Want to stop but don’t know how

[Yukono]

I completed Dry January, and found it really great. It was surprisingly easy, I enjoyed having weekends where I don’t feel like shit, my skin looked great etc. I even considered carrying it on.

But unfortunately the pull of alcohol has won. As sad as it is, one of the highlights of my week is 5pm on Friday night when I open a bottle of wine. I drink a whole bottle, then often something else as well (another half a bottle, or a few gins etc). I listen to music and forget about the stresses of the week. It’s something I really enjoy, and I did miss it in January.

Then of course I have to spend most of Saturday desperately pretending that I don’t have a raging hangover.

I don’t want this anymore. But I know next Friday I won’t be able to say no. Has anyone got any wise words for me?

You've just done multiple Fridays without this routine. And a big part of the routine is feeling shit and feeling shit about yourself. Why would you miss that?

You say "You don't want this anymore." That statement in its self speaks volumes.
I would start thinking about what you do want. How does your weekend look without a hangover, what else could you be doing on a Friday at 5pm?
Have you read Alcohol Explained?
I've realised that the first drink gives me a nice feeling initially, every subsequent drink after is just trying to keep that feeling but it ends up with me tipping over into being drunk.
The affect alcohol has on our brains is so sneaky and insidious.

Speak to your GP who will be able to recommend local support groups

I was like you. The only way is to keep going - keep not drinking on a Friday and soon it will become your normal

the brain has to create new pathways - at the moment your 5pm drink Friday night path is still fairly fresh and you haven’t done the sober Friday night path a lot. I used to think of it like an actual path, and the 5pm drink path would get overgrown with time whilst the new path got more clearer

plan something for a Friday that you enjoy - see a friend, watch a film, get your favourite takeaway - and make that your end of the week wind down and reward instead. You will enjoy your Saturdays too

im 10 months without a drink now - and though I do get the odd - wouldn’t it be nice if - moment, I don’t really give it a thought and don’t miss it either. Good luck

Please watch "one little pill" on YouTube. It focuses on The Sinclair Method, which doesn't insist on abstinence like AA but instead taking medication (Naltrexone) to reduce the reward receptors in the brain so alcohol consumption is reduced or eliminated over time. I understand there is a 78% success rate.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=crYU4xT1aRI&pp=0gcJCTMBo7VqN5tD

https://www.sinclairmethoduk.com/

Please don’t take this advice,medication only works whilst you are taking it.You certainly don’t need it.

You have already done dry January so you know you can do it.All you have to do is not take that first drink.Just tell yourself you are only giving up one drink,easy.

I don't know if you've researched the method but your comment isn't correct that it only works if you take the medication. Whilst in the short term medication is required, over a longer period of time (3-6 months seems to be the norm) your brain no longer wants the reward so you don't crave alcohol and don't necessarily need the medication.

Anyway I will leave it to the OP to decide if going it alone or asking their GP or pharmacist for support is more appropriate for them.