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

shaggydoo

pollyanna24 wrote: »

Just cos I don't meet my targets first time, doesn't mean I should just give up right?!

Right! In the words of Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with The Wind "Tomorrow is another day".

Honey_Bear

mrs_harvey wrote: »

So here goes again! Looking for advice on how to break the cycle, I can do one or two nights then fall off the wagon, really need to get under control. Any tips or advice would be appreciated because I am no use on my own. For health, money and for the sake of my kids I need to change, but am finding it difficult. I also hate myself every morning for being stupid. Thanks.xx

As you've specifically asked for advice Mrs Harvey, here's my tuppence worth.


When I was trying to moderate, I always drank on the third night, despite my good intentions. And I always drank too much on the third night, never just a glass or two.

Since I stopped completely one of the biggest and most important changes is really practical - I avoid the trigger moments as much as I can. Sitting down to dinner is one, and I now pour myself a Becks Blue just before I sit down, or even better, ask my OH to pour it for me in a particular glass. When he's not around for the evening my rituals are different, so the trigger moment doesn't exist in the same way.


After dinner, instead of going into the sitting room and watching TV with him, sip sip sipping red wine for the rest of the night, I just go to bed and read, or watch something I enjoy on my laptop (iplayer, 4od or DVDs). (Or, you could do something you enjoy - knitting, cross stitch, crochet, patchwork anything at all that relaxes you and you feel comfortable with, but importantly - not associated with drinking.)


In other words, I plan not to drink so that while I'm still living with the triggers with alcohol all around me, I replace unwanted behaviours with harmless ones. The longer I don't drink, the easier it gets, and this feels a lot easier now than trying to moderate ever did (I'm on Day 125).


I also read several blogs by women who have given up or are trying to give up and I find all their comments helpful. Let me know if you want specific blog titles or links if you think they might be helpful.


Good luck with it, however you decide to play it to suit yourself. I'm not advocating giving up completely if that's not your plan or what you want; it was my choice and right for me but that doesn't mean it's right for other people.

Barny1979

15/23 AFDs today

satchmo1

19/20 AFDs tonight.


Alex, I hope you are feeling a bit better tonight? Keep talking to us, so we can offer encouragement or empathy.

aneres

28/30 please Shaggy.

Honey_Bear

28/30 please, Shaggy.

shaggydoo

November:

= 7 Days AF

= 14 days AF

= 21 days AF

= 28 days AF

= 30 days AF

= target achieved



Alex 5/21
Aneres 28/30

AuntyCat 5/15
Barny1979 15/23
BlueDaisy 13/16
Chardonnay 21/18
DebJay 18/19
Doshwaster 15/21
Honey Bear 28/30
Mackeroo 12/10
Maman 11/10

Mari /20
Muser1 7/20
PennySaving 16/30
Pippi 22/30

Pollyanna 3/7
Pricey 16/23

Puzzcat 1/10
Satchmo 19/20
Shaggy 15/17

WBF 4/5



Everyone Welcome! It's never too late to join....

Please highlight your AFDs in Red

Don't hesitate to let me know if I've made a mistake!

shaggydoo

December:

= 7 Days AF

= 14 days AF

= 21 days AF

= 28 days AF

= 31 days AF

= target achieved



Alex

Aneres

AuntyCat

Barny1979 /15

BlueDaisy

Chardonnay

DebJay

Doshwaster

Helena /21

Honey Bear /31

Mackeroo

Maman /10

Mari

Muser1

PennySaving

Pippi

Pollyanna /15

Pricey

Puzzcat

Satchmo

Shaggy /17

WBF /14



Everyone Welcome! It's never too late to join....

Please highlight your AFDs in Red

Don't hesitate to let me know if I've made a mistake!

shaggydoo

Roll up, Roll up. A New Month, A New Challenge.

SET YOUR

31 days up for grabs!

Everyone Welcome!!!

Wanna_Bee_Free

I've managed a straight run since Monday so I'm on 6 please ShaggyI'm not sure about tomorrow yet but I'm pleased with my best result in 4 months.