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

Green_Karen

30 AF days!!!

AlexLK

365days wrote: »

I'd argue that anxiety and depression are health reasons!!! Depression can be a life threatening condition after all.

It is incredibly common for people who suffer from Mental Health issues to self medicate. For many alcohol is their drug of choice as it is socially acceptable, legal and accessible.

If you knew a smackhead who said .....

I can go for weeks having nothing other than one hit in the evening , then things will get so bad I almost am compelled to use during the day and well into the night. That's usually when I end up hating myself for it.

I wonder if you would advise him to give up completely, or to carry on dicing with his one hit a night habit?

I meant physical health as I did not want to give the impression I had avoided doctors orders whilst having some kind of problem linked to alcohol consumption. Unfortunately, I am well aware that depression can be life threatening.

Sadly, the days I "problem drink" are indeed the bad days, the ones I feel the need to "self medicate". Usually the rest of the time I do not find myself drinking for drinking's sake. However, yes I would advise the smackhead to give his habit up.

365days

AlexLK wrote: »

I meant physical health as I did not want to give the impression I had avoided doctors orders whilst having some kind of problem linked to alcohol consumption. Unfortunately, I am well aware that depression can be life threatening.

Sadly, the days I "problem drink" are indeed the bad days, the ones I feel the need to "self medicate". Usually the rest of the time I do not find myself drinking for drinking's sake. However, yes I would advise the smackhead to give his habit up.

I too unfortunately know that depression can be life threatening. I have been suicidal before.

I know sometimes what I say may not be what you want to hear but it is said with the very best of intentions.

AlexLK

365days wrote: »

I too unfortunately know that depression can be life threatening. I have been suicidal before.

I know sometimes what I say may not be what you want to hear but it is said with the very best of intentions.

Thank you for your help, I am truly grateful to anyone who has responded to any of my posts.

Barny1979

Final total ended up at 23 AFDs, so hit my target. Hoping to surpass December's target by a few days.

arsenalbarnie

shaggydoo wrote: »

Arsenalbarnie (aren't we having a good season? :T)

Do you want to set a target?

We certainly are Shaggydoo :T I will go for 15 AFDsfor December.

maman

365days wrote: »

I know sometimes what I say may not be what you want to hear but it is said with the very best of intentions.

I appreciate that 365 and value your contributions.

365days wrote: »

MAMAN - With respect, please be careful about advising people who clearly are considering their drinking that having one a day is ok. It's not. It allows people to believe they have 'got away with it' For cutter downers it's fine, for people like Alex who is struggling with his alcohol intake it isn't.

I apologise if my remarks sounded general but they were definitely intended as advice on how to cut down.

satchmo1

Glad to welcome December, as it means 2013 is drawing to a close, and it's been a very tough year.


Sadly, I saw November out with wine, and I'm paying for it today. Hope everyone else was much more abstemious than me!

AuntyCat

Hi everyone, busy as usual sorry but no time to read through. Just popping in to say we didn't reach the target in November we did 12 AF'sbut it was my birthday and we had a lovely weekend away which added a couple on.

Shaggy can you please put us down for 15 days target for December

Thanks and Happy Sundays

jo1972

Hello :wave:

Thanks to a random PM out of the blue today by a very lovely person from old on this thread sees me popping back to see how you all are, long time no 'speak'!

Everything has changed in my life for the better, except for the drinking.

Therefore Shaggy, I'm not willing to give myself a target but could you stick me on your December list please and we'll see how it goes!

Gonna sit meself over there in the corner and catch up on a few pages.

Jo. X