Giving Up/Cutting Down Alcohol Thread Part 17

cathybird

hollowhead said:

Can I join please? Really want to stop drinking and I hope being accountable on here might help. Can I try 28 days please?

hi hollowhead and welcome, I've added you to the list If at any point you feel you want to aim for a different target, just let me know

CuppaTea

The ITV programme was still resonating with me last night. I googled alcohol support and found DrinkLine. I’ve called twice today and each time they say to call back and ask for a senior advisor. When I do this, I get told they are exceptionally busy and to call back again. They shut at 4pm today. I guess that programme has made lots of people think. 

I don’t want to see my GP. I’m embarrassed and ashamed and I don’t want anything on my records. 

Arkers

Good afternoon everyone,
11 for July, 1 for August Cathy 
Arkers x

cathybird

August

7 days =

14 days =

21 days =

28 days =

Target reached =

Target beaten =

August targets

alt80 1/21

AnnieG Arkers 2/TF Barny 1/25 cathybird 2/21 Coveredinbees 12 CuppaTea 18 hollowhead 28 lantanna 1/13 leftatthetrafficlights 10 Lupus Lou 15 maggiem 18 maman 10 marahouti 1/21 PriceySOS 24 RobM99 1/28 Season of Mist 30 sukeyboo 10 WBF 14 xxlalxx
Newcomers welcome!

cathybird

CuppaTea said:

The ITV programme was still resonating with me last night. I googled alcohol support and found DrinkLine. I’ve called twice today and each time they say to call back and ask for a senior advisor. When I do this, I get told they are exceptionally busy and to call back again. They shut at 4pm today. I guess that programme has made lots of people think. 

I don’t want to see my GP. I’m embarrassed and ashamed and I don’t want anything on my records. 

How frustrating for you, CuppaTea! It's Sunday though and lots of places are understaffed because of Covid, I'd keep trying tomorrow morning? Honestly I wouldn't feel embarrassed about asking your GP - isn't lots of stuff on your medical record quite personal? Mine is! GPs must see people at their most vulnerable most of the time. If you feel you need the help it's better to get it, there's lots out there. xx

lantanna

1/13 for today please

alt80

@CuppaTea I second @cathybird re GP/ medical professionals. They will be used to dealing with people who are struggling with the amount they are drinking especially post lockdown. You are not alone. I used to drink more heavily than I liked to admit. Although alcohol has not been a massive problem for me cutting it right back has been good for me and made me realise I definitely used to drink too much really. I wouldn't have believed you if you'd have told me a year ago I'd be regularly going over 3 weeks out of a month AF and on the days I do drink it's vastly reduced. Been through times of daily drinking and whilst I've been honest in that my reason for really cutting it down is not drinking itself I'm glad I have. 

Would like to add addressing my own problems with addiction after many, many years promising I was done with it/ quitting etc etc has been one of the best things I've ever done. It's not easy and it's not guaranteed you'll succeed first time, a lot of people don't. I've had 2 slips since completing a programme but am at 59 consecutive days clean this time since the last slip and working on the recovery with the pros everyday in some way. If I can work towards long term substance free living anyone can (it was a nigh on 20 year on/off habit for me). There is a lot of support here and a lot of support out of here. More people have problems with substances (and I include drinking with this) than you think. Shame feeds it, don't let it beat you, go and see one of the pros. I started with speaking to a counsellor once a week specialising in substance abuse before having to step up a few levels. I still have ongoing professional support. I had people tell me my habit wasn't that bad but it was bad enough for me that I made the choice to seek professional help - only you can make the decision when enough is enough but when you do there is a lot of support.

Arkers

Good morning everyone,
2 please Cathy
Arkers x

Barny1979

1/25 AFDs today 

marahouti

Good morning.
I am 1/21 for yesterday please cathybird. Thank you. X

Cuppa I echo what cathy and alt80 have said. There is help available, please don't let embarrassment and shame prevent you seeking it. X