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Alcohol support

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Original poster

On a mission to moderate or absolutely abstain (judgement-free zone). New thread - Autumn 2025.

469 replies

ForeverTipsy · 20/09/2025 21:29

Hello, here's a shiny new thread for us all - took the liberty after gaining permission from The Original OP @nowstrong! Please tag anyone from the last thread I may have missed...hopefully you can all find us here...

@horrorfan81 @BezMills @hohofortherobbers @addictforanex @alertcat @harriethoyle @StrongLikeMamma @LillyPJ @ohthejoysoftoddler

OP posts:
ohthejoysoftoddler · 20/09/2025 21:34

Thanks for tagging me!

notanotherroast · 20/09/2025 21:36

Can I please join?

Original poster
ForeverTipsy · 20/09/2025 21:45

@notanotherroast Yes, of course! The more the merrier! Not sure if you've read any of the old thread, but we are a friendly bunch all trying to either drastically reduce our alcohol intake or abstaining totally. We find this space really helpful for accountability, ideas, support and to feel less alone and more inspired.

Do feel free to tell us about your relationship with booze if you want to, and reasons you'd like to cut down or quit.

OP posts:
harriethoyle · 20/09/2025 21:50

Thanks @ForeverTipsy - I went to post earlier and the thread was full! Grateful for you starting the new one 🙏

Had a work knockback yesterday and overindulged at DHs birthday dinner as a result - and was very tempted by red wine in front of the fire this afternoon but instead I picked myself up a pack of moretti zero beer and stuck to them. Feeling pleased with myself now although it was a close run thing!

Original poster
ForeverTipsy · 20/09/2025 22:04

Sorry to hear about work knockback @harriethoyle but hope DH had a good birthday. Well done on not succumbing to the red wine today (it was definitely red wine in front of the fire weather today; I can see why you were tempted). I'm sure Sunday Harriet will be grateful of the 0% beer.

I've not had a drink since a couple of glasses of red last Sunday afternoon in the pub, and don't plan on drinking any time soon. Still logging on the apps. DH has had some shocking news this week and has turned to cider, but is having a night off tonight as is hungover. I'm trying to tell him that drink isn't the answer, but I can't change him, just role model. It's really stark how much he/we used alcohol as a crutch, and I'm proud that I seem to have broken that in the past year. As much as I felt I 'needed' a drink Thursday night, I knew it would be a bad idea.

Keep on keeping on and being strong everyone!

OP posts:
LillyPJ · 20/09/2025 22:14

Phew! Thanks for starting this new thread. I've been a bit busy and suddenly realised the old thread was nearly full. I wondered if someone would start a new one and if I'd be able to find it. I think I came the closest I've been to having a drink yesterday. I was a bit bored and around 5 o'clock the idea of opening a bottle of wine popped into my head. The idea kept nagging at me but I managed to ignore it, found something to do, and the urge gradually faded. I don't want to cave in now.

Addictforanex · 20/09/2025 22:14

Thanks for the new thread @ForeverTipsy !

My champagne afternoon tea on Friday was lovely and my moderation plan was stuck to. I had a cocktail, then a glass of champagne, then lots of lovely tea. Came home and cooked the children dinner and just drank water. Just before bed I had a Sentia gold with soda water and lots of ice. Been AF today too.

Nowstrong · 21/09/2025 07:36

Thank you @ForeverTipsy for starting a new thread. Will drop in from time to time. At the moment I'm doing well. Mostly AF, with a glass of wine from time to time, but very rarely. Sleep is great. Spirits are high. Keeping active. Am actually sore from too much walking on holiday. Sending positive vibes to all. Keep on staying strong!!

PixelatedLunchbox · 21/09/2025 07:42

I started watching psychiatrist and brain specialist Dr. Daniel Amen on YouTube, talking about what alcohol does to your brain cells . . . I love my brain so that’s my motivation for drastically reducing alcohol. https://youtube.com/shorts/EdgKsDJYsDc?si=mvJgSlBG3kzMpDsr

Hohofortherobbers · 21/09/2025 08:55

Thanks for the new thread

Grandmashorty · 21/09/2025 11:10

Thanks for new thread. I joined last week after suffering yet another horrendous hangover. I’ve had 3 nights off which is unusual but really want to keep it up. I haven’t felt like a drink which again is unusual but think I still feel slightly sick. Went to a posh do last night with overflowing free booze and didn’t drink. Concerned though that the overwhelming cravings will return soon. Feel relieved to wake up without a hangover today.

