The giving up/cutting down alcohol support thread!

In_Search_Of_Me

A salutory tale bismark...my dad died due to alch and it was a miracle he lasted as long as he did TBH!! Bottle of whisky a day (plus) in the end and very sad to watch...plus the relief I felt when he died was immense which is sad i itself isnt it!
Molly sorry you feel low. Could be giving up as you dont have the crutch that you used to. What about trying st johns wort for a bit? Also BH weekends can be hard for DFWers cos everyone ese always seems to be spending loads and we cant!
Hang in there jo...do keep popping in. I do worry for you...
0% becks beer is yummy BHB I honestly dont think I could tell the difference in a taste test!

nearly-there_4

Day 29..............no urges, one hiccup, two happy sons, three new plant tubs..................and four of us off to see Indiana Jones this weekend. :j

I've got so much energy today.....................remembering how to run with this precious thing called life instead of just standing still and bracing myself for the onslaught.

Still 'feeling good' and playing that song.

Hugs and Happy Bank Holiday to all you lovely people. :wave:

Cazzy xx

nearly-there_4

jlynncsf wrote: »

have told my friends I'm no longer drinking alcohol and shamefacedly admitted I can't control myself when I do; they have all been supportive - in fact, one of them said she'll stay off it too! So, am feeling much better at the moment. Jlynncsf.

Well done Jlynn......................that is a courageous statement to make. :T:T:T
I'm not sure that I've admitted to anyone except to this forum (and myself) that I can't control my drinking.......................but I think they know !! I'm not as brave as you Jlynn. Have a good weekend.

jo1972

Bismarck wrote: »

http://www.geoffthompson.com/siteNewsDetails.asp?varID=13

for anyone who wants to watch a hard-hitting film about alcohol....it's not pleasant but striking. I first watched it and shrugged and thought I don't drink too much....I changed my mind a little bit later.

I just watched this, took a while to get round to watching it but I am so glad I did. Thanks so much for the link Bismarck. If any of you haven't watched it, I urge you to. It's about 12 minutes long and real eye opener. The main guy is a fantastic actor.

Got chills now...

In_Search_Of_Me

scary ist it jo! One of the thing that worries me is the physical impact of alch on our bodies and one we often forget...people is often drinking to excess & doing untold damage and thats without the impact on families/children/loved ones & bank balance! How is the diazepam going? Does it make you feel conked out or just chilled? Are you planning trategies for the stressful times like hot bath, early night, walking away etc...let us know if we can help. Lots of positive vibes coming your way

jo1972

Thanks ISOM for your support (and everyone else )

Probably another lame excuse but here goes, had a fairly carp day, totally hungover, slept on the sofa till lunch then realised that I lost my bank card when I went out last night so had to cancel my card. Luckily it hadn't been used but what a pain in the bum considering the bank's not open till Tuesday :mad:

Hence, not an alcohol free day today but I plan to start on the diazepam tomorrow lunch time and have another early evening. I've got a 3 litre bottle of orange squash chilling in the fridge and I shall go to Mr T's tomorrow to buy lots of choklit

xx

Bismarck

Hi everyone...how's it going?...a gentler post from me this time...

Went to our local supermarket yesterday and they were doing free samples....some Pimms type drink, a cider, a landlord pale ale and some wine...and an additive free berry juice thing.....I smiled as I braced myself and went up to the counter and asked what they all were and pointed clearly to the non-alcoholic one and said "that's non-alcoholic, isn't it?" and had it...tasted good....not as good as the feeling of turning down the other devilish little tasters.....

Funny thing was, I had to check to make sure it was the booze-free one as I didn't trust myself with the other ones - even if it had been a mistake....there were bottles everywhere and I had my plastic and my PIN ready...buying was possible.

A key for me was wanting to stop...really wanting to stop. I've heard people say it has to be your number one priority - even above your partner and kids because if you don't stop the rest is history anyway. I disagreed because it was all bound into the same reasoning and in the first weeks of change I used to see the sleeping children and wonder how close it had all got to an ending that no-one wanted.

How did it come to this? Another thing I had to address was sorting the aftermath....just like other issues that build up over time you really want a quick fix...sadly for me there wasn't one....I took heart in the thought that each day sober was a day further from the past and towards a better future and I was healing both physically and mentally as the days went by...yes there were days when I just wanted to crawl and stop and bury myself in a hole somewhere but I also clung on to the belief that this was not my path and my fate and I had other plans and I will not sink without a fight...so every day I fight to make things just a little bit better and make amends for the past.

This time last year I was gardening and drinking and having barbecues and burning sausages and drinking more and getting grumpy.... - this year I've just done gardening and I'm knackered!

have a great weekend, whatever you're doing...

jo1972

Bismarck wrote: »

I used to see the sleeping children and wonder how close it had all got to an ending that no-one wanted.

I do this every night practically...

Well done Bismarck, thanks for your honest posts and giving encouragement.

Have a well deserved cup of tea for doing the gardening, hope you're not aching too much tomorrow :rotfl:

Bismarck

tomstickland wrote: »

Drinking can make you feel a whole lot better sometimes! I agree that it won't solve any long term problems though.

I've had a whole week without beer so I'm just enjoying a beer now.
I actually felt quite high after one beer. I've made it last ages too.

BTW, I have no intention of totally giving up. I just want to manage consumption levels a bit better.

I genuinely hope you enjoy it...I've no problem with others enjoying themselves at all and part of me wishes I could just have the one and it be under control. I've no regrets, I can't do it and I'm asking for trouble if I try..it's just the way things are...I used to be really proud of having a special real ale and making it last all night and savouring the flavour...then I'd get some more in "for the rest of the week" and you can imagine the rest.....it's not a pretty story and recycling the empties wasn't funny!:eek:

mine's a tea with milk, no sugar....

jo1972

Bismarck wrote: »

it's not a pretty story and recycling the empties wasn't funny!:eek:

Same for me, I almost ordered an extra recycling box!