Can i join?

[stopwaitingforpermissiontobeyou]

Hi folks.

I posted a few days about not being able to control my measures.

the reality is, I can't control my drinking at all.

If I had a half bottle of cider in the house, thats all I'd drink, but i seem to drink whats in front of me in the hope of oblivion.

I hold down a great job, great friendships, I have a toxic relationship but thats another thread, but at about 9 at night I find myself buying gin. I want to stop . I really do.

I went to the GP a while ago and they basically said my health was fine and that almost gave me an excuse to carry on.

How do I start the journey?

Please help me.

[Motherofcatsanddog]

It's very hard. I'm stuck in the stop/start cycle. But I am continuing in my efforts to stop. I listen to several books when trying to stop. I find Catherine Gray's The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober really relatable, she also went through the stop/start pattern before eventually stopping entirely. It gives me hope that I can. I also find Alcohol Explained good because it's scientific and tells you about how the body reacts to alcohol and the withdrawal from it (and not just the obvious stuff that most people know about).

There are different approaches too. Some find reducing alcohol intake is a good way to stop, and others find the only way is abstaining completely. Either way, you need to be committed to change. If I'm honest with myself, I don't think I'm quite ready. But I don't think that should stop me thinking about quitting and trying things out. Maybe it will stick one of the times.

Hoe much are you drinking, if you don't mind me asking? I drink around 1 and a half to 2 bottles of wine probably around 3 or 4 times a week. I usually conk out on the couch or drag myself to bed. It's pretty pointless because I pass out. I don't know why I do it...and then do it all over again the next day. It's such a strange thing to do and actually against my values. I am generally healthy in other respects. Unfortunately it's so easy to get booze with delivery apps.

Hope you're feeling better @stopwaitingforpermissiontobeyou

[Motherofcatsanddog]

It's very hard. I'm stuck in the stop/start cycle. But I am continuing in my efforts to stop. I listen to several books when trying to stop. I find Catherine Gray's The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober really relatable, she also went through the stop/start pattern before eventually stopping entirely. It gives me hope that I can. I also find Alcohol Explained good because it's scientific and tells you about how the body reacts to alcohol and the withdrawal from it (and not just the obvious stuff that most people know about).

There are different approaches too. Some find reducing alcohol intake is a good way to stop, and others find the only way is abstaining completely. Either way, you need to be committed to change. If I'm honest with myself, I don't think I'm quite ready. But I don't think that should stop me thinking about quitting and trying things out. Maybe it will stick one of the times.

Hoe much are you drinking, if you don't mind me asking? I drink around 1 and a half to 2 bottles of wine probably around 3 or 4 times a week. I usually conk out on the couch or drag myself to bed. It's pretty pointless because I pass out. I don't know why I do it...and then do it all over again the next day. It's such a strange thing to do and actually against my values. I am generally healthy in other respects. Unfortunately it's so easy to get booze with delivery apps.

Hope you're feeling better @stopwaitingforpermissiontobeyou and that you know you're not alone. X

[Rainyday2022]

Hi
There are a few books that I have seen recommended here and elsewhere.

Allen Carr easy way to stop drinking
William porter alcohol explained
Craig beck alcohol lied to me
Sober diaries
rational recovery by Jack Trimpey he teaches something called addictive voice recognition technique or avrt for short. I found this quite useful to be able to spot when it was a addicitive/subconscious thought that was in my head about drinking rather than a conscious thought.

There is also something called smart recovery which has videos up on YouTube and also there are work books available to buy and also online zoom meetings. This is based around science rather than spiritual such as aa

I have found finding something to look forward to do such as a new hobby or even ice cream instead of drinking can help alot aswell then you don't feel like you are missing out.

If you find you are struggling when trying to resist cravings thoughts or urges you can try urge surfing or deep breathing exercises. I have a weighted blanket that I put on sometimes that helps calm my mind if I feel I am getting overwhelmed by my cravings.

Hope this helps!

[cantthinkofabetterusername]

I'm also looking to cut down/quit. I do have a lot of stress in my personal life and im using drinking as a coping mechanism which it's really not.
I've ordered Annie Graces book, the Naked Mind, lots of people on here have said they found it to be really good.
Keep posting OP we can spur each other on