The giving up/cutting down alcohol support thread! 24 February 2008 at 12:23PM in Debt free diaries 5.1K replies 184.6K views

In_Search_Of_Me

There are a few of us who want to give up/cut down & I thought it would be good to widen the net to support each other along the way!
For me alch & feeling good for the time I'm drinking & then rubbish after go hand in hand. A bit like drinking & smoking & drinking & getting the munchies! Last year I gave up alch & fags for 10 months & then "slipped" towards Christmas until by Jan I was doing both with alarming regularity. I dread to think how much both cost me financially and I know physically that I've felt rubbish. My lungs hurt, have put on weight & literally none of my clothes fit so I will have to buy more - which means a dent in my budget that I can ill afford. My skin is also yukky & much nicer when I dont drink/smoke!
I had my last ciggies the night before last & last wine on Tues. I know I will feel 100% better when I crack it but also know it will be hard. One disadvantage here is that all too often DFW "parties" tend to involve alcohol so I'm also hoping that this can possibly be a safe haven for those of us who want, or need, to abstain, for now at least!
Anway - I hope that this can be a place of real support for people who are sturggling. I do wonder whether there is a link between debt & drinking as from the Jan thread it was obvious that so many struggle to give up! Plus I know for me that I feel much hapier and in control when I dont drink (or drink in moderation) - which of course begs the question "why do I do it?"! Anyway, I do but will now try not t ad hope some of you wil join in. Some days I know I wil fail, just as I do with my debt free journey and I am more than happy to be given a swift (but nice!) kicking when I do! Hugs all and dare I say...:beer: but this time with water!!

PS have amended this slightly as I have decided that I will try for the moderation way! That means for me not drinking over the recc limits (bottle & a half of wine for me!) but I know at times this will be a struggle plus I'm aware that others want to do the same.

Sea78

Oh - how much do I agree with all you've said! I really don't want to continue feeling like this and it doesn't do me any favours. I too enjoy it while I'm drinking, but while the hangover I can deal with, it's all the other stuff(blanks, injuries, effect on mood and mind) that is so bad.

Hopefully with the support from everyone, we can give each other pointers and motivation - which will then go hand in hand with saving money!

In_Search_Of_Me

lovely to see you here!! Bi special hugs for you - be gentle with yourself. Whats done is done. Move forward positively rather than look at what has been! Look at your siggy too - "I will NOT refuse to do something that I can do". And you can

Sea78

True - I can and will do this! We all will

Bismarck

Good idea - except for the title....

I'm still a newbie really but the again bit implies to me that failing to give up is an option. Giving up should be viewed more as choosing not to drink and regaining control over your lives - not a giving up/will miss it kind of negative spin.

I've chosen not to drink for getting on for a year now and I'm really passionate about the choice to not drink....OK the money and health saving part is great too. I know now that "just one drink" is one too many as it leads to many more and I don't really know how much that would ultimately cost. I am lucky to be where I am now as I so nearly lost it all.

Seaxwyn

Hiya! I'm joining this. My personal take on it is to stop drinking at home.

I do enjoy the occasional drink out - very occasional as I seldom go out - but I don't really enjoy the wine I regularly drink at home, on my own, and in front of the computer, when I could be doing something much more useful and enjoyable with the time. And I hate having a hangover for no good reason like I have today.

We can all do this, and feel better about our selves for it.

In_Search_Of_Me

Bismarck wrote: »

Good idea - except for the title....

I'm still a newbie really but the again bit implies to me that failing to give up is an option. Giving up should be viewed more as choosing not to drink and regaining control over your lives - not a giving up/will miss it kind of negative spin.

I've chosen not to drink for getting on for a year now and I'm really passionate about the choice to not drink....OK the money and health saving part is great too. I know now that "just one drink" is one too many as it leads to many more and I don't really know how much that would ultimately cost. I am lucky to be where I am now as I so nearly lost it all.

Firstly well done on doing so well. I hope you are proud of your achievement!

While I can understand where you are coming from I think we are all different. If you choose never to drink again the that is fine and if you feel you have no option but not to drink then that is your journey and I respect you for that but...

The simple fact is that for me drinking is an option but I choose to give up because I want to, not because I have to. Plus I will miss it! and I am not saying that I will never drink again! Like sea' I want to give up the drinking at home on a regular basis but stil intend on having the odd glass of wine when I go out, because its a rare occurence anyway!

In addition I want people to feel that they can come back if they do fall off the wagon and TBH the title was because I did try in Jan, failed miserably so here I am (again!).

So, in short, we'll have to agree to disagree on the title. I hope this wont stop you staying with us and offering your experence and contribution which I imagine is significant!

spring_watch_girl

So so glad I've just read this, can I join your gang? I decided some months ago that I was drinking far too much and decided to cut down drastically however I have found out that its all or nothing with me. I tried to cut it down to 2 or 3 nights a week but found that I was struggling not to on the other nights (very bad sign!). Now into my second week, just been to Tesco and was determined none was going in my trolley, came out with a smile on my face and went to the garden centre and spent the money on some spring plants instead. Will post weekly to let you know how I get on.

TryingHard_2

((((Hugs)))) and I wish you all well in your aim to reduce or give up the alcohol. I do not have this problem but my 24 year old son is alcohol dependent. I hope you don't mind me reading and joining in your thread - it gives me an understanding of how he is feeling and how I can best help him. I am going to email my son now and tell him to look at this thread.Love, best wishes and good health to everyone.

Bismarck

Yeah...fair play re the title...it could easily be a bit extreme and put folks off! I know many people who would love to just have the one or two and then leave it alone. I also accept that going out is a time for letting your hair down as it doesn't happen that often...it was really the drinking at home bit that turned out to be the main thing to address...

I'm not saying I'll never drink again but am taking things one day at a time in all ways.

I'll certainly stick around, though....just don't expoect me to talk about falling off!

mo1_2

i agree with all thats said,i think its a mind thing,we think to enjoy ourselves we need alcohol,and for much of my life ive been the same,them following an op for breast cancer i was left in a lot of pain,so the painkillers i take say no alchol,at first i used to drink and not take the tabs at night so i could go out and have a drink,and then decieded i needed the pain relief more than the booze,so for 3 years now i havent had a drink,im in myh early 50s ,and believe me and drunk some stuff in my time lol,me and my husband go out at weekends,he still drinks and i have pop,or alchol free beer,whitch everone takes the mickey out of,i never thought that i could go out and have fun sober,but funniley enough i quite enjoy watching everyone talking rubbish ,and i love getting up sunday with no hangover,opps ive gone on too much