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

satchmo1

Hugs for you, unself, stick around and talk to us, so we can give you some encouragement. x

unself

Thanks satchmo. My first thought today was to crawl back to bed, but it's a bright sunny day, so have stocked up on vitamins, and Kalms and am doing a mega-clean.

It's good to know I'm not alone as sometimes I feel isolated, and have no-one to talk to. That's the cause of it. I will pull myself together.

41_and_i_know_it

Unself, welcome back. Hope you feel better soon, we've all been there and the first few days are the worst. Keep posting your feelings and experiences, we are all one big dysfunctional family lol.

maman

Deleted_User wrote: »

Hi all,

Hope you don't mind a lurker?

Can I ask a question or several?? What does SNC mean?

I gather from this thread that many of you participated in the January no alcohol thing, did any of you feel better for it?

To be honest, I know I drink too much but I don't think I'm at the step where it is a problem but feel that it is heading the way of getting to be a problem IYSWIM??

So how does this thread work and can I join? lol

:wave:Hi there and welcome. The way the thread works is that we try to clock up alcohol free (AF) days month by month. Some want to give up completely others to cut down. You can set a monthly target if you want or just record a day at a time (target free). SNC is when you try to have AF days on school nights (School Night Challenge).

I didn't do the Dryathlon myself but everyone who has AF days comments on how much better they feel with a clear head to say nothing of losing the empty calories and saving money!! Just post if you want to join and the lovely Shaggy will add you to the list.

Lilith1980

Hi all

4 AFD for me please

Off to see a new house to rent tonight with my OH. We need more space and our landlord where we are right now doesn't give two stuffs about the house we're in.

So fingers crossed we'll like it and it'll be what we want, otherwise the search continues

mrsdee

I agree with what others have said to welcome the newbies. I am a newbie myself, (less than a month on here) but have found this thread really invaluable.

I hadnt had an AFD (and alcohol free day) for months and months, maybe just 2 or 3 for all of last year. I didnt really like who I was when drinking to excess every day and found it tough to concentrate on work or to get motivated to do much outside of work.

With the support of this thread and the self-discipline of posting on here regularly, it is so much easier to achieve whatever goal you may have with regard to alcohol, whether that is stopping completely, or cutting down. I am cutting down and find it useful to think in terms of number of units and not go over that, in the same way that I try to with calories, within reason. That way I dont feel like I am denying myself a drink ever again, but am able to moderate, making sure I have plenty of AFDs and still be able to enjoy and appreciate some wine at the weekend rather than drinking every day through habit and not actually "enjoying" it.

You will find plenty of support and tips on here and hugs when it's tough.

Good luck and welcome!!

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the warm welcome

I think for me rather than going cold turkey, which hasn't worked in the past isn't the way for me. I do think however that cutting down to start with may be the first few weeks and then stopping during the week.

I do find that as I drink a lot during the week; I am usually crabby in the mornings, not hungover though? and I'm worried that this crabbiness is affecting the kids; they do see me and DH drinking before they go to bed and at weekends and I don't think they're daft.

So, enough waffling from me. I would like to join please Shaggy and will therefore pledge 4 AFD's to begin with and if I get over that amount I will be happy, small steps and all that

[Deleted User]

mrsdee wrote: »

I am cutting down and find it useful to think in terms of number of units and not go over that, in the same way that I try to with calories, within reason. That way I dont feel like I am denying myself a drink ever again, but am able to moderate, making sure I have plenty of AFDs and still be able to enjoy and appreciate some wine at the weekend rather than drinking every day through habit and not actually "enjoying" it.

That is the way I need to go to begin with I think, I don't drink to enjoy it at the moment, it is purely a habit.

41_and_i_know_it

Hi purple i got 2 kids as well 6 and 8, and they were watching me drinking when I was in the house with them and OH in darts or out. I kept saying about people on TV on cop programmes who were behaving badly cos they were drunk, but I was doing it myself. I literally used to drink for the effect, which I have said numerous times I have since found out is the equivalent of taking TRANQUILISERS. So I am here cos I know that I drink to calm myself down, to liven myself up, cos Im stressed, angry, frustrated whatever, it is too handy for me. I drank for 4 days in January and 1 in February. At the risk of sounding smug I FEEL FANTASTIC/AMAZING AT THIS VERY MOMENT. I was in the kitchen making another cup of coffee lol and I thought my God I havent felt this good in absolutely ages, how long will it last. I just thank God for small mercies and will take what I can get, hope this helps.

unself

41_and_i_know_it wrote: »

Unself, welcome back. Hope you feel better soon, we've all been there and the first few days are the worst. Keep posting your feelings and experiences, we are all one big dysfunctional family lol.

Thanks, I'm glad I didn't go back to bed feeling sorry for myself as that wouldn't have achieved nothing. I made myself get on with cleaning, and jobs that needed doing, and feel better for it. I have even spoken to someone about how I'm feeling, and don't feel so alone anymore. I know I can speak to them next time I need to. I really have so much to be happy for, I just sometimes need another adult to talk to for balance.

Another af for me. Looking forward to an early night.