The Giving Up/ Cutting Down alcohol support thread - number 12

mrsdee

That's my target met at 10/10 please Shaggy. I had thought it would take me to Wednesday to reach target but in fact I found it easy to get through the weekend AF, rather than drinking, especially as OH has decided to join me on the wagon (for now, at least).
We are out on Thursday and have a planned couple of glasses of wine in mind so, barring that, Monday-weds will be AF.
Good luck everyone with whatever you are trying to achieve.

Fruball

graemecarter wrote: »

Welcome.

I believe I'm alcoholic, but some people would probably say I am not one because I didn't drink in the morning, didn't drink spirits etc. I previously thought that way also.
I didn't drink everyday and could sometimes stop drinking after a couple of drinks.
However, I regularly drank more than I intended, and sometimes just couldn't stop.
If I wanted to control my drinking, it wasn't enjoyable, and if I wanted to enjoy my drinking, it was never in control.

All that's important is that I realise that my relationship with alcohol is unhealthy, and admit that to myself so I do something about my drinking.

My alcoholism HAD to be self-diagnosed. It was no use anyone telling me that I had to stop/cut down my drinking. It had to be me that made that decision.

The thought of giving up drinking was awful - I thought life would be unbearably dull. That's my alcoholism telling me lies. Life is far better and fuller since I put down the drink. It's not always easy, but it's far easier than it was when drinking.
For me, getting help for my alcoholism has been the best decision I ever made.

All the best and keep posting. In my experience, I have good days and bad days, but it's important I don't drink one day at a time.

Views are my own. This is my experience and is not advice for anyone else. I'm just saying what my story is.

The highlighted paragraphs has struck a cord with me. Very much food for thought. Thank you.

Hi everyone and welcome to the newbies :hello:

I had a few drinks last night whilst storm tracking online but I had fewer than usual and went to bed at a reasonable time (something that rarely happens on nights that I drink). I woke up feeling refreshed! Something else that rarely happens but I am sure that had something to do with the clocks changing

I did stop at the shop for wine this evening BUT... I am pleased to say that it is still unopened in the fridge and it won't be opened as I want to sleep well and have a productive day tomorrow.

Being AF today also means being smoke free as I have more or less given up smoking during the day since joining this thread and only smoke whilst drinking wine That means that as well as being 14/15 AF, am also 13/15 smoke free this month :j

I find it much easier not to drink if I know it IS in the house... I know this is the opposite to what most people are like but I feel anxious if I have none in. Possibly because after the kids have gone to bed, I can't just nip out and get some if I want some... I don't know but whatever the reasons, I definitely am better if it is there, like a security blanket I wonder if it about having a choice? If I have my choices taken away I rebel and want it?... What on earth would a shrink make of that?! lol Apologies for the ramble :rotfl:
(I have just figured it out... It is about control... If I know there is none in the house I have no control over whether I have it or not but if it is here, I can be in control of whether I do or don't.)


Someone was saying that they find a lot of soft drinks very sweet... I find that a good splash of apple juice with soda water (about 1 part to 4) is a fabulous substitute to wine plus it has the dryness I like with wine. It is also many fewer calories

Have a good week everyone xxx

Rosepetal1701

serenity_10 wrote: »

Hi all :-)

Another newbie here, tho long-time lurker on MSE. Have had a 'lightbulb' moment recently regarding the amount of wine I drink and the cost of it, so am planning to cut down with the help of support on this forum. One thing I would like to ask others who have already cut down and/or had alcohol-free days is how did you approach it? i.e., did you replace alcohol with a soft drink? did you change your routine so you were not doing the same thing as you did when drinking? did you replace alcohol with snacks etc ? I'm interested as I am afraid of failing if I don't have some kind of plan to replace the alcohol.....or is it better to not replace it and just learn to be without it without masking it's absence ....if that makes sense? Would be interested in your stories/views on this.

PS - well done to all those who are reaching their goals - I am impressed :-)

Hi Serenity, I have tried different things, coffee after dinner instead of straight onto the wine, a bottle of soft drink, not fizzy, which I drink out of a wine glass, doing housework till bedtime and many other things. They all work for a day or two but what is working for me is this thread:T
I can't believe the motivation that getting that little stickie has given me! I look forward to logging on and have had my longest AF run in many years. The support from other members is uplifting and really helps.

I think you have to try lots of things and find what will work for you but get as many ideas as you can on the way

Good Luck

Rosepetal1701

Tonight makes 11/14 for me please.

Fruball

I am motivated by Shaggy's little witchy things or the other little ones that we can 'earn'

I am due a pumpkin one and maybe tomorrow I will get my Target one!!!

KtComp

Hi!
Newbie here to the whole debt management thing. After working out how much me and my partner spent on things such as alcohol I ave really decided to cut down. I am actually already in my second month of cutting down but just wanted to ask, what other ways do you all find to relax after a stressful day? do you have other hobbies or some great ideas?
Help would be much appreciated! Thanks.

Fruball

KtComp wrote: »

Hi!
Newbie here to the whole debt management thing. After working out how much me and my partner spent on things such as alcohol I ave really decided to cut down. I am actually already in my second month of cutting down but just wanted to ask, what other ways do you all find to relax after a stressful day? do you have other hobbies or some great ideas?
Help would be much appreciated! Thanks.

On non drinking days I tend to go to bed earlier and watch TV upstairs for half an hour until I feel tired. It means I get extra sleep which is a bonus!

gien

I go to bed early too Fruball - even better for making you feel god te next day.
I'm AF today, have lost count now but will go through tomorrow and tot up.

PriceySOS

20 please, Shaggy, thanks

Barny1979

17/20 AFDs tonight