, brandy, tia maria - stuff like that. I'd usually have at least half of them, and would often drink any spare cobra's lying around. No wonder I got so drunk.
I do feel better emotionally since making the descision not to drink, got to keep an eye on it - I am getting a few cravings - silly times aswell. I'd love a drink now - but that ain't normal, and I don't drink, so I am ignoring that voice and drinking water
I like the sober feelie, she is here to stay!
Enjoy your housework Jayne - I can rest now. I got up 2 hours earlier than usual and I've folded 2 lots of washing, put a load in the dryer, put another load in the machine, washed up and put it away, cleaned the kitchen side, got dressed, organised most of my Johnny Cash MP3's (No mean feat - got about 400 songs just by him hehe) and tidied up. And managed to kick OH out the house to get to work on time. Phew. Keeping busy takes my mind off the cigs and the drink.
I'm very very proud of you by the way jayne :T

jayne.doe

you are doing so well fg keeping busy helps dosent it? Yesterday i didnt stop, couldnt stop:) i agree with you about cravings they are coming at v unusual times of the day. I dont honestly know how you and beer are doing both that is just so good:) gonna hoover and make beds upstairs now:( becoming far too domesticated!!:(

feelinggood_2

OH doesn't know whats happened with me suddenly getting super clean
I do actually very much enjoy housework, but the depression has really left me unable to do alot - I'm glad I can do it again. Make the most of it while the feeling lasts.
You are doing very very well yourself Jayne I'm just lucky that I've got enough housework to keep my mind off it. Well, thats a lie, I've got something else to take my mind off it Ahhhh. Shut up feelie hehe.

Hmmm, am I slightly manic?

Almac - I see you are there! How are you doing?

Al_Mac

I'm good. At work And lots to do

feelinggood_2

Bad craving right now :-/