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

PriceySOS

20 please, Shaggy, thanks.

I hope everybody has had a good Christmas. Lots of positive vibes going on here.

I've been very controlled, apart from a blip on Christmas eve - wrapping presents, I just had not had any time to do it, so I had several large glasses of wine to help me through the task, and suffered for it on Christmas Day, which was AF.

xxx

heath480

Welcome to the newbies,:Thope you find the thread useful.

bigdrinker

Out of interest - is heavy drinking as a problem something that people generally share with their friends and loved ones? I feel too embarassed to speak to anyone about it properly, almost as if it would be showing a big sign of weakness or something - stupid I know!

gardenanna

Welcome bigdrinker and good luck. I'm fairly new on here too. I had a good first month - November but have slipped back to all the old ways this month. Just 6 AFDs please Shaggy. My OH disengages completely with Christmas and all the work/family/celebrations and I end up feeling so lonely that I turn to my old mate Mr Merlot. I don't even drink much - rarely more than a couple of glasses but I really crave it and love that the booze dampens down the bad feelings.

I started this to answer your question about sharing the problem bigdrinker and that bit sort of slipped out . I've tried to talk to friends and my OH but they all think that compared to them I don't drink much so what am I on about. Also my OH drinks a lot and gets very angry as he thinks if I comment on MY drinking it's a veiled dig at his.

evilsquid1603

gardenanna wrote: »

I've tried to talk to friends and my OH but they all think that compared to them I don't drink much so what am I on about. Also my OH drinks a lot and gets very angry as he thinks if I comment on MY drinking it's a veiled dig at his.[/COLOR][/COLOR]

i have exactly the same problem! i know having the amount i do and not feeling it isn't in any way good but all my friends would just tell me their jealous i don't get hangovers!

Chloris

evilsquid1603 wrote: »

i have exactly the same problem! i know having the amount i do and not feeling it isn't in any way good but all my friends would just tell me their jealous i don't get hangovers!

We all need to find what suits us best. I don't drink much but it can be quite regular and frankly does me no favours. It makes me anxious, muddle headed, unfocused and sad. I am learning to avoid alcohol at my vulnerable times. Like you Gardenanna December is an isolating time of year so this year I have not been drinking much. This thread has helped me make such an improvement with my relationship with alcohol. So thank you everyone for all the support. :A Only you can decide if your relationship with alcohol is damaging and what action needs to be taken. You will get loads of support on here whatever that decision is.

evilsquid1603

Chloris wrote: »

You will get loads of support on here whatever that decision is.

thank you Chloris and everyone else!

cheezypeas

Hi everyone, welcome to the newbies, and congrats to all who have survived the party season so far........

I've only managed three AF days since last post - one of those was Xmas eve, when I spent the entire day in hospital !!! Not alcohol related I hasten to add.....am a Type 1 diabetic and had a diabetic fit for the first time ever.... pretty scary stuff, but meant I didn't drink that day ! :rotfl:
Drank over Xmas Day, Boxing Day & Tues but it was slow and steady rather than my usual art of getting hammered.
Weds and today both AF, so up to 9 for Dec please Shaggy.

Have thought hard about my Jan target - wanted to pledge the entire month AF but I have some 40th birthdays to celebrate and just know I will be tempted into a few glasses of bubbly. So can you put me down for 27 AFDs for Jan pls Shaggy and many thanks to you and Bearacus for keeping the scores on the doors..........

CP x

Chloris

22 AFD please. x

maman

Just wanted to register a big :T to everyone who's been in control over the festive season.

I've given some thought to bigdrinker's question about sharing with nearest and dearest. I can identify with my DH being a bit defensive of his own consumption. That didn't really cause any friction as he's always been more measured and controlled than me. We probably now drink similar amounts. I just have mine at weekends while he'll have a couple of glasses most days. He does seem to feel the need to 'confess' if he's had more than usual so in some ways me cutting down has had a positive effect on both of us.

For everyone else, I've just told a very few close friends. As what I've done is just to stop drinking on 'normal' nights in (i.e.SNC) then it hasn't been obvious to most people. On the rare occasions where I've not had a drink in company most have assumed it's either due to driving or cutting calories. If I'm honest, they're absolutely right as cutting calories has been my main motivator. The fact that I don't have hangovers or behave badly (mostly falling asleep!:rotfl:)any longer is a bonus. This all fits in with how I am in RL. I have only told a very few people about my 'diet' too. I've been more open about it as people have noticed the effects but generally it's been a personal thing. It's almost as if I'm very proud that I've secretly cut down without publicising it.

All a bit deep!!! Onwards and upwards!