On A Mission To Moderate or Absolutely Abstaining? Join us for encouragement, support and non - judgemental chat CONTINUED....

[Determineddoris]

Hi all,

Shiny new thread!

Thank you to @Amdone123 for the last few, she's been around longer than me and always so supportive and kind, thank you!

Tagging people I can from the last thread but please tag any others please!

@texy @Manyrivers @Bigbus @JulieHoney @Mj20 @Starlia

@tsmhero that sounds great. Thank you so much for this information. I've heard of naltrexone because I was thinking about the antabuse but as someone on here said, it's quite a drastic step.
That's obviously my problem too. I don't stop - sometimes I do, depends who I'm with or what I'm doing but I'd say 80% of the time, I drink til I'm legless.

No problem! The staff who helped me with it were really lovely and there's backup support, I'd say it's definitely worth a try if abstinence hasn't been possible for whatever reason.

@tsmhero do you just go to the gp and ask about this? I really need to get myself sorted, A small win for me today was that there was wine leftover from last night (i know right!) and the temptation to drink it this morning was very high but I did not. I am going to head out for a walk so I dont drink it for lunch either. Going to keep it for tonight as something to look forward to. A week ago I got lethered before breakfast two mornings and I cannot do that again.

I don't think it's offered on the NHS.

I had a private assessment with the GP and initial setup which included sessions on zoom with Joanna to support me with progress. Then then private prescription cost for the tables thereafter.

It was about 200-300 pounds I think for the initial setup then it's just the private prescription, there's more details on costs here: https://www.sinclairmethoduk.com/pricing-2-screening/

It's worth looking into and I say that as someone who has tried everything else!! I've done the Allan Carr abstention clinic 7 times, been hypnotised 3 times, bought dodgy antabuse from China (which I was too scared to take regularly).

This is the only thing that has worked for me.

On a personal note it has been incredibly freeing to move away from the addiction/disease approach.

I realised I was a problem drinker but was probably overthinking it by trying to apply an addiction lens to it.

Once I saw it as a bad habit/compulsion I was able to treat it appropriately.

This is just my experience and I'm not knocking any other approaches at all, I'm just delighted to have found something that works so well for me and takes all the angst and 'never again' out of the whole thing.

For me I found that the saying the hardest thing is admitting you have a problem didn't ring true. I admitted that years ago. The hardest thing for me was finding the appropriate solution.

Hi all just hopping on to say hi, sorry I'm not here that much but it is what it is. The Sinclair method sounds so amazing well done for doing it @tsmhero ! If the NHS offered it it would fantastic. @Needtokickthehabit sorry to read about all your angst you are going through. You have in your mind what you need to do but it's just getting those first few days /hours sorted. For me life is 100 per cent now a relief to be honest, nothing is on my shoulders regarding should I shouldn't I the feeling is fantastic coming up to 3 months AF. Hi to everyone else and hope you have had a good Sunday x

@tsmhero the system sounds excellent. We spend a huge amount on booze until we stop.
I think I agree with the compulsion not addiction theory. I am a big fan of AA but I didn't like the fear factor. Someone said they were one drink away from death. That smacks of abusive control to me.

I often ponder am I an alcoholic? but I don't drink anymore. I have fallen off the wagon a few times but I have only had three binges in twenty months. One bereavement, one funeral and a job loss. Champagne still poses a problem for me. I love the stuff so keep away from posh paries and the fizz in the shops. Does one glass count? I can do that but my fear is moderation will lead to a bottle a night again and two at weekends. I ruined at least a decade of my life so I can't risk it. I have never been a normal drinker so I don't kid myself I'm cured.
Good luck to everyone.

Hello all

I’ve had mixed success this last week. I’ve had a drink a lot of nights in a row but never in excess - e.g two glasses of wine or even just one, or a beer and a 1/2 pint cider. No hangovers, no binges, no embarrassment. I just can’t seem to kick the one glass at the end of the day habit.

Hello. I was on the first thread and the second but decided to have a break from MN as was spending too much time. I was doing better but only had three AF nights last month so really need to get back in control. Work has been stressful which I’ve been using as an excuse to drink every night. I want to start with three AF nights a week Sunday, Tuesday Thursday so that I’m not drinking more than two nights in a row and sticking to 3-4 drinks at the very most on the other nights. I’ve had most of a bottle of vodka over the last three nights and my skin looks awful. I don’t want to give up completely. I just want to get to a state that’s more normal. You were all very inspiring @Determineddoris @Amdone123 @Bigbus @Coppergate4 @Starlia and many others x

Welcome back @EnuffEnuffNow - it seems like we are in a similar place. We were doing well but it’s crept back up. I plan to be AF today and tomorrow then take it from there. No grand plans to fail at. I’ve been MIA from Slimming World but going back tonight to face the music so that should curb the alcohol once I start counting syns again.

I hope everyone else is doing ok. For those of us with school-aged kids the holidays can be fun but the lack of routine throws me a bit. Time to get back on track. I have work Mon-Wed so that should help.

Morning all, on with the plan, I will be AF Mon to Thurs. Just putting in writing here so I am accountable for it.

Hi, everyone ! @EnuffEnuffNow lovely to have you back ! Your plan sounds good - sensible and realistic.
@Determineddoris 3 months !! I still can't believe it as you struggled so much - I know you don't mind me saying that. It's amazing - I don't know how people do it though. I simply can't.

Yesterday I had a bottle of wine at a gathering then 2 more when I got home. And I bought cigarettes! I'm not beating myself up - I had a lovely day but I wonder why I make plans to not drink / lose weight. My weight has stayed the same the last 3 weeks, fed up with it so I've decided to embrace it - I'm lovely as I am 🤣. Regarding the wine, I'm going to have to keep trying. I go away 2 weeks today so I'm going to try really hard.
I also start work Wednesday so here's hoping I'll have another focus.

