OK time to stop.. back again!!

[icantgetnosheep1]

I just can’t moderate.. I actually have to just stop completely. I’ve done 100 days before so know it’s possible. Last night is a blur, this happens every so often and I’m left feeling really disappointed with myself. I can’t seem to have one or two and then stop!! It’s definitely a danger zone for me and I spend days after worrying about how I’ve behaved and what said so today I’ve downloaded the drink aware app and I’m quitting for good. I got some great support last time round listening to podcasts-any suggestions welcome. 🤗 Posting here for accountability, anyone ready to join me on this journey is welcome along for the ride.

Hi OP
I know that feeling. I've found the support thread on here really helpful for advice and tips.
I had too many times waking up and checking WhatsApp to see what I'd sent the night before. It's been two weeks for me and I honestly believe I'm in the right frame of mind this time to make it stick.
What I would say is don't get taken in by the feeling you get in a few days where you forget how you have felt.
Download the NakedMind App and do the Alcohol Experiment on there - I've found it really helpful to do the work - the journaling on that would normally leave me cold but I've just gone with it and it's genuinely made a difference to me. I did all the podcasts previously but was easy to override the information I was hearing. I do think you have to really sit and think about why you drink and WHY it's not serving you. It's the key to it.
Anyway just my two cents after two weeks but feel like I've had a bit of an epiphany this time so sharing whilst I'm still evangelical (hoping to move into this being totally normal and no biggie in the future!)
Good luck with it. Routing for you.

I’ll join you please! I can’t moderate, it’s all or nothing for me & it’s been all for far too long now!

Thanks @LavranderI appreciate the support, I sitting here with a cuppa before bed still determined to make this work. I’m a danger to myself when I drink, too many falls, too many stupid things said, I literally have no off switch nowadays. I think accepting this will be the key for me, I can’t drink two glasses and be happy and that’s what concerns me. Welcome @RuLu l feel the same, I just can’t moderate!! It’s not even a confidence thing, I’m not sure I even like the taste 🤷🏼‍♀️ if it means that I stay away from certain people/places for now until I’m comfortable so be it. Good luck to you, feel free to come and have a rant when the wine witch kicks off - which she most definitely will.

Have you tried the medicated route? My partner very successfully used naltrexone and followed The Sinclair Method.

He couldn't moderate either. He's now drunk alcohol on 1 occasion in 9 months and that was 7 months ago now.

Checking in on night 2, hot chocolate and the women’s football 😊

@Titasaducksarsedon't feel the medication route is for me, but pleased it’s worked for your husband.

All good. Early night & have woken up ridiculously early but that’s ok as I can get some work done while the kids sleep!!

Well done @icantgetnosheep1. I'm on day 14. It's odd because I've done dry Jan before but this just feels completely different I think because it's summer so feels more prevalent. So 2 weeks feels more of an achievement than dry Jan does!
Apparently I've saved £96 and 6125 calories but I have nothing to show for it....

Well done @RuLu I’ve also had an early start as my teen is off to France today with the school and had to be dropped off at 5.30am 😫

@Lavrander that’s a good point, dry Jan is not too difficult as your normally skint and drunk far too much over Christmas making it easier to abstain.. summer evenings tend to be spent in the garden with a Prosecco 🙈 14 days is good going, keep it up!

Morning. Completely understand the can’t moderate thing.
I finally realised that a while ago and now haven’t had a drink since December 2023.
It’s bizarrely so much easier to just say “I don’t drink” than to negotiate with yourself as to when you are “allowed” to drink- that’s a slippery slope.
Things that helped me were “quit lit”, such as This Naked Mind by Annie Grace, (and I’m really not a self help type book person) as it breaks down why we feel the need to drink and counters those needs.
I also find telling everyone my intention to quit was quite useful, as I’m competitive and didn’t want to fail!
It sounds like I was a very similar drinker to you- almost daily drinking since the age of 15/16, and it felt integral to my love of cooking, food, socialising and relaxing. I now do all of those things without giving alcohol much of a thought. I’m happier, thinner and fitter. I sleep 13466346 times better and massively appreciate the minimal health anxiety- I used to put any ailment down to my drinking as I think subconsciously I knew I was damaging myself.
Good luck with your journey. You’re doing it for you- it’s the kindest thing you can do for yourself.

Hey!
I’ll jump on if that’s ok!

Ive been trying to quit for years. I also cannot moderate.
I don’t drink daily, usually weekly, but sometimes go a couple of weeks with no drinks if I’m not going out etc.
But the second I stop foot in a pub, or open that first bottle at home / at a friends etc it is game over.
Has been that was since I was a teenager.

My parents were alcoholics and I always told myself I was fine because I could give or take it and go weeks without having a drink. But it’s just that my drinking problem is a different type of problem. Once I start I can’t stop, and usually I then binge for a few days to try and quieten the noise in my hungover head.

I have read so much quit lit, and it works for a while then I kinda think ‘ahhh, I haven’t drank for ages, I’ve got this under control now’ and it starts again!

Ive downloaded the naked mind app mentioned above so will take a look at that today but gladly use this for accountability too 😅

I would love to join you. I've tried so many times to moderate -without success. My issue is drinking at home alone - I treat myself to a bottle of wine intending to make it last a few days. But it's always gone in an evening. The next night I buy another and kid myself I won't drink rye whole bottle. But if course I do! I know I need to stop altogether, so would like to make myself accountable here.

Thanks for the encouragement @PissPotPourri and well done on your amazing abstinence! I’m going to pick up a copy of Annie Grace’s book, sounds like a great read. Welcome aboard @Shiningstart and @Swimfreak I had a little good news today and thought about rewarding myself with ‘just one glass’ it would have been two/three or maybe the whole bottle.. good news is I talked myself out of it!! 🙌 if I’d broken that rule tonight just like you’ve said @Swimfreakthe next night I’d do the same again, and so it continues. I struggled to sleep last night but can’t work out if it was just too hot or my sleep aid was missing - either way I’m not going to crack. I always remember the ‘play it forward’ rule : how will I feel tomorrow morning if I drink tonight? Crap! Like utter crap! So another hot chocolate for me this evening - treated myself to squirty cream on top 😊 Keep going everyone, one day at a time.

Well done @icantgetnosheep1 thats a great achievement and took a look of will power 💪🏼

I can’t help with the sleep thing, I never sleep well with booze or not lol

@icantgetnosheep1 thankyou for your welcome. After a very disturbed night's sleep myself I get the frustration! But at least today I don't feel as grim as I do after my usual bottle of wine. Day one for me, and I know it'll take a while for my body to readjust to being sober, so onwards and upwards - have a good day all!

Respectfully, have you looked into The Sinclair Method? There's a video on YouTube I think called 'one little pill'. If you watch that you'll think what on earth are we doing . ...why isn't this readily available.