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Alcohol support

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Original poster

I need your help please

295 replies

Dotty2019 · 04/11/2019 10:21

I need your help to enable me to stop drinking.

I'm drinking every day and far too much. I couldn't get out of bed this morning to take the children to school. Probably a good thing as I would have been over the limit anyway.

I'm sick of feeling crap all the time. Why do I do it? I can't just have one glass. As soon as I start I think sod it and just carry on drinking until I physically can't any more.
I have so many problems in my life but this is one I can control so I'm starting with stopping drinking.
I'm going to use this thread to keep reminding me how much I need to do this. I would love some support and positive stories if anyone wants to join me.
Day 1 starts today! Thank you for reading

OP posts:
lovemyfurrywuff · 29/11/2019 06:28

Tiny, if it helps I can recommend the Alcohol Experiment which is online (and also a book) its a 30 day thing and it's helping me. It's a girl called Annie Grace. Worth taking a look at, loads of stuff on you tube. I find her easy to read and listen to.

Biggeorge1985 · 29/11/2019 07:48

To add to @lovemyfurrywuff’s post, here are some brilliant books I read too:

This Naked Mind - also by Annie Grace
The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray
Blackout: Remembering the Things I Drank to Forget by Sarah Hepola
The Easy Way To Control Alcohol by Allen Carr
The Sober Revolution by Sarah Turner and Lucy Rocco

Also, a surprisingly good film I watched about addiction and recovery was ‘Smashed’ with Aaron Paul (Jesse from Breaking Bad).
And if you haven’t seen/ read ‘Girl on The Train’ then this is another great film where alcohol addiction serves as the backdrop.

lovemyfurrywuff · 29/11/2019 12:26

Jason Vale's book was really good too, easy to read.

Silversleeve · 29/11/2019 17:37

Tiny, I'm on day 13 just using the Alcohol Experiment that love mentions above. As someone who has tried to stop/ moderate many, many, many times and never made it past about day 4 it's brilliant! You just have to try for 30 days alcohol free - after that you can continue AF or choose to drink. Please look at her website and sign up for daily emails (aka homework Smile )
George thanks for the recommendations.
Dotty & Struggling how are you both doing?

TinyTickler · 29/11/2019 21:09

Thanks Silver! Will look it up.

littlemeitslyn · 29/11/2019 21:42

I was you but have been sober for 34 years. Ama x

lovemyfurrywuff · 30/11/2019 16:28

34 years, that's brilliant, well done. I'm on my own in the house tonight but not tempted to drink. I'm eating my own body weight in sweets though. Hoping the sugar cravings stop soon.

Original poster
Dotty2019 · 01/12/2019 09:13

Morning everyone

Not been too good and I feel ashamed and sad today. I haven't posted as I didn't have anything positive to say. Things have been going really bad for us and I hate to say I've been numbing everything with wine.

Crazy as I know I just spend money I haven't got and it makes me feel so sluggish that I don't get jobs done that are on my very long list.
I just didn't want to leave this thread and some of you are doing so well I wanted to say that I have been checking in just too embarrassed to post.

Alcohol is really not good for me at the moment as my anxiety is through the roof. I want to be a better mother, daughter and wife. I want to stop this vicious circle and I want to feel healthier and happier.

So, my plan is to stop today. Obviously with Christmas coming up things are going to be hard and I may cave in. If I can get to Christmas then I know I will enjoy it more. I then plan to go alcohol free for the whole of January. New year new start!
So my aim is to get through this week. I want to get my jobs done and start to feel better.
Day 1 again for me today. I want to thank everyone again for all the support and advice. Struggling I really hope you are ok?
No more excuses for me but again 1 day at a time. Sorry for the rambling post and sorry I started this thread and let everyone down x

OP posts:
Nomorewine77 · 01/12/2019 10:51

Hi @Dotty2019 I hope you don't mind me joining/ jumping in here I'm also on another thread 'I'm giving up drinking' and am also really struggling. Managed 10 days a month ago and then started drinking again more than ever before. Never felt so grim from it all in my life. I did the same I started posting on another thread and then disappeared until now. You haven't let anyone down Flowers. DAY 1 here too.

Original poster
Dotty2019 · 01/12/2019 12:12

Welcome @Nomorewine77

It's hard but it's doable. I'm sick of it. I'm sick of spending money on something that makes me feel so bad. I'm sick of being fat and sluggish. I want control back. I want to stop feeling bad

OP posts:
Nomorewine77 · 01/12/2019 12:30

Me too @Dotty2019 I'm sick of feeling sick and tired physically, mentally and emotionally. I feel like I'm wasting precious time feeling so grim and ashamed of myself a lot of the time.
Let's DO this!