I have a GP visit booked for 11am. I am going to tell her the truth for once and get booked in for blood tests etc and get some advice off her. I have ruined everything good in my life over alcohol. I have reached rock bottom. I need to get back up.

@Needtokickthehabit that's a great step forward. I should probably do that, too.
Let us know how you get on.

Thank you for the welcome back @bigbus and@Amdone123

Im also trying to lose weight as I’ve gone up a clothes size. It’s not even just the alcohol. It’s the bad food choices that come with it, the cheese biscuits and chocolate. Am AF tonight as have gastro (I’m in Oz) and will do tomorrow night. I need to measure out my vodka into a much smaller miniature bottles and stop free pouring. That was working well before. And not starting before six pm. I can moderate if I prep for it. It’s the AF nights I find hard.

Hope the doctors visit goes well @Needtokickthehabit

@EnuffEnuffNow gastroenteritis ? Hope you're ok.
Yes, that's what I've found with the weight. If I don't drink and eat properly, it does come off - albeit slowly.
I look sideways at a bottle of wine ( or 3 😩) and honestly, 3lb on straight away.

Ok so it went as follows, i walked in, broke down and said I think I am an alcoholic and we went from there. She gave me some words which I needed to hear, said so many people are presenting with drink issues since covid began and gave me some tools to work with. She said she knows I can do it as she knows past things I have been through and it was a lot of stuff and she made me feel like I can do it - from tomorrow.....

I am not in the uk so the medication mentioned above it not sold here but instead she gave me a thing Librium which helps with detox and avoids seizures which is what I was worried about. Shes also booked me in for bloods and wants to see me again Friday.

I of course dried my tears, went to the pharmacy for the prescription and then into the shop next door for two bottles of wine. I am currently having a large glass here with lunch so tomorrow will have to be my day one. I have 9 days of pills here and going to crack on with them from tomorrow morning. I shall keep you all updated. Thanks for all your support x

@Needtokickthehabit , ahhh, bless you. I wish I could hug you ❤️
You've been so brave. Don't worry about the wine today. Tomorrow is a fresh start.
You can do it - xxx

@Amdone123 thank you so much. This thread has been an eye opener for me I just wish I had taken measures sooner to kick the habit and maybe I would still have my dp :(

Sending you strength @Needtokickthehabit . I'm here AF tonight and feeling strong, so will you tomorrow.

@Needtokickthehabit well done for taking that step. Your GP sounds amazing! Remember the road to recovery is not always straight. If you have a blip it’s not a failure it’s a learning process, don’t give up just learn from it. I know I don’t know you irl but I’m so proud of you for taking this step!

@Hohofortherobbers @Bigbus thank you both so much. I reached out to my dp earlier and explained everything to him and have asked him to support me. We have chatted back and forth and I think I may still have him in my life which would mean the world. I sat the kids down earlier and explained to them that I know I have a problem and I am adressing it and they all hugged me. No matter how much you think they do not see they DO see it and they are happy I have taken this step. I am currently a drunken mess having drank both bottles of wine although still able to think and function which clearly tells me where the issue lies but if my kids do not hate me, my dp still talks to me and I have still got my job and driving licence then my life will be fine and complete minus the fucking alcohol. I wish I had taken this step years ago. I know I failed today but I am very much looking forward to tomorrow where I am going to wake up, take the first of the pills and have my first proper sober day in I do not know how long. I will be logging in here very often, possibly just selfishly to talk about myself but hopefully I will get through the next 9 days of pills and not go back to the wine and then I can be of some support to others.

Well done @Needtokickthehabit !! Such a brilliant huge step. Glad you have the support around you. How old are your kids?

@EnuffEnuffNow I can relate to your username 😅 🤦‍♀️

Still very much the same here. Non-AF days are too frequent but I haven't had a time when I've gone over the top since that night which made me join the thread. I've not had more than a bottle in a sitting (even though I've wanted to sometimes!) and whilst I know that is too much really, it doesn't make me out of control.

Off to stay with family tomorrow for a week, and they don't drink so it'll be easy to have an AF week (and definitely needed).

Hope everyone is doing ok. Have been reading but haven't been posting much. Those who have had slip ups - it's a hard thing to beat so please don't feel bad about slip ups. The overall picture is improvement. We've all got this

@enoughisenough4 13/14/16 so old enough to have seen me drunk and know I have been drunk hence sitting them down and explaining to them. They know what I am and he knows what I am and it was just a matter of me accepting what I am too. I now know. I will not dissapoint them. I love them and they love me and will support me. Im so lucky and grateful.

I finally managed a whole day AF 🎉

@Needtokickthehabit good luck today. When I was giving up smoking someone told me that the craving only lasts 5 mins but the problem is that in the first few days the craving comes several times an hour but by the third or fourth day the craving comes less and less. so every time the cravings came i told myself ‘it’s only 5 mins’ even when they came back 10 mins later and gradually the cravings did reduce. I hope that helps a bit.

@Bigbus well done on your af day. It's so true about the cravings. I have times when I can plough on throughout but it depends on what's happening.
I knew I was going to drink Sunday, just like I know today I'm not going to drink.
Last day of freedom today.
I'm going to clean up, put a wash on and catch some rays.
I've also got myself an evening job. I start in a couple of weeks. It's only 4pm til 7pm but I was thinking this would deter me from drinking during the day. I have had jobs before when I've gone in drunk, but I don't think it's something I would do nowadays.
The lengths I go to !
Keep going folks - ❤️