Support thread for anyone wanting to quit alcohol completely

[rainbow86]

I thought I could do moderate drinking, turns out not,total binge last night rough as can be this morning, sons away at their grans this week which is good for them, I don't normally drink early but cause no one else was in I thought sod it I can have a couple boy was I wrong, anyway hoping for friends and support, new thread for people who want complete abstinence from alcohol x

Check out the dry thread. Plenty support on there.

Thanks I'm new to mumsnet ,so not sure how it all works, really appreciated x

The latest Dry thread is here (it's in Relationships rather than Alcohol Support as it the Dry threads predate this section).

You've made the right decision to look at your relationship with alcohol and decide to take control. Whether you need to go sober permanently or not, the Dry threads will be a good source of support whilst you take an extended break from alcohol, which is the best way to examine your triggers and feel the benefits of long term sobriety.

When I first gave up, my GP advised me to give up completely for a year. This seemed like a horrifyingly long period of time but I knew well before the year was up that I could never drink again. I think he deliberately didn't say 'give up forever' as the chances of me being able to cope with that were slim.

Have a read of Beat the Booze - this book really helped me when I first quit and I must account for half of their sales ever since I am always recommending it on Mumsnet

Important things to note:

• if you've been drinking heavily for a prolonged period, it might be best to see your GP so you can cope with any withdrawal effects
• you are going to need to 'go public' at some point - not necessarily about having a problem but certainly with the fact you've stopped drinking. This makes it much more 'real'. No need to worry about this today, though.
• research alternative drinks for the evening, ginger beer is a good one as not too sweet, or herbal tea
• make sure you can keep your hands busy, I find boredom is a real trigger. When I first quit I used to play on the DS and later took up knitting again, thus ensuring that all money saved from not drinking was spent on yarns and needles of dizzying prices :)

Well done on taking the first step. It is literally impossible to regret giving up drinking for a period of time, so keep going.

Thanks so much, sorry I haven't replied, will take a look at the dry thread and the book. Currently in a low mood, I have cut down a lot in the past 8 days I have drank twice,where before it was daily but I drank too much on these two days, it's not really an achievement due to the fact I said to myself I am not having any. Plus I was a cow to my hubby and don't remember. Luckily as I say it's no justification but my hubby doesn't drink and my boys are tucked up, well loved, warm,fed, comfy and happy, just so people realise they are safe, if my hubby is away I don't drink.

Feeling a bit of a failure, cravings are making me irritable, cranky,snappy, I get to day 3 or 4 and then have a drink.

This morning currently suffering with a mild hangover feeling sick and general feeling of crapiness, I am scared of going the docs with having my boys hope you are well tribpot x

The GP will not feel a need to do anything about you being a parent unless he/she feels your children are in danger, which they clearly aren't. Please don't let this hold you back from seeking treatment - you aren't going to be able to do this alone.

But you will be able to do it.