The giving up/cutting down alcohol support thread!

[Deleted User]

Hello All

Thanks to the first MSE alcohol free thread about 3 years ago, I too finally managed to find deal with my alcohol addiction. I've not picked up a drink since 6 December 2006

When it comes to alcohol I just try and take one day at a time. I keep my life as simple as possible - accepting that the proverbial will hit the fan at times. Accepting outside help was the first step in my sobriety. Pretani, I hope you too will accept help from your GP, but please do keep coming back to this thread as well.

Throughout my sobriety I have attended AA meetings. I’ve attended about two meetings a week – sometimes more, sometimes less (though I never did the 90 meetings in 90 days)! I understand that some people are put off AA (e.g., by the mention of the word 'God'). I would suggest that you try a couple of different meetings (they can be very different in style even within the same town) and just listen to the similarities with those who speak – it’s comforting and helps with understanding why we behave the way we do. Why not give it a try – it’s not a cult, no one is going to force you to speak or to attend again.

My life now is beyond my wildest dreams. I've a long way to go in my personal development (I’m so scared of trusting people that even posting on this thread is difficult) - but I've a lifetime to get there.

I still get cravings, but would never take the risk of picking up even one drink – I have too much to lose. In the meantime, I take strength from this thread when times are tough – it’s a bit like an online AA meeting!

Gosh, this is a long message - I only came online to prompt Pretani to get to see her GP

Bismarck

shopaholictiedtheknot wrote: »

Hi all, is anyone on here at the mo I could really do with a friendly ear?:o

I'm here too....but I was here too late to help (note to self - read messages first before posting in)...well done Jo....

Bismarck

Deleted_User wrote: »

Hello All

Thanks to the first MSE alcohol free thread about 3 years ago, I too finally managed to find deal with my alcohol addiction. I've not picked up a drink since 6 December 2006

When it comes to alcohol I just try and take one day at a time. I keep my life as simple as possible - accepting that the proverbial will hit the fan at times. Accepting outside help was the first step in my sobriety. Pretani, I hope you too will accept help from your GP, but please do keep coming back to this thread as well.

Throughout my sobriety I have attended AA meetings. I’ve attended about two meetings a week – sometimes more, sometimes less (though I never did the 90 meetings in 90 days)! I understand that some people are put off AA (e.g., by the mention of the word 'God'). I would suggest that you try a couple of different meetings (they can be very different in style even within the same town) and just listen to the similarities with those who speak – it’s comforting and helps with understanding why we behave the way we do. Why not give it a try – it’s not a cult, no one is going to force you to speak or to attend again.

My life now is beyond my wildest dreams. I've a long way to go in my personal development (I’m so scared of trusting people that even posting on this thread is difficult) - but I've a lifetime to get there.

I still get cravings, but would never take the risk of picking up even one drink – I have too much to lose. In the meantime, I take strength from this thread when times are tough – it’s a bit like an online AA meeting!

Gosh, this is a long message - I only came online to prompt Pretani to get to see her GP

excellent post...well said (and done)

shopaholictiedtheknot

Hi all and thanks for your help

Just popped back on to say I have apologised to DH for my behaviour, he has forgiven me (just) but says I was a complete pain, apparently I was trying to write a shopping list at half one in the morning - living up to my namesake apparently :rolleyes: I am going to draw a line under it and move on, I know I cannot undo what i have done but I CAN learn by it and try not to do it again!

I hope everyone is ok today.

I am off to have a nice cup of tea and watch x factor in a mo - sober evening for me:beer:

Jo I have pmed you

shopaholictiedtheknot

Bismarck wrote: »

I'm here too....but I was here too late to help (note to self - read messages first before posting in)...well done Jo....

No worries bis

alisong_2

Crikey it's been a bit busy on here today:cool: !

Welcome polaroid and thanks for an excellent post hiphouse. Shoppy, glad things have sorted themselves out and good you had Jo to talk to today. Jo, we're going to Disney (paid for partly with tesco vouchers thanks to this site and PTS:money: :j ). Ordinarily I'd be dead excited but just don't want to lose the plot now...:eek:

Polaroid, I don't know how your doctor can think you're within the limits, isn't a bottle of wine about 13 units?!! If you're feeling something's not right I think it's worth trying to do something about it so I wouldn't be put off and glad you've found this thread.

