Stopping drinking for a while

[Patbutcherismyhero]

Throughout lockdown I've gradually started drinking more and more. I now usually only have one day off a week. Last night I drank way too much and was sick, slept terribly and today I just feel awful mentally and physically. I need to cut back. It's become far too much far too often.

I hate waking in the night with anxiety and having to check my phone to if I put any shit on social media. I don't usually get hangovers but I always feel tired and lacking in motivation. Alcohol has become such a big part of my life but I know it's not healthy and I really need to stop for a while. Anyone else?

[MinnieJackson]

I doubt you're alone @Patbutcherismyhero (I love your name btw!) I started drinking more at the start of lockdown aswell but I felt so unproductive and anxious it just wasn't worth it. I don't have social media but I remember I used to have the fear about checking the next day aswell. Start as you mean to go on. Obviously you know the health repercussions of excess drinking and you want to change. So you think you'll need professional help to cut down or stop drinking now or will you be ok on your own?

[fluckityfluckfluck]

Me too. Me too. Not last night but in general. It's starting to really impact my life in a very negative way. I'm fat and anxious

[AlexisCarringtonColbyDexter]

I havent drunk alcohol for 8 months. I'd normally drink a few glasses of wine 4 times a week ish.

Dont miss it at ALL. My skin is clear, looking at photos I can see my face looks streamlined now and I can see a well defined jaw line and cheekbones whereas before my face looked always slightly puffy. Ive lost about a stone without really trying. But the best thing is my anxiety levels have dropped significantly. I always thought wine was relaxing but it really really is not. I'd always feel hugely anxious after drinking the next day. Thats all gone now- I feel calm and able to cope with stress now.
Do it- you could sign up to one year no beer if you need support. I havent looked back.

[Patbutcherismyhero]

I don't think i will need professional help, just a big load of willpower...! I'm not addicted to booze it's just become habitual to have a drink in the evening. More so in lockdown because there's nothing else to do. I enjoy it at the time but in the long term it's not doing me any favours.

I have definitely put on weight and I feel tired and anxious all the time. I think I will miss it to begin with but hopefully going forward I will feel the benefits.

[fluckityfluckfluck]

Happy to be support buddies if you like Pat? PM me if you want. I've signed up for the free five days with one year no beer

[AquaFaba]

I just posted the same in another thread!
I’ve also been drinking more than usual during lockdown and having a daily 6pm glass of wine (at least) to get me through the hump of teatime, bath and bed with small children.
I decided to stop drinking last Saturday, just over a week ago. Early days for me yet, but I want to get to a point where I can enjoy a glass of wine for what it is, rather than being a treat/crutch for getting through another relentless day.

[Teacaketotty]

I honestly don’t think your alone there OP, at least you’ve realised it’s gotten a bit much and can make a change. You know yourself 6 days a week is too much, and most of the time your probably not enjoying it anymore.

I haven’t really had any booze since I had DD a year ago and honestly I don’t miss it. For me it’s just not worth feeling crap the next day, if I really fancied it I would but for me it’s empty calories and makes my skin look awful.

Good luck OP, maybe put the money aside you would have spent on it and buy yourself something nice?

[Patbutcherismyhero]

@fluckityfluckfluck I use the app and not sure how to PM on it? But be good to have a buddy. I think on days like this when I feel particularly tired and hungover it's easy to make a pledge to stop. But by the middle of the week I can see myself giving up unless I really do focus and exercise some willpower! When the dc are in bed it's just too easy to settle down and relax with a drink and a film.

[fluckityfluckfluck]

I've ordered some of the citrus seedlip....

[Patbutcherismyhero]

So I haven't had a drink since Saturday. Two days might not sound much but it is for me! I expected my sleep to massively improve but last night I was tossing and turning unable to switch off for ages. Sometimes I find I actually sleep better after one or two drinks, it's only when I have a real binge that I tend to wake up in the night with beer fear and anxiety and have really broken sleep.

Nevertheless I will carry on! How's everyone else doing?

[Hangingover]

I'm not addicted to booze it's just become habitual to have a drink in the evening

Have a read/listen to "This Naked Mind" it might give you some interesting thoughts on this. I listened to it and I learned loads - mainly that having a psychological dependency on alcohol doesn't mean you're just imagining it - regular/heavy drinking does actually rewire your brain! It's fascinating. She reckons the term alcoholic is a bit useless since the nature of alcohol is that it's a highly addictive poison therefore all regular drinkers are somewhere on the scale of dependency - I know I am!

[DressesWithPocketsRockMyWorld]

Urgh same. I am not only fat I am puffy. Every morning I think right this madness must stop and every evening I have a few cans and some wine. I have a beer belly! Honestly need to sort it out

[La1ka]

@Patbutcherismyhero I am terrible at being drunk and say the weirdest things which is always embarrassing. I stopped drinking a few years back, and I am so much happier. I never drink at home and will maybe have one or two every 6 months with my husband, but I don’t usually want to. I’m so much happier, once you’re out of it you realise how much of a waste of time and money it is!