Wildorchidz · 01/12/2019 12:32

Would you consider going to your gp and asking for help?

lovemyfurrywuff · 01/12/2019 12:36

Hi Dotty, if it wasn't for you I wouldn't be on this thread, you did well starting it and I find it a good support. I've been thinking about Struggling and wonder how she is.
I seemed to have shifted my alcohol addiction to sugar! Day 14 here and second weekend. Managed a whole box of chocolates last night, I think I have a sugar hangover!

lovemyfurrywuff · 01/12/2019 12:38

Oh meant to say hi to nomorewine too. I can do the bold type that you guys do, maybe cos I'm on the app?

Original poster
Dotty2019 · 01/12/2019 13:05

lovemyfurrywuff
That is amazing, well done! When I first started this I too seemed to crave sugar. I still managed to lose 3Ib in the first week though.
That's the crazy thing. I wouldn't dream of drinking a glass of coke because of the sugar but don't think twice about drinking wine!

Wildorchidz not ready for that at the moment. Really don't want this on my medical records.

Noremorewine77 have a look at the alcohol experiment ( the link is on the first pages of this thread) it really helped to get me started.
Yes, sick and tired of being sick and tired. Really going to try and do this.

Struggling I hope you are still around and are ok?
Flowers

OP posts:
Nomorewine77 · 01/12/2019 13:30

Hi @lovemyfurrywuff, great username! Will definitely check out the Alcohol experiment. In two minds about telling anyone this time with regards to cutting out drink completely, on one hand speaking up feels like to much pressure yet on the other I know DH especially would support me wholeheartedly.

lovemyfurrywuff · 01/12/2019 13:35

Maybe just tell your OH and leave it at that. I wish I hadn't said anything. Folk aren't being very supportive with me.

Original poster
Dotty2019 · 01/12/2019 13:45

Yes I second that. I didn't tell anyone other than DH.
It's crazy isn't it, I read somewhere that alcohol is the only drug you have to give an excuse not to use! I found just saying I was on a diet helped.
Good luck everyone x

OP posts:
lovemyfurrywuff · 01/12/2019 16:12

You wouldn't believe the grief I'm getting about not drinking. Even OH has said you'll never manage until Christmas. The best support I'm getting IRL is from a pal that's been through it. She failed a few times and started again thinking she could control it but realised she felt crap and stopped for good. I find Sunday nights particularly hard, how are the rest of you coping?

Silversleeve · 01/12/2019 17:33

Welcome Noremorewine, good to hear from you Dotty2019. Keep strong - please try the Alcohol Experiment - I hadn't realised how many conflicting (and patently untrue) beliefs I had about alcohol until starting it.
I'm on day 15 AF today. Just done the homework from the AE website, it was about the power of the mind, how stress can be good and coping with it. I found it really powerful and helpful.
Love hope this evening goes well - bath and early bed!

lovemyfurrywuff · 02/12/2019 10:23

Morning folks, took your advice Silver and went to bed early. I'm doing some amount of sleeping(and eating).

Nomorewine77 · 02/12/2019 12:29

Hi @lovemyfurrywuff I'm doing A LOT of eating Grin Did my shopping earlier and must have dithered by the wine for at least 10 minutes, picked up a little bottle of red, put it in the trolley and marched off to the checkout and left it there, so that's something I guess.

lovemyfurrywuff · 02/12/2019 12:36

I thought I'd loose lots of weight but actually putting it on. I can't stop eating. Hopefully the sugar cravings will stop soon. Getting sore heads too but googled it and that can be a side effect too.

Original poster
Dotty2019 · 03/12/2019 08:42

Day 2 over with
Hate that I have had to start the process all over again! But hey I've started again so that's something I guess.
Feeling much better mentally and physically. Hope everyone is ok?

OP posts:
Strugglingagain · 03/12/2019 09:06

Hi all,

Sorry I've not been on, been keeping myself busy and was trying nit to think about alcohol. I am doing great. Day 10 today. First weekend with no alcohol and i feel so proud of myself. Meds started to work mid week last week and felt good since, not fully me yet but back at the docs today so may increase them. One issue i am having now is EATING!! OMG! The side effects of the mirtazapine are sleepiness and bigger appetite. Ive been sleeping amazing but Ive put on 6lb (when i checked sat) I dont dare get back on the scales. Im only tiny at 4ft10 so a little weight looks a mass amount on me.

In general though i havent missed drinking since last wednesday, havent urged one and been loving enjoying my time with toddler. No hangivers and feeling shit is amazing. Its been easier than i thought but i dont think i could have got here without getting as low as i could and without the help of antids. I do worry about xmas period but as at now i dont plan on drinking anything. Plus making dinner for in laws so really cant be pissed doing that. They dont know how bad it got again and dont want them to think bad of me so we arent telling them.

Dotty, if you hadnt set this thread id have been doing this alone which would have been really tough.
You will have set backs but dont let that stop you from keeping going, you will do it. Have u been to the doctors at all? If not i would def get an appt. Even speaking to someone who doesnt know you personally can be good and they might think you need a little help.

Welcome to all the newbies and good luck😊

Littlemeitslyn - 34 years is amazing! Well done. May i ask did u have an issue with alcohol? Xx