Alternative to AA

[Savboozer]

I am in a difficult situation. I drink around 4 bottles of wine a week. I still have one dc at home (18). I can go on huge booze ups with friends and an open bar is catnip to me. I recently got made redundant and i am bindge drinking. I don't know where to turn for help . My family are heavy drinkers, my husband is not. I use booze as a prop. I am not sure if i can stop anymore.

Why no AA?

Hello OP! Well done for realizing it's time to make a change, you're life is about to get so much better. Have you got a plan for giving up? I'm not an AA fan either, I preferred SMART online meetings.

I do recommend checking out some "quit lit" - it absolutely saved me when I first gave up. I started with This Naked Mind, Alcohol Lied to Me, Unexpected Joy of Being Sober and Glorious Rock Bottom. Listen to the audiobooks if you can concentrate on reading. I won't lie, when you first quit you're going to feel like shit for a couple of weeks. It's a myth that you have to be physically dependant to experience withdrawal. Psychological withdrawal symptoms are absolutely real and not "in your head", alcohol alters your brain chemistry. The books I've recommended will give you a good idea of what to expect. Get yourself a b vitamin complex for when you decide to take the plunge, alcohol rinses your body of b vitimins. As you're not working, take it easy and don't out too many expectations on yourself for the first fortnight. I took up a hobby and did it for one hour every day in my first two weeks and glugged loads of Becks blue each evening to make it through. Lots of early nights! Here's a great tip that will make life easier: eat dinner early. Like 5pm early. It really really helps with evening cravings

Good luck ..and join the long running sobriety thread on here, everyone is lovely.

I know you probably feel like this isn't something you're going to be able to do...I felt that.... everyone does. It's how the dependant brain works. There's some brilliant nureoscience to back this up... It's nothing to do with your personality....it's just the alcohol, I PROMISE. You're not special (that's sounds awful but your know what I mean!! ) in the sense that we all feel it's totally impossible at th start but it truly truly is doable. I'm nearly two years sober and have never been more content in my life.

Good luck OP! There's so much goodness waiting for you on the other side.

I have been about four years ago. Very embarrassed to see people I know.

My new young doctor had worked out i was a boozer. I am having problems with my weight and she had noticed my calories were not coming from food. My closest friends are heavy drinkers. My household not. I get nasty /secretive if they challenge my drinking. I hate what i have become. I have a younger brother who is terminally ill from the booze.

@HangingOver

Thank you for your information. I have read a lot of threads on MN today. Managed not to pick up the bottle today. I have no privacy at home so will try a few help lines tomorrow.

Your doctor might be able to recommend a local alternative

Thank you @TwoBlondes

I have an appointment and am currently posting on the alcohol dependent thread. It is very helpful. X

You can do online AA meetings you know?

I didn't know. Thank you.

AA isn't the only option out there - there's also SMART recovery, which is CBT based and works to address the underlying reason why someone is abusing drugs or alcohol. They also operate online.