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.

Can I join?

Wine consumption has been steadily creeping up over the last few months/year, until I’ve been easily getting through most of a bottle 6/7 nights a week. My main difficulty is definitely stopping once I’ve started, so if I had a glass at 5pm (not unusual!) then I just keep refilling my glass, but if I can hold off until 7.30/8 I can just have 1 or 2.

My husband and I have both recently starting going to the gym regularly and that’s given me a real incentive, I know how much harder it is to exercise when I’ve been drinking the night before!

Last week I had 5 nights clear which felt like a real achievement! Then Friday I relaxed…and did not feel good Saturday morning after sinking a bottle. We’re on holiday with my family this week and the wine really flows freely so I’ve stocked up on nice soft drinks for the 5pm lull, and herbal teas for later in the evening. Managed a single glass on Sat night and nothing last night, partly thanks to the book recommendations I’ve had from here!

How’s everyone feeling for a Monday morning?

Welcome @WarrenTofficer. It sounds like you are already off to a great start. I think we can all identify with not having an off- switch. Does your husband drink and if so is he planning on giving up too?

Yes staying stopped is difficult. The number of times I've given up, felt better, and then went back to it. I'm planning on ditching it for god because I really need to. What are your long term goals?

I hope you have a great holiday. It sounds like you are prepared!

Also - maybe join the other threads. They have got people who have more experience that us and are very kind, supportive and friendly.

@BrassicaBabe those creations put a smile on my face! Remind me of the muppets 😁

Another crap night of sleep. I didn’t drink alcohol but I did swap my tea for fresh orange thinking I was being good. Not sure that helped my digestion.

@Thepeppapigfanclub I think my stomach bloat is slightly smaller too.

Someone upthread mentioned sugar withdrawal and I think that’s very true for me. Even on the nights I wasn’t drinking I would sit and scoff on the sofa with DH. I joined one of the weight loss threads last month (Lose It!) and I feel like I’ve got on top of that habit but maybe some of the difficulties I’ve had have been due to sugar withdrawal from no wine.

@Thepeppapigfanclub thanks for the welcome. It sounds like you’re really off to a great start, I hope you’re feeling good after a dry weekend!

My husband does drink, but he definitely had an off-switch. He can have a glass of something early evening, then stop and maybe another glass later but maybe not. In the same way he can open a family bag of crisps, eat a few, and put the bag away whereas once I’ve started I keep going until the bag is empty. We have different drinks of choice though so I’m never tempted by him having one.

I don’t know about long term goals, I’d love to be the kind of person who just has one on a Friday/Saturday night or maybe one or two on birthdays/weddings etc but I’m not sure I ever will be! I’m feeling really good at the moment and going to see how the next few weeks go, the regular exercise and corresponding healthy eating will have an effect too.

Is everyone pretty much aiming to cut out completely?

I was a bottle of wine a night and I went cold Turkey - I tried to cut down, only had half a bottle of wine one night and was so proud of myself, but then the next night I finished the other half (not too problematic) and then ordered another bottle to be delivered and finished that too. Waking up the next morning being sick and unable to look after my kids was the point I knew things couldn't carry on like this.

I've not felt too bad considering I've been drinking 7-14 bottles a week for the last couple of years and now gone to absolutely nothing

@MamaGhina I can relate to the sugar withdrawal, I’ve definitely been more tempted buy sugary snacks this last week. I also know that drinking is linked in my mind to snacking; I want a big bag of crisps or something to go along with the wine. I could do with losing a bit of weight so I’m sure that cutting out both will help massively! Though maybe it’s easier to tackle one at a time…?

@PNDshame going cold Turkey is so impressive! I had a few mornings of really struggling not to snap at the kids and realised that it’s not fair to them and that even though they don’t see me drink much it’s still having a huge impact on them.

How are you feeling going straight to nothing? What have you found that’s helped your motivation?

Day 2! Actually slept OK, but had stocked up on boots herbal sleep remedy just in case.

