Giving up/ Cutting Down Alcohol Thread Part 16

Season_of_Mist

Currently 8/31 thank you. A friend has asked to meet up this Sat but it will involve drinking so I think I’ll have to make up a white lie and duck out of it.

Great total Green Karen
Stick with it CuppaTea

Wanna_Bee_Free

4/16 for me for this evening.

maggiem

6/18 and 4SNC - so close to a smiley and some blue sky here - things are looking up!

cathybird

Morning all, 6/21 for me today please

Honey_Bear

9/31 please, Shaggy.

CuppaTea

Im calling early as driving later and up early. Still on the AB's which is helping massively in the decision not to drink. I feel like its been taken away from and I'm not having any dialogue in my head at the moment. Brilliant.

9/31

CuppaTea

I've also made plans for tomorrow night that involve driving, so another evening not to dwell.

sukeyboo

5/12 for today please Shaggy

Green_Karen

CuppaTea wrote: »

Thanks all. I’ve preventative plans for every evening through until Sunday. But that will be day 12. As long as I eat early it seems to be ok.

Awful nights sleep though. Kept waking up and didn’t feel like I had much deep sleep.

Well done GreenKaren for your brilliant run of days. That’s amazing. 31 seems huge for me but I’m just looking at 1 day at a time.

I’ve lost 2lbs this week. Nothing’s changed except no drinking. However I can’t afford to lose any really, so I need to be mindful I don’t lose anymore. Sorry that’s really annoying for those that are dieting. I understand how hard it is for some.

It's a really good idea to have plans for evenings, especially for that first few days.

As for sleeping, I really struggled, but I have since realised it was anxiety and stress and not the giving up alcohol. I thought I had overcome the urge to drink then I had the house move and a cancer scare that tipped me over. Drinking again helped me get off to sleep, but this was only like sticking a plaster on a large open wound. All the issues were still there, alcohol really didn't help.

What has always worked for me (but this could just be me) is not aiming too high initially. I wasn't looking to do 50 days AF, I have always said I will drink again and have built in some days when I can drink, though have chosen not to take them.

I now have in my mind that I will drink on Friday this week so am aiming to make it special with a more expensive wine, maybe even a half bottle so I don't go OTT and don't dwell over there being some in the fridge the next day.

Alcohol is a strange beast. I went vegetarian 25 years ago and vegan 2 years ago and never once have I sat craving meat or eggs or cheese. Not saying it hasn't been without challenges sometimes to feed myself when out and about, but I never felt deprived or sat wishing I could just stop at once piece of meat!!! I have certainly never deliberated over will I/won't I tonight? It was easy because I wanted to do it, I also wanted to cut down or give up alcohol but have had many an internal debate over this.

CuppaTea

You’re right Karen, alcohol does affect us like nothing else.

My thoughts are drawn to alcohol tonight. I can’t have any as I’m driving. But I’m missing it this afternoon, missing the anticipation, the first few sips, feeling it rushing through me. It seems a long time until I can enjoy that again. That seems like the wrong thing to say, but I’m being honest. It’s a good job I’m out tonight. Despite the AB’s. I have to hang on until the 21st when I have an appointment to ask for a blood test. Please excuse my waffling, it’s a distraction too.