alcohol problem? cravings.

[Paigef98]

I did put this in the alcohol support section but didn't get a response so I'll just post it here to see if anyone can offer any adVice?

I am 22 years old and have been drinking for 10 years now. I first got drunk when I was 12, and began binge drinking with friends age 12/13, as we had no alcohol tolerance we would get drunk off anything really fast. I then stopped for a while and started again age 16, binge drinking on vodka and spirits, getting myself in risky situations and in trouble at home. I would do this really often at least twice a week and get black out drunk. I then stopped for a while again and since being 18 and able to go out I would binge drink every weekend and even in the week. I was definitely drinking a lot more than the recommended and would get myself into risky situations. (problem drinking) I never felt dependant on it (meaning thinking I could just stop when I want) until where we are now :

so I am now 22, almost 23. I moved out with my boyfriend May 2020, and obviously as it was the middle of lockdown we were both at home drinking loads every night for a good while and I believe this is where I built up my tolerance.
I think in the last year I haven't been sober for more than a week. and now when I go out and drink, I can drink loads and loads (like 6 double gins) and not really feel it i do feel it but not like I used to. I can still get drunk but it takes a lot and alcohol sort of just makes me tired now rather than feeling the buzz (probably cos I have to drink so much??)

anyway, my problem now is the cravings and the wanting to drink in the week. my boyfriend doesn't want to drink in the week and neither do I really but it's more of a compulsion. when I'm at home in the evening and not drinking I feel bored

I am currently 4 days sober, and had cravings last night for alcohol and I know I'll probably have cravings again tonight I am trying to make it to two weeks sober and then we can go to the pub for a few, because I want to cut down a lot but I don't want to quit completely. I do not think I'm an alcoholic as it doesn't really interfere with my life, I can still hold down my job and do normal things, but I think I deffo drink far too much.

has anyone got any general advice and tips for dealing with cravings?? Xx

I think it's good to have something else to do. For example, if you plan to go swimming at 8pm, you won't be able to drink before you go and you may feel less like it afterwards.

Congratulations on taking positive steps x

Hi OP,

I didn’t want to read and run.
I have had periods of alcohol issues (often centred around trauma to start with) and now as a carer for my disabled DD I find habit is the absolute worst part. If I could get by in two pregnancies without even thinking about drinking why can’t I do it more often?
Now, I’m twice your age so I definitely should know better but it is a habit and I completely identify with what you are saying about feeling bored in the evening without a drink.
Here are some suggestions of distractions that work for me.
An evening walk - not every night but twice a week with my dog.
Painting - I’ve recently started and the drive to get better stops me drinking because I am not improving if I drink.
Gardening
Reading
I’m too unfit to start a big exercise regimen but that’s a sure fire way to see the results of a few nights off.
I wish you luck!!

Distractions - do something different in the evenings that you don’t associate with the habit of having of a drink - buy some nice non-alcoholic drinks, like seedlip gin or mocktails.

I drink non alcoholic beer which feels like the treat that alcohol did