The Giving up/ Cutting down Alcohol support thread- number 10

stitchintime

Thanks maman - it good to have support here

Friday after work is always really difficult for me in particular - I always think I will stick to a couple and I never do - I go out with colleagues for a few most Fridays - and think I would feel I was missing out if I didn't. But think I need to either stick to a limit or just not go out for a few weeks while I get out of the habit.

I hope you have a great holiday - it looks like you've been doing really well so it will be a well deserved break

I think next week will be difficult for me too as going away - not a holiday as such though there will be a chance for a couple of days relaxation after - but trying to sort out some practicalities following my dad's death last year - a relationship that had very mixed emotions attached and the aftermath of which I have been putting off for about a year - possibly why the drinking has got more out of hand recently....so not going to worry too much if I have some wine to get me through the worst couple of days - its after I get back I think that I need to keep this up!

Sorry to ramble - but this forum is quite therapeutic I think!

Barcode

Think I will join the Mon-Thurs challenge.

Lately, I've realized I'm too old (30 ?!) for hangovers, and it simply isn't worth 'losing' a day when you can be out and about doing things: not only that, but it takes considerably less to induce a hangover than it did a few years ago. The nausea / headaches / palpitations are horrid.

Typical pattern is: go out on Fri, intend to have one, end up having six or seven. Yesterday, OH and I did a 20 mile bike-ride, thought we'd reward ourselves with a pint, which turned into four, and I feel it today. Clearly, we shouldn't have had even the one as once we start, it's easy to say 'just one more.' We've quit having alcohol indoors as it's too easy to have a beer or four whilst dvd watching! That bit is going well

Don't think I want to stop completely ... but age + worsening hangovers are certainly mandating a cutdown! So, I'll join in.

bearacus

Barcode Ive added you to the SNC list . Welcome aboard and good luck with your AF journey

bearacus x

~Yorkshire_Belle~

Thanks for the lovely welcome everyone
I totted up my AFs and although I didn't think I'd done well enough to join in the monthly challenge I have (not including today) done 7 AF days without trying too hard so am very pleased. Stil not sure how I'll do longterm so will keep quiet tally during September.
Up for the SNC though, but won't count chickens until they're hatched etc so will report on progress tomorrow.

Barcode

Cheers for adding me to the SNC

I suppose, one worry lurking at the back of mind is, is it, for some of us, a genetic predisposition? My father (well, grandfather whom I grew up) lost his wife, me, job, and house through drinking. It is far too tedious to detail it, only to say it was like living with two different people - the best Dad in the world sober, and the angriest, violent, drunk-driving individual when drunk. Then, my mother (biological) followed suit, resulting in the loss of all her 11 (!) children by social services.

So when I find myself having one too many, I wonder if I should even be drinking at all. I don't seem to be a take it or leave it person, as it is always the first drink that seems to lead to more. But ... I don't think about drinking when I'm not, have any urge to disguise what I do, have never been angry/violent (more the embarrassing loud idiot), and have no physical cravings. I think it's about recognizing a potential problem before it becomes unmanageable. Really helpful reading some of the inspiring stories here.

penelopedee_2

AF for me tonight please Shaggy.

tearose

Hello and welcome, Yorkshire Belle and Barcode!

Barcode, I have thought the same as you occasionally about having a genetic predisposition, but it's not something I completely buy. I think we look for reasons and explanations sometimes and 2 and 2 makes 5. However, I do think there is an element of learned behaviour/culture in some families and mine included. So I guess I'd say it's more nurture than nature... It sounds like you have had a tough time with family alcohol issues though, so I can understand you being concerned about this.

So, I can't believe it's the 12th September today, which means day 12 AF for me this month. I think this is the longest I have been AF for, well, a very long time! but also :j

Again, like last Monday I had the thought of buying a bottle of wine from the local shop occupying my mind on the way home from work, but managed no wine (and no chocolate, so bonus!) and went and did a virtuous 30 length swim instead.

I came across a Terry Pratchett quote earlier today which really struck a chord for me so I thought I'd share it.

"There are better things in life than alcohol, but alcohol makes up for not having them"

Now I need to start concentrating on finding those better things!

Hope everyone is having a lovely evening.

X

May2013

Hi All

Loads of brilliant achievements so far this month...well done everyone :T

I'm making quite hard work of it...the bells just don't let up and my power to ignore them just isn't happening at the weekends...if i can just stick to the SNC it will help.

To that end could you put me down for the full monty this week please bearacus with tonight being AF....and 7 AFD's in total please shaggy....I get a star

fakeplastictwee

Evening all.

Day 8 for me, and 1 for the SNC please.

Just about to sit and watch shooting stars. Have a few bells but I'm going to ignore them, drink squash and then get an earlyish night as I start back at college tomorrow. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are long days as I have college all day and then work straight afterwards for 4 hours. I'm out the house for 13 hrs so I need to feel bright and breezy tomorrow!

Wanna_Bee_Free

I'm not AF tonight, just two small glasses though. Just to say that two of my favourite things were on here today, Calvin & Hobbs and Terry Pratchett. It's a sign....

Sleep well everyone.