On A Mission To Moderate or Absolutely Abstaining? Join us for encouragement, support and non - judgemental chat *2024*

[Swannyb]

@amdone123 @mj20 @touty @Hohofortherobbers @Coppergate7 @bigbus @colouringindoors @wellitywellness @Atacamadesert @Freezingfeetwarmheart @WouldRatherBeAPieceOftToast @Hohofortherobbers @mickandrorty @Mykittensmittens @afaloren @NoTeaNoShade @CrackersCheeseNoWinePlease @LynnThese4reSEXPEOPLE @Needtokickthehabit @OhShitImNearly40 @Nowstrong @enoughisenough4

Hi, making up for last week here and only drank on Friday this week, two whiskeys and a gin - and had a right hangover yesterday after just 3 drinks! I am wondering if it's really worth it. I've lost my tolerance completely. Not planning to drink at all next week.

I did really well earlier- got home from night shift and half our power was off, something keeps tripping the electric upstairs and I couldn't go to bed til I knew i could plug in my white noise machine, I normally would have thought "sod it I might as well have a drink". Actually I DID think that, but restrained myself! DH has isolated the dodgy socket now.

@Bigbus in terms of my physical health I feel very well and I can see the difference in my face.

But I’m still struggling emotionally, it’s hard having to face my issues every day and not having a drink to escape from myself or numb out. I have come to the realization that I’m going to have to change my living situation to maintain sobriety and have some sort of quality of life. I don’t have any alternative ways to self soothe here.

i don’t think I can face another season here, especially a sober one.

@Touty well you've got a way forward it seems. It's good to get to the root of the problem but I know the process is difficult. Probably why so many people do have addictions really. To escape. Well done not only on your month sober, but facing some challenging issues.
I know when I had hypnotherapy one thing that stuck out was seeing yourself at a crossroads and choosing which path you want.

Well, I had a terrible weekend. Drank on Friday and yesterday ( 3.5 bottles in total, which is bad).
I've got 25 days til I'm going out next and I'm really going to try to be af til then, obviously including weekends.
The weight loss has stalled. I'm suppose to be losing a pound a week. This week I've put it on.
I'm going to be accountable here. Does anyone want to do the next 25 days with me ?
Day 1.

I need help and advice. I drink every day and have done as long as I can remember. I am I guess what you would call a functioning alcoholic. I never miss work, I rarely feel hungover. My rules are no wine before 7, no drinking during the day and bourbon must be measured . BUT I know that I am hurting myself and it now seems my liver is being damaged.

I don't want to quit completely but I want to be able to have dry days and cut down massively. I don't know where to start and am scared I will not be able to go to sleep. Would appreciate tips on making this work.

@MoodyBlues1 hi and welcome.
We can help you here, support and encourage you but I'm wondering if your first port of call should be your gp ? I couldn't advise you to stop today because of the health implications.
Could you go to your gp ? Or request a telephone appointment?
Then we can work with you to begin moderating.
I'm sure long term you can moderate. Or some who have a period of abstention, find they're better off without it.

Amdone, Thank you. Unfortunately I am abroad so going to my GP is not an option so I am going to have to do this on my own. Since posting I have been reading lots of posts about withdrawals and sounds very scary. I just wonder what will happen if I choose not to drink tonight. Last time I went a week without a drink I got a kidney infection which led to Sepsis and I nearly died in hospital.

@MoodyBlues1 is there any way to speak to a professional, for advice ?
It sounds terrifying what happened last time so I would say you definitely need a health professional.
What do you do when you're ill ?

Amdone it was a nightmare. I do have a GP but will not be able to get an appointment any time soon.. I have never been ill since I came here in 2019. I trying to decide if I don't drink or cut down slowly because the level of drinking. Talking a bottle of wine each night and 2 bottles of bourbon a week. There I have said it.

@MoodyBlues1 maybe you could cut back slowly then and see how it goes, how you're feeling health wise.
If last time you went cold turkey and ended up ill, that might be best, but I'm unsure really.
Someone on here might have a medical background and know more.
I hope we can help you ❤️

@MoodyBlues1 Welcome. You can cut down slowly yourself. Could you either cut out the wine or the bourbon as a start. E.g. stop the whiskey so you are just drinking the wine, so maybe a bottle of wine a night for a week, then buy half bottles and have half a bottle a night for a week, then one of those small ones a night for a week and then stop? Medical detox basically just substitutes the alcohol for benzodiazepines and then reduces the dose gradually. I imagine this is easier because there is no alcohol involved at all and you don't have any in the house, so reducing the temptation. However, doing your own alcohol reducing regime would also work from a DT point of view. If you start to get withdrawal symptoms then you should go back up a bit and stabilise then reduce again more slowly.

