To think now is the wrong time to give up drinking?

[Ilovepugs2017]

I’m not a heavy drinker and don’t drink too frequently. However there have been times when I’ve been out I’ve drunk way too much and suffered a lot the next morning!

Anyway, I rarely drink these days due to health issues - worsening migraines over the last few years. Though I’m now thinking of giving up alcohol completely as I just find when I do drink it just makes me feel ill. The last time was awful. I had three drinks and I felt so sick and nauseous.

Ive got my first trip abroad coming up soon for my cousins hen do and I’m now wondering whether Im gonna feel a bit kinda out of place not drinking when everyone else is iyswim?

I do find a couple of drinks relax me as I suffer with social anxiety so I’m also wondering if anyone has any tips to get around this another way other than having a couple of glasses of wine?

If you aren't an alcoholic why does it have to be all or nothing? When I go out I have a southern comfort and lemonade x2, or similar then switch to alcohol free Bulmers. I'm relaxed but don't suffer in the morning.

I take daily preventative meds for my migraines and usually miss a dose if I know I’m going to be drinking that evening. If I drink I end up feeling sick with stomach cramps etc so I’m just thinking it’s really not worth feeling unwell for the sake of a couple of drinks?

OK, so when you go away just say you are on medication and can't drink and keep that in mind on the night. Most places do alcohol free wine/ beer/ cider now. If you do decide to drink then I suppose you go for something with a low alcohol % with plenty of water and paracetamol on the bedside for when you get in.

Admittedly because I don't really drink much now evenings out aren't as 'fun', but was it actually fun if you can't really remember it or feel awful the next day.

You can still have fun without alcohol. There are plenty of decent mocktails and AF beer is normally available everywhere. Why put something in your body that makes you feel crap the next day? It’s a poison that we train ourselves to like.
Needing a drink to get over social anxiety is a total myth as well. The alcohol fuels the anxiety.
i was a heavy drinker for 20 years, I’ve been sober 8 months now and it was really really hard. I won’t say that I will never drink again but I’m certainly feeling the benefits of it and I think I’m more confident than I ever have been before.
There is also no reason to lie about why you are not drinking and make excuses. Try it - you might surprise yourself.

It sounds like, if you drink, you're going to have a miserable time on this hen weekend. Taking your migraine medicine correctly is far more important.

I would start mentioning this to the other hens now, I assume you have a WhatsApp group or similar.

I have a two drink limit. That gives me a nice buzz but is a sensible amount that stops me feeling unwell the next day. Have a limit, stick to it.

The most important things at the start of changing your relationship with alcohol is to be willing to fail, not aim for perfectionism and back yourself.

The thing I always have people start with is creating DOABLE plans. To decide ahead of time how much they will drink. BUT it needs to be an amount they are WILLING to follow.

Depending on how much you've been drinking to date, going AF may be too much of a leap. Even if you manage it at the time, you'll be using willpower and what I tend to see is people eventually drink then feel worse than ever about themselves.

So that's what I'd have you do. Look at what you're drinking now and ask what would be a result. This establishes TRUST in yourself which is very important and a super power you can access as you change your relationship with alcohol.

Happy to answer questions.