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

piggles1

Hi all I've had an assessment for my odd little brain. Not to do with the MS, separate, to see what they can offer. I think it might be funding restricted, so I don't hold out huge hope but I'll see what they say.

I've done two months now of actively having AFDs most days of the week and 2.5 units when I do drink. I almost feel like a light drinker now and I've forgotten what it was like before when I used to get through over a bottle of wine a day. I really don't think I'll go back to that, it was a dark place I was in, but I need to keep on with my AFDs.

I'm quite calm today, but not every day is like that. Sometimes I'm a bit down, which I never used to be, and a tiny bit of hopelessness creeps in. I think it might be because you need something to replace the times that were all about drinking, but I've carried on the same just with not much alcohol.

I've also had sugar cravings. I never had a sweet tooth but now I want choccy biccies a lot. And my sleep's not good, but I am managing to go to bed at around 10pm, and sleep arrives within a couple of hours.

But I'm pleased with my progress. It was easier than I thought in the end. I just needed to believe that I think Possibly I'm past the really wishing I could have a drink bit, and the thought of it is definitely much better than the reality. The last beer I had tasted awful must be a good sign.

11/17 AFD please shaggy

piggles1

Dizzy_Imp wrote: »

The loss adjusting clearance team want to write off all my alcohol following our flood, but I'm actually horrified at the cost :eek: Part of me wants to get rid of the booze and have some money in return, but the other half says "Nah, it'll be OK to drink" What to do?

That's a tricky one Dizzy. I think I'd let it go and have the money to decide what you want. You could replace some of it and buy something else with the rest?

I think you've done brilliantly through the flood not drinking, at the worst time as well. G'luck with the clear up

maman

That's a very positive post piggles and I think you're absolutely right that you need to find something else to do to replace he drinking. I think the craving sugar is normal too although fortunately it didn't happen to me.


No drinking planned here today. I'm hoping to reach my (tiny)target tomorrow and then any other AFDs for December will be a bonus.


9 AFDS please Shaggy.

Sandypan

Still not very good here but well done to everybody else. I really want a dancing Santa but will have to wait now until tomorrow to get another AF day under my belt and that will only make 3!!! Too many Christmas events and although I know I am in charge and can say no I just don't!! Tomorrow is another day, already blown it today due to works Christmas lunch and friends coming round tonight!!

debjay

11/18 for tonight please

satchmo1

11/20 AFDs tonight

CountingPenniesClaire

Too many xmas events and total absence of will power means I've not been AFD since sat. bad me :-( So today will be AFD. 11/25 please shaggy

Honey_Bear

I think your progress is amazing Piggles. Good on you!

I hope the assessment gives you some helpful information at the very least, Piggles. And don't forget, although there are likely to be funding restrictions - there always were. We've never given the NHS carte blanche with its budget, it's just that it was never so obviously political as it is now. Treatments are carried out, help is given and you may be the person that matches the funding criteria that your local NHS providers have. If not, ask them why not. The NHS is yours, not the politicians', and it should be there for you when you need it - like now.

Have you contacted the MS Society? They may be able to suggest areas of support and how to access them that you would never otherwise hear about. In addition, they will have a local group and support from people in the same boat as yourself may be just the thing that makes all the difference to managing whatever the MS throws at you.

The sugar cravings! Oh yes! I decided I was going to allow myself to replace the sugar I suddenly wasn't getting from the booze with chocoate and did that for months and months. It was lovely! Fortunately someone on this thread told me it was absolutely normal to have the cravings and why. I'd trained myself over the years not to eat sugary stuff so the cravings came as quite a shock. I know that if I allow myself to have chocolate in the house I'll still gorge on it, so I restrict it to high days and holidays now. (Decemeber is full of high days and holidays.)

It sounds as though your sleep patterns are improving, and I'm really glad you posted that. It's a totally unexpected bonus for me and I love going to bed earlier, switching the light out earlier than I've done for years and waking up early as a result. It feels like a lie in every day now. Lovely.

16/31 please, Shaggy.

shaggydoo

Afternoon :santa2:

1 more ALD for yesterday.



Shaggyx

shaggydoo

December:

= 7 Days AF

= 14 days AF

= 21 days AF
= 28 days AF

= 31 days AF

= target achieved


Alcohol Free Days

AvoGeek /15
Barny1979 8/15
CountingPenniesClaire 11/23
DebJay 11/18
Doshwaster 9/18
Honey Bear 16/31
Maman 9/10
Piggles 11/17
Pricey 7/20
Satchmo 11/20

SandyPan 2 /15
SmallHoldingSister 14/21

Alcohol Low Days
DizzyImp 13/19
Shaggy 9/16




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

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