I am an all or nothing sort of woman so decided best not to taper. I've never had shakes or a morning drink but very definitely cravings around the witching hour each day.

Plan for today is sort out a cupboard and read quit lit. Rock and roll huh?!

Happy Bank Holiday you AF beauties xx 😘

Joining after a long break. Day 1 for me.

I thought starting on a bank holiday would be a bad idea but actually it has been great as my DH has been around to get up with my children in the morning as I've been needing a lot more sleep these last couple of days.

I've been trying to exercise more too. I have woken up with a headache this morning but glad it's not an alcohol induced one!!

Day 3 will be easy as I am never tempted on a bank hol Monday!

@Thepeppapigfanclub thats me been to 3 meetings - all different and met two nice ladies - don't get me wrong I probably wouldn't be going but as you know my son is making me. Not being snobby but there are some people that are just not me and there are some who are lol. I have heard some real horror stories - so its back to another one tonight!

You are an inspiration @Mummykins54. Are you finding them helpful? I hope you are feeling really proud of yourself because you really should be. I was planning on going on Saturday but child's father cancelled so I'm going this Saturday all being well.

@Thepeppapigfanclub hardly lol but thank you😍each meeting has been totally different - but yes I think I am starting to see that you can connect with lots of new people - think I mentioned on another thread I already have two girls numbers and went to a meeting with one last night. It is hard to take that step over the door but it will be worth it.

@Mummykins54 Look how far you've come and how nervous you were about going. This could be the start of something brilliant for you. 💐Just think how proud your son is going to be.

Echoing everything @Thepeppapigfanclub has said @Mummykins54, you are doing amazingly well. Keep sending those pictures to your son 😉

Despite it being a Monday DH is having wine tonight, as it’s a bank holiday. It really is hammering home to me how in our house it’s any excuse and it’s time for wine. I will be going for a walk between 7 and 9 because that’s the danger zone and ordinarily on a Monday I would be fine but not when there is someone sat next to me drinking for 2 or 3 hours. Sigh. I know if I get in at 9 I won’t be tempted as it’s only an hour until bed.

@MamaGhina I'm going for a walk shortly too. I don't really feel tempted but my DH has annoyed me this weekend as he made a big thing about US not drinking but he has drank for the last 2 nights. He's currently drinking a beer (I don't like it anyway) and I just feel annoyed by him.

How are you getting on @Whyisitsosohard? Hope you're feeling ok.

I think I'd find it challenging if I had a partner who was continuing to drink in the initial stages of stopping. That must take some resolve - although I have been a bit too easily led in the past. FOMO on my part.

@MamaGhina @notimeforwinenow I hope your walks helped you both get some space and clear heads.

I am really enjoying waking up with a clear head in the morning and definitely feel my eyes look brighter, anyone else feeling better and clearer?

I’ve read about 5 kindle samples of the “quit lit” recommended up thread and they’re definitely strengthening my resolve to stay completely dry!

It did thank you. Had a nice takeaway when I got home and a glass of orange squash!

Yes, the walk did help @WarrenTofficer! Had a shower and then into PJ’s. Cheese and crackers with a mug of milk while DH works his way through a bottle of red.

Trying to work out why I can’t sleep. At first I blamed the lack of wine. Then I blamed the tea. Then the orange 😆

Trying a mug of milk like a child tonight… will let you know tomorrow whether it’s an improvement.

Well done everyone for hanging in there. I'm still here too. I may as well start working as a dog walker seeing as how my coping strategy is taking long walks. I'm glad that I'm starting this now as long winter evenings stretching ahead would seem impossible as a starting point.

Day 9 and I slept last night 🥳 seems the warm milk is the way to go!!

Glad to hear @MamaGhina. You deserve a good night's sleep! Here's to day nine (or whatever day you are on).

I am so, so glad we are doing this. My sleep still isn't brilliant and still having the mad dreams but waking up not feeling 'bleugh' is just amazing. I'm feeling so much better than I did this time last week. The bloating is definitely going down (not the fat yet 😂) and I am looking a lot better. It is getting easier.

Have a great day everyone.