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

sukeyboo

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?

I did watch the programme and also found it bad that the doctor just said 'give up for 6 months' with no advice on how to try do that. Also I think it is a bit unrealistic to go from drinking everyday like the lady featured to cutting out completely .

I am one of the lucky ones who generally seems to be able to have one or two drinks on two or three days a week and stop at that but I have only really managed that since joining this thread - it really helps me keep things under control and 'think before I drink' . Like maman I try and do other things to distract myself if I am at home and I have found a new friend in hot chocolate - not sure what I am going to do when the warmer weather comes round again :eek:.

AF for me last night so that is 10/12 for me please Shaggy.

Have a great weekend everyone

mummy2threeboys

Sorry a quick one checking in again another
2af shaggy thanks

Fruball

Iwillsucceed wrote: »

Hello!!

I want to join you and sober up!! :-)

Welcome :hello:

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?

I don't have much restraint at all so you are not alone. I don't seem to be able to do more than one day at a time although I did manage 2 in a row earlier this month.

I worry that I can't control my drinking and therefore will have to give up for life..... only time will tell but I can tell you one thing, when I do manage to kick this habit, I am not up for doing it a second time as it is HARD... So I am actually kind of looking forward to never drinking, if that is how it has to be!

Green_Karen

Thanks maman, sukeyboo and Fruball for all your help and comments. I guess we're all different so I just have to see what works for me, moving forward.

I had planned to have my first alcohol night on the 13th Dec (is Fri 13th really a good idea?!!!) which would be 2 months on from the last time I had a drink. But now I am not so sure.

For me it's actually easier in many ways to not drink as I don't have any dilemmas in my head, it's all clear cut. But for ever without a drink is a long time.

I suppose it all comes down to whether I have a alcohol problem that is severe enough to not allow me to moderate. And I can't know the answer to that yet. It's not really surprising that I should be in this situation when drink killed my Dad and is slowly killing my Mum.

But thanks to everyone here as I thrash it out in my head.

On a more positive note though I do feel better than I have in many years right now and it just keeps getting better - maybe best not over analyse :rotfl:

mrsdee

checking in with 16/25 please.
Sleep well and look after yourselves everyone.

mrsdee

PS as I know I am not going to make my target, can I go target-free and just count my AFDs? Does that work?

satchmo1

Not AFD tonight...so very sad... I've had my beloved Snowy, a west highland terrier (Westie) since she was 12 weeks old. Today, after 19 lovely years, she has gone to doggy heaven.

God sent me home early from work today (I had a few hours owing), and at 3pm Snowy had a massive fit lasting more than 20 minutes. When she came out of it, she was wandering round in circles, not knowing where she was.

I rang the vet, who said take her to the veterinary hospital (about 20 minutes drive away). The vet there very gently said Snowy will have massive brain damage, and it wasn't kind to keep her alive. I had already practiced in my head saying that I didn't want Snowy to suffer, or to be kept alive if she was suffering, so, hard as it was, I wasn't surprised. Just after 4pm, I held her while she slept her last short sleep.

She looked so peaceful afterwards, just like she was asleep. I'm very sad that there's a huge Snowy-shaped hole in my life and in my home.

God bless her, and thank-you Snowy for so many wonderful memories.

Fruball

Huge hugs to you, Satchmo. Losing a pet, esp a dog is a terrible loss. Be kind to yourself and think how wonderful that you were able to be there to take care of her and comfort her at the end and make sure she didn't suffer.

I will keep you and Snowy in my thoughts and prayers xx

mrsdee

oh dear Satchmo... My thoughts are with you. To have lost such a wonderful companion after so many years together must be so heartbreaking. Thank God you were there to be with her - take care of yourself... xx

AlexLK

Not an AF evening for me after a glass of white with dinner. It was unplanned but I still enjoyed it and don't feel guilty (it was just the one and we've got the rest of the bottle to share tomorrow).

satchmo: Very sorry to hear about Snowy.