The giving up/cutting down alcohol support thread!

eselt

giddykipper wrote: »

That would be a Yes to most of the above, I'm really worried about my health, we are in a dmp so desperately need to save money (spending it on booze rather than decent quality food at the mo), I don't want to get to the point where I do feel I may develop a dependence, my skin is a mess, I need to lose weight and I'm just fed up of feeling crap all the time.



It sounds like you've got all the motivation you need!!! ALL of the above stuff would be improved dramatically if you decide its time to have a go at tackling the booze. My skin and weight have really improved since I gave up- I used to look pasty faced, blotchy and puffed up, and I had a real 'beer gut' and stupid little arms and legs- happy to say over the months ALL thats changed for the better-people now say to me, "you're looking so well" and although they can't put a finger on why that is as the changes back to normal happen slowly, I cringe at how awful, run down and bloated I must have looked. Getting back some pride in my appearance means I spend the money I used to waste on alcohol on a fortnightly beauty 'treat' at the salon, or a trip to the hairdressers.

DMP eh? No wonder you've hit the booze-really stressful stuff. I was at my worst going through bankruptcy a couple of years ago as I just couldn't work out a way to get out of my financial woes, so I boozed away to forget it all- doesn't work of course, but it stops you having to think about the mess. Sincere best of luck with that-hope it works out OK.

Bismarck

eselt wrote: »

giddykipper wrote: »

That would be a Yes to most of the above, I'm really worried about my health, we are in a dmp so desperately need to save money (spending it on booze rather than decent quality food at the mo), I don't want to get to the point where I do feel I may develop a dependence, my skin is a mess, I need to lose weight and I'm just fed up of feeling crap all the time.



It sounds like you've got all the motivation you need!!! ALL of the above stuff would be improved dramatically if you decide its time to have a go at tackling the booze. My skin and weight have really improved since I gave up- I used to look pasty faced, blotchy and puffed up, and I had a real 'beer gut' and stupid little arms and legs- happy to say over the months ALL thats changed for the better-people now say to me, "you're looking so well" and although they can't put a finger on why that is as the changes back to normal happen slowly, I cringe at how awful, run down and bloated I must have looked. Getting back some pride in my appearance means I spend the money I used to waste on alcohol on a fortnightly beauty 'treat' at the salon, or a trip to the hairdressers.

DMP eh? No wonder you've hit the booze-really stressful stuff. I was at my worst going through bankruptcy a couple of years ago as I just couldn't work out a way to get out of my financial woes, so I boozed away to forget it all- doesn't work of course, but it stops you having to think about the mess. Sincere best of luck with that-hope it works out OK.

Can see how the drink has an appeal when it all gets a bit overwhelming...scary prices though and it doesn't help at all - despite what that little demon in your head says........

My skin has improved hugely since I stopped...get far fewer aches and pains too and whilst I'm still not great at mornings, I'm usually wide awake in half an hour and starting some exercise....weight loss is a different matter but when I was drinking my diet was shocking cos I could rarely face breakfast.....

Bismarck

jo1972 wrote: »

Eselt, thanks so much for recommending Senokot, got some last night on the way home as I had severe trapped wind and it's helped a lot today. You may just have given me the answer, as because of this problem that's the reason I drink again to get rid of it. So if these do work, then I can actually see this being slightly easier.

that's great news....we all need to remove any barriers that make us reaching the target harder....I hope this is the last barrier for you Jo....here's hopeful!

eselt

My skin has improved hugely since I stopped...get far fewer aches and pains too and whilst I'm still not great at mornings, I'm usually wide awake in half an hour and starting some exercise....weight loss is a different matter but when I was drinking my diet was shocking cos I could rarely face breakfast.....[/quote]

Exercise!!!!!!Yikes!!!!!:eek: :eek: :eek: Like they say, one day at a time...and my day to start exercising hasn't arrived yet...and since I've got such an addictive personality I'd better not start jogging as I could get hooked on it and it could become a problem...best to just sit still and fend off the craving to run around the block...there sorted,urge to lift weights has totally passed, who said I didn't have any willpower???

barshamhillbilly

eselt wrote: »

Exercise!!!!!!Yikes!!!!!:eek: :eek: :eek: Like they say, one day at a time...and my day to start exercising hasn't arrived yet...and since I've got such an addictive personality I'd better not start jogging as I could get hooked on it and it could become a problem...best to just sit still and fend off the craving to run around the block...there sorted,urge to lift weights has totally passed, who said I didn't have any willpower???

Now that's what I call thinking ahead

alisong_2

welcome GK.

I'm a newbie here as well but everybody's been very supportive so well done for taking the first step.

I'm no expert at all but what I have found useful (after trying for years on my own!) was the treatment centre suggesting that I get some control no matter how small to make myself feel better and as a small step on the way. Maybe you could do this by deciding only to drink one kind of alcohol, for instance, perhaps whatever you'd find hardest to give up? Then, you can decide on an amount you're comfortable at (not really cutting down much but below your 'worst' levels) and stick to that for a bit (weeks if necessary, at least you're not going over). Then when you're steady there and ready cut down a little and stick to that.

I've found this very helpful, if I'd had to do it quicker i just don't think I could have managed to cut down at all. And, as you make little bits of progress it's easier to see ahead to what you really want to achieve in the long term.

Anyway, as I said I'm certainly no expert but you might find this helps a little. Whatever you do don't give up if you have a bad day/days just get back on track as quickly as you can.

PS hope you don't mind me suggesting this and please feel free to ignore it!!

barshamhillbilly

alisong wrote: »

decide on an amount you're comfortable at (not really cutting down much but below your 'worst' levels) and stick to that for a bit (weeks if necessary, at least you're not going over). Then when you're steady there and ready cut down a little and stick to that.

Yep - I would agree with Alisong. It is against the principles of some, but the totally cutting out straight away didn't really work for me - well as most on here know - it did for a few weeks then I went back to where I started. It can also be dangerous to cut right out if you have been heavily drinking for a while.

Since then I have decide to give myself a limit of 35 units for the week, then gradually reduce it further.

So even with a blast of a couple of extra tinnies, as in over the weekend, then I am still within my target. So perhaps next week I can drop the weekly total to 30 units ...... etc. (I used to have about 50 units a week as an average before Christmas). I have to say, that I feel much more in control and happier doing it this way, though of course you (well I do) still get cravings once you have reached your daily limit, when you would normally have another one or two.

Some would say if you are going to get the cravings anyway, then why not just stop all intake, but it doesn't work for everyone.

Anyway, the one 660ml bottle of lager slipped down nicely after a freezing cold jump in the pool earlier, though I have to own up to small shot glass full of red wine with the spag bol for dinner . Well at least it stopped Mrs BHB drinking the whole bottle :rotfl:.



Best wishes and good luck

Andy

Bismarck

Here's one for you all to ponder:

if you didn't work, would you drink?

fieldofdreams

Hi everyone

Managed to get through the weekend without touching a drop so that makes it AF day 15 - I think this is the longest I've gone without a drink since the annual January detox!!

Should be able to make it through the week, whether I can survive another weekend remains to be seen :rolleyes:

Well done to everyone for their continuing efforts to give up/cut down!

Hope everyones ok

fieldofdreams

Bismarck wrote: »

Here's one for you all to ponder:

if you didn't work, would you drink?

Thats an interesting one bismarck - I think there are loads of people who either hate or are totally stressed out by their jobs, and feel that they need to have a few drinks in the evenings to "wind down"

Having said that, after a few days of watching Jeremy Kyle, Loose Women and Cash in the attic - thats enough to drive anyone to drink