The giving up/cutting down alcohol support thread!

biscotte

Morning, just posting and running right now. Have read all the new posts - thanks to everyone for some really useful insights/stories.
I had a bit over the weekend, nothing too drastic but will be AF this week = I need all the energy I can get as too busy.

Catch you all later,
Have a good day,

shopaholictiedtheknot

Hi all

Very boozy week for me, managed two AFDs though due to trip to Alton Towers didn't want to go on rides with a hangover and then we got back really late so didn't have any that night either! Have been really bad this weekend, can't even remember going to bed last night and OH found half cooked jacket potato in microwave that i have no recollection of cooking:eek: Am really going to try hard from today as just sooooo sick of drinking and feeling rubbish - going for 6 AFD's this week - have bonfire next Saturday so will be drinking there:o

Hope you are all ok :beer:

SiannieLaz

Hiya All,
Hope all well xxx
Had OH's kids this weekend, so first chance to catch up on posts.

Winebox-don't beat yourself up, what we are all trying to do is really hard. As long as you keep trying, the battle is halfway won.

Alcohol is such a huge part of our culture, and we are brought to believe that you need a drink to relax, have a good time, be an adult, etc. For the majority of people, having a few drinks a couple of times a week is ok so when you're trying to stop, those around you can't understand what the problem is so they don't help. My mum still refuses to believe I'm an alky, and my OH can't understand why I can't just have a few beers and leave it at that. In the past when I've stopped, I've got so much grief about it. The worst is bumping into people I haven't seen for ages and they offer to buy me a drink, they make such a huge deal about the fact I only want a lime and soda, it drives me nuts. Have asked a few of them why me stopping is so important to them, they reply it isn't, so I say 'why have you been going on about for 10 mins then?'

Now I just say I've stopped for medical reasons, which is partly true, I've been in hospital enough times due to drinking, and I often think I'm going mental, but it's a combination of reasons and no-one elses business but mine. At the end of the day, I have to look after myself because with all the best will in the world, no-one else is going to do it for me. I might sound like a grumpy old cynic, but I have to get well for me. I'm not getting any younger (36 in a few weeks) and I want to enjoy the rest of my life. I can honestly say that the last 15 years are a total blur. I don't remember what I did on my 21st, 25th or 30th birthdays because a) I was bladdered and b) my memory is shot from so much booze. I've now got to the stage where I blackout every time I drink, so what the point in that? I might as well just take a sleeping tablet every night at 7pm, it would be a lot cheaper!

All you guys on here have provided me with the most support I've ever had. I just want to thank you all, just reading what everyone is going through is amazing, and it makes a huge difference knowing I'm not the only one going through this.
Hugs hugs to all and a big pat on the back to all of us:T

ageing_biker

evening all,anyone having an afd tonight, day two again for me feel ok

Pippilongstocking

AF tonight too - my face has erupted into cold sores - thinking its stress (?), going to the doc tomorrow about them and hoping to be brave and speak about giving up alcohol etc - scary though.

cornishinfens

I'm amazed at how much booze i have cut out - easy 2/3rds so far... feeling better, looking better and a lot less grouchy!

Still drinking though - tonight i'm having a glass of 12 yr old single malt - not too much though i want it to last

Bismarck

cornishinfens wrote: »

I'm amazed at how much booze i have cut out - easy 2/3rds so far... feeling better, looking better and a lot less grouchy!

Still drinking though - tonight i'm having a glass of 12 yr old single malt - not too much though i want it to last

good for you!

we all have our own levels of tolerance - what is actually best for us in all kinds of ways. I view myself as intolerant in that I'd struggle to just have the one. You, on the other hand, seem to be more tolerant, and that's just the way things are. No hard feelings at all...I'm sure over Christmas I'll be asked why I don't drink and encouraged to have just the one but I'll be ready with an effective answer that doesn't reveal too much.

I'm gettign ahead of things...Halloween was fun...bit too much sweet stuff but never mind!

take care

Different_Corner

Morning
Back on the wagon, last night was AF day one and I'm feeling very refreshed after a decent nights sleep.

On the supermarket front, was with youngest on Friday, went to the juices aisles, kids like J20 - although I believe is marketed at adults at £3.45 for 4 or 8 for £5, yet less than two feet away sit the breezers at £2.99 for 4. For an easily led person like me it's easy to fall off the wagon.

Good to be back, and the pressure to drink off.

Pippilongstocking

Agree with the supermarket thing, and also with Bis - I can't have just one of anything it seems - especially malt whiskey, I sent the half bottle we had left home with the visitors.

Scoffed a bottle of alcohol free wine last night, thinking scholer is way forward at 3.99 a bottle for the 'fre' stuff - it be cheaper too - then agian, coffee makes me more productive!!

Goood luck today, aiming for today to be AF as well, conference later in week, be a trying time - argh. Why is it all tempered with alcohol - its not as if you have cheese and smoking ice breakers, or cheese and hash parties or cheese and other substances parties - its always alcohol and alcohol to break the ice.

Feel like Mrs whotsit ? Doyle? from Father Ted - 'Nice cuppa tea???'

winebox

Morning.....nice to get yesterday over with (so VERY, VERY tired - that's how a hangover gets me) - was AF but really no merit in it - mind & body still in such state of devastation that any wine was absolutely out of the question. Today will be harder as have bounced right back physically (when I went to bed last night, I thought who stuck that picture of an old woman on my bathroom mirror? I aged 10 years over the weekend) but still bearing the mental fright of wanting to get in the car - makes me shudder to write that.

Really glad was sober last night - my aged Dad rang, upset & worried cos he's not well (seeing consultant at hosp tomorrow) & thank goodness I was in a fit state to talk & more to the point, listen.

Second reason...(lighter note)...able to start a new book at bedtime - "Me Cheeta, The Autobiography" - superb!! Remember the Johnny Weissmuller Tarzan films in the 30s & 40s? - Cheeta's still alive! If you're into the Hollywood golden era of the 40s & all the stars back then this book is absolutely hysterical. Fabulous incentive to go to bed sober enough to read it tonight. What a hoot.

Hope you all have a day you would wish on yourselves....x