Addicted to wine

[BlueVelvett]

I have to seriously cut down on my wine consumption. I can't just have one or two glasses, I have to have the whole bottle and now even that isn't enough. I drink a bottle of wine most nights. I'm fed up of feeling crap all the time - constantly tired and lethargic, not sleeping properly, being overweight, not functioning properly. When I drink wine, I love how it makes me feel, I almost feel euphoric. I always feel dreadful though the next day and vow to cut down, but I can't stop. I'm really worried about the effect it's having on my health and also about my long term, heavy drinking triggering an early menopause, as I have read that this is possible. Has anyone had success with seriously cutting down or stopping their alcohol consumption? How did your life change after you cut down on your drink? I could really use some advice inspiration. Thank you.

[loveyoutothemoon]

I've no experience of this and sorry no advice but I think you also need to face up to other health issues you'll have (may already have), like stroke, heart problems and liver damage. With liver problems you often get no warning signs until irreversible damage has been done. So you need to do yourself a massive favour and stop but you need to get professional help if you can't do it alone.

[Leatherboundanddown]

Well done for admitting there is a problem op. A chat with your GP might be good.

[000SARA000]

So seven bottles a week?
More?

Would you go out and buy more alcohol after finishing what you have in?

[katand2kits]

I have seriously cut down since January - I now only drink on Fridays and Saturdays (or Saturday and Sunday, depending on what is going on). I am sleeping better and have lost nearly half a stone already, and just generally feeling healthier. To be honest, I was very worried about the amount of units I was putting away, and decided if cutting down this way didn't "work" then it would be time to get help. I have stuck to it for four weeks now, and hopefully am almost out of the "habit" of daily drinking. Hopefully, in a few months time, the idea of wine won't automatically pop into my head each afternoon. Husband is generally supporting me in no booze on weekdays, although on days when he has worked late he does have a drink, but he is drinking less too. Sex life has definitely improved since cutting down. Try restricting to weekend days only and aim to stick to the 15 units (one and a half bottles) per week. If you can't manage to do that via will power and finding ways to distract yourself, your problem is more than just a bad habit you've got into, and you will need to go to your doctor and take it from there.

[queenofshihtzus]

I used to drink heavily, one bottle of wine a night, sometimes a bit more. It was a crutch for me as I now know I was suffering from anxiety and depression. My mum was terminally ill at the time. I felt awful and I was worried about my health. This was around fifteen years ago. So I just stopped. I've had two dcs since and I'm teetotal now. I don't miss it.

[BlueVelvett]

Thank you all for your help and advice. I remember a time when I could just have one or two glasses and that was enough for me. I don't want to drink during the day, in fact the thought of it makes me feel quite sick. It's the night time which is my trigger point. I need to find ways to enjoy the evenings without a bottle of wine. Part of my problem is that I don't sleep well and I'm sure the wine is to blame. I end up drinking until late at night and then being exhausted the next day. I find facing an evening without wine hard. I think if I can try to go to bed earlier, then I won't have so much time to think about drinking, and then get up earlier in the morning. I have loads to do in the evening so it won't be hard to fill the time. I would love to have a hobby I really enjoyed. I have some magazines somewhere on learning how to knit. The last time when I knitted was when I was at school, but maybe if I can take it up again, it might help, as it really focuses your mind. I am going to try to go for 4 weeks without any wine. If I can do that I think I will be in a much stronger position. I don't know what it is about wine. Any other alcohol, I can take it or leave it. I feel I have reached a turning point. I'm really worried about the effects on my health and I have to do something before it's too late.

[sunnyandrainy]

Do you have kids? If not / if childcare of an evening can be sorted, why don't you go to an AA meeting? That would give you something to do and you would meet other people to talk about all the things and feelings you have mentioned. Trying to just stop on your own- any addiction - is hard and there is a lot of support out there so you don't have to just try and do it on your own.

[queenofshihtzus]

Try to replace the wine with something else to distract yourself - read a book, bar of chocolate, box set? I had issues with sleep and the wine helped me to get to sleep but I'd be wide awake a few hours later. If I were to have a glass of wine now, it's ok but it's very noticeable to me that my sleep is disturbed so wine does mess with my sleep.

In the end, for me, I was scared of not drinking but my fear for my health was greater. So I stopped and within a a couple of days, I felt much better and more positive in myself.

[BlueVelvett]

Yes I have a young daughter and am a single mum. I was worried about saying this in case it looks like I'm a bad mother. I have to be up early for my daughter, but I can't get through the day without napping when she sleeps. I know I must cut down for her sake. Even though I try to be a good mum and she is very healthy and seems to be happy, I know I can be a much better mum without the drink. I don't have any childcare unfortunately. I'd like to try this on my own first if I can. I gave up completely before, during and for a while after pregnancy, so I know I can do it, I just have to find the strength.

[queenofshihtzus]

Agree with Sunny, if you feel you can't do it on your own or find it hard, find help. If AA doesn't appeal, go to your GP, you don't need to feel like this.

[Littlebatcalledlucille]

Are you me?
Hey, there is a lovely group here called Brave Babes, they are wonderful people, no judgemental arses either from all walks of life, and none of them bite, Its worth a look.