The Giving Up/ Cutting Down alcohol support thread - number 11

maman

unself wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your encouragement. I still haven't had any af days recently, but I have greatly reduced my alcohol intake the last couple of days. I am now down to a 500ml bottle of pear cider.

I think I've been depressed (mood-swings), and with bills, school holidays, etc, my alcohol intake went up. Its not ideal that I don't have a few af days like I used to (working towards that), but I am trying to do something to treat the root of it (stress), so bought some Kalm's tablets, as they have helped me in the past. I've also bought some crystallised ginger (very sweet) to stave off any cravings.

Cold turkey doesn't work for everyone unself so limiting yourself to a single bottle is a good step in the right direction.

Didn't get on yesterday so only just read that cuppa and misslr had cr*p evenings. Hope you're both a bit brighter today. The lovely weather is helping me hugely lift my mood, hope it's working for you two.

PriceySOS

6 AFD's so far, please Shaggy, ta

Back on the wagon after too many non-AFD's over summer - due in part to the fact that DD2 and DD3 both finished school at the end of June after the exams, so there were no school days!

Hope everybody is feeling more cheerful tonight

xxxx

trainingdad

MarkMan 3 days AF = PB = Bl**dy brilliant! - Well done. And CuppaTea is quite right. This is a long road so don't see every setback as a failure - it's not. I think that as long as we keep learning and understanding more about why we feel the need to drink and also why we want to cut down or stop, then each day is a success.

Well, 5 days AF in a row is a really big achievement for me and, yes, I am very proud of myself. On the fifth day, as I reported, I felt a lot calmer with no wine-o-clock fight. On the 6th, I also felt calm, refreshed - all that good stuff. I didn't feel like I needed a drink, but I did feel like I really wanted one. So I did.

However, the idea that I was in control didn't really stack up with the fact that I knew I was looking for the bottle of wine that was the strongest of all (at least it was in budget!). DW did not particularly like the bouquet which left yours truly with the task of making sure it didn't go to waste. I drunk the bottle, bar the one glass DW had. I'm not proud of it but I'm not going to beat myself up either. It was lovely wine but definitely not worth the groggy head this morning. Temporary blip - keep moving forward and learning.

CuppaTea yes, I do have an amazingly supportive wife, thank you. She's been where I am and come through it. She knows how much hard work has to go into cutting down or stopping but she also gave me a good talking to about not beating myself up when things go temporarily astray. I like your suggestion - I'm putting that list up on the fridge. On a nice BIG bit of paper in BIG writing!

No drinkies for me tonight so, including tonight:
Shaggy - 6 AF so far for Sep
*Mari* - 4 SNC AF days out of 5 :T

DW is out this evening which, previously, would have meant I would be on a really big drinking session at home. This evening, I have something a little calmer in mind. Hot bath, a film and a mug of Green & Black's Hot Chocolate. Mmmmm, lovely.

Good luck and best wishes to all and hoping we all have a happy weekend enjoying the good weather.

Kindle, Kindle, Kindle. Where are you...

CuppaTea

I've read the posts, but don't feel like posting much tonight. But had to say TD, your writing keeps me amused, you have a wonderful sense of humour. Missrlr, sorry to hear your misadventures, big hugs winging themselves your way.

Another AFD making 6 please Shaggy.

unself

maman wrote: »

Cold turkey doesn't work for everyone unself so limiting yourself to a single bottle is a good step in the right direction.

Didn't get on yesterday so only just read that cuppa and misslr had cr*p evenings. Hope you're both a bit brighter today. The lovely weather is helping me hugely lift my mood, hope it's working for you two.

I ended up having 2 yesterday. I will not lie about my intake, as is pointless. It is an improvement on what I was having (sometimes a bottle of wine, plus a couple of beers, or a 6 pack).

The Kalms are working early . It might be a placebo effect, but I drink herbal remedies regularly, so I think they are doing what they are supposed to, removing the stress. I had the first decent nights sleep I have done in a long while, and have my appetite back, and don't feel bad, so its a start. Early days though.

I hope everybody else is feeling good, especially those who have, or are giving up. Have a good day.

*Mari*

:ASchool Night Challenge

:A

Mari

Penelopedee

Pixigill

Trainingdad

Shaggy

Cuppa Tea

*Mari*

Hi :wave:

I have just updated last weeks school night challenge,I hope it's right let me know if it's not! Sorry I've been rubbish at updating this week not sure where the day's have gone so busy at work and home!

If anyone wants me to (attempt) to run it again this week let me know!

Shaggy I am on 5 for Sept now please

Have just had a quick read through, hugs to those who need it xxx

Mari x

MarkMan

Hope eveyone's okay and doing well. I've no been AF since my last post but hoping to get back on track tomorrow.

Good luck all!:)

crazymum_2

I just wanted to pass by and say hello. Thankyou to everyone who posts here - it is such a theraputic and uplifting thread to read.
Training Dad (my big brother) I am so pleased that you've found this thread - so proud to see how well you're doing. The arguing in your head thing - I know it so well, it still goes on, just gets easier as time goes on.
Whenever I've fallen off the wagon - I think only 3 times in 9 months, I soon remember that I'm not really in control (my persuasive head always tells me that I am now in control) - the last time it happened although I didn't drink too much... I desperately wanted to... and had to make myself go to bed before the alcohol hunt began in earnest.
Luckily for me, my work now requires me to go back to work at 9pm and then I'm on call all night - the elderly gentleman I look after relies on me totally, even to the point of feeding him through a feeding tube, so there's little space in my life to mess up. Friday night I came home from work at 11pm - like the idiot I am I eyed up the quarter bottle of whisky on the side - OH had drunk the rest. I thought about it but left it there. So pleased I did because I was called back to my old man who was up for 5 hours through the night.
And so I keep battling on - I think possibly I continue to find it hard as my OH is still drinking. One day I hope he'll find the strength to stop.
Thankyou everyone for letting me find my life again.
TD - I am proud, keep walking and keep talking... you are a beautiful person. I have total faith in you.
Good luck everyone else with your walks, whatever they may be xx

*Mari*

:ASchool Night Challenge

:A

Mari



Anyone fancy joining me for the School Night Challenge this week??