The Giving Up/ Cutting Down alcohol support thread - number 13

ElusiveLucy

Ooo ooo ooo, made it to 14/16 tonight - first time I have made it to my second icon....very happy!

Honey_Bear

Calling a bit early even for me, but as I'm here ... 27/31 and 30 for November please, Shaggy.

smiley_77

Hello everyone,

I've not been on here for a while but I feel like I need to rejoin. I was teetotal for ages but can feel myself slipping back into old habits. Not good.

Can I have 31/31 please Shaggy.

maman

14 AFDs for me Shaggy please.


And now I'm officially a witch with a broomstick!:j

sukeyboo

12/15 please Shaggy

morecambe.bae

There's no way I'll catch up on all this, but I just wanted to say YAY for Sober life! I quit drinking about two years ago and it's the best thing I ever did! :-D

Arkers

Good afternoon everyone,

3 more AFDs please Shaggy.
Hope everyone is well?

15 AFD please for November please Shaggy.
Thank you for the chart.
Arkers x

borntobefree

Can I join please!

I want to save a bit of money by cutting down on my alcohol consumption. I currently have too few alcohol free days. I don't really like getting drunk - it's more a case of "a little" "too often" thing.

So can you put me down for 5/5 for October and 28/30 for November.

Ta.

borntobefree

OK so I need to break a bad habit. Just read this on another site.

I think there are 2 types of cravings
perhaps a mixture?

One type is more a habit than physical.

You drive home and your car steers into your
favorite bar or package store.
You come home tired...sit in "your: chair and
want the usual comfort of a glass/can in hand.
To sleeep better...toss down a drink.

These can be avoided by changeing your routine

Drive a different route
Change the furniture around..sit in a different place.
Fix a glass of anything non alcoholic.

If you drink booze from a can...use a glass
If you did drink from a glass...use a mug

I did time my cravings in early sobriety.
Mine were 5 to 7 minutes in duration.
seemed forever...but that was false.

I took action....drank cold watter ...brushed my teeth
went for a walk...danced around the room...ate Lifesavers

Within 2 weeks they lessened immensley... in both
intensity and duration By 2 months they vanished

OK so tonight I'll change my routine a bit. I'll think about this.

borntobefree

borntobefree wrote: »

I'll think about this.

OK I think I like "a night cap" (I don't have a drink until 10 just before I go to bed) because it helps me sleep. Most of my stress is work related, as I have a pretty high pressure job. So, I must find a different routine to de-stress. Tonight I will try reading....but nothing work related ......see if that helps.

Seems I'm not alone. Just read this story on a web site

I had alcohol for the first time when I was in my 30s. It was recommended as a sleep aid as I was going through a super stressful time at work. It started with one shot of brandy right after getting into bed. Worked like charm. Great, I thought.

I did not realize as it was happening, but over time it took more than one shot to work, from twice a week to five times a week. But every single time I fell asleep (I realize now I was passing out) within 20 minutes.

Two years later I was a full brown alcoholic, shaky sweating, crazy thinking alcoholic. Even though I never drank socially, never stepped into a bar, or enjoyed a buzz. I ended up in rehab, twice.

Today I still suffer insomnia time to time but I find taking a long walk when I can, getting at least 15 minutes of sun a day coupled with chamomile tea and melatonin at bedtime helps. The Dr prescribed 1mg klonopin which I've been taking on and off for the past 3 years. Right after I get into bed, I listen to meditation or sleep hypnosis apps on my ipod set to 40-60 minutes. This seems to work for the most part.

Crikey!