I spend £275.30 on alcohol alone on this months credit card statement.

williewonder

From 10th March till now. I solely used credit card for purchases and only use two corner shops local to me for alcohol transactions. I added everything up and spent £275.30 on alcohol in a month and I'm nearly drinking everyday. I really need to do something about this. I get cravings for alcohol when I'm bored, mainly at night but do drink throughout the day. This excluding all the takeaways I've brought when intoxicated, (3/4 times a week)

I'm thinking about attending AA meeting when they reopen. I hate myself and feel down in the dumps, just about keeping my head above water.

I should be saving this money but instead binge on alcohol. How to stop drinking. I think I have the willpower as stopped drinking for 8 months once. I stopped for 2 week in Feb and got stressed and started drinking again. What makes it harder now is my freinds will want me to drink in pubs now they are reopen with them and I can spend £100 a night doing that easily.

Any Advice?

[Deleted User]

I am envious of people who just don't like the taste of alcohol!  I had often wondered about spoiling a bottle of alcohol. 

Curb your friends to one night a week.

Can you think you've lost your income or have some sort of other altering shock that is the stop brake. 

Perhaps sort what stress's you.

I can't judge but deciding on unemployment prompted me to cut up the 7 year credit card, get a plan in place which is soooo much better then the noose round the neck that was the persistent debt method (I don't care about the credit file damage because it was not great anyway and it would be totally irresponsible to carry on spending money I'm not going to have.)

Blodyn82

Hi Williewonder, it's great that you've recognize that alcohol is a problem for which is the first step. I don't have any personal experience with this myself, but my partner is ex-military and has also struggled with alcohol. I would have a look online to see if there are any support groups that you can link into now, there are phone lines and I'm sure virtual meetings are being held. You might want to try you're GP who could link you in with local support. I think I'm correct in saying that the body detoxes from alcohol in about 5 days, but it's the psychological/ social ties that take longer. It's really positive that you stopped drinking for 8 months before, you can do it. Sharing your difficulties with someone close to you will really help. 

You need to look for another way to deal with stress, easier said than done I know. Maybe taking up a new exercise may help. Keeping a close eye on your finances might also be a motivation to keep you going. Think about all the money you'll save.    

Good luck with everything and I hope this is helpful.

MidsHollie

Yes, you 100% need to contact your GP ASAP. 

In the mean time, you could also reach out to turning point - https://www.turning-point.co.uk/services/drug-and-alcohol-support.html

Turning point run multiple different alcohol cessation services on behalf of the NHS. If they can’t support you, I’m sure they will tell you the organisation that can.

enthusiasticsaver

It is good you have recognised you have a problem with drinking too much.  If you are craving it all the time then that is a sign you are addicted to it so AA would be a good start and you have to keep out of pubs until you feel strong enough to go in and order a soft drink.  

katsu

In the debt free diaries section here there is a thread of people who are supporting each other to cut down on alcohol. Take a look and maybe joining in there will help you. 

anon_2020

@williewonder AA meetings are open - they had a special exemption because they're considered an essential support service.

Even if there is no AA meeting in your area currently ,meeting face to face, there are plenty of online meetings and they will all welcome newcomers.

Check out the AA website for details and good luck!

poppy10_2

First step is to acknowledge you are dependent on alcohol and start AA meetings. GP may be able to help with Antabuse which will put you off drink by causing an unpleasant reaction