I need to go teetotal

[Sleepyshores]

Hi, I could use some help. I have a real problem with drink. I drink several bottles of wine a week, around 5-6 bottles on average. I'm a lone parent, unemployed, despite having a good career history and good qualifications (jobs are very scarce where I live), lonely, in debt, very depressed. I drink because it makes me feel good, euphoric at times, and I can almost forget my problems, which when I'm sober, weigh down so heavily on me. I know it has to stop. I feel totally lousy during the day, tired, sick, lethargic, depressed. I did dry January this year and tried to do it again, but failed miserably. It's really bad at the moment. I'm not ready to ask my GP for help. I know I should, but I want to try to stop by myself, but I still need some help. Can anyone offer any advice or a book I can read to help me? I would like to go sober for 3 months, initially. That's the most I feel I can do right now. It feels like a huge challenge, but I have to do it for myself and my 3 year old daughter who deserves a mother who isn't always tired and feeling ill. Thank you.

[mangowango]

You have a problem with alcohol. Stopping for only 3 months won't help you or your daughter. You need to quit completely. I grew up around alcoholism and it's fucking awful. Please, please PLEASE seek professional help and do this for you both. Maybe look into moving somewhere we're jobs are more common if that is a factor. Well done for recognising you have a problem, that is the first step, something my parent hasn't done yet 25 years on.

[SmiledWithTheRisingSun]

O well done on making this decision OP.
There's loads of stuff online about cutting down / out alcohol.

Look at https://soberistas.com

Also check out
https://www.smartrecovery.org.uk/

And
https://joinclubsoda.co.uk/

[Sleepyshores]

Thank you both. I shall definitely look at the links you sent. Mango I'm so sorry about your experiences. Your words have really hit home. I haven't had a drink for 3 days which I know is nothing but I'm determined to sort myself out. I'm seriously considering stopping drinking permanently.

[SmiledWithTheRisingSun]

How you doing op?

[Sleepyshores]

Hi Smiled thanks for asking. I'm currently on day 6 of not drinking, so almost a week! It's been a rotten week tbh, my 3 year old has been playing up, I've had abuse from both my Dad and my ex partner, whose threatening to take me to court again. My life at the moment is really the pits. I've stuck with the non-drinking though and even though it's been bloody hard, I am feeling the benefits of not drinking and it's great not having a fuzzy head. I need to be stronger than I've ever been to keep going.

[bubbles108]

How are things @Sleepyshores