The giving up/cutting down alcohol support thread Part 8!

SimIsOnTheUp

Welcome Back NTC!

Sorry to hear you've had a tough year.

All the best to you for a better year, and for beating the booze.

Sim.

maman

Wyndham wrote: »

My aim at the moment is to not drink Monday to Thursday, but I can't see a point where I won't drink on a weekend. Does anyone else do it this way and does it work?

Thanks guys!!

Hi Wyndham and welcome to the thread (and welcome back others too)

In answer to your question, yes I do this and it works for me. I think I'm one of the few genuine cutters-down on the thread as mostly everyone else seems to want to give up. Like you I had got into a bad habit to the extent where I just opened wine every night regardless. I had got to a bottle+ a night when I saw this thread and decided to join.

I,too, am an all or nothing sort of person so rather than have perhaps a single glass every night I'd prefer to drink nothing on most weeknights and then whatever I like at weekends.

I have set myself a few simple rules and with the help of the tips and challenges on here managed to stick to them fairly well. Briefly I don't drink on 'ordinary' evenings at home. I do drink at weekends but also if we have people round or I go out for a meal. I have found that on my drinking nights I drink less and tolerance has got lower over time. On average I have 3/4 AF nights a week which is just what I wanted.

It was hard to start with but gets easier over time and I have been known to allow myself the odd 's*d it' day and, of course, holidays:D

SimIsOnTheUp

AGGGGHH.

Feeling very stressed guys.

Just got off the phone, with the DWP Social Fund.

I called them to enquire re the status of my Budgeting Loan application.

They haven't even received my application yet (I sent it in last Friday).

They also said that there is a 3 week backlog for all the Budgeting Loan applications - 3 weeks.

My Money Shop PayDay loan needs to be paid back / rolled over for another month 2 weeks time, and I was hoping that the Budgeting Loan would've paid off at least some of it then.

So now there's no way it'll even be processed by then. I'll have to pay Money Shop the 'loan extension fee' in 2 weeks time now, for all 5 £100 cheques = 5 * £18 = £90 - just to roll them over another month - and that's not even with me paying any of it off. All of this because I couldn't deal with my feelings and wanted to drink 2 weeks ago.

I feel quite useless.

I need to get back to work, and yet my anxiety is so bad, I don't even feel up to leaving my flat.

Looking back on my Life I can see nothing positive for so long now.

Sim x

SimIsOnTheUp

This is why I was drinking.

I'm sober now, but I can see why I've drank for years.

That's because my Life is cr ap, empty and has no purpose whatsoever.

SimIsOnTheUp

Well at least I CANT drink, as I have no money until a week on Friday, due to spending the rest of my money yesterday on the food shop.

I don't even want to drink.

Just can't see how to make things better.

Can't see how to get debt free.

It's my Birthday on Saturday, and my Girlfriend has been very sweet.

She's texted to say she's getting some bits and pieces from Tesco for then.

Yet, I'm not even sure I'm happy in the relationship with her, due to so many problems for months - the main thing being that I feel indebted to her to the tune of £2K.

On top of this, she hit me.

On top of this, I've done some seriously stupid things over the last few months -

Sold my iPhone (for money, for drink)

Took a loan out for £500 (for money, for drink)

Girlfriend then kindly then paid this off last month.

Then, I go and take out another £500 loan (you guessed it, for money, for drink again) which I can now not pay back.

I am so jealous of people who are level headed, and never seem to make these stupid, irresponsible rash decisions.

I'm jobless, and I want to work again. Yet my nerves are in bits.

Sorry about this guys.

Just need to write this down.

Hope you're all having a much better day!

I'm off to bed for a bit, as my mind is racing.

Thanks,

Sim x

Needstochange

Hi sim is on the up......wow thats some list. dont really know what to say other than at least you are not soaking your problems in drink so respect to you

Im sorry but if your girlfriend has hit you then you need to get out that is wrong wrong wrong

puts any of my problems into perspective for sure Im here if you want to chat

Pippilongstocking

Nice to see some new faces on here

Sim, I've maybe mentioned it before, ever thought of having a diary on MSE to keep track of things/let things out/chart progress - you have come such a long way in such a short space of time and I worry you don't see it because this thread is so busy

I've got my own diary - I dump all my achievements/anxiety/thoughts/money worries into it and often folks come along with the right experience and the way forward or lots of ideas - whilst I've not stopped posting on here, I find its easier to keep track of my own progress and it helps me to see how far I've come along with money/drinking etc

Just a thought - might help a bit (?) when things seem to be so busy in your head - I'm not saying do a diary and don't post on here - I'm saying think about a diary maybe and see if it helps along with posting on here just a thought me dear.

