Relationship with Alcohol

[BuonoEstente]

It has turned sour, I can no longer imagine a weekend, event without it and feel tired all of the time. I need a trial separation. Any tips, help or advice would be very welcome. Dreading tomorrow

[BuonoEstente]

(planning to crack on with sobriety in preparation for work on Monday)

[BuonoEstente]

Argggghhhh name change fail

[tribpot]

Why not start today? There's no time like the present, and the whole point is to redefine your relationship with alcohol.

I've written a post on another thread today that gives some advice based on my experiences of going sober 5 years ago. I would make sure you feel accountable, even if you tell people you're doing a detox or you've given up booze for a bet, just be clear you won't be drinking.

I would aim for three months to start off with. This will give you enough time to reset your dial, feel the benefits of not drinking, and tackle a few of the events when normally drinking would be second nature, so starting to build your strategies.

The fact that you're dreading a day without booze isn't a good sign - I used to feel that way too. The worst bit for me was being unable to get to sleep as my brain whirled round and round. When I eventually did fall off to sleep the quality of that sleep was much better, but I couldn't imagine being awake til 2 a.m. every day waiting for sleep to come. I had a few days of sleep at random times of the day but my sleep cycle settled surprisingly quickly.

Start today - you don't need a last hurrah. You will end up getting hammered because you know it's the last one, and then feeling deathly tomorrow.

[NoTractorsAtTheTable]

This Jason Vale book was an eye-opener for me: www.amazon.co.uk/Kick-Drink-Easily-Jason-Vale/dp/1845903900/?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21
I also lurk on the Dry threads in Relationships (think the current one is Dry 14). Good luck

[Hadron21]

Come on over to Dry 14. We will get you through tonight.

[BuonoEstente]

Thank you for taking the time to reply, I've read your other post and it makes real sense. I had a month off the booze last year and felt great (and proud of myself) but I soon started having a couple whilst out and ended up starting mid-week drinking again. I can put back a bottle of wine plus a double vodka most nights and more on a weekend. I hate myself in the morning and swear "not tonight" but then come 5pm I convince myself that it'll be fun again and that I don't have a problem. Emptying the recycling bin is embarrassing and I'm often hungover.

[BuonoEstente]

Thanks for the book recommendations, I'll take a look. Its too late for me today (start early on Saturdays and end up in bed by 9pm - that sounds awful). But I'll pop over to the other thread first thing and have a good read)

[Hadron21]

There are some great links to blogs on the Dry thread that chart the journey of others. It's reassuring to follow a path and know it can be done.
I'll catch up with you tomorrow.

[BuonoEstente]

Thank you, that's very kind. I've taken a look at Dry 14, feeling a bit more positive already 😃.

[tribpot]

You can stop drinking now, even though you've started. It's not inevitable. Okay, it won't count as a dry night but it will be you taking the first step back to being in control.