Two bottles on a night becoming the norm

[pomopom]

Not every night, but any night that I decide to pour a drink, which is usually about 2 or 3 times a week.
I have to grit my teeth through the non drinking days.
I like the 'blocking out' feeling it gives.

I can't imagine not drinking on a Friday or Saturday, it would be very difficult.

I've drunk two bottles of wine tonight and could drink more, easily.

I've got a problem haven't I.

[riseshine]

Me too :( I relate to every word of your post.

[user1477323930]

OMG cant believe Im writing this but I too are struggling with the old bottle of wine (or two) a night, after the weekend I decided to at last do something about it so did some research and have downloaded the book 7 days sober by Meredith Bell I read a chapter everynight and then again in the morning it seems to be helping, unfortunatley I agree with a lot of what she says and see the way I manage wine or it me has just become a sad habit. But its Thursday now and havent had a drink for 3 and a half days so thats a positive surely, dont think I want to give up but get off the wine and have a break. Keeping fingers crossed it may continue at least so I can do the 7 days but the weekend is coming up :-(

[Lottapianos]

I hear you OP. I realised I had booze issues a few years ago. No weekday drinking but 5 bottles of wine minimum over weekend - classic binger. It felt like a treat, something to look forward to and like you said, it helps to block out the shitty stuff. At least until the next morning when you feel like death.

I got sick and tired of planning my weekends around alcohol and cancelling plans because I was too hungover. After months of thinking about it, I stopped drinking for 4 weeks. I know how scary that sounds! But it was like pushing a reset button and when I went back to the booze I just didn't fancy drinking anything like the amounts I used to. I feel and look so much better for it and will never go back to such heavy drinking

The very first step is recognising that you're not happy with your drinking

[sunflowerfi]

Hi I have logged onto here as I too realise I need to do something about my drinking. I am so scared about the damage it is doing to my body.
I was never a big drinker at all before I had kids but it started about 6 years ago as I coping mechanism to get through evenings; the bedtime routine, my unhappy marriage and boredem really. As my marriage finally ended (my choice as he was emotionally abusive) I started to socialise with friends who also liked a drink so cracking open a bottle of wine became the norm. I have got to the stage now where I know I need to seriously cut back, I hate the way I feel in a morning after I have drank a bottle of wine the previous night, some weeks I will have 3 or 4 alcohol free days but then on the days I drink I will have a bottle a night. Other weeks I'll have maybe two large glasses every night. It has become an assosiation with relaxing. I am spending way too much money on alcohol and I am scared of the damage it is doing.
For the last four years I have been saying 'this is it' I am going to change but I haven't been able to make the change last.
I feel now though that I can no longer carry on like this, feeling rubbish 3 or 4 mornings a week due to drinking the night before.
I am going to take it a week at a time starting today. xx

[user1477323930]

Hi sunflowerfi, I have been exactly the same for a couple of years, always saying Monday Im giving up drinking but after a heavy weekend last week of wine and rubbish food and feeling really awful on Monday morning I think my head was just in the right place of enough is enough!! Cant believe I have actually managed to make it to Friday without a sip of alcohol but I guess this is where it gets really tricky - the weekend!!! My husband and I always end up in the pub for a couple of drinks and then home for a bottle of wine each night, dont quite know how to play it - dont go to pub, go to pub and drink soft drinks????? or even keep away from the wine and have G&T agh......... trying to be positive but the nagging has already started in my head. How are you doing?

[Lottapianos]

user, could you focus on what you will be gaining by not having alcohol over the weekend, rather that what you're not having? If you don't drink on Saturday night, you will probably sleep well and wake up with a clear head on Sunday morning. You could plan something nice to do on Sunday that you will be able to enjoy. Replace the alcohol with something you enjoy eating, slice of cake or whatever? I know its not the same! It may help with the feeling of not denying yourself though. Its really hard if you feel that you're withholding something from yourself. The nagging in your head is really dreadful but you can overcome it by making a positive decision, and saying to yourself 'today / this weekend I will not be drinking'.

[user1477323930]

Lottapianos, thank you great advice, going to think of the positives from now on, Ive had a little chat with myself and re-read a chapter of Meredeth Bells book (7 days sobar) about the negative thinking come back and nagging at me. "Definatley not drinking this weekend" there I have said it, no going back!! Hopefully I can update you on Monday with good news.

[Lottapianos]

Good for you

[user1477323930]

Yeah, I did it, no alcohol for 7 days and I have lost 4 pounds in weight, feeling really good, a bit tricky yesterday but just took the dog for another walk!! I am going out with some girlie friends on Friday and I have already decided to not drink or have a couple of G&T's - definitly no wine :-) :-)

[user1477323930]

Yeah, I did it, no alcohol for 7 days and I have lost 4 pounds in weight, feeling really good, a bit tricky yesterday but just took the dog for another walk!! I am going out with some girlie friends on Friday and I have already decided to not drink or have a couple of G&T's - definitly no wine :-) :-)

[Lottapianos]

Good stuff user, glad you're feeling good and proud of yourself x

[sobersarah]

Come and say hello on the Dry 16 thread in Relationships, if you like. We are very friendly and supportive :)