Slight craving tonight so far, out of the blue watching BB, so thought I'd better get up and do something. Have a good evening everyone,

Ali x.

jo1972

Polaroid, welcome :wave: most doctors and in fact professionals are pants in my opinion....well the ones I've met anyway. Only you know if you've actually got a problem and if you've got to the stage where you think you have then you are half way to sorting yourself out. The units you drink a week are above the recommended weekly limits and these limits are not there to drink up to but no to excess so even if you did reach just the limit every week that's not to say your doc could not say you have a problem. Am I making sense, I'm very tired this evening If I were you I'd seek more help, is there another doc you can see or could you ask to be referred, failing that try AA or your local council offices for treatment centres. Good luck and keep us updated

Hiphouse, well done on your fantastic progress, keep us inspired

Shoppy, so glad things are settling down now, take it easy tonight girl

Didn't have the craving problem tonight so much as yesterday, must be OH going out that's a trigger

Ali, hang in there

Have a lovely evening all

alisong_2

jo1972 wrote: »

Listen Shoppy,

We all know how you feel as we wouldn't be posting on here if it was easy to stop! My OH also thinks it's a case of just 'not buying it'! Obviously we know a bit differently and even though I say to him, look how about I say to you to stop smoking, I'm sure it wouldn't as easy as just not buying them, I've given up them as well in the past and know how hard it is!

Look back to all your progress, 19 days in phase 1 and 2, 32 days in phase 3, in all you've saved almost 300 quid! It can be done, it's not easy and you've got to want it and commit to it, I found that out last night....I'm not making any promises for the future, just taking it as it comes cos that's enough to deal with a the time.

List down all the things that you hate yourself for last night and all the positive things that happened. I was always told though counselling that there is nothing positive about alcohol, but this time I was told, you know what, you must've drunk for a reason (even if it's a negative one) and it must be doing the trick otherwise you wouldn't put yourself constantly through it!

Thought I'd look in before I get off to bed. I'm trying to quote just the bit about the reasons for drinking but can't seem to do just one bit, sorry (also, while I'm on the subject, I can't get the full range of smilies to work, just the short list, how do you do it:mad: ?!).

I can so relate to that approach working. The first counsellor I saw gave me the negative argument thing and it was completely useless (to me, anyway). I'd worked all that stuff out already, that's why I was there in the first place ! Then I got to see another one who talks about having 'needed' the drink because of various issues, about not beating yourself up if you lapse and about accepting that I might feel that I 'need' one again in the future (although, obviously, the object is to give up).

Not exactly 'hey presto' sorted out by magic but at last someone who understood how I felt and helped me put in place a realistic plan. It doesn't half make a difference:j .

Enough from me, sleep well all,

Ali x.

eselt

Hi All

Blimey, busy today- well done Jo for the support you gave shoppy, shoppy I'm so glad things look a bit brighter now. My ex and I split up for good after a drunken row and the police were called and he was carted off- I was still furious in the morning and wouldn't have him home (so he could be bailed)so much to my shock he ended up spending 4 weeks on remand in exeter prison and was charged with assault- he was given probation eventually but lost his job and pretty much everything else- we even had to have the dog put down because it went for a policeman and bit him badly when they tryed to put handcuffs on him. Drunken rows can escalate quickly and terrible things can happen. Even though this all happened a few years ago I still find it shocking and the worst thing was I just hit the bottle even harder. Appalling, particularly as even though I can't remember much of it I do know I was very drunk and probably started it as I was a nasty drunk on spirits and could get very violent. My ex and I both regret what happened and wish we could go back to being the happy little family we were before our addiction to alcohol ruined everything- we both love each other but can't be together because we are just like the toxic twins and have such a bad influence on each other, we can only stay sober on our own.

Talking of being sent to prison because of alcoholism, have you all seen the story of the 35 yr old alcoholic whose 5yr old daughter had to scream to a passer by to stop her mum from driving? She was driving smashing into cars in the middle of the road with her child in the back. I can understand why she got a prison sentence but felt a bit sad that she will not be getting any proper treatment for her alcoholism.

Anyway, hope everyone is well, and have a great BH weekend.

Bismarck

hmm...the damage of the drink...yes...so much to digest and learn from....tonight's quick thought is not to think so much as "giving up" drinking...just more emphasis on "choosing not to" - giving up implies some justified loss to me - a favorite film of mine is Trainspotting...I love the ending where he chooses life and moves on...think of it as a positive choice and you'll make it easier on yourself.

I don't want to drink.

I don't need to drink.

Drinking doesn't make anyone in our house happier.

Why should I drink?

Alisong...you get the fancier smilies by clicking on "Go Advanced"....then click on the "more" on the right hand side.

right..need to go! take care everyone.