The giving up/cutting down alcohol support thread!

eselt

Hi all- welcome to all the lurkers and new posters- and congrats to everyone who is struggling and making an impact.

Saw something that made me run off to my car for a big cry today- there was a guy in the supermarket and the staff were trying to stop him walking off with booze inside his jacket, there was a lot of fuss and then he had a siezure and he just looked so young and scared and ill and there was noone with him to take care of him- he really smelt and all the staff were gossiping that he was a homeless drunk man and they didn't seem to be worried about him at all- I made one of the staff ring for an ambulance and a lovely old lady came and sat with me and him whilst he came round and got his bearings again- the ambulance arrived and they took him to hospital, but the worst thing was I asked him if there was anyone I could ring for him, and he just said no, he didn't have anyone- I'd say he was only about 5 yrs older than my eldest son. At least he won't be cold tonight and might get some meds and some help, but I just thought how lucky most of us on here are because we have people that do care about us, and do worry about us, and do rely on us. If must be awful to have nothing but alcoholism to keep you company all day every day.

I came away and had a serious conversation with myself, there is NO WAY I AM EVER GOING TO GO BACK DOWN THAT ROAD (and I don't shout, so you can all guess how upset I am about this!). I won't, I won't, I won't- end of.

biscotte

thanks for that Eselt - a very sobering post. I would guess that a lot of homeless folk have alcohol and drugs issues, whether as a result of being homeless and seeking comfort in a bottle or whether the addictions led to them becoming homeless. terrible shame particularly in one so young.

Bismarck

it really does hit you sometimes....take care eselt...I'm not going there either...let's all not go there together!

Wanna_Bee_Free

Eselt thanks for that sobering post. Must stop taking so much for granted and count my blessings more.

WB, thanks for checking in, I was wondering how it was going for you.

Not much news here, AF today going fine but feeling vv tired. Hope everyone else has a good day.

alisong_2

Hi all, I haven't posted for ages but I've been checking on you all most days. I haven't counted the days but I haven't had a drink for over 4 months now:D (so I suppose that's getting on for 130 days:eek: ). I'm still finding tough some days and can feel the pressure rising with Xmas approaching but I've just had a look back at some of my posts when I first found this thread and, boy, am I glad I'm not in that space any more:T .

Just felt that I wanted to pop in to say hi and thanks to everyone who's helped me. Some days it was only an encouraging word from someone like MP which kept me going.

Anyway, I'm still going to the centre, although not as often now, and still have bad days but overall pretty good so thanks again and best of luck to you all.

winebox

Oh Eselt that is so sad - DD & I have had lovely evening decorating (TACKY!) tree (never been a "colour theme" in this house), & it was a short sharp shock to think about stuff like that going on for others. Sorry you were upset...there but for the grace of "whoever" go all of us.

Despite my resolution earlier - not AFD for me today but I'm OK with that for once - instead of having a bottle before dinner & stuffing my food down followed by another bottle I had a glass of red with the meal & 1 to do the tree with - have another one on the go now but I know I'm not on a bender. Just don't have those "vibes". For some reason I only do that on white wine & i ain't got none! Am going to finish this off & have a cuppa, so will have had far far less than usual, & enjoyed it far more (duh? spot the link wb?), & won't be hungover tomorrow. Don't mean to sound smug - should be having days & days AF to compensate for recent alch-unit record-breaking performance, but feel better in myself for not taking off on the usual binge route (I know it's only 7.30pm!! but I'm an early-nighter). If it all goes awry I'll either 'fess up or...see you in 2009 :rolleyes: :rotfl:
Like others have said - it's good to be able to be honest on here.

Fay like you I have volunteered for loads of driving duties this month - DD can't believe she's going to so many parties on a FRIDAY NIGHT :eek: or a SUNDAY AFTERNOON :eek: my usual fave drinking times. And I've had to pay for these so won't back down .

Anyone going to the panto this year? - have just booked 3 seats....£60!!!!!!!!

Now being MSE & doing home-made crackers (set of 6 from the 99p shop - funny what costs what these days) but they make no mention of having to use £5-worth of sellotape to stop the blankety-blank things popping open when you try and get the jokes in, which of course I've not read first. And the hats will be so SQUASHED! Off to telly now, after packed lunch routine, good evening all x

winebox

:T sorry forgot to say...well done alisong - superb achievement.

Bismarck

alisong wrote: »

Hi all, I haven't posted for ages but I've been checking on you all most days. I haven't counted the days but I haven't had a drink for over 4 months now:D (so I suppose that's getting on for 130 days:eek: ). I'm still finding tough some days and can feel the pressure rising with Xmas approaching but I've just had a look back at some of my posts when I first found this thread and, boy, am I glad I'm not in that space any more:T .

Just felt that I wanted to pop in to say hi and thanks to everyone who's helped me. Some days it was only an encouraging word from someone like MP which kept me going.

Anyway, I'm still going to the centre, although not as often now, and still have bad days but overall pretty good so thanks again and best of luck to you all.

that's great news...well done.

one day at a time and soon you kind of lose track!

eselt

Alisong- they say the quiet ones always surprise you!!!Well done you...you must be so very proud. I don't think alot of people who don't have a problem can possibly understand what us drinkers go through- I know people see us as weak and unable to get a grip but its more than that- I was reading some american research and over there they seem to accept that being an alcoholic is a disease like diabetes or high blood pressure, and just as lifestyle choices impact on those illnesses, alcohol impacts on us, and we should'nt be stigmatised especially when we are trying so hard not to be like this- when I say I don't/never set out to be an alcoholic I meant it- who in their right mind would want to put themselves through this? But we are where we are, and we are trying to deal with it, and I for one think people on here should be very proud that they are finally tackling this, and reclaiming their lives- good on you, all of you, you are a bunch of very very special people- thank you so much.

Pippilongstocking

Hi guys
some amazing posts, and elset, hugs - well done you for caring enough to stay with the chap - poor bloke..

Read the article Lurkio - interesting, so much of that is very familiar. Hi Alisong

Been away on plane - what is it with us waiting for transport and alcohol - we were put in the executive lounge thingmy - and of course free bar help yourself thing - blimey - tonnes to do and prefer drinking on my own, so I had just a soft drink, plane was nearly 2 hours late, and the state of some folk in there so early - they clearly didnt have to drive when we landed - and then of course take off and theres a trolley service arghghghgghgh - can't get away from the stuff.

So remarkably (thus far) AFD today - still mega tired, today as i read on the plane was the first time in ages I wasn't paranoid about smelling of booze in the morning(you know that next day alcohol smell does it come out of your skin?) and my head was as clear as it can be at the mo.

Have objectly told my brother to please not buy any more wine for me - so will see how that goes.

Interesting what you say about the research eslet - heard other folk talking like that, my dad was an alcoholic (its how he died 53 - madness really) some folk talk about it being a genetic condition, no idea if that is really the case or not - but its startling enough to wonder.

Hope you are all good - my waistine is increasing from all the tea/cofee and biscuits I am shovelling down. xx

WB dd going to panto here, being taken by a pal - no idea of hte cost but not that much i think argh