The giving up/cutting down alcohol support thread!

jo1972

I agree with eselt, AA wasn't for me but that's not to say it doesn't work for others. I think maybe it didn't help that each time I decided to go to a meeting I was on a complete downer and this probably clouded my views. That being said, the people there were lovely and really supportive.

I did go to group counselling a few years ago through my local drug and alcohol counselling place, this was first time I'd been to a group meeting and i was so nervous. But I couldn't believe all the different walks of life that turned up. I hadn't really thought about it before but I think I was the same as most other people in thinking that a load of down and outs were gonna turn up all drunk and disorderly :rotfl: In actual fact, every single one of the people I met there had a different story but they were all the same as me, I got them completely and made such a lot of new friends. We were bound together through alcoholism. I was a 34 year old woman and normally wouldn't hang around with a 65 year old bloke that spent his entire day and evening in the pub, but I did, we befriended and I drove him to the centre when he went in to detox, went to visit him and brought him home and we spoke on the phone. It's odd when you get bonded with someone so different but with the same thinking!

So yes, I think group counselling is really amazing, it helps you realise in the first instance that you are not alone. Everything you think in your head that makes you feel sick with yourself, the justification of your drinking, the hatred, the low self esteem, the lack of motivation...that's just normal for someone with a misuse problem, we all feel the same and I think realising that you're not alone is a great first step to learning how to conquer your problem. Hark at me, I've only done 3 weeks so don't want to sound like I know it all, cos I don't but I've been round the block with this problem now for 15 years and can only speak from my own experience

Definately, as eselt says, ask for and accept ANY help you can. If it doesn't work, then try summat else.....keep at it and eventually something will stick

xx

beachbeth

I haven't been here for a couple of days because Ive been looking online for a good holiday deal. My husband's sister and spouse are going to Cyprus in September and we've decided to go with them. I spent most of yesterday trying to find a decent hotel near where they are staying and at a good price. Got to fly from Manchester though, even though Birmingham is our nearest airport. Don't care though if it means another break. Fed up with the day-to-day stuff and the rain at the moment! They are a lovely couple and, even though OH's sister gave up smoking months ago, she has just started again because her daughter is going through a divorce and has come back to live at home - stressful for everyone when someone is going through this sort of thing.

Only managed one AF night this week on Tuesday. This resulted in me feeling quite energetic and positive on Wednesday. Im tired today though because a helicopter was flying around in the early hours (maybe a police one on the lookout for someone?) and it kept going past, fading away and then flying over again for at least half an hour. Just as I was dropping off to sleep the phone rang (nothing serious thank goodness) and after that I had no hope of getting back to sleep because it was 6.30 and our puppy was awake and wanting to go out!:o

Luckily Im at home and can go back to bed (which I am going to do in a moment). I thought Id just get caught up on here first. I love reading all your helpful advice and comments and reading about how well most people are doing.

Keep it up everyone!:T

alisong_2

Morning all, how's everyone?

Had a really good nights sleep last night after all my agonising and feeling a bit better this morning. It feels like your mind plays tricks with you when you get in the drinking groove and I find I just can't think straight:o . I suppose the lesson learnt there is to put time and space between that moment and acting out on it.

Thanks for the good wishes everyone, I've never met you but it really does help somehow and I'm sure that's one of the reasons why I've managed to keep fighting this time:A .

Well done Jo and shoppy, you are both doing really well and those relative long-timers Bis, Molly and eselte.

Shoppy I just don't know what to do on holiday. I really don't want ever to drink again as I'm worried I'll just slip straight back into it. But I keep thinking can I hold out if a lovely cold glass of something is offered to me when I'm relaxing in the sun at the end of the day...:eek: . Last night I saw it as a reward, today I can see it's not that at all but as I said, sometimes my mind seems to play tricks :mad: . So, I'm really confused and I think that's what got me a bit mixed up last night.

Right, off to walk the dog then lunch, have a good day all.

Ali x.

jo1972

Ali, well done

I think the problem with the 'drinking groove' is that it's so powerful, I decided on Saturday I was going to drink and if it wasn't for OH saying what he did then I'm sure I would've. If he'd of been going out that evening I defintely would've :eek:

I also need to put a moment in place between thinking of having a drink and actually doing it to give me time to re-think, but judging by Saturday's experience, I don't know if I'm going to have time :eek:

eselt

jo1972 wrote: »

I agree with eselt, AA wasn't for me but that's not to say it doesn't work for others. I think maybe it didn't help that each time I decided to go to a meeting I was on a complete downer and this probably clouded my views. That being said, the people there were lovely and really supportive.

I did go to group counselling a few years ago through my local drug and alcohol counselling place, this was first time I'd been to a group meeting and i was so nervous. But I couldn't believe all the different walks of life that turned up. I hadn't really thought about it before but I think I was the same as most other people in thinking that a load of down and outs were gonna turn up all drunk and disorderly :rotfl: In actual fact, every single one of the people I met there had a different story but they were all the same as me, I got them completely and made such a lot of new friends. We were bound together through alcoholism. I was a 34 year old woman and normally wouldn't hang around with a 65 year old bloke that spent his entire day and evening in the pub, but I did, we befriended and I drove him to the centre when he went in to detox, went to visit him and brought him home and we spoke on the phone. It's odd when you get bonded with someone so different but with the same thinking!

So yes, I think group counselling is really amazing, it helps you realise in the first instance that you are not alone. Everything you think in your head that makes you feel sick with yourself, the justification of your drinking, the hatred, the low self esteem, the lack of motivation...that's just normal for someone with a misuse problem, we all feel the same and I think realising that you're not alone is a great first step to learning how to conquer your problem. Hark at me, I've only done 3 weeks so don't want to sound like I know it all, cos I don't but I've been round the block with this problem now for 15 years and can only speak from my own experience

Definately, as eselt says, ask for and accept ANY help you can. If it doesn't work, then try summat else.....keep at it and eventually something will stick

xx

Brilliant post Jo-I think you might have got this problem well and trully in check- cross my fingers for you, its so good to read about people who have fought for, and got their life back.

Re: holiday drinking- there will always be a good reason to keep drinking (birthdays, Xmas, holidays, its the weekend etc), the reasons are endless and there is never a good time to give up- really tough call. I tend to avoid the trigger stuff but on holiday I think that would be pretty impossible as I see a holiday as a real treat and treats used to involve getting completely plastered!!!!! You could see you holiday as an excuse to stop drinking...see how you get on....it would be the ultimate test but think about how proud you would be to face that demon and beat it, plus you would get experience of doing something you really enjoy sober....I'm not sure I could hold out though, best of luck.

Bismarck

I've done more than one holiday sober and it's a bit odd at first but far better. it's really a case of changing everything, including your expectations...getting drunk on holiday is just something someone else can do....I'm not doing it.

Regarding asking for help....the list of celebrities who have given up is quite an eye-opener

mollypolly

:wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave:

Quiet again tonight.
Hope everyones ok.
Love Mollypollyxxxx

jo1972

Morning all :wave:

Day 23 for me today Wooohooo, can't wait to get to a month on 24th

How's everyone?

Lurkio

I'll get me coat........

jo1972

I'll hold your coat whilst you jump back on

xx