To declare myself an alcoholic and try and beat it alone?

[ResidentNevil]

Basically I drink 5 - 6 cans of lager every Friday and Saturday night of every week. I honestly can't remember the last time I woke up without a hangover on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Sometimes o drink Thursday nights and Sunday nights too meaning some weeks there are only 3 alcohol free nights. It's progressively got worse over the past two years and today - after suffering a banging headache and nausea all day whilst trying to put a front on for my son at the theme park - I've realised enough is enough.
In the past two years my drinking has caused me to put on a stone in weight.
Miss a shift at work due to hangover.
Turn up to work with a hangover on numerous occasions.
Miss my hobby class (I've not been now for three months) as its on a Friday night and cuts into my drinking time.
Bevome embroiled in many arguments with my fiancé (although he can be an absolute bastard and often starts the arguments ... But if I've had a drink I bite the bait whilst otherwise, I wouldn't.

And basically I just feel fat, ugly, have constant hangovers and feel guilty constantly about my drinking.

AIBU to think I can go cold turkey alone? Often I get through the working week looking forward to Friday (or Thursday!) knowing I can get plastered

You CAN quit alone but why do it the hard way?
That's what AA is for. It's a bit like weightwatchers for alkies! Lots of support and laughs!

op, I drink too much to. Wine I'd my crutch after a busy day at work. If you want a quiting buddy I'm in need of one. I hate waking up feeling foggy, it sets my anxiety off as well. You can do this in whatever way you want. I hope your dp will support you.

AA isn't for everyone.
Personally I didn't find it hard giving up on my own. There's plenty of support online if the OP wants it.

If you can go 3 days straight a week without a drink then breaking the habit you've got should be relatively painless.

The best tip I have for that is to put off opening that first one. So say you have one at 6 or 7 then wait till 8 or 9 before having one. You'll naturally drink less overall I've found. Also stop at 3 beers and you won't have a hangover. Not having a hangover feels really good.

Good luck OP. I've recently acknowledged I've been drinking too much. Most weeks only going one possibly two nights alcohol free. I could always find an excuse for a glass of wine - getting through a tough day at work, doing well and thinking I deserve a "treat". But even a glass would leave me feeling groggy and headachey in the morning.
These last few weeks I have cut back to having a glass on a Friday or Saturday night only and have felt the benefits immediately. I'm sleeping better, working better and just generally feel I have more energy and concentration.
Good luck

Gamerchick, but having a couple of drinks weakens one's resolve and before you know it you've drank loads and you're drunk.

Far easier to stop completely.

paxtecum I agree with that. It is the only solution for some people. I stopped drinking years ago, and I probably could just have a couple of glasses at christmas and not go back to drinking, but I daren't take that risk. It was a slippery slope for me, just like smoking, and I suspect that it is for the OP seeing as she did a dry January and didn't manage to reset her drinking habit.

If OP identifies as an alcoholic, she's saying it's a serious problem, not just a "habit" to break.

OP, at least TRY AA. Honestly, best thing I ever did. I'm in my 7th month of sobriety. And don't be afraid to ask for your GP's advice.

And/or try the Allen Carr book "Easyway to Stop Drinking". It helps remove the desire to drink instead of you having to use willpower.

Good luck.

If a dry month doesn't reset habits then I agree there is a problem - doing a dry June COMPLETELY reset my habits. But we're all different and have different triggers for our bad habits.

Get the drinking under control and then get kick the fiance's arse out of the door (or the other way round)

Your finance doesn't sound like a nice man!

I've realised the trigger is my fiancé. He's been away since Friday and I've not touched alcohol since Friday night. Not even been tempted despite the full pack of beers sat in the fridge and the half bottle of wine on the kitchen worktop. I'm dreading him coming home.

And that says everything you need to know.

You dont need a drink because you are an alcoholic, you need a drink to block out being stuck in a shitty relationship with a shitty man.

You know what to do, we will be here for you every step of the way.

I'm glad you've noticed the flashing sign above his head too. Now, what are you planning to do about it?

I used to drink like that. I used to start thinking about bottles of wine on tuesday and friday night was my night to get pissed alone. My life was incredibly stressful at that point and that was my way of winding down. I don't do it any more. I might have a couple of glasses, occassionally a bottle or more likely none. It wasn't addiction but it was a very unhealthy pattern that made me put on a lot of weight and feel miserable.

My life is less stressful now and i just don't feel the need to get pissed any more.

Well, there you are then - ditch him. You deserve better than him.