Day 1

[Absinth13]

Hi all.
So, once again I have a raging hangover. I would really like to not drink alcohol anymore. I get drunk, end up embarrassing myself and cant sleep because of the overwhelming sense of dread. I've been up since half 3, so less than 2 hours sleep and I have decided enough really is enough.
If anyone has any tips on dealing with this horrible anxiety, and to finally be able to say no to alcohol.
I have tried quitting before, didnt miss it at all when I was pregnant, and it started creeping back in till I was back on a bottle of wine per evening in the space of an hour. I really really want to quit, so any advice would be warmly welcomed.

It may sound a bit dramatic/hardcore, but have you considered AA? The support is incredible - and usually instantaneous. It can sound a bit overwhelming and Godly initially, but it’s worth trying a meeting, if only to get you through day 1. If you’re very remote and there’s no meeting near you today, there should be online/phone support.

I can relate to your post that overwhelming sense of dread is the effect of the alcohol on you.
Only you know if you drink too much I know people who can easily drink a bottle of wine but this does not cause them a problem (apart from the health aspects)
I have been sober many years and if it's bothering you I also suggest AA give the helpline a call Many meeting are now remote on Zoom as well as face to face meetings
The person answering the phone will understand they have been there

Thanks for your responses. Is getting support the best way? Or doing it solo? A bottle of wine an evening barely touches the sides but I spent the entirety of yesterday drinking with friends, all who knew their limits and stopped when they needed to. Unlike me who drank and drank and drank until I was falling over blind drunk. I'm so embarrased and ashamed if myself, I have the worst hangover I've had in 2 years and a toddler to look after today. I just cant believe I've done this again I honestly thought I'd learned from my past mistakes

You can try doing it alone just depends really if you just drink too much or have alcoholism
If it’s the second then you will find it very hard without support

Can you try the alcohol experiment? I hear it's very good.

Sorry, more info needed. It's a free resource on the Internet by Annie Grace. She's written a book under same name too.

I got blackout drunk on Friday night and had to go out last night. I consciously matches my drinks to my slowest drinking friend. It worked. And recently I have been meeting friends in the daytime and outdoors for walks or swims so not based around drinking. That would solve your beer fear aspect as no friends to drink with.

For being at home I reckon just suck it up and don't drink or have alcohol in the house. Go through the pain of cravings and you lay feel a combination of negative thoughts such as boredom, depression etc but try and be mindful. After about a week you may start to realise the root of these feelings and the cause of you needing to drink. It might not be pretty so maybe have a therapist to work through it. Also try dry app helped me. I'm stopping drinking today. Good luck

The problem, iMO, is whether you’re technically an alcoholic or not, alcohol is an addictive/habit forming substance. It can be tough to break the cycle without some form of support. You really don’t miss it once you’ve got over the first few weeks (obviously time varies from person to person).

Hi! I'm on day 6 of no alcohol. Similar to use OP my alcohol consumption had crept up and up and I need to get under control now. I went to a friends bbq last Monday with my daughter, woke up the next day with no memory at all of getting home. Complete blackout. My 12 year old daughter told me I was so drunk she didn't know what to do with me, I feel so ashamed. I've had several episodes of blackouts and enough is enough now. I've downloaded the I am sober app on my phone to track my progress. I am going to focus on my running ( getting back on track with this...) and have removed alcohol from the house. I am telling people I am focusing on fitness goals at present so not drinking. One day at a time.

@disconnecteddrifter

I got blackout drunk on Friday night and had to go out last night. I consciously matches my drinks to my slowest drinking friend. It worked. And recently I have been meeting friends in the daytime and outdoors for walks or swims so not based around drinking. That would solve your beer fear aspect as no friends to drink with.

For being at home I reckon just suck it up and don't drink or have alcohol in the house. Go through the pain of cravings and you lay feel a combination of negative thoughts such as boredom, depression etc but try and be mindful. After about a week you may start to realise the root of these feelings and the cause of you needing to drink. It might not be pretty so maybe have a therapist to work through it. Also try dry app helped me. I'm stopping drinking today. Good luck

This is such a good reply. Try not to beat yourself up the anxiety is the alcohol affecting you. xx

I was a heavy drinker, mainly at home. I hated that feeling early morning. Lying in bed feeling utterly ashamed of myself and battling through the next day pretending nothing is wrong. I used to drive to work with total fear I would be pulled over by the police and be over the limit.

I am now over a year sober and just love waking up in the morning not hungover, but clear headed.
I found some great online supports, soberiestas is a fab website with blogs, advice, book reviews. Run by Lucy Rocca, who talks really well about her sober journey. I also followed blogs, best was ‘mummy was a secret drinker’ she doesn’t blog any more but you can still read it, I found it very relatable . The author is Claire pooly, she wrote the sober diaries , based in the blog. I also listen to love sober podcasts, 2 women talking about their sober journey and in interviews with guests about journey. Read tons of quit lit, if you want I will recommend some.
I am really into Alcohol free kobbaberg, feels less juice like. Doesn’t taste like cider, I never drank cider .
Feel free to pm me reply to post if want any more info

Thanks guys this is all really helpful.

@Absinth13 - Try “This Naked Mind” resources. There is a Facebook group which is very active in terms of advice and support. You can join the FB group without doing anything else - there are a number of free resources and also more that you can pay for. It can be a tad ‘the big sell’ but I just swerve all that.

I’ve been battling a drinking problem for a while now - it crept up on me and I reached the point of potentially losing everything - please take action before you get to where I was. Good luck.

@Absinth13

Hi all. So, once again I have a raging hangover. I would really like to not drink alcohol anymore. I get drunk, end up embarrassing myself and cant sleep because of the overwhelming sense of dread. I've been up since half 3, so less than 2 hours sleep and I have decided enough really is enough. If anyone has any tips on dealing with this horrible anxiety, and to finally be able to say no to alcohol. I have tried quitting before, didnt miss it at all when I was pregnant, and it started creeping back in till I was back on a bottle of wine per evening in the space of an hour. I really really want to quit, so any advice would be warmly welcomed.

I could have written similar to this.

How are you getting on?

So far so good. No alcohol. Mild withdrawal and crippling anxiety but no cravings as of yet. Day 3 now. If I can take it one day at a time I think I'll be ok

Quick update in case anyone was interested.
Just over 4 weeks alcohol free now. Feel a million times better!
For anyone who is struggling, you can do it, you really can.
Next goal is 3 months.
Good luck to you

I've read ' This Naked Mind ' recently and it scared me enough to stop drinking. Only 1 month so far but I shall read it again soon. I also bought ' The Alcohol Expeiment ' which I am yet to read / do.
Good luck 🍀