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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask how you quit alcohol? I always get too drunk.

32 replies

WorthyLemur · 31/07/2024 08:43

I need help and advice. I rarely drink alcohol (maybe half a dozen times a year). But every single time I drink, I get too drunk. This results in memory loss and horrendous hangxiety. I just don’t seem capable of knowing my limits with alcohol and I can’t keep up with the other drinkers around me.

Has anyone found themselves in a similar situation? How did you quit? My main fear is people thinking I’m unsociable. I know that’s ridiculous and I shouldn’t feel like I need alcohol to have a good time. I just know something needs to change because I’m not happy with how things are.,

OP posts:
Chocolateeggsarebetterthannormalchocolate · 31/07/2024 09:13

I don't drink anymore. I like a nice alcohol free cider. It was easy once I had my son though, didn't want him to need me in the night and me have had a drink!

Sometimes I will have a disaronno and coke if I'm feeling fancy, but then switch to either pop or alcohol free.

redskydarknight · 31/07/2024 09:08

I get drunk easily so nowadays I don't drink or I just have one alcoholic drink and then switch to soft drinks.

If you have friends who think you are unsociable because you're not drinking alcohol, then can I suggest you find different friends?

Bettysnow · 31/07/2024 09:06

I love a drink but suffer horrendously the next day. I rarely drink now but when I do and I realise I'm about to take one too many, I consciously force myself to think about all the pain and suffering that will hit the next morning.
This is enough to make me stop or switch to water.
I also make myself eat as I know if I've eaten I won't want another one.
I find it works well as I enjoy a drink now without overdoing it

Original poster
WorthyLemur · 31/07/2024 09:01

Thank you everyone.

I’ll have a look at those threads @TheBizzies.

@bojosquiff yes, that’s the exact mentality I have as soon as I have a drink. I think because I don’t drink regularly, I can’t hold my drink the way others do, so I find myself drinking at a pace that is not sustainable. Before I know it, I’m drunk, and then I just lose my inhibitions.

@Ella31 what sort of help would you suggest?

OP posts:
Ella31 · 31/07/2024 08:50

Fair play for recognising you need to. That takes a lot of insight and strength. I think you should look into getting help for it. The memory loss would be a concern for me that it's controlling you rather than you controlling it and a problem with alcohol doesn't always mean you are drinking everyday. It's your relationship with it not the amount per week.

You are worried about the social side. Just say you are keeping fit or be honest. There's no shame in it, there's probably more people giving up now anyway for lifestyle reasons. And again, well done. You can do this.

bojosquiff · 31/07/2024 08:49

If you're anything like me once you've had a couple of drinks you adopt the 'fuck it' mentality. You lose your inhibitions. You don't stop worrying or caring about making a fool of yourself. I did it so many times when I was younger and the hangxiety was the worst - wondering what I'd said to people, what I'd done, what people would think of me. I can control it a bit better now but every now and then I still take it too far.
My tips would be make sure you have a bottle of water and drink plenty of that in between drinks. Turn your phone off or put in on aeroplane mode so you can't access social media (one of my worst things was filming myself acting like a twat and then dying inside when I saw it on my story the next day). The only fool proof method for me is to say no - either don't go out or go out and stick to your resolve not to drink. You do lose control under the influence of booze so take control back before it even gets to that stage.