The giving up/cutting down alcohol support thread!

winebox

jo1972 wrote: »

I had detox in 2006 and abstained for 30 days, I was so down and miserable. The fact that I wasn't drinking didn't make me feel better, I was just craving and thinking about drinking 24/7. I KNEW that it wasn't going to last, and it didn't.

You are so right & yr next post was re other addictions (have not mastered art of 2 quotes in 1 reply!) - with the smoking I spent 30 yrs trying to quit, stopped once for 6 months, once for 2 yrs, but never felt like a "non-smoker" (this is Allen Carr) cos always wanted one, as u say thinking about it 24/7, but suddenly had the right "mindset" & suddenly (after 30 yrs!) as of day 1 I knew I was a non-smoker & wouldn't go back, & more than 3 yrs later I never give it a thought. Never the slightest craving. BUT it's since then that my drinking has gone mad, substitution I spose, I drank a lot while I was smoking but not on current scale. So I am hoping to get that same mindset for the alcohol, but THEN what will replace it? Cadbury's? I mentioned the oral gratification thing before - why can't we stop one thing without shoving in another! Anyways, enough of my rambling am full of intention to have Day 1 tomorrow, & I mean Thursday 15 May not manana!!:o

winebox

jo1972 wrote: »

Continue feeling positive and will be a good experience.

I'm still back on day 1 trying to pick up the courage to start the diazepam

Sorry Jo forgot to say, gd luck with the diaz, why are you unwilling to start? (er, sorry if missed earlier post I always struggle to catch up):embarasse

winebox

Oh dear not meaning to go for world domination of this thread by posting 10 at a time, but Corrie on soon & footie etc etc, I feel really wound up in a shoulders-only-just-under-my-earlobes way, aaaand one thing that helps me relax sans alcohol is an oil-burner, if you can get the right smell? - vanilla is good, & now I am going to light "reve" (body shop it was an xmas pressie) at first i thought no I don't want to get revved but then cast my mind back to O Level french it means dream, also ref ELO song (does that make me older than 3 wheel wagon/cherokee fans?) & anyway smell is lovely. It's cheap!:rolleyes:

barshamhillbilly

Evening All

Blimey I'm all behind again.... Bare with me while I catch up.
Day 48 for me; Day 1 for Mrs BHB - she polished of the bottle of red she bought yesterday ... It looked and smelt lovely but I managed tp resist the temptation. She has been in a funny mood ever since drinking it !

Its been a bit of a stressful day, I got a tax bill earlier for an extra £375 even though I pleaded with them over and over again to sort my tax code out last year. Still - that just means I can't afford any beer whether I want any or not

ELO? Thats a blast from the past - must have a read back through these posts!

Laters gaiters!

BHB

barshamhillbilly

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=+1]Your Shout[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]God, I love alcohol. Every Friday night,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Me and the boys hit the town,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And drink 'em up till we fall down.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]God, I love alcohol, I swill it on my gums,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]It seems to soothe the pain inside,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]It always makes me numb.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]God, I love alcohol. I love it at the cricket,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I see the game from through the glass,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And seldom see the wicket.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]God, I love alcohol. (hic) It helps reduce my stresses,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]My voice gets strong, my muscles pump,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I move so fast I'm legless.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]God, I love alcohol. First thing in the morning,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Y'know a beer or two for brekky,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Always stops me yawning.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Me missus always looks slimmer,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And the kids don't seem as loud,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Cos everything gets dimmer.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]God, I love alcohol. It helps me make decisions,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Like, (hic) I think I'll have another beer,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]To help my wavering visions.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]God, I love alcohol. Gin or rum or whiskey,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Doesn't matter which I choose,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]It always makes me frisky.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]God, I love alcohol. It makes me feel so strong,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Cos when I've got a gutfull,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I know I'm never wrong.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Y'know, I love it with a passion.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]After a few I wanna fight,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I really wanna smash 'em.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]God, I love alcohol. Especially when I'm !!!!ed,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I try to grab meself a sheila[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Cos they always wanna be kissed.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]God, I love alcohol. It helps me stay in balance,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Sure, (hic) I wobble once or twice,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]It's in keeping with the parlance.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]God, I love alcohol, I could never go without.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And underneath I bet you're the same.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In fact, mate, it's your bloody shout!![/FONT]

barshamhillbilly

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=+1]A Boozer's Tale[/SIZE][/FONT]




[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I never drink beer on a Monday,
Cos Monday's the day fer mi health
An' the wife's got me countin' them units,
I've just got to take care o' miself
So I merely have wine wi' mi supper,
An' just the one litre OK?
Then a rather large rum in mi coffee
An' I calls that mi sensible day

I never drink wine on a Tuesday,
Cos Tuesday's mi weightwatchin' club
It's the day when I eat nowt but cabbage,
The day I don't go much fer grub
Now a diet demands plenty fluid,
Summat light an' completely fat-free
So I've chosen that strong German lager
An' I just have five pints wi' mi tea

I never drink lager on Wednesday,
Cos Wednesday's the day fer mi jog
It's tracksuit an' trainers at mid-day
Then I'm off up the road wi' the dog
First stop's at the Globe fer some Guinness,
Three swift ones'll get me to grips
Then I carry on round to The Shepherds
Fer three more an' a burger an' chips
I make sure that I'm suitably rested,
Then I sprint back to our garden wall
In a time of under twelve minutes,
An' it's four 'undred metres an' all

