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

PriceySOS

13 please, Shaggy, ta

cathybird

14/21 for me please.

Wanna_Bee_Free

Made it to 5/10 AF days last night. I was the designated driver And got everyone home safe and sound.

Honey_Bear

Poor_Single_lady wrote: »

I imagine January is easier.

It is. There's a relentlessness about drinking in December that wears most people out! Besides which by the end of the New Year celebrtions enough people are horrified about the amount they've had that they hop on the wagon for the whole of January which makes life a lot easier for everyone else. Critical mass and all of that.

I haven't checked the numbers for last December but I think more people are doing better this December for AF days than this time last year. It felt a bit lonely, tbh, and this year there are amazing numbers being racked up considering the pressure to drink.

17/31 please, Shaggy.

dprovan

I haven't had a drink in 6 days having drank 6 days a week for the past ....? I don't know how long but a while. Having bouts of anxiety. Has anyone experienced similar. I am guessing it is the chemicals in my brain re-balancing hopefully.....

cathybird

Morning all, 15/21 for me please.

Sandypan

Morning all, 6/10 for yesterday, just read through people's posts for the last few days and it's amazing the common threads that seem to run through lots of people's lives!

Honey_Bear

dprovan wrote: »

I haven't had a drink in 6 days having drank 6 days a week for the past ....? I don't know how long but a while. Having bouts of anxiety. Has anyone experienced similar. I am guessing it is the chemicals in my brain re-balancing hopefully.....

I'm pretty sure that would be completely normal, DProvan. Breaking any habit leaves us feeling very unsure of ourselves so if you can do something lovely that will make yourself feel marvellous that might take the edge off it. I'm thinking of things like having a lovely long hot bubble bath, or a really gorgeous piece of chocolate cake, or whatever it is that would make you feel fantastic, and then see how you feel. If the uncomfortable feelings persist it's always worth ringing NHS Direct or whatever they call themselves these days - I think the number is 111 to see what the health care professionals suggest.

Well done on the six days - that's a massive achievement, especially in December when booze is sloshing around everywhere.

18/31 please, Shaggy.

maman

:T dprovan on your AFness. It's not an easy time of the year to be cutting back. Not sure the quantities you were drinking on those 6 days. You could be feeling some physical withdrawal symptoms (like a lack of sugar) or just missing the habit with not sure what to put in its place (so a bit panicky). HB has offered good advice on both counts and I'd echo calling NHS or seeing your GP as it'll help put your mind at rest that you're OK to just go it alone (and with us of course;)). I knew when I started to cut down that I was just making poor lifestyle choices which I needed to change (mind over matter to use a clich!) but some people do need medical advice on going 'cold turkey'.


I was driving last night but managed to talk myself out of having a nightcap when I got home. The lure of chalking up an extra AF day on here helped enormously:A.


8 AFDs please Shaggy.


Still hoping to get a couple more in this side of Christmas.

Poor_Single_lady

15/28

Thanks Honey Bear. I promise I am not making excuses but it makes it harder when friends take it personally if you don't have a drink with them. They actually get emotionally upset. They will have to learn to cope tho.
I'm so much happier with myself cutting down the drinking and to be truthful I don't feel like I am missing out although this could be due in part to my antisocial/shy side being truly content.
Thanks to everyone for contributing. it is so helpful to read and helps keep myself in check when the pressure from the world is immense.