The giving up/cutting down alcohol support thread!

eselt

Hi all- lots of positive thinking, getting ready for the big day-I have the biggest hangover feeling ever as we've all had the flu and its just like old times- shakes, sweats, brain fog, jitters, sick- to think I used to feel like this the whole time voluntarily!!! What a berk.

Mari, I'm so glad you've talked to a friend about all this, I used to think I kept everything so well hidden, but everyone knew I had a problem and when I talked to people it was no surprise to them, and people do worry about you, and that in itself brings feelings of humbleness and guilt. No worries though, there are very happy times ahead for all of us, including our families and friends as they see someone they love recover, emerge again and reach our potential- we're in a very lucky place, we can make people proud of us and give people peace of mind in terms of our health and our wellbeing- its a gift, and its ours to give, lets do it.

miamoo

Hi, its me again, I didn't do very well last night. I had 2 glasses of wine and ended up more drunk than I wanted. I think I will join your challenge if thats o.k the fact that new years coming up is making me lose my motivation as I know I will want a drink then.
I never used to drink at all, then around 5 years ago I found wine! I only drank occasionally at first, a bottle of wine would last me weeks, but gradually I drank more and more and am now drinking a bottle of wine every night. (god that sounds awful I know) and have been roughly for 18 months. I went to spain with the kids last july for 4 nights and didn't drink anything, and I felt fantastic, but its being sat at home bored I find it hard to not have a glass.
If I go to the pub I don't drink alot, (I even leave wine sometimes!)I seem to know my limits when Im out, but not when Im at home.
I don't really want to give up drinking all together, but It would do me good to give it a rest for a while.
Also my boyfriend used to be a big drinker, and had been for years and years. he got offered a great job earlier this year, but he had to cut down drinking as he would be on call every 2 weeks, he did it no problem. He just drinks diet coke instead, I wish I could!
Sorry for the long waffling post!

yellowmonkey

Hi miamoo

Dont get upset when I say that a bottle of wine a night does not surprise me. I drink that in the equivelent (Sp?)of beer in a night so know how you feel..

Your comment about being bored and drinking strikes home with me as i can go 4 days without a drink when I am working why do i do it to excess on my days off

Hey ho. One thing at a time and that poor old Wi Fit sitting in the corner gathering dust will not know what has hit it come New Years Day

ym

[Deleted User]

Remember, one day at a time. Do NOT project into the future - just live for now. If you fall, pick yourself up. It's rare for people to 'get it' the first time. Just don't make a drama of any fall. There's no blame. No shame. Just keep on keeping on.

So, one day at a time and use all the support you need. If you feel you want a drink - find a diversion (do the ironing, go for a walk, phone a friend, write a letter, get online) just DO something. This as a plan of action not idleness, you have to help yourself and you have the courage to this, even if you don't know this yet. As each hour passes, your courage will grow... nurture this.

I recommend AA, particularly for those who are isolated, lonely drinkers. Go with an open mind and if the first meeting doesn't suit, try another - they can be very different in style.

I got a letter at Christmas from my mother to say how proud she is of me. She's never said that before and she would never have said it now if I was still drinking. Life will be beyond your wildest dreams if you come off the drink.

Hiphouse

GreyPilgrim

GreyPilgrim wrote: »

Off to get my missus from work now, and we're going to the pub over the road for a quick bite to eat. It's usually at this point I'll persuade her to drive back, and I'd have a pint. This time I am going to buck the trend, buy her a brandy and coke, and order a big, butch lime and soda for myself.

I shall even drink it with my little finger in the air.

Mission accomplished. Even the bit about the little finger in the air

Bismarck

Walked past masses of empties at the recycling bank tonight...staggering how much is consumed really.

Thanks especially to eselt for keeping the flag held high over the past months...it's a real tonic to hear how much you appreciate the new you.

It will my second sober New Years Eve tomorrow night and the kids are really looking forward to staying up late.

I was apprehensive last year as I felt so used to this obsession with drink at New Year. Talk about a learned behaviour.

The great New Years I've had had nothing to do with booze.

And I've had some beltingly bad new years days......

But not any more.

IF any of you are up for it, I'd suggest stopping now because you want to - not just because it's a particular date on the calendar.

I'd also urge you not to simply target a month with a view to getting blootered on the 1st of February....and hanging on as miserable as can be throught the last days of Janurary.

Each to their own! just be happy!

shopaholictiedtheknot

Wow am impressed by everyones positive plans for AFJ :beer: am almost jealous that I can't do it 'properly' as my AFness is enforced now!! OH is on his second bottle of wine tonight and the smell is making me wanna throw up!!

Oi WB !!- less of the pushing thanks I have loads of time before I need to even THINK about that:eek: :rotfl:

jjef

I have just stumbled across this thread and before I go further I would like to thank all posters for sharing their stories and for then being such an inspiration for others to share and join in.

My own alcohol consumption has been getting out of hand for just over the last three years - I lost my mother to Motor Neurone Disease three years ago and have struggled to deal with her loss. I have gone from having a drink when we went out to drinking most nights in the house, anything from one glass to two bottles of wine.

Wake up time came a couple of nights ago when hubby and I realised that we hadnt had an AF day in the whole of Dec and couldnt remember if we had had one in Nov we then sat and discussed why we drank (both to relax we seem to be out of the habit of reading, watching telly etc staying up to drink and going to bed far too late), therefore I would like to join this thread and also your January challenge. If I have to post if i have achieve an AF day, will encourage and help me to achieve one. Hopefully by having to update on a thread and my sig will encourage me to achieve.

I hope to be part of this thread for January and the months afterwards, as it is not my intention to only be AF for one month.

eselt

Welcome aboard everyone- it could be a bumpy ride but we can do this, honestly we can...I was given 3 months to live on 14th Dec 2007 because of my drinking, and I haven;t drunk since and god I can't tell you all how not drinking has changed my life, and my childrens life, and how my family and freinds have all drifted back as they see me make an effort rather than just accept that I'm a sad alcoholic and leave me alone to drink myself to a lonely death. No one has to be like this, for some its going to be more difficult but we can do this....I just hope that one day the first thing that I think about isn't drink, its been a year and I still crave the stuff, but I know theres no going back now..I nearly lost everything, its going to take me years to get those things back, but I'm determined now to make amends slowly through sobriety...and you know what? I'm just a better person full stop now, I've lost the alcohol but I've gained some integrity and respect again and its a slow process but I'm gonna do it for my kids, sisters, my dad and everyone that didn't give up on me- I owe them, and this time I'm not going to let them down.

*Mari*

Evening everyone

I've managed my 2nd AFD, 6 o'clock was a nightmare, what is it with certain times making you feel the need to drink

Anyway chose to ignore the calling and had a cammomile tea instead......have now had so many I may need to sleep near the loo:rotfl:

Also have a whacking headache and have had to endure a phone call from a rather merry OH.. Oh he of the lecture!!! But I resisted the temptation to take the moral high ground as it may well be me making the drunken call next time:rolleyes:

Miamoo Im usually a bottle a night girl so it dosen't surprise me either, it just creeps up without you realising...but you're in the right place everyone is so supportive here.

eslet If anyone had told me last week how much better I would feel just for talking I would have laughed at them, I feel like a weight has really been lifted from my shoulders.

Well tomorrows another day, not sure if it will be AF but would like to try...would be the first sober New Years Eve in 13 years :eek:

Anyway enough rambling, nearly January then the challenge really begins :T

Mari x