I've another AFD under my belt, its getting easier - less bells its been over 2 straight weeks now since I've had a drink, I'm on 14 please

Nice to see some old/new faces - keep with this thread it works brilliantly !

bagqueen

What a great thread!!

I am a recovering alcoholic- 1 year sober..I never let myself forget the reasons for me HAVING to give up alcohol,i really had no choice. My last drink was 8/8/2009, it took untill Jan of this year for me to feel any way normal and comfortable. My life is very different now, i had a lot of help and support from AA and i now feel it is time to try and give something back.

Just wanted to sy Hi and wish you all well. Miracles do happen, i could never imagine a life without alcohol, each day sober is a blessing, i have no long term goals, just each day as it comes..I will continue to read this thread and wish you all well.

newroadahead

Hi All

Well still managing to stay on for the challenge this week and now
11/15 AFD.

Sim...Hope things will get better, you are doing well by staying sober and as everone says take one day at a time.xx

Budgie...Hope your cold gets better soonxx

Wyndham and bagqueen....welcome to the thread, good luck

Fay....Know what you mean about a diary, have to admit I have let mine slide but perhaps should start it up again.

NTC...welcome back

SSG...Hope you are keeping well.:)

Jo.....If you are lurking hope the holiday is going well xx


Everyone else....i know I would forget someone if I wasnt careful, hope you are all doing ok and keeping wellxxxx:A


love

NRA xxxx

Everyone.......

budget_babe

newroadahead wrote: »

Hi All

newroadahead wrote: »

Well still managing to stay on for the challenge this week and now
11/15 AFD.

Another af day for me please DB is that 8 now? I will have to look back and count up my head is woozy, from the cold I hasten to add. Big hugs sweetheart (()) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sim...Hope things will get better, you are doing well by staying sober and as everone says take one day at a time.xx

Very true Sim, I know its not easy but things will improve and life will get better. I hope that you will stay safe and well. (()) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Budgie...Hope your cold gets better soonxx

Thankyu Nra, feeling a bit rough but I am getting there, its a devil answering the phone at work though Hope you are ok? Hugs (()) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Wyndham and bagqueen....welcome to the thread, good luck

Yes good luck and welcome it is a very friendly thread and most helpful to many of us, take care. (()) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Fay....Know what you mean about a diary, have to admit I have let mine slide but perhaps should start it up again.

Fay hugs hunny and well done on the af-ness, you are doing really well sweetheart, as always Budgie hugs and take care (()) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

NTC...welcome back

WELL HOW I HAVE MISSED THAT SNAZZY, DANCING, SHINEY STAR IT IS GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU SWEETHEART, I AM SOOOOOO GLAD YOU ARE BACK :A

WE HAVE BEEN A LITTLE CARELESS WHILST YOU HAVE BEEN AWAY, WE HAVE MISLAID BHB, WINEBOX, 69CHICK, DEAR FLUFFY, ESELT AND 40SM HAVE NOT BEEN ABOUT MUCH EITHER, FEDUP, MISS P AND PIGLET ARE HAVING A BREAK,

MIAMOO AND GG WHO WERE ABOUT BACK IN THE DAY ARE ALSO AWOL. THE LIST GOES ON, OUR DARLING JO IS ON HER HOLS. SORRY I SEEM TO BE GOING ON BUT YOU KNOW WHAT I AM TRYING TO SAY: WELCOME BACK HUNNY (())XXXXXXXXXXX

SSG...Hope you are keeping well.:)

Yes SSG hope you are doing ok and feeling positive? Hugs (()) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jo.....If you are lurking hope the holiday is going well xx

Oh I do hope you are having a fabby time matey? Miss ya (()) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


Everyone else....i know I would forget someone if I wasnt careful, hope you are all doing ok and keeping wellxxxx:A

Yes I hope everyone is ok too? Ym you have not been about the last few days also? Dear Lurky hugs to you, of course Graeme, Marru, Maman and Ms Honey B too.


love NRA xxx


Nra sorry for the plagiarism . but needs must, I have had trouble logging on but wanted to post before I go to bed. Hope everyone is ok?

Budgie is off to bed now, love to everyone I haven't mentioned, oh and Shaggy its lovely to have the pics back :T (()) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx AND DC HOPE YOU ARE OK TOO? XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.....

Now it wont post saying my message is too short :mad: as Miss P would say: Keep Calm and carry on