I never drink Guinness on Thursday,
Cos Thursday's mi day to relax
I likes to sit out in t' back garden
In mi brown zip-up cardie an slacks
After lunch I might stroll by the river,
Breeze in at the Fisherman's Drop
Where I lounge on the terrace all lordly,
Sippin' shandy, but beawt any pop
Then cos I've been good through the day like,
She'll allow me to waver a smidge
So mi evenin's spent watchin' the footy
Wi' a few packs o' Boddies from t' fridge

I never drink Boddies on Friday,
Cos Friday's mi night on the razz
An' we meet in The Firkin at seven,
Owd Nodger an' me an' Fat Baz
Oh The Firkin's a beer-drinker's heaven,
Wi' fifteen real ales from the jug
An' we start wi' the ones in the tap-room
An' we works our way round to the snug
By midnight we're all talkin' gubbins
An' we're off fer a curry up town
But there's summat not reyt about curry
Cos I never seem t' keep the stuff down
We 'ave a good laugh wi' the waiters,
An' Baz moons his bum fer a joke
Then I'm home fer a nightful o' passion,
Cos I'm known as a passionate bloke

I never do much on a Sat'day,
Cos Sat'day's mi time fer a think
Cos me an' the wife are not speakin' today,
I'm a drunken, fat pig an' I stink
So I sit near the lavvie pretendin'
That really I'm feelin' just great
But I'm goin' right off that Indian food
If it leaves me in this bloody state
It's later I make the decision,
On my forty-third trip to the bog
There's only one thing cures an upset like this
An' they call it the 'air o' the dog
I ring Nodge an' Baz on mi mobile
An' both of 'ems likewise in pain
So we're back in The Firkin at quarter-past-six
An' we do it all over again

I never say Firkin on Sunday,
Cos Sunday's mi day to repent
I'm ashamed of all o' that boozin' I've done
An' all o that money I've spent
I begs the wife fer forgiveness
An' I promise I'll alter mi ways
An' she gives me a kiss an' a cuddle,
Like she did in our newly-wed days
We watch Songs of Praise on the telly,
Then a nice pot o' tea an' some cakes
An' I swear now I've climbed up the ladders,
I'll never slide down any snakes
But it's borin' on telly on Sunday,
An' I can't say I'm ever impressed
So I 'ave a walk out round the village
An' stop off at the Collier's Rest
Now the beer's a bit crap in The Collier's
So I leave an' pop round to The Swan
Where I flatten a shed-load o' Tetley's
An' I'm bloody well back to square one
[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]So I never drink beer on a Monday,
Cos Monday's the day fer mi health
An' the wife's got me countin' them units
I've just got to take care o' miself[/FONT]

Bismarck

Hi everyone:

Quiz answer from earlier:

Here's the question again:

talking of family...how do you explain what you're doing to them?

my mum didn't believe me when I said I'd stopped...

"what....totally?"

yup

then came Christmas...ate at her house and drank diet coke...

then my Mum produced a trifle...that reeked of goodness knows what it....Mrs B gave me a knowing look which warned of clear danger.....here was a serious challenge!

do I:

a) refuse point blank and go off on one about lack of support from family
b) politely say I'm full, no thanks
c) have some out of politeness and have the mother of all temptations afterwards
d) have some and feel dreadfully guilty afterwards
e) have some and have a stinking headache all afternoon

I'll reveal the answer this evening....your guesses are welcome...what would you have done?

Answer e) is what happened. had some trifle to show that I could handle it I suppose- maybe it was to show my Mum that I could take it or leave it but was deciding not to drink....all sorts of reasons really...wasn't peer pressure...just an unexpected quandary...

I should have done b) and would do next time around but there was also just the tiniest risktaker part of me, coupled with a bit of self-belief that I could handle it.....stupid really but there you go...one day at a time!

You can never be totally relaxed...the trick for me is to have enough breathing space so I don't dive in and have the most dangerous one before my brain's caught up with what's going on.

sorry can't stick around much tonight...lots to do but I'll be back in the morning...keep up the good work folks....one day at a time....!

(we've had another troll visit.....)

"Trolls fall under my wagon but I'll keep rolling along
their witless sleaze
won't trouble me
and I'm singing a happy song......"

good night, sweet dreams and clear heads, folks!!

SamanthaA

Bismarck wrote: »

Just need to ask, how did you feel after the cans...did you really enjoy them.

Well done for posting though!! In your situation, this time last year I could have gone through the lot and at about teatime be thinking about stocking up again.

Cheers, thought I was going to get stick for being so bloody stupid!

I felt fine after the 3, as I said, seriously thought about the bottle of wine for about 2min, but once in bed didnt even bother about it.

The stella wasn`t really an option. Only drink larger when absolutley(sp) hammered & trying to avoid that situation!
Will take it to the party as an optional extra!!

So day 10/31
wine day 6/ stella day 12.

Bismarck

SamanthaA wrote: »

Cheers, thought I was going to get stick for being so bloody stupid!

no problem...who am I to give you stick? You're the ultimate judge in all this. You set your own targets and If you want to stop, you will.

When I first wanted to stop, I thought that the solution lay in preventing myself having access to the stuff...but that didn't solve the problem...the key was me not wanting to do something or least having the resources and understanding to want to do the right thing for me.

I think it's more important that you're aware of what you're doing and thinking about it more...

you left the wine alone which is a success in itself....don't lose track of that

mollypolly

SamanthaA wrote: »

Cheers, thought I was going to get stick for being so bloody stupid!

Hi.Good morning everyone.:hello:

Samantha.I totally agree with what Bismarck says.You have to do this for yourself.You cant spend the rest of your life avoiding alcohol.

I am now on Day 39.But DH is still drinking quite alot so cant avoid the dreaded stuff, its always in the house.
Just take each day at a time and think of the positives that you have done already.
Good luck for today.
Love Mollypolly xxxx:happylove