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

Baileysonice

Hi all

Quick heads up about a programme on ITV at 7.30 tonight
Britains Secret Drinkers

I feel I may relate to this

HTH

Baileysonice

Well I am now on 4 days AF this month and heading for my 5th tonight.
Last night I was coming back from a very long couple of days at work on a train (very nice for me as it was 1st class ) so I had 2 glasses of wine with my dinner. I was home for 8pm and did not continue which I was really pleased about - normally that would be license to finish the job off!

My sum total of alcohol units since Saturday night is 2

Going to settle down now to watch a programme all about me I suspect now

Oh and massive congratulations to SkintDad - me jealous? Noooo:)

Green_Karen

21 AF days for me please Shaggy

Thanks for the heads up on this TV program, am just watching as I'm writing and thinking what the hell have I been doing to my body?

AlexLK

365days wrote: »

Looking back at your posts there is a pattern. When you don't drink you are pleased with yourself and when you drink you are disappointed. Just thought I'd point that out!

maman wrote: »

And I'd add that when you've planned an AF night (like a family celebration) or do something constructive (like going out with MrsK) you don't beat yourself up like you do if you have a 'sod it' night.

My conclusion is that you're happiest when you're in control.:D

Thank you both, I think you are right.

As for tonight, despite going to counselling today (which I don't enjoy but costs me a lot of money), I've managed to stay sober, wasn't even in the mood for a drink. So, declaring 12/18. Looks like I could make it yet.

mrsdee

Not AFD today so fear I won't make target but feeling pretty good about 15 under the belt considering I wasn't able to clock up one AFD before joining this thread. Definitely on the wagon the next two days. Good night all x

PriceySOS

15 please, Shaggy, taI wasn't able to watch the TV programme - does anybody know if you can watch again like with the BBC?

Have a happy Friday everybody xx

satchmo1

8/20 AFDs now, up to last night. No internet connection for 2 days, and have been busy cleaning and tidying house to get it ready to show to prospective buyers. I'm now starting to clean inside cupboards - who is this alien that has taken over Satchmo?

Congratulations SkintDad, the money will help pay off a quarter of your debts and the training and publicity will kick start your business. The publicity is worth megabucks on its own.

Green_Karen

I didn't see all of the TV program last night 'Britains secret drinkers' but the bit I saw was pretty 'sobering'.

They showed a woman what she drank in a week and I was on a par with her consumption. The Doctor told her to give up drinking for 6 months, no 'why' or 'how'.

To sit and think I will never drink again (which for many of us would be the thinking with a target of 6 months), seems too much. That's why being on here works for me as every AF day for everyone is a success and there is so much success here.

I am now in a quandary as I don't think I have the self restraint of most people here who seem to be able to drink on certain nights. I worry that when I have a drink again that will be it and I will be back to every night. How does everyone else manage this?

Baileysonice

Green_Karen wrote: »

I didn't see all of the TV program last night 'Britains secret drinkers' but the bit I saw was pretty 'sobering'.

They showed a woman what she drank in a week and I was on a par with her consumption. The Doctor told her to give up drinking for 6 months, no 'why' or 'how'.

To sit and think I will never drink again (which for many of us would be the thinking with a target of 6 months), seems too much. That's why being on here works for me as every AF day for everyone is a success and there is so much success here.

I am now in a quandary as I don't think I have the self restraint of most people here who seem to be able to drink on certain nights. I worry that when I have a drink again that will be it and I will be back to every night. How does everyone else manage this?

Agree Im afraid my tally would have been covering at least another kitchen surface Made me smile when she said she took wine in small bottles to take on the train (been there done that)

I am due to go for a blood test next week for another issue but I notice that all the liver boxes are ticked so I will be finding out some hard truths I suspect.

When I consider how many years I have regularly drunk every night and quite a lot at that then I know there will be some tell tale signs I just hope it is not too late to do something about.

6 months off for me would be unreasonable too what a lack of understanding regarding giving up that doctor had for me its the habit I need to break as well as the addiction and that is the hardest part.

Saying that though I am now on 5 days which I am pleased about as I only started mid month. One step at a time works best in my view.

PriceySOS wrote: »

15 please, Shaggy, taI wasn't able to watch the TV programme - does anybody know if you can watch again like with the BBC?

Have a happy Friday everybody xx

Yes you can on ITV player sorry I cant put links in yet

maman

Green_Karen wrote: »

I am now in a quandary as I don't think I have the self restraint of most people here who seem to be able to drink on certain nights. I worry that when I have a drink again that will be it and I will be back to every night. How does everyone else manage this?

Believe me, Karen, you would be able to have AF nights but it comes with a great deal of practice and will-power. There are lots of strategies you can try and I'm sure others will chip in with what works for them. For me it was a case of replacing a bad habit. I enjoy having a drink and didn't want to give up but I wanted to limit my drinking to weekends and special occasions and cut back generally so I don't have too much on any occasion. One idea is to just treat an AF night as an hour at a time. Try distraction, so go out for a walk or go to the gym or somewhere where no booze involved. Buy in some soft drinks. Go to bed early. Just try and get through one night and build from there.

Pleased to report another AF night for me. Went to the theatre and I was going to have an interval drink but as they had no diet tonic I had coffee!:D

9 AFDs please Shaggy

I'll make my target but not much beyond. Too many social occasions this month but at least no stupid, alcohol fuelled behaviour.;)