I think I'm finally admitting that I have a drink problem

[Liuckle]

I'm in my 40s and I've drank since I was a teenager

I don't drink during the week but I get through 2-3 bottles of wine plus a few spirits every Friday and Saturday night. It had even crept up to half a bottle on a Sunday too but I at least stopped that

I'd say my intake has increased over the last decade although I always got drunk on nights out.

I run my own business and I'm actually super fit as I train hard. I've got kids who are doing well and a stable marriage. So I guess I'm high functioning

But I realise more and more that I'd feel lost and sad without weekend drink. That staying sober on occasions is rare.

I don't think my kids notice as I'm not falling around drunk (probably high tolerance now) but I do struggle to focus and remember what I've watched and with peri menopause my body just doesn't process it and I feel a bit shit over the weekend.

I do know that I find it almost impossible to stick to one drink and always have done

My mum was an alcoholic along with other mental health problems so it's probably in my genes.

I'm writing this but come Friday the thought of not drinking will make the weekend seem boring and bleak.

I don't want nasty comments please. I just needed to share and wondered if anyone has advice?

I have a similar problem, a.though I didn’t do more than a bottle each time but I would drink mid week. I cannot have a glass of wine without finishing a bottle.

i came back from holiday at the beginning of September after having drunk a bottle every single day and I felt done.

Im now three weeks down and it’s been ok, I’ve had probably four nights where I’ve been very tempted and just reminded myself how shit I feel the next day and gone to bed early with a cup of tea instead.

you can do it x

Oh yes, and in those three weeks I’m a couple of pounds lighter, sleep really well, have more energy and my heart rate has come right down on my Fitbit from average 78bpm to 65 bpm and stayed consistently down.

OP, and anyone else. Are you aware that MN has a dedicated board for this issue: www.mumsnet.com/talk/alcohol_support There are quitting support threads and cutting back support threads that look very supportive.

Well done on first sober Friday night @Liuckle

I have stopped drinking (health warning) - stopped about 3 months ago and I would say it took until 2 months stopped to be able to genuinely prefer a sober evening than take an early teatime drink or 3.That relaxing rush and positive feelings I'd get with my first glass of wine which made it so irresistible sadly I could never resist another 2 or 3, but they just made me sleepy . And increased my anxiety the next day. Now I'd rather have a long pleasant sober evening (doing useful enjoyable things) than that single rush from alcohol followed by falling asleep in the chair and having a restless night's sleep.

Such a waste of so much time.

Well done @Liuckle!

I shared a bottle with DH last night and then moved on to herbal tea instead of suggesting opening another bottle. This is what I want to be able to do regularly, like a sensible adult, but it was a conscious effort to find my off switch. Focusing on the excess calories helps. I lost over a stone in 2 months when I gave up booze (and crisps) at the beginning of 2021.

Have a good weekend, everyone 😊

How’s it going, op?