The giving up/cutting down alcohol support thread!

eselt

Hi everyone
I'm really sorry I've not been posting or logging on for a few days- I can't believe how well everyone is doing- well done guys. And before you ask I haven't been away drinking:j - I actually went out on saturday night- my first time in 2years since being single, and guess what- bumped into a guy I remember from Postdetox meetings (bit like AA, but without the religious stuff)- he wasn't drinking either and has been on the wagon for over 2 years- both of us felt really uncomfortable because it was a really rowdy BBQ- so we snuck off...turns out hes an osteopath...got home 3 days later..frozen shoulder completely (ahem!) sorted...now I really believe you can have a great time without any booze!!!!:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Shoppy- I think its really brave to see your doctor- I ended up seeing three before I found one that really took me seriously. You are right to worry about withdrawal- I ended up in hospital 3 times after having convulsions after trying to quit on my own and they can be really dangerous- plus you get no warning signs which is really scary as it knocks your confidence in going out in public or just being on your own etc in case they just happen. You sound to me like you are having mild/moderate withdrawal symtoms- I used to think these were panic atttacks but then I clocked on they were withdrawal. They can last for up to a week or two, but the worst are really over in about three days- I've had librium in the past from my GP for this but they only give you about 3-4 days worth. I found high strength Vit B really helped build up my nervous system and take the edge off when I got jangly. You asked about advice on cravings earlier, I have a repeat prescription for Campral which for me seems to have knocked cravings on the head- I had quite a bad time on Antabuse, but Campral seems to suit me better and more importantly work.

The advice about stomach trouble is really good- its best to be prepared for it as I was in agony and thought there was something seriously wrong with me- it just turned out to be trapped wind and constipation!!

Keep up the good work everyone- promise I will be logging on everyday to touch base with how well everyone is doing and support anyone whos struggling.

shopaholictiedtheknot

Thanks for the advice eselt, the doc offered me antabuse but since I am trying for a baby now he then advised against it as the side effects are not known - hence my cold turkey! I feel really well today so hoping all I have to contend with now are the cravings which I will just have to try and deal with!

winebox

Hi just sliding in & out again to say.....hi.
Managed to download some antivirus stuff to PC at last - I get so stressed over the small stuff (don't sweat it etc). I just know the next few days are going to be rubbish alch-wise so will keep away from here I think, thought July 1st would be great day for New Start, it's a Tuesday who does anything? - but cos I don't work on a Wed OH suggested today a night away if someone can look after DD, so immed panic that it can't be my Day 1 as planned. Moral: I should stop postponing the grief. If I'd just cracked on with it all in the New Year I'd be 20lbs lighter etc etc several 100s of pounds richer (or rather, less in trouble). Am tempted to tell him can't get DD on a sleepover but feel really guilty that am both lying & spoiling a chance for us to have some time alone cos I want to not drink that day (he has NO IDEA about all of this as we don't live together & would fall about laughing if I talked to him about it - it's def a non-starter!). This might sound odd to yous but it would also be too bizarre to not touch a drop on a night out, yes we're one of those couples.......
Anyway, whilst I hate to be dishonest I think I might well say can't make it; my whole problem is I just never get started cos of things coming up - we are away this weekend etc & once I do get started these things can be coped with but it's all too much right at the beginning.

Jo - gosh you seem to be making strides forward in your head - hope that continues to work out; you've posted before that you are not prepared to tell all on here so great that you have found someone that you can talk to properly.

Shoppy - let's be soberer & slim by the autumn!

bhb - your own bacon & eggs no doubt (don't mean you laid them.....) sounds lush bet you don't make your own brown sauce? (actually that sounds vile, did not mean that to come out that way. Now it's getting worse.)

shopaholictiedtheknot

winebox I TOTALLY know where you are coming from on the not drinking when you go out, I just don't see the point in going if I can't have a drink (that is soooo bad isn't it?) also on the starting point, I don't have any plans until I go to Anglesey for a weekend at the end of July so that is why i have started this week, it gives me a month to get totally sober! A friend asked us to a concert in the local park this weekend and I lied and said we can't afford (even though it is free) we would 'have' to take alcohol and I just can't slip off the wagon so soon - saying that I am so afraid that I will need a drink this weekend - oh well, only time will tell! my OH does know what I am doing though so is a bit easier for me, couldn't you say you were taking antibiotics and make up some minor illness?

barshamhillbilly

winebox wrote: »

bet you don't make your own brown sauce?

Nope - Our friend does and we have some of theirs :rotfl:

shopaholictiedtheknot

Evening all, well I have managed to get to nine o'clock without any alcohol! Been giving OH and DD manicures and pedicures!! Am going to bed soon need an early night am so tired, no idea why, maybe a side effect of quitting? Hope everyone else is doing ok?

See you tomorrow

winebox

shopaholictiedtheknot wrote: »

couldn't you say you were taking antibiotics and make up some minor illness?

teehee you are devious! um, you are prob right but......again, not at the start, my heart's not init xx:o

winebox

barshamhillbilly wrote: »

Nope - Our friend does and we have some of theirs :rotfl:

dare i ask?:D we do bbq sauce that goes for YEARS

jo1972

winebox wrote: »

my whole problem is I just never get started cos of things coming up - we are away this weekend etc & once I do get started these things can be coped with but it's all too much right at the beginning.

WB, just wanted to say and hopefully re-assure you that you are no different to the rest of us. It's always very important to get day 1 out of the way, then for some reason day 2 seems even more important cos you don't want to booger up your good start. Plus can I say I've had every procrastination excuse ever, ie, I can't stop drinking today because........

- it's my birthday
- it's new years eve
- it's xmas day
- it's xmas eve
- it's boxing day
- it's OH/someone/anyone else's birthday
- had a row with OH
- had a row with someone else
- someone scratched the car
- got a bank charge
- kids are driving me up the wall
- lost something (keys/money etc.)
- had a bad day at work
- had a bad journey home

etc...etc.... I am the world's best procrastinator

'postponing the grief' is an excellent way of putting it, I said something similar to my counsellor the other day and she said how do you know it's going to be bad? Maybe my head says it's going to be bad and that's then obviously what I'm going to feel. Try and put some positive thoughts into your head about your first quit day and come up with a game plan to help take your mind away from anything that might make it feel bad.

xx

barshamhillbilly

Had three beers last night and felt ill all night - think it must have been the combination of the beer and being out in the sun all day yesterday. Felt really horrible and still feel a bit wobbly.

I am kicking myself for being so stupid!

Anyway - on a brighter note its DS3's 7th birthday today and we are off to the dinosaur park in Norfolk today.

DS'1 is getting married tomorrow and DD1 moved house yesterday.

Blimey - what an full week !

Hopefully I will feel strong enough to make a new start tonight, though I have promised myself just one champers at the wedding. tomoz.

I really must crack this thing though before I do some permanent damage to myself and my life! Just wish Mrs BHB would hold back on the wine so it wasn't quite so easy for me to fall off, though that in itself is just another excuse. :rolleyes:..

Have a good day

BHB