The Cutting Down / Giving Up Booze Thread (Part 14)

Barny1979

16/24 AFDs today

CuppaTea

11/18 please shaggy

Slowdown

Hi there,
I've joined this group a couple of times over the years and now I'm back.
I am drinking too much again and have decided to quit for 28 days. I then intend to reprogramme myself to drink less and only on two/three days a week.

My motivation is my health. I am 51 years old and beginning to feel it big time. I am about to leave my job at Christmas because I feel like the stress it causes is making me ill and drink more. Now my notice has gone in I believe I will find it easier to drink less. I woke up this morning having drunk too much last night and decided this is it. I need to change. I don't intend to be tea total but I do think a break from booze altogether for a month will help me back to the path of moderation.

Last night DH and I watched a programme about people living to over 100. My DHs family have long living folk in it. They all seem to get into their 90s at least. I on the other hand don't. My own father died when he was a year older than me. He drank a lot too.

So here I am. Needing some support and encouragement, some inspirational stories from you all and I'll give it my best shot. I'm not expecting it to be easy. In fact I'm dreading it all ready but this time I'm committed. So here goes.

Thanks everyone and good luck with your own journeys.
😊

Slowdown

So I think this means I intend to have 8 AF days to the end of October. Please add me to the list.
Thanks

Honey_Bear

Hi there Slowdown! :wave: It's amazing how quickly just having a couple of drinks in the evening can spiral into something that we don't feel comfortable with when we're under stress. We've all done it, so you're in good company here. Going 28 days without a drink is an excellent idea if you want to kick the habit into touch, so good luck with it.

I would strongly suggest you make it easier for yourself by making sure you've got some supplies of something non-alcoholic in the house that you really enjoy drinking like a lovely fruit juice, that you post daily so that we can cheer you on, and that you get plenty of sleep by going to bed early and reading, instead of staying up and watching TV which is when most of us with a bit of a fondness for a few drinks tend to indulge ourselves. Breaking habits is tricky, but it's perfectly do-able if you prepare yourself, rather than just hope for the best.

We're all rooting for you.

24/31 please, Shaggy.

cathybird

Morning all, 18/21 for me please.

ElusiveLucy

10/14 for last night for me, but did have a low alcohol day on saturday - just one glass of wine all evening, so not feeling too bad about it.Intending to be AF now through to Friday so hoping to make target this month.

Green_Karen

Been AWOL as no more AF days to report, but have kept it in moderation. Will make some effort to make target but that's another 6 AF days away, but I will do my best.

Hi Slowdown, your story rings true with me, I too am 51. My dad died at 49 due to alcohol. My mum has always had a drink problem also. I packed in my job earlier this year, I had been in sales for 21 years which I kind of stumbled into and it was pretty high pressured. Currently I am taking some time off to manage our house build which is starting to get interesting (and a little stressful at times).

I had hoped stopping working would automatically mean I stop drinking but it hasn't been the case. You see I haven't changed, just one of the circumstances in my life, albeit I couldn't be happier with everything else and it was only work that bothered me. But I have come to realise a very important thing, it's people and my interactions with them that bother me and unless I become a recluse, that happens whether you work or not. I over analyse and go over conversations again and again. I also beat myself up about things I haven't done/should do better. Such as my inability to make decisions (a significant weakness when building a house!)

Oneday you are really doing fantastic especially after the stressful time you had. Well done! Honeybear is so right about the sugar content, I didn't drink for a couple of weeks and the sugar cravings were immense. However being the typical person pushing themselves beyond what's feasible, I quit sugar at the same time! Hence I slipped. The advice HB gives is great about the drinks/snacks etc and not worrying about weight.

Arkers sorry to hear it's bad at the moment but you do so well with going AF despite this. I really find I react at this time of year not just physically as in SAD but psychologically to the darker nights, I really find it tough.

Maman you always do really well and I appreciate you saying it gets easier over time, as I have never hit this yet, I have slight success then lose it. But I believe what you say and will keep going.

sukeyboo

Welcome Slowdown :hello:

Wishing you every success in your moderating

Declaring early for today on 12/14 please Shaggy

Planned drinking tomorrow as it is OH's birthday and we are out for a meal with family but there is still plenty of month left to reach target (or even jump on the broom if I am very good )

Slowdown

Thank you for all your welcomes. Great ideas about being busy, particularly in the evening! I'm stocking up on good reads and non-alcoholic drinks so I have other options. Think I'll take up my crafting again and I do like a good puzzle to keep my fingers busy.

I've told a few friends so they can support me too.

Thanks everyone