Patty16 · 21/09/2025 11:21

I’m new here and have found it’s time I need to sort my drinking. I’ll always intend on just having a coupe which ends up an all night binge talking crap to whoever will listen. I did it again on Friday night when kids were at their dads and still suffering today. I absolutely hate myself and no matter how hard I try I can’t stop thinking of the way I’ve carried on

Grandmashorty · 21/09/2025 11:29

I’m with you @Patty16. It’s the self loathing and feeling stupid that we can’t control it. Alcohol is so addictive though. I’m very concerned about my health but it hasn’t stopped me yet. I really want to change/stop but I’ve never been able to moderate.

mondaytosunday · 21/09/2025 11:35

I normally drink too much. Never really drank alcohol at all til I got married at age 40. Then me and my DH would share a bottle of wine. We would try and restrict it to Thursday- Sunday. That was pretty much the way it was until he suddenly passed away. After a few years if I opened a bottle of wine I drank a bottle of wine. Drinking only at weekends became drinking on a weeknight too. I have a friend who will happily drink a bottle, opened for lunch, then start a new one for dinner (her DH doesn’t drink), so that seemed to normalise it and I felt ‘at least I don’t drink that much’. I also give up alcohol for Lent so felt I didn’t have a problem if I could do that. But still I drank too much for my health the rest of the year.
Anywsy I’m on a weight loss drive so haven’t had a drink since Sept 1 and I do know it’s just habit really. I’m going to try and not drink at all TIL Christmas, then back to being dry in January.

mondaytosunday · 21/09/2025 11:35

I normally drink too much. Never really drank alcohol at all til I got married at age 40. Then me and my DH would share a bottle of wine. We would try and restrict it to Thursday- Sunday. That was pretty much the way it was until he suddenly passed away. After a few years if I opened a bottle of wine I drank a bottle of wine. Drinking only at weekends became drinking on a weeknight too. I have a friend who will happily drink a bottle, opened for lunch, then start a new one for dinner (her DH doesn’t drink), so that seemed to normalise it and I felt ‘at least I don’t drink that much’. I also give up alcohol for Lent so felt I didn’t have a problem if I could do that. But still I drank too much for my health the rest of the year.
Anywsy I’m on a weight loss drive so haven’t had a drink since Sept 1 and I do know it’s just habit really. I’m going to try and not drink at all TIL Christmas, then back to being dry in January.

mondaytosunday · 21/09/2025 11:36

Sorry for double post!

Patty16 · 21/09/2025 11:41

@Grandmashorty
thats It exactly, I always think oh I’ll control it but usually end up taking it to far. The self hatred is awful. I’ve decided it’s time I make drastic changes

LillyPJ · 21/09/2025 13:49

It's amazing to look back and see how my drinking crept up. I sometimes got drunk in my teens, at parties etc but it was maybe just two or three times a year. When I got married, we'd perhaps have one bottle of wine between us a couple of times a year. I think wine cost more relative to wages in those days (1970s) and we were poor. It wasn't until around 1990 and I was back at work after DCs were at school that I sometimes bought a bottle of wine on the way home. I'd maybe have one glass a couple of times a week. By 2010, I was drinking 3 bottles a week and by 2020 it was 5 bottles a week and never missing a day. I could see where I was heading but it took me ages to stop. I'm so glad I did.

Patty16 · 21/09/2025 14:15

Does anyone have issues with vodka? Once I seem to even have one it’s game over

BezMills · 21/09/2025 15:11

@Grandmashorty @Patty16 @mondaytosunday

Welcome. I think all of us started from similar positions as you've described. It can be daunting to look too far ahead but every day counts and days can become weeks and months soon enough.

I wish you all the best and we are here for moral support and to cheer you on.

harriethoyle · 21/09/2025 15:34

@Patty16 i find vodka incredibly potent and it makes me very aggressive. I just can’t touch it!

Had another work snafu this morning and I was just craving alcohol this afternoon. I’ve taken myself out to do the supermarket shop, and some chores, sung my favourite songs at the top of my voice and I’m drinking a tanquery zero. I’m aiming to make it another AF day because I just think giving into that craving is a very slippery slope…

Patty16 · 21/09/2025 15:38

@harriethoyle yes vodka completely changes me as a person. @BezMills thank you! I always thought it was just me that had these issues. So glad I’ve found this

DoubtfulCat · 21/09/2025 19:00

Thanks for the new thread @ForeverTipsy !

festival was fun and I had some 0% Doom Bar which I deem an acceptable substitute for normal Doom Bar 👌
Now home and dismayed that my joint pain is, if anything, worse, I’m having just one large glass of red from a bottle I took on holiday but didn’t drink. Bottle is back in the cupboard and I’m knackered so I’m confident it will be just the one.

Grandmashorty · 22/09/2025 20:12

Day 5 A/F which is v unusual for me. Trying hard to abstain and I want to keep this up. Eating more than I normally would but that’s ok.
Had Fever Tree blood orange soda to drink tonight which was nice.

Nowstrong · 23/09/2025 10:43

Morning all! Pouring here for last 3 days . Still going strong in that I'm back being mainly AF and haven't even had a glass since last Wednesday. Spirits are high. Have dropped a couple of kilos so that also helps. Sending you the rain, as don't want it here. Positive vibes handed out all round! Stay strong!