Amdone thanks, I feel fine actually. I don't even get hangovers, sleep well. Even though I know my liver is not in great shape I don't get any pain.
Bigbus thanks I that is good advice. Do know what to watch out for in Withdrawal symptoms. I don't know whether the Sepsis was related or just a coincidence.

Hi everyone, I drank at the weekend as planned but no hangovers and back on the dry train. My plan is to go until Feb 16th.

@MoodyBlues1 how's it going ?
@afaloren that's good. I need to be off it for a while now. Plan is 25 days but as always, one day at a time.

Amdone well I bit the bullet and decided not to drink anything last night. Can't remember the last time I did that. I had a terrible nights sleep, kept waking up feeling anxious, my mind just races, which is why I probably drink in the first place. Feeling ok and getting on with work.

@MoodyBlues1 well done for making a start. See how you go on, health wise etc. It should get easier but I never struggle sleep wise. The minute I stop, I sleep better.

Day 1 was ok. Started thinking of all those stupid things I do when I'm drinking. This is usually enough to make me drink in a bid to banish the thoughts, but I can't keep running !
I'm thinking when I get to Day 25, I'll buy myself a new outfit from monsoon 🤣

amdone God sleep is always a problem, I get to bed and my mind just goes 100 miles and hour. I hope it gets better. Thinking of trying herbal tea but hate it lol.
Wow day 25, you def deserve a lovely new outfit, think of all the money would save. I think booze in the UK is very expensive, unlike here.

@MoodyBlues1 thanks. I have got to double figures before but usually 10 or 11 days.
A few years ago, I'd do 30 if I put my mind to it !
I suppose it is expensive here. I spend anywhere from £5 to £10 a bottle. It mounts up.

I woke up this morning and I do not know if it is because it was actually bright leaving the house or just because I got an early night but positive head on today. I can do this. I can moderate and then quit. I have to do this, I have too much to live for. I have had a dreadful few months, so many things thrown at me and I numbed myself with wine and beer but I dont need to. What I need is see the positives, see my own worth. Will read back today.

@Needtokickthehabit that's great thinking for going forward. You can do it. It might take a while, but it can be done.
@MoodyBlues1 how was last night ?

I'm ok here. Day 3 and I've already lost the few pounds I put on so that's inspiring me.
I had a few thoughts yesterday at work about weekend drinking and put it right out of my mind. I've changed shifts Friday so I can't drink early Friday afternoon - a big problem for me.
Feeling positive.

How are we all doing ? @Swannyb @Bigbus @Coppergate8 @Freezingfeetwarmheart @Hohofortherobbers @Mykittensmittens @Nowstrong @OhShitImNearly40 @Tilllly @Touty @afaloren @wellitywellness @enoughisenough4
Usual apologies ❤️

Needto that is so great to feel like that, long may it last. Strangely I feel the same, this day 3 AF ( a new for me) and I for some reason this burning anxiety I was feeling seems to have gone and I am feeling very positive .

@Amdone123 thanks. Yes, for me it was definitely self medicating for depression. I mean I ask myself if I was really happy why did I feel the need to drink until blackout.

At the moment I feel strong 💪 in my battle with the booze and in some ways it’s a relief not to have the mental gymnastics of should I have a drink and how much etc etc. but there are days when I could really do with a drink.

last week I had a few hard days, I bought some zero fizzy cava which I enjoyed and it did help take the edge off the craving.

im thinking of moving back to the UK, which is scary and although it feels right it’s still a big decision which brings with it anxieties such as will I be lonely and can I manage financially etc..

Amdone crossed posted. I actually managed to sleep well and am feeling amazing this morning. I don't know if I am imagining it but I even think my eyes are clearer and skin looking better.

@MoodyBlues1 that's brilliant ! I bet you're not imagining it - you will definitely notice the benefits. So glad you're on your way.
@Touty great you're feeling strong. Regarding your move back, I wouldn't think too much. I know there needs to be practicalities etc but try to not overthink it. It will all work out in the end. Look what you're doing now - you're doing so well. You're stronger than you think ❤️

Thanks Amdone.
Touty where are you living atm. I abroad too.

Hi @Amdone123

I've not fallen off the wagon into oblivion

Have had a few wines / gins, but one or two, not a bottle, here and there, not most nights

However, my cancer has spread so am having all sorts of treatments and am currently in hospital with an infection they can't quite get, with gamma knife surgery (hopefully still) planned for tomorrow

They offer water, tea and coffee here, oddly no alcohol so it's pretty easy to abstain ☺️

Thank you for checking in on me and not taking my lack of communication as a write off, you're a star 🌟