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

Honey_Bear

6/30 please Shaggy.

We went on a 'date' tonight, dinner and theatre. We often go where we chose to eat, but in the boozing boozy days we always a bottle of wine and meal for two type of deal, which obviously wasn't going to cut the mustard tonight. We first discussed it yesterday, so I went on to the restaurant's website (it's an independent) but couldn't find a drinks list. When we got there I asked if they had anything that was alcohol free and wasn't sugary sweet - nothing. I ended up with a lime and soda and then, just as I was about to give the menu back, spied Becks Blue.

What a revelation! I wasn't a beer drinker, so it tastes absolutely fine to me, very light and very quaffable. Hurrah! I only ordered it because someone had mentioned it on here, so many, many thanks. That's going to make life much easier when we go out with friends. And I'm going to keep some in the house, as well. It'll be great with pizza and curries.

Doshwaster

4/21 for me

Had a few beers yesterday in London while waiting for the train but tonight I have been good.

graemecarter

Honey_Bear wrote: »

I hope you're very happy in your new house, Chardonnay, and thank you!


Aneres, what last night showed me was that I don't think about alcohol as much as I'd assumed I did. The adverts don't bother me because I don't watch a lot of TV, and I'd screen out ads for cider, beer, whisky, Baileys or whatever in the same way that I'd screen out holidays to sandy beach destinations and brand new cars. None of it interests me and never has.


I'd really enjoy being able to have some red wine with pizza and pasta, but the rest of the time, I don't allow it to be an issue. To be honest, if I'd known how straightforward this was going to be once I got past about Day 60 (and that did require a lot of work), I'd have done it years ago, but I now realise I was never addicted to alcohol. It was just a self-destructive very bad habit that was totally out of control.


To be blunt, what I'm doing is a lot easier than trying to moderate or control my drinking - and failing. I'd been doing that for three years, waking up nearly every day thinking, 'Oh God, why did I ....' Genuinely, pretty much every day. And the seven or so years of hard drinking before that weren't brilliant. The problem was always there, and I knew it, and I know it.


So, on reflection, this is easier. And it always helps when someone points out errors in our thinking - so thanks for that.

On a usual day to day level I don't find life without alcohol difficult. However, I make sure I do certain things to make it that way.
I know for myself, I need to watch complacency. Alcohol is a powerful drug to me and if I don't watch it, it has a way of getting back into my life.
There have been many on this thread who stopped for a considerable amount of time,but then insidious alcohol crept back into their lives. I don't want that to be me, and that's why I am posting.

aneres

6/30 please Shaggy.

Happy Friday everyone.

BlueDaisy

4/16 for me please

PennySaving

6/30 please.

Have a good Friday!

Honey_Bear

Wise words, GraemeCarter, and I think you'll notice I also chose mine carefully.


I said 'straightforward' not 'easy.' The fact that I post here daily, that I'm staying with Belle and have moved on to the 180 Day Challenge and that I'm still looking for drinkable alcohol substitutes should be fairly indicative that I'm not finding it 'easy.' If I thought I could drink in moderation, have just one, or just one evening on the booze, I'd be knocking it back tonight, but I know I can't. I'm one of the lucky ones - I don't get cravings because I stopped before I became addicted but I didn't know that at the time.


I'm not complacent, but it is 'straightforward' - I don't drink.

maman

Honey_Bear wrote: »

Wise words, GraemeCarter, and I think you'll notice I also chose mine carefully.


I said 'straightforward' not 'easy.' The fact that I post here daily, that I'm staying with Belle and have moved on to the 180 Day Challenge and that I'm still looking for drinkable alcohol substitutes should be fairly indicative that I'm not finding it 'easy.' If I thought I could drink in moderation, have just one, or just one evening on the booze, I'd be knocking it back tonight, but I know I can't. I'm one of the lucky ones - I don't get cravings because I stopped before I became addicted but I didn't know that at the time.


I'm not complacent, but it is 'straightforward' - I don't drink.

Good post HB.:T


While I'd say we all share a common aim on this thread (put briefly to control alcohol rather than vice versa) we come from a range of different experiences and there are many ways of dealing with it. And while opinions are welcome, we don't all have to agree on everything;).

Barny1979

4/23 AFDs today

satchmo1

5/20 AFDs, and feeling heaps better after a second day with a blissful afternoon on my own.


DH went off first thing on a bus trip to get his bearings in a nearby city as he is going on a two-week course. He's happier, so I'm happier. He came back at about 2.30


Mum went off with my brother to solicitors and for lunch, and was brought back at about 3.30.


DH and I are taking the car for its MOT tomorrow, to a nice market town. I'm hoping for dry weather so we can mooch around the market.


Due to minor op, I can't run tomorrow, which is disappointing, but sensible.