It's day 1! Anyone else?

[Thepeppapigfanclub]

I'm 45. I've been drinking a bottle/bottle and a half a night for as long as I can remember with the odd dry January/ Stoptober along the way - but I always end up back on the wine again.

I'm a parent to a 13 year old and the shame that comes with this is crippling. It's not good and I know I HAVE GOT to stop. I am sick of the self-loathing, the fear, the anxiety and the money down the drain. Most of all, I'm worried about shuffling of this mortal coil leaving my child before I should.

So it's day one (again) for me. I just wondered if anybody else has picked this as their day one too for some support.

Any tips for the first week?

Many thanks - there's some seriously inspirational people on here reading some of the other threads - I'm in awe of all of those who've made it to six months, a year and beyond. It feels beyond my grasp.

Good evening everyone.
I'm day 16 now and although I haven't posted much, I can't tell you how much I am getting from this thread so yes please to a new one x

I’m sorry @BoilingHotand50something i must have - let me go back and check….

Thanks @Cloudsclouds6 - wouldn’t want someone to miss your kind message.

Yes please to a new thread. .

@Steppered you said; -''However. It did dawn on me. That this quitting alcohol malarkey is like learning to speak a new language. It won;t happen overnight, it can take years of immersive experience. I feel a bit better after this realisation.''

This really hit me. It is so true. I always think I ought to be at the end point by now. That i should have sprung up as a long term sober wise woman who looks like all the glowing long term sober people on social media - and more importantly- happy about it. It might take a few more steps than that!

@Cloudsclouds6 I also use alcohol to damp down my real feelings about things and relationships, and myself. So i very much understand you.

🌻to everyone!

Morning all and very up for a new thread. This has been immense supportive and who’d have thought we’d all still be here 1000 posts later?

I think alcohol keeps us trapped in all sorts of crap situations - we drink because it’s crap and then we change nothing, because we are drinking and don’t have the confidence and wits to do so and then we are trapped, drinking more to escape. I try to remember that life is not a rehearsal, we literally get one go at it and that is it. We all have a right to be happy and fulfilled people.

@MamaGhina would you be so kind to take up the mantle please. A new thread is much wanted and needed and this one will be full by tonight/tomorrow. I hope Peppa's OK.

Waargh too many messages to catch up on here for my tiny brain but thanks for the replies and a big YES PLEASE to new thread, hopefully Peppa will come back to us when she is ready. Flowers to you all, now and spring x

982 messages! Crikey. Who would have thought indeed. I’ve started a new thread for us, the link is below:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/alcohol_support/4930949-tulips-snowdrops-and-another-day-1

I haven’t done much of an opening OP as I’m a bit short on time but will go on later and do a proper introduction! I just wanted to be able to post the link before this thread filled up!

How do I start untangling a marriage of 32 years? Husband is an alcoholic. He drinks 2 bottles of wine a day and has done for 5 years. He is a kind man and would do anything for me but his drinking is impacting my life. I have a heart problem that is exasperated by stress and anxiety and I can no longer relax when he is drinking at night. He is seeing an alchol therapist but it's been 3 months now and nothing has really changed. He doesn't want to stop just cut down but I don't think he will ever be able to do this. We went away with friends this weekend and he drank far too much and really embarrassed me, I packed my stuff up this morning and told him I couldn't live like this anymore and left. Now sitting at home knowing that he will appear tomorrow and I don't know where to start. Kids have flown the nest and it's just him and I at home.

Hi @LMMT - we are all over on the new thread linked above so feel free to repost over there. We will try and support but we are the drinkers not the embarrassed other half’s so might be more useful to start your own thread or look for a post for others in a similar situation to you. So sorry things have been tough for you - hope you can get some support.

Following! I am on day 6 of no drink. I'm finding it easy so far, but with the weekend coming up I need distractions. I usually look forward to a few glasses of wine Friday Saturday and Sunday. Which usually roles into Monday Tuesday wed etc. Any tips and motivators? What can I fill my time with as I seem to have more time..

Hi @Beanz2022 and welcome!

One of the things that many of us have found is that it’s difficult to have some quiet time and not do very much in the hours you would otherwise have spent drinking! It takes some learning to be honest!

Weekend nights are hard and does depend on your home situation but suggestions would be some form of exercise, bath/pamper, read a book, watch a movie, cook an elaborate meal but some of these are a trigger for a drink so it’s tricky! I have found fake alcohol drinks a massive help over the last few months. These don’t work for all but they do for me! Many of us have found the key is reframing ‘Friday night’, going to bed early and playing it forward to a clear head on Saturday morning. I think with the first dry Friday night achieved, subsequent weekend days and following weekends became easier.

and come on here and chat as a distraction !

Thank you so much that's super helpful x