Hit the bottle after 3 weeks abstinence

[malificent7]

After a tough 1st week at work i bought a small bottle of red wine . I had decided to give up drink 3 weeks ago and was doing so well. However i caved last night. After the 1 small bottle my mind stopped racing and i got dp to buy me a normal sized bottle...drank most of that...feel shite and exhausted today.

So how to unwind without resorting to booze?

A bubble bath, walking and drinking herbal teas help me when I'm stressed out. Camomile tea is supposed to calm you.

If anxiety is something that happens to you a lot, is it worth talking to your local wellbeing service (if you have one) about some very specific therapy to help you develop more positive coping strategies?

I absolutely second the benefits of exercise too.

I didn’t drink for 4 weeks and made nice meals in the evening to have instead. I only drink 3 times a week and just half a bottle normally. But would like it to be just 1-2 times a week. I also want to do a longer time w no alcohol (2 months) which I plan to do October and November. I do find the first few days the most difficult. Once you pass the first week it is a lot easier. I’m not sure why the first few days are more difficult. Exercise helps for sure. I exercise almost daily at the gym and feel great after. Ginger tea and a good book in the evening also helps.