Giving up/ Cutting Down Alcohol Thread Part 16

sukeyboo

8/12 for today please Shaggy

Honey_Bear

Happy belated anniversary, Maman. I'm really glad you had a lovely day.
It didn't sound like a self-pity wallow to me, Arkers. It sounded like a person who's going through something, at best rather unpleasant, and at worst, really uncomfortable. And just because other people may be worse off doesn't lessen those feelings. (((Hugs)))
Well done, Annie G!

14/31 please, Shaggy.

shaggydoo

Hi guys,


I'm on holiday at the moment. :j Will try and post when I can.


Shaggyx

shaggydoo

August 2019


= 7 Days

= 14 Days

= 21 Days


= 28 Days


= 31 Days

= Target Reached
= Target Beaten





Annie 10/18
Arkers 12/TF
ArsenalBarnie 7/17

Barney 4/24
CathyBird 13/21

DoingItAnyway 2/22

Finchy

Glenda
Honey Bear 14/31

LoveASale

MaggieM /15
Maman 9/10
Marahouti 13/22

Polly 4/TF

Pricey 10/23
Rosy 11/TF

Scarey78
Season of Mist 12/31

Shaggydoo 5/21
Sukeyboo 8/12

ThriftyHayley /10

WannaBeeFree 4/16





Please let me know if I've made a mistake!

Everyone Welcome Anytime of the Month!

pollyanna24

cathybird wrote: »

I found the thing that was most helpful in cutting back was taking it a day or even a few minutes at a time and when I had the urge to drink thinking "not yet" or "not now, if I still feel like this tomorrow, then I can drink then". So rather than thinking that I couldn't drink, I would think I was simply postponing it a little bit - an hour or two, or a day. Then tomorrow rolls round and you repeat the process of postponing a bit. The urge does pass.

Not sure if I have done the quote thingie right, but just wanted to say that this is why I came back on here. This is pretty much what I was going to say!

I went away at the weekend, but was driving a lot and so I didn't drink much, but I did drink. However, not beating myself up just because I can't count them as AF as they were significantly less than what I would normally drink.

Then, all day Mon and yesterday, I had it in my head that I would drink in the evening, not necessarily a lot, but had it that I would open a bottle. You know, start the whole healthy thing when my kids are back or maybe September when we can get in a routine.

And then... I didn't. I just didn't open it. I came home, had dinner, sat on the sofa for a bit and then before I know it, it's 9pm and even I'm not going to get enjoyment starting at that time if I have to get up for work the next day.

Now I have the same thought in my head. Yeah, might drink tonight, might not. I just find that if I told myself I couldn't, then that was when I would go, arrggghhh! and break it. If I tell myself I can, it's not a ban as such.

I don't know if I'm making any sense, but was talking to my uncle at the weekend and he said similar about smoking. He always has one cigarette in his pocket that he knows is there and can have if he wants. But he doesn't. If he didn't have any, then he said he would go to the shop and buy a packet and smoke the lot.

I know any of the above doesn't make sense, but it's Irish analogy, so maybe that explains it! Anyways, it's helping me.

And I end on "I might drink tonight, I might not," but if I have this in my head rather than "I'm not," I don't feel such a slave to it.

I think I am up to 7 this month, but not entirely sure as I have turned my spreadsheets off for the day.

wilson1973

I saw the title of this topic and I thought I would chip in,I have been a non drinker since April 2017 since being a heavy problematic drinker since the age of 16,so if anyone is tyring or thinking about it,I would like to tell you it can be done,I love waking up every morning not feeling hung over,not worrying that I have upset anyone.
I don't miss it one bit,I do know it would be a slippery slope though if I went for even 1 pint,so good luck to anyone that wants to cut down or stop,as you can change your life.

Barny1979

5/24 AFDs today

cathybird

pollyanna24 wrote: »

I just find that if I told myself I couldn't, then that was when I would go, arrggghhh! and break it. If I tell myself I can, it's not a ban as such.

I don't know if I'm making any sense, but was talking to my uncle at the weekend and he said similar about smoking. He always has one cigarette in his pocket that he knows is there and can have if he wants. But he doesn't. If he didn't have any, then he said he would go to the shop and buy a packet and smoke the lot.

And I end on "I might drink tonight, I might not," but if I have this in my head rather than "I'm not," I don't feel such a slave to it.

Pollyanna, exactly - that's exactly it - thinking you can't drink feels like a ban, but thinking you might drink later feels like a sort of freedom. That's exactly how I get through any urge to drink

3Catssooz

Firstly Apologies for the newbie posting-not even sure how to do the smileys! Also Laptop a bit rubbish and can't use phone for this sort of stuff-too tiny!!
Also Sorry for what is going to be a rambling post.....................
Arkers- sorry to hear your issues, hoping things move on soon.
HoneyBear/Cathy Bird/Mamman/Sukey/ArsenalBarnie/Rosy/Polly - thank you for your replies, I will try and give a bit of background if OK?
Just me and DD ( DD back to Uni soon), have had a few life issues (Death of Parents/long term partner leaving) all in the space of a year-wont go into details at the moment, but knocked me for six!!!
Not the start of the problems but probably didn't help.
I'm on my own with my Daughter so have to do everything (obviously as she's older now she is a big help) but pay bills etc-so have always gone to work and kept things ticking along.


I think I have just got into the habit, especially as DD is now older, doing her own stuff and don't need to worry about her being ill etc as you do when they are younger.


My Trigger is coming home-I just want to chill and relax, and my go to is wine.............
I don't have a massive social life, and always drive if I do go out.............but.....................I tend to then have wine when I get in (want to put a rolls eyes emoji in)

I have got into a rut, and can't be bothered to do anything, just to get the initial "aaah" feeling and while I have no problem at all with me/anyone relaxing with alcohol, with me I don't have an off button anymore. For Info usually a bottle a night, sometimes a bit more with an odd beer, sometimes less.
Sooooooo


I have a plan.
Read as much as I an about the subject-I won't be talking to anyone apart from a couple of close friends.
Post on here-even if it hasn't gone well.
Start liking me again.
I'm cutting down for now, I think I will fail if I go for giving up.(for now)
I will not have any alcohol until 8.00pm, and then limit (will be going down-I hope) to a two/three of glasses-as time goes on I will reduce this.
I will not buy more than "allowed" - just in-case I am tempted to overindulge.
I will use the time to make my house a nicer place and get on with chores, and maybe even take up a hobby.
I will see how I go re AFD-and try and put some on.


Sorry for the long post -
Thank you all for your kind words already! Just to say I feel quite emotional that people are going to read this and be supportive.
Thanks again
3Cats

cathybird

Morning all, not an AFD for me but I am going to try not to overdo it.