The giving up/cutting down alcohol support thread! Part 5

TIME2GROWUP_2

Thanks Jo, Its not urgent so I'll pm you tomorrow... x

We shall try to keep you laughing tonight.... Now staying with the horse theme of the week, where can I find some showjumps....???? off to look... catch ya all later.. x

69chick

I am up for the Tipple free Thursday challenge also...am off to Scotland on Friday for 6 days to visit family...this will be very challenging to stay af as I normally drink daily when I am on my 'holidays' especially as I will be 24/7 with dh and the kids my sil doesn't drink that much though so might manage a couple of afd's

keep up all the funny chatter it really keeps me going...also a couple of you have mentioned books that you have found good, am thinking of getting 'living sober' would anyone who has read that say that it is good for someone who wants to be an occasional drinker?

catch you all later x

btw good luck for today BHB..hope this is a turning point for you but it does sound like your frame of mind might not be quite ready yet...you will get there though just might be via some swings and roundabouts x

barshamhillbilly

Well I'm back

jo1972 wrote: »

er ... thanks for that Jo (nice baseball boots, by the way ! :cool:)

Thanks for the good wishes peeps :A

I got on Ok and came back pretty positive actually .
Progress is progress however small. Anyway, I have to try and aim for between 21-28 units this week....though not all at once :rotfl:

Had it pointed out that if I drink 5 cans of stella in the evening I am probably over the limit when I go to work in the morning :eek:.

they were pleased that I had changed my drink from stella to bitter, and actually last night had only 3 units of G&T !

Seems like if I drink beer, then I just pour it back. They said most of it is a habit rather than the addiction. :-

One of the counsellors asked how I drink and how do I feel when I do, so replied just come in from work and normally 'neck' 3 or 4 cans straight away in about an hour then don't touch any more for the rest of the evening. Also said it is a relaxation thing - ie the alcohol helps me relax. To which they replied, how long after the first mouthful until I got a feeling of relaxation, so I said about 15 minutes tops !

So my immediate thought was why don't I stop after 15 minutes ...... close, good, but no bannana - not quite what he was getting to.

It physically takes about an hour apparently ! The 'feeling' of relaxation that I achieve is through psychological processes not chemical ones from the alcohol. This is created by habit and the thought that it will relax me.:eek::cool:

Which is why I only needed 3 units of Gin and Tonic last night - not 10 units from 4 cans. I didn't actually need the other 7 units. Spooky huh?

So part of my task this week is to try and break the habit of coming home from work and heading straight for a can of beer from the fridge. There is no reason why I can't have 3-4 units, just not in the normal habitual way. Also to try and vary the drink as well, G&T one day , red wine the next, white wine, sparkling wine ....... not just my usual beer..... but definitely NOT STELLA!

So a positive me came out, thinking I can break this. Was still not convinced that I wanted to give up completely though!

One final curious bit I was told - apparently there are receptors in the brain/body for all commonly used drugs so a small amount can be accommodated without any ill feeling or damage .... heroin, cocaine, etc. all have associated receptors. Alcohol is the only one that doesn't have a receptor - so is a pure poison. Nothing else!

Er - perhaps i do want to give up completely :o:p:rolleyes::cool:


BHB
xx

ETA. have also got to make the G&T's long drinks not short ones - i.e. same amount of alcohol with loadsa tonic in a bigger glass!

dreamonsu

jo1972 wrote: »

Me and Fay are thinking about a Thursday challenge this week, anyone up for it? A kinda keeping up the being good on a school night thing

I'm in jo. If I succeed that will be four consecutive AF days which I don't think has happened for easily 15 years and probably longer :eek:. I still don't know if I'm aiming to be a non drinker eventually but if I could limit my drinking to weekends and special occasions that would be such an achievement. These challenges are just what I need.
Su

jo1972

barshamhillbilly wrote: »

Had it pointed out that if I drink 5 cans of stella in the evening am probably over the limit when I go to work in the morning :eek:.

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

I was regularly drinking 5-6 cans of Stella a night for years and driving to work :eek:

barshamhillbilly wrote: »

It physically takes about an hour apparently ! The 'feeling' of relaxation that I acheive is through psycological processes not chemical ones from the alcohol. This is created by habit and the thought that it will relax me.:eek::cool:

Very interesting :think: :think:

You should read that Marian Keyes book Andy, I know it's a girl thing but when I got to the alcohol bit in it (about 3/4's in), I related entirely to it and it was if they were writing about me. It was quite an eye opener reading from an outsider's perspective (quite embarrassing actually )

Keep an eye on the goal Andy, we will all get there, very soon xx

dreamonsu

40somethingmum wrote: »

I am also up for a "TFI Friday and I'm still AF challenge"

40SM:D

I am out on Friday evening for a meal with my girlfriends so my immediate thought was "I can't" BUT if I do have an AF day then I may get a free dinner out of it!:D
Every month four of us go out for a meal and three of us pay for the meal of the designated driver. My friends take it in turns but I am never included because it's understood "Sula likes her booze". So far as I know no-one has volunteered yet to drive so I think I will!
My Gawd 5 consecutive days :eek:
Su

barshamhillbilly

jo1972 wrote: »

I was regularly drinking 5-6 cans of Stella a night for years and driving to work :eek:

Us caretakers start earlier

jo1972 wrote: »

Keep an eye on the goal Andy, we will all get there, very soon xx

Do you know what? I think WE WILL :j

xx

jo1972

Wow Su, that's amazing!! Well done

BHB, stick with me matey, we'll be grand

dreamonsu

jo1972 wrote: »

You should read that Marian Keyes book Andy, I know it's a girl thing but when I got to the alcohol bit in it (about 3/4's in), I related entirely to it and it was if they were writing about me. It was quite an eye opener reading from an outsider's perspective (quite embarrassing actually )

Is that Rachel's Holiday jo?

barshamhillbilly

dreamonsu wrote: »

my gawd 5 consecutive days :eek:
Su

Well Done :T:T