Tips for former party girl quitting the booze (again)

[NewbieSoberista]

Determined to not drink. I know I need to stop it. I'm not a classic raging alcoholic, but I definitely drink a bit too much. I can go a while between drinks but lately I've been getting what I think might be withdrawal headaches which has honestly freaked me out a bit.

I used to be a bit of a party girl and would binge drink and act right a twatty ladette, but have become more civilised now I'm a proper grown up with job and responsibilities, but I do think I'm prone to just having one or two too many.

Anyway, just posting for tips to get me through the early days and how to resist the "you're not so bad you have to quit" mentality (which is usually my downfall) and some practical tips for the headaches etc

The best advice I can give is to figure out why you're drinking then take it from there. We drink because of an emotion we're having which we don't want (eg boredom, frustration) or because there's an emotion we want which we don't have (eg relaxation). We use alcohol to "get" us the desired emotion and thus is the habit formed. For many, many, many people it's simply a habit we've developed (albeit unintentionally) just like we clean our teeth twice a day without thinking about it.

To get permanent freedom around it (which can mean quitting entirely, having the odd couple now and then, simply removing all the metal negotiation and brain chatter around it or however this looks for you), the best way is to reduce your desire for it. Then it is easy to not drink. And when I say easy I mean easy. There is no willpower or resistance involved and you'll never have to subject yourself to another Dry January or Sober October ever again because alcohol has no significance in your life. I know this is 100% possible because I've done it and I've helped others do so too. So start with why and take it from there. Happy to answer questions.

I'm not drinking due to pregnancy rather than anything else, but I find some of the flavoured tonics really good especially now the sun is out. When we have friends over I make sure to get some great flavours i (I love grapefruit, or there is a pink peppercorn and something one from waitrose, also cucumber and basil etc) and with ice and a lemon it feels special enough to feel like a drink!

I did this a few years ago. You need to find other people and activities which are not based around booze.

You also need to internally feel smug about not drinking to help keep you going.

Great thread op ! Can you elaborate how @brightspice please ? Have you read a particular book?

I second Alan Carr's book and also Alcohol Explained by William porter- both focus on changing your view of alcohol rather than relying on will power. Both books are incredible and there is a facebook group for AE too.