Good luck with this, I’m sure you will smash it and I promise you it’s so worth it. X

[nettie434]

@fluckityfluckfluck

I've ordered some of the citrus seedlip....

I have definitely drunk more over lockdown. Most of us are used to drinking more over Christmas or on holiday but this has gone on for muxh longer. I have bought a bottle of seedlip. It costs as much as a bottle of gin but actually it's so gorgeous, it's worth it.

There is an alcohol support board here if you have not seen it PatButcherismyHero. (I could have put just Pat but lover your user name too!)

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/alcohol_support

[Patbutcherismyhero]

@nettie434 thank you I didn't realise there was a booze board I should have posted there.

I can relate to the puffy feeling, I feel so bloated and have definitely put on a lot of weight in lockdown.

Is the naked mind a book or podcast? I'll have a look. I'm trying to channel my time in the evenings (when I'd usually have a drink) into something else to keep me busy. So any good books etc would be fab to keep me busy and focused. I'm so used to opening a bottle of wine while cooking dinner (and then often finishing the bottle while watching a film after ) but once I'm past that trigger time I'm usually ok.

[Hangingover]

I'm so used to opening a bottle of wine while cooking dinner (and then often finishing the bottle while watching a film after blush) but once I'm past that trigger time I'm usually ok

Me too, exactly this. It's a book, but also an online community and podcast. I listened to it on Audible. I didn't agree with all of it but some of it was truly astonishing! Really makes you think (in a good way!).

[Piglet89]

@Patbutcherismyhero I second the recommendation of @Hangingover to read some Sober literature and listen to some podcasts on the subject. There are people out there who have really drilled down into the nature of alcohol and how exactly it affects the brain. It is a highly addictive toxin and it is my belief that everyone who drinks alcohol is somewhere on that scale of dependency. But I know that is controversial.

Anyway, I haven’t counted exactly but it’s probably a month since I have had an alcoholic drink. I sleep better, I’ve saved time and money, I’ve lost a little weight, my skin’s clearer, I’m a better parent to my little son.

I’ve come to the conclusion that booze is a gigantic con and nobody should be drinking it as it is just NOT good for our bodies or our minds. The government don’t like us to know the truth as the alcohol industry is so powerful and pays a fair bit in revenue. Look at the medical officers and advisers who are made to pay for speaking the truth about it!

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/society/2016/dec/30/breast-cancer-warning-wine-dame-sally-davies

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/politics/2009/oct/30/drugs-adviser-david-nutt-sacked

So you go @Patbutcherismyhero and have a good crack at knocking it on the head. It’s hard at the beginning but stick with it and I promise you - you won’t regret it.

steps off soap box

[Piglet89]

This Naked Mind is available as a podcast - you should be able to get it wherever you usually get your podcasts if you search for it.

[Pinniped]

Your description of going to sleep quickly then waking up panicky was me. I knew that I wasn't alcohol dependent but I so remember that wakeup feeling. I worried I could have said or done the wrong thing, upset people (I have OCD tendencies). Amongst a few other things I did around that time for my mental health, I decided that alcohol wasn't for me. I enjoyed and do miss it sometimes, but the awful morning feeling wasn't worth it any more. I don't say to myself that I'll not drink again, but right now I don't want to.

[cravingthelook]

I bought the cerocero 0% alcohol gin like drink from Lidl

It's the same habit as having a G&T but tastes great and the no alcohol is obviously the good point.

At beginning of lockdown I was drinking 4 or 5 bottles of wine a week. Now I have on average 1 a week.

[fluckityfluckfluck]

I'm on day 6, longest I've gone in ages. The seedlip is really nice and last night it stopped me reaching for the wine. Wish there was a decent no alcohol wine though.....

@patbutcherismyhero I am pilgrim is a most brilliant read....highly recommend

[nettie434]

I think AIBU has a lot more 'traffic' patbutcherismyhero so I was only suggesting the alcohol support board for more long term support. It sounds as if you are really determined and good luck to you, fluckityfluckfluck and all of us who have found we have drunk more in lockdown and want to stop or reduce the amount we drink.

[fluckityfluckfluck]

I feel a bit like I'm emerging from a fog....feeling brighter

[awesomeaircraft]

The Naked Mind was great.

The lady is very personable, been there, done that, and gives tons of info/support. It is free too (well the 30 day experiment is).

I really recommend it.

[Patbutcherismyhero]

I have to admit I did have a glass last night and worryingly I slept a lot better. One glass for me is a big improvement though, it's often a bottle. And I do feel a lot brighter already this week from how much I've cut down already.

Motivation levels and mood are up which is always a good thing.

For me I don't think I'll ever be fully teetotal but I definitely need to cut back, stop binge drinking and reevaluate my relationship with alcohol. I've been listening to a couple of podcasts with people like Catherine gray and I have to say a lot of what she said really hit home with me.