The giving up/cutting down alcohol support thread!

Siannie72

Hey all,

been visiting the main site for a few years, but never joined b4. Saw this thread when I did a google search on giving up alcohol!! Been a drinker for over 20 years and I can't currently remember the last day I didn't have a drink, but I'm pretty sure it was over 6 months ago. Suffer from various health issues all related to alcohol, and my debt problem, which I have finally started to deal with, was made much worse through my drinking. For some reason I woke up this morning and decided I'd had enough of feeling so awful all the time, hence the reason I found you guys! Have just spent over an hour reading back through the thread and you've all given me so much motivation, I know I can do it. Also want to stop smoking, although that's because I'm fed up paying for them!!

It is hard to give up the booze, I've tried before and found the hardest part was other people's reactions. All that know me, know me as a heavy drinker. I was always the one who fell off the bar stools, fell over in the street, shouted abuse at doormen, etc, so it was easy for people to look at me and think 'I'm not as bad as her' so when I've stopped before, they don't like it. I've had my drink spiked on a couple of occasions, but the most common response is people either offering to buy me a drink and then refusing if I ask for a soft drink (I'm not wasting my money on that) or buying me a pint, and saying 'I've bought it now, just drink it, one won't hurt'.

Alcohol has been affecting all areas of my for so long, and I don't want to live like this any more. I always thought I drank because I was depressed, but now I know I'm depressed because I drink. My life could be better, but sitting around looking at it through cider goggles isn't going to improve it any.

Anyway, that's enough moaning - positive thoughts from now on! My OH drinks as well, but he's already agreed not to bring any alcohol home until I'm ready to deal with it, and there isn't any there now, so when I get home, the temptation won't be in front of me.

Was great reading all your comments and thoughts and will keep you all posted.
xxxxx :rotfl:

mollypolly

Welcome Siannie72
Well done for facing up to your problems.And good luck on your journey giving up/cutting down.

Love Mollypollyxxxx

Poppies

Hi Sianne

Well done for making the first step. I too just joined a few days ago after spending a while reading the posts.

It takes a lot to admit you are an alcoholic, at first I didn't really belive it when I first said it but I know it is true.

Jo - many thanks for your kind enquiry - I got over the pangs for wine last night. I must admit I seem to wake up at the moment feeling as bad as I did after a night on the sauce, I guess there is still a lot of damage within my body that it will have to repair.

I think this site is great and I know it is helping me. Here goes to my 4th night wobbly free.

Polly xxx

barshamhillbilly

Loadsa new peeps this week - I can't work out whether thats a good or a bad thing . Its good that we are all here supporting each other - but its bad that we need it, I guess ??

Rubbish week for me - have had a beer or two every night, but should be less units overall than last week - so heading in the right direction again! It will only be a 3 or 4 units over the 21 a week for a bloke by tomorrow but its obviously up on my 8 weeks of zero units :rolleyes:

Feeling a bit like I'm banging my head against a brick wall this week as have given in every night! I've let myself down big time. Hopefully I can keep up with my aim of reducing slowly week by week.

BHB

barshamhillbilly

Dear Alcohol,

First & foremost, let me tell you that I'm a huge fan of yours. As my friend, you always seem to be there when needed. The perfect post-work cocktail, a beer at the game, and you're even around in the holidays, hidden inside chocolates as you warm us when we're stuck in the midst of endless family gatherings. However, lately I've been wondering about your intentions. While I want to believe that you have my best interests at heart, I feel that your influence has led to some unwise consequences:

1. Phone calls: While I agree with you that communication is important, I question the suggestion that any conversation of substance or necessity takes place after 2 a.m. Why would you make me call those ex-boyfriends/girlfriends when I know for a fact they do not want to hear from me during the day, let alone all hours of the night?

2. Eating: Now, you know I love a good meal, but why do you suggest that I eat a kebab, a butter chicken curry along with a sausage with cheese, onion and mustard (washed down with WINE & topped off with a Kit Kat after a few sweet chilli and sour cream red rock chips)? I'm an eclectic eater, but I think you went too far this time.

3. Clumsiness: Unless you're subtly trying to tell me that I need to do more yoga to improve my balance, I see NO need to hammer the issue home by causing me to fall down. It's completely unnecessary, and the black & blue marks that appear on my body mysteriously the next day are beyond me. Similarly, it should never take me more than 45 seconds to get the front door key into the lock.

4. Furthermore: The hangovers have GOT to stop. This is getting ridiculous. I know a little penance for our previous evening's debauchery may be in order, but the 3pm hangover immobility is completely unacceptable. My entire day is shot. I ask that, if the proper precautions are taken (water, Vitamin B, bread products, aspirin) prior to going to sleep/passing out face down on the kitchen floor with a bag of popcorn, the hangover should be minimal & in no way Interfere with my daily activities.

Alcohol, I have enjoyed our friendship for some years now & would like to ensure that we remain on good terms. You've been the invoker of great stories, the provocation for much laughter, and the needed companion when I just don't know what to do with the extra money in my pockets.

In order to continue this friendship, I ask that you carefully review my grievances above & address them immediately. I will look for an answer no later than Friday 3pm (pre-happy hour) on your possible solutions & hopefully we can continue this fruitful partnership.

Thank you,

Your biggest fan

ZTD

Have people seen this?

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article4160409.ece

yellowmonkey

Have now. Thanks Z

What next. A checkout for people buying value goods so that they dont have to mingle with the other shoppers :rolleyes:

Good grief.

Had a go of my Wii-fit and the old legs are aching. Good fun though

ym

barshamhillbilly

ZTD wrote: »

Have people seen this?

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article4160409.ece

Well, whilst I think its probably an invasion on privacy or control gone mad - I'm actually all for it if it would stop people like me falling into the trap of buying some everytime I went in, buying it cheap and then getting a bit too used to it!

BHB

barshamhillbilly

Nothing at all to do with alcohol but we've just eaten Roast Pork..... reared by us, new potatoes, broad beans and chard all grown by us. Everything on the plate we grew :D:D

Now - if I had of kept up with the home-brew - I could of of had a beer too

BHB .....

....rather full up ! (though I could still manage rhubarb crumble and custard ... If I were forced

barshamhillbilly

yellowmonkey wrote: »

Had a go of my Wii-fit and the old legs are aching. Good fun though

Did you remember to breathe YM ?:D