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

Poor_Single_lady

WBF your office sounds like mine - I'm sure it isn't but weirdly we had team drinks in central London this Tuesday just gone as well. I have regretted all week that I went.

Today is 4/25

cathybird

Morning all, 7/21 for me please.

cathybird

I don't know what it was yesterday, the drinks I had at lunchtime (three), the burger, the hot muggy weather or the fact that I'd hardly slept, or a combination of them all, but when I got home I felt quite ill for an hour or so. Maybe I just can't take alcohol any more? It was so hot though as well. Anyway, I feel better today.

Honey_Bear

Wanna_Bee_Free wrote: »

For the first time I'm kind of angry at them rather than angry at myself for being weak and wanting to fit in.

There is no getting around the truth that the compulsory drinking part of these team building events only lasts until 10 minutes after the boss leaves having bought a huge round. Probably 60- 90 minutes before I left at 9.30pm. If I had been more sober I'd know what time that was. That many drinks in I stay and continue as there is paid for wine to drink. And leaving two die-hards in the pub to weave home a good half an hour after the previous last person was hardly required of my by the team! Stopping once started is a bigger issue if I'm being honest. And only around half the team came, so I can definitely skip the next one or two if I choose to.

Phew, this commitment to posting every day (which I broke in case nobody but me noticed) has unleashed a torrent of stuff here. Thanks for letting me bore the ar*ses off you all.

Undecided about the weekend... I think we all know what that means.

You're not boring anyone, WBF. We're discussing why we get into the habit of drinking daily and drinking because we're pressurised into it because of work. There are masses of reasons people drink more than they think is ideal for them personally, and these are just two of them.

So, the drinking culture at work social events is because the boss is surrounded by brown nosers and has a bit of a problem with alcohol himself. That's very revealing, isn't it? If only half the team went, would you say that the other half are the more sensible ones who've realised that it's just a 'slosh it back' evening to stroke the boss's ego? Because that's what it sounds like to me.

As you say, the problem is stopping once you've started and that's always going to be exacerbated by free alcohol - because once we've had a couple more booze always sounds like a great idea. The trick, of course, is not to have the first one in those circumstances.

Posting daily means you know you're holding yourself to account and it's always surprising what we know, if only we'd let ourselves realise it. You're doing brilliantly.

maman wrote: »

It is very common for drinking 'friends'/colleagues to put pressure on. IMO it's because they know you've made a wise choice to cut down/give up and rather than join you which would take effort and persistence they try to make you join them to excuse their own lack of willpower.

I'm sure it will stop if you stand your ground for a few occasions and they'll just give up. I'd go for a dieting/healthy eating/fitness 'story' if it was me. So don't have sugary soft drinks instead but stick to ideally water or slimline to make the point.

I couldn't agree more Maman.

cathybird wrote: »

Honey Bear, re the chappie from SD, vomiting in the fireplace isn't really a great look for someone in authority, I would have thought? Also not sure where to start with the phrase "power drinker" (!!!!) "Powerless drinker" sounds closer to the truth.

If it were me, CathyBird, I'd be ashamed of being seen that out of control in public quite apart from being embarrassed, but apparently he thinks its manly. Power drinker = alcoholic. So now we all know what 'being in denial' looks and sounds like. Good of him to take that hit for the team.

Smiley it's really shocking that people feel like lepers if they want to have a drink because they're thirsty rather than to get !!!!!!!

8/31 please, Shaggy.

Poor_Single_lady

5/25

Studying today.
Ignoring that its total sunshine. Might need to turn the phone off and focus.

CuppaTea

5/17 please shaggy

cathybird

Morning all, 8/21 for me please.

Wanna_Bee_Free

I am feeling very lazy this morning. Heat, a lot of wine watching Wimbledon and then more has taken the motivation levels way down low here. Off for a bacon sarnie and to get ready to drink too much again later.

This is fun, right.

Now I know why I never post unless I've been sober. I feel an odd mix of rebellious - why shouldn't I have drunk yesterday, annoyed at myself for getting so little done but also pleased to have stopped and relaxed into a drunken state of happiness. I think the why of my drinking is too complicated for this bear of very little brain this morning.

maman

ElusiveLucy wrote: »

Posting just to make m presence known even though I didn't manage an AFD yesterday. Now into the weekend and planned drinking days through til Sunday night.


Have a good one everyone!

WBF, don't know if it helps but I find reading the thread (even if I don't post) on drinking days helps to motivate me. And probably the most important thing is planning. I don't begrudge myself planned drinking days but I do feel bad if I have any s*d it days. I think it's all about feeling in control.


I was out and driving last night so had one of my occasional AF Saturdays. Today I'm having a drink with my Sunday roast (first for a month and I don't care if it is baking hot!) but then hoping to clock up some days this week.


2 AFDs please Shaggy.

Poor_Single_lady

6/25 please

Channel hopping this morning between Sunday brunch on four and Saturday kitchen repeat on 2. Both had groups of people having a toast before 11am.
Couldn't help but think of your points above (re Middle class drinking) [BHB[/B]