Where to start

[Minesalargeginplease]

Well, as the title says, I don't know where to start stopping. Been unhappy and depressed a while and sought solace at the bottom of the bottle. It's every night now, I can't remember the last time I didn't have a drink in the evening. Seemed normal for a while, working mum having wine at the end of the day but it's not. A glass became a bottle, or 2. More recently its spirits, by the pint, sometimes half a litre. I get up for work fine, I excel in my career but it's not ok. Where do I start? Going cold turkey freaks me out. Thank you in advance x

Just taken myself for an early night. Today will be my 2nd AF day this week. Next week I'm going to try do 3. It's not easy at all. Keep trying everyone x

Sleep well @Minesalargeginplease

Hoping when I wake up tomorrow the beer fear will have passed. What a truly crap day.

Thank you and you too. Don't beat yourself up, tomorrow is a new day and a good day to try again x

Hello! I was where you are, nearly 4 years ago. I have been absolutely alcohol free since.

There is no magic solution. The ONLY answer (in my experience) is don’t pick up the first drink. That’s it. It sounds so simple as to be flippant but it’s true.

BTW life is immeasurably better without booze. I never in a million years thought I’d say that when I was drinking, but it is true.

Hang in there Honeybee.
Well Done youMines largegin!! 2 days Keep it up!!

Can I just say what a huge sense of relief I feel now that I've made the decision not to drink at all? I know I'm only 7 days in but it is honestly so relaxing compared to what I did before.

Before when I had 2 no booze days I was constantly deciding which ones. And when I was drinking I was constantly trying to work out what I should drink, when I should stop, how much is enough, how much is too much? It is absolutely exhausting.

It's a journey and we all find our different paths but I just wanted to say kudos to everyone making an effort. It is tough, I know, but it's tougher to keep drinking without doing anything about it.

Hi everyone, been very busy over the weekend. Didn’t manage to stay dry, did have less than my normal but that’s still a bottle of wine plus but not 2 bottles so I call that a victory.
Dry tonight have signed up for a 7am gym class in the knowledge that if I drink I may not go or go and find it horrendous.
Reading everyone’s posts we all find it hard, I really think we keep posting and get inspired by each other.
Please keep posting especially if you slip up because that’s when we need people who understand us.

I've been dry since Saturday. Possibly may have a drink toward the weekend as dp wants to go out for a meal but will definitely keep it sensible. I haven't had my usual bottle a night and don't intend to anytime soon. Been reading a few sobriety blogs which has been good and the support and chats on here really helps x

Hi everyone
Been quite good so far considering alcohol is on tap on my holiday with DH. Managed to get by without a Fuzzy-Head. Averaging about 7 Drinks a day which I know is a lot but I am thinking about my Goal when I get back

Glowy, I think that’s great for a holiday. I really thank everyone for their honest posts. I am still drinking but not as much and trying to switch my addiction to gym. I’m going on an all inclusive holiday in 2 weeks and will not even pretend I will not drink. All I can hope, pray for is I don’t over indulge and end up not really remembering anything past 8.30pm.
Thank you to all the soberistas posting encouragement to us as we take tip toe steps.

I've bombed this week, husband been narky, easiest fix is alcohol. He's had a go today about my problem and that doesn't help at all. Argh, just on my first pint of rum and coke happy days

Hi all, is this thread still going? I am drinking too much wine, nearly every night and I hate it but don’t know how I can change. I really want to change and don’t want this to rule my life x

Mines and everyone else, we are all in the sAme boat. Drinking way to much and recognising it.

1. Step forwards

Posting on here.

1. Steps forward

1. Being supportive. Loads of steps

Forward.

Oops some steps are missing

I started by having 2 nights a week booze-free. Then 5 nights. Then tried to restrict myself to 2 drinks only when I drank (that had only some success!).

I've quit completely for a bit now and am finding it easier. However I had to think about for a few months before I could commit to it!

I have been recommended the "Naked Mind" which is apparently great for rethinking your relationship to alcohol and how society sees it.

Just logged on. Thank you Dogwalk2. For your encouraging words.
I am trying

Small Steps like I am sure this Addiction has crept up on us in the same way .
Minesalrgegin go out of the room when DH is being narky go for a walk.

I have had a really good week. I have massively cut down. Have had the odd glass here and there but nothing in comparison to what I was drinking. Whereas before it would be a bottle of wine pretty much every night, now it's been a glass or two once or twice over a week and that's only been when I've been out for a meal and so on.

I have bought the unexpected joy of being sober by Catherine gray and it's really good. I see myself a lot in it.

The funny thing is I haven't really missed the booze and when I have sat down and had a wine I almost feel like I don't want it. I'm certainly not craving and guzzling it down like I was a few weeks ago.

My aim was never to completely stop but to just reduce what I'm drinking and prevent myself from getting in situations where I binge drink and make a total fool of myself. So far so good!

Well done Honeybee27! That's fantastic!

Hi, not managed very well this weekend but have had a tahdah moment. I usually drink at home or in the pub with friends, was at an ope air event this weekend (not Glastonbury). Had 2 small wines and walking around felt that nice tipsy feeling I like but never hold onto because I always want more.
Well this time for the first time ever I stayed there when I was at the event.
Went home and drank loads, woke up this morning realising that the little tipsy was much better than the blackout that came later.

@Dogwalks2 Ah yes the blackout feeling that comes after drinking too much. Unfortunately I'm very familiar with it although before I get to that point I usually make a total arse of myself/fall out with dp/chat absolute rubbish to strangers/fall over/dance like a dick. These are the episodes I'm trying to avoid permanently from now on.

You're totally right, the merry feeling after one or two is so much more enjoyable and usually means less of a hangover too!

I did have two cans of cider tonight but it really didn't touch me and I'm pleased with myself for staying off the wine all weekend.

I have been sober over 16 years.

I can recommend the website Sober Recovery, for anybody struggling.

Ooh That Hangover this morning!! I m just having my first drink of the day.
Must remember the massive headache and not drink too much tonight.
Will read Sober Recovery when I get back.

No Fuzzyhead today. Cutting down is good.

Just started reading Sober Recovery Forum online. Very interesting. Definitely worth reading dealing with Cravings