I can't stop drinking wine

Also how strong is the wine that you drink? Mine is 12.5%, I could not drink 2 bottles of that.

How is your anxiety, how is work, could you be self medicating?

Before I knew I was autistic, I often used to use alcohol after work to dampen down my dysregulated nervous system.

2 bottles of wine is a huge amount, the fact that you're used to it is worrying. You may not be 'downing it' but 2 bottles in 3 hours is binge drinking.

It doesn't matter of you're drinking wine or spirits, you have an alcohol dependence! Well done for realising that there's a problem but do you think you are able to cut down yourself? It's really not a case of just stopping and going cold turkey for a few days a week at this point. You need the strength to reduce it yourself by reducing to 1 bottle a day then go from there.

It does sound like you need professional help to avoid withdrawal.

I fully enjoy drinking, but no more than a few times a week and never more than 2/3 glasses/drinks!

I was drinking 5 bottles of wine a week. I made an agreement with myself to have a bottle on Friday night and the rest of the week I drink 2 dilute G&Ts only. My tolerance has reduced and so now a whole bottle is sometimes a bit much and I drink 3/4.

I was drinking 5 bottles of wine a week. I made an agreement with myself to have a bottle on Friday night and the rest of the week I drink 2 dilute G&Ts only. My tolerance has reduced and so now a while bottle is sometimes a bit much and I drink 3/4.

This sounds like a high functioning alcohol dependency. Especially if you can't stop. Can you speak to your GP for some help?

Stopping abruptly in people who have developed a tolerance can cause withdrawal seizures and potentially death. Tolerance is likely after a prolonged period of 2 bottles of wine a night. Alcohol is very different to opioid drugs for example in this respect - NO cold turkey.

I can relate Op. I now use a drink free app and get a star on non drink days. At the moment my aim is 4 stars a week. Its a huge reduction for me and step in the right direction.

@wineoclock123 2 x bottles of wine a night, 7 days a week?!

If not an alcoholic, you certainly are alcohol dependant.

You’re drinking 10x over the limit of 14 units per week and putting your health at risk of cardiovascular and cancer related diseases.

It’s amazing that you’ve recognised that you need to stop… but I think you need to get some professional help to get there.

Wishing you the very best.

Ooo thanks for the tip! Will be ordering some!

I agree! I think it's because there's a bit of a bite to it, it's not just sweet, like lots of soft drinks. I also recommend Kombucha (there is often a lemon and ginger flavour of that but the original is also good).

I was like that OP.

Try small steps, so maybe week 1 you can decide you aren't going to drink on a Monday and a Thursday. Then you know it's a short term manageable goal.

The next week you add another alcohol free night.

If you struggle to stop drinking once you start then realistically that's an issue as there's around 9+ units in a bottle and the upper most limit on alcohol consumption according to the NhS is 14 units per week. So obviously you'd think 'oh I'll just drink one night a week then!' But reality is, moderation is the hardest part. So maybe think about taking a break entirely at that point.

Well, you can google it if you like. The liver transplant department explained this to me (not my transplant).

I really like ginger beer to drink in the evenings - it feels like a step up from a ‘normal’ soft drink! (No idea why)

There will be a reason but it won't be anything that the OP has told us yet. Possibly the rest of her family being alcoholics might be a clue, but the fact remains, she is not a victim.

Victims use their victimhood as an excuse to drink.

www.pharmica.co.uk/jet-lag/melatonin/

I literally googled it.

Not convinced about that.

You clearly don't know what you are talking about so I would keep your advice to yourself as it could be dangerous.

@Ghilliegums That’s a bit harsh. Of course acknowledging what started it is relevant. There’s always a reason.

2 bottles of wine is a lot. I would not be able to wake up in the morning and function at all. I drank 2 bottles once when out with friends and I was bed bound the next day. Honestly it really is too much, 2 bottles a night is like 140 units per week!!!!!

I'm 5 years alcohol free. I read This Naked Mind by Annie Grace it completely changed the way I look at alcohol and I've not touched a drop since. Worth a try maybe? She has a website with some resources as well which may be helpful too! https://thisnakedmind.com/

Good luck!

I didn't used to touch spirits either.... fooled myself that I wasn't an alcoholic but just had a stressful job / couldn't sleep / liked the taste of wine.

But then one night I found myself thinking "it would be a lot easier to manage the shopping / storage if I just switched to gin..." rather than considering cutting down the amount of wine!!

And that was one of my major alarm bells to get help.

2 bottles of wine is an incredible amount. You don't go to sleep on that, you pass out. Do you ever have blackouts where you're not exactly sure of the last bit of the evening? Can't remember exactly getting into bed?

If you can't stop then you'll need help.

I did it through AA who were non judgmental, safe, honest and most importantly every single person had been where I was.

But there are other ways / lots of other help so start something today.

And just to let you know, liver damage can reset your body clock so that you want to be awake at night and sleep during the day.

You have a drinking problem.

It is irrelevant what 'caused it'.

If you carry on drinking 2 bottles a night you will ruin your life and your kids lives.

You are not a victim and you have the power to stop.