Stopping drinking for a while

[Patbutcherismyhero]

Throughout lockdown I've gradually started drinking more and more. I now usually only have one day off a week. Last night I drank way too much and was sick, slept terribly and today I just feel awful mentally and physically. I need to cut back. It's become far too much far too often.

I hate waking in the night with anxiety and having to check my phone to if I put any shit on social media. I don't usually get hangovers but I always feel tired and lacking in motivation. Alcohol has become such a big part of my life but I know it's not healthy and I really need to stop for a while. Anyone else?

Well done Pat and fluckity you’ve done so well. It’s nice to hear your friend was fine with you not drinking as well.. I often tell myself people will make a big thing but maybe that’s something I just tell myself as an excuse.

I didn’t drink and I still feel tired but I’m going to stick with it, the weekend will be tough but I want to do it! Will need to keep busy

Thanks all and well done to everyone. I'm glad you had a good night Pat. Have a great weekend all, I get my babies back tomorrow morning and cannot wait

Well you’ve all inspired us. We’re going to go without our Friday and Saturday wines and have an alcohol free weekend. Elderflower cordial with sparkling water is quite a nice AF drink.

@puzzledpiece

One in seven of the adult population use alcohol dysfunctionally. That’s a wide spectrum from the homeless drunk to people drinking a bit over 14 units a week at home, and everything in between. I don’t think calling everyone on here an alcoholic is useful. The posters in this thread have realised they are drinking a bit too much and are providing friendly support to each other, to help cut back on alcohol consumption.

@TazSyd I didn't call everyone here an alcoholic! I said the OP is alcohol dependent (which can easily tip over into alcoholism). It's a fine line, and normalising heavy drinking isn't doing anyone any favours.

Many years ago everyone smoked. They didn't think it was harmful, or addictive, just normal. Daily drinking of a bottle of wine, and drinking to the point of vomiting (which I believe is actually caused by alcohol poisoning) is a pretty normal occurrence in society. The drinking that goes on at home is the real base of the iceberg, not the tip, like the Saturday night club drinking.

Far more knowledge on the Alcohol Support page imo.

Sparkling Elderlfower drink with a touch of gin is far nicer than red wine 😏

Go Taz! Enjoy x

Go Taz! Enjoy x

I too found that my drinking was really ramping up under lockdown...

I had a moment of clarity when I weighed myself for the first time in 4 months - teetering on obese by BMI standards (I know they're not a good fit for everyone, but the BMI levels tally quite well with how I tend to look)

I've cut out alcohol completely as a default option for the last month and a half - nothing at all on most days, only drinking on the (very rare under current circumstances) occasions that something social is going on. I've lost 8lb in weight so far, find that I'm not getting as mashed as I used to when I do drink, and reckon the whole covid thing is making way less squirrely than it was - helps me feel more in control... I really recommend it.

I said the OP is alcohol dependent (which can easily tip over into alcoholism

Just out of interest, @puzzledpiece, what is your definition of alcoholism?

I think it's odd to come on this thread and talk about 'normalising heavy drinking' when literally everyone on here is saying they know they drink too much and want to change that.

Anyway. I am having a drink tonight. It's my birthday and DH had put a bottle of my favourite Picpoul in the fridge.

I'm not actually enjoying it that much. So I'm not going to have any more. This is weird.

Happy birthday @boxandknife - wishing you a wonderful year ahead

@BoxAndKnife
Happy birthday . It's a odd feeling when you have given yourself permission to drink and don't enjoy it isn't it. 1
@TazSyd I hope you have a great weekend.

Thanks @fluckityfluckfluck and @AlCalavicci! It is indeed odd when you realise that, actually, booze is not the answer.

I feel as is I've done particularly well to not succumb, as I had a text earlier from ds's feckless, useless drunk of a father (now that is an alcoholic) expecting me to pick up the pieces of his sad shitty life yet again...even though he now lives 5000 miles away

But I'm going to settle down with DH, a cup of tea, a box of posh birthday chocolates and Gardener's World. It may not be rock'n'roll, but it is happiness, peace, love and stability

@biscbek

How are you getting along?

Happy birthday @BoxAndKnife have the best evening.

AF tonight. Haven't been hungover after last night which is good but still felt tired and sluggish. Early night tonight and hopefully wake up bright eyed tomorrow.

Well done everyone.

Oh and @puzzledpiece I drink gin too

Just saw this on FB (I know it’s the DM but some of their lifestyle stuff is ok 😀).

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-8510201/Revealed-11-signs-drinking-much.html

@Patbutcherismyhero I'm sure even the Pope likes a gin and tonic! Who doesn't?

Good luck on your journey ❤️

@BoxAndKnife
The influence of other people can make a huge difference to how you feel about drinking and how much you drink , you did well to abstain.

I have decide to have one small drink tonight , just a single shot of golden rum I poured it out over a hour ago and I still have half left .
Lightweight and proud of it

The influence of your nearest and dearest is really important, same applies to dieting. You need to have your close friends and family on side.

Morning all, I slept over 9 hours . Having a lazy morning watching Outlander with a coffee before picking up the kids. Have a National Trust property visit booked for tomorrow so hoping it keeps dry and we manage some fresh air and a change of scenery.

Hope you are all hangover free and well. Have a great weekend.

Hi all, may I join? I am 7 days AF today after spending last Saturday night throwing up and Sunday in bed. I’ve realised that there are too many ‘lost’ weekends like that. So I’m aiming for 30 days AF and then will reassess. I have looked at One Year No Beer but can’t afford it. I’m also thinking that I managed not to drink twice whilst pregnant, so in theory I should be able to do a little while on my own. But here’s my dilemma. I’m nearly always the drunkest person in a social group. I’m more fun with alcohol in me. And I make people laugh. I’m worried that I won’t be who people expect me to be without it. And it’s clear that I can’t self moderate when I start on the wine. I always plan to cut myself off at 2 but I never can then as I’m feeling good and want it to continue. I don’t think I want to be teetotal as that seems so extreme. But I can’t see an in in-between Road? Thanks for the links. I’m going tonight check them out later when I have more time. X

Morning Spud and welcome. I had a similar start to my AF streak, got really drunk with my neighbours on a random Wednesday and couldn't drive to work the next morning. Not good. Well done for taking control

And it’s clear that I can’t self moderate when I start on the wine. I always plan to cut myself off at 2 but I never can then as I’m feeling good and want it to continue. I don’t think I want to be teetotal as that seems so extreme. But I can’t see an in in-between Road? Thanks for the links.

One thing that characterizes alcoholics is the lack of an "off switch" once we start drinking. I also can't stop after I start, so I just don't start now. For people like me, and possibly you, there is no in-between road unfortunately.

Welcome Spud. I totally get your point about being the fun one. I think my social life would take a big knock it I committed to going illy tee total. My night out in the week would have been totally different if I hadn't had a drink in me however it's finding that balance between nicely drunk and sloppy drunk that I always struggle with. I don't particularly like the person I am when I'm sloppy drunk. I'm loud and obnoxious, often over share and say cringe worthy things that I regret the next day. Post rubbish on social media that I either have to go back and delete of front out. It's just embarrassing and not a true reflection of myself.

I think if you can find a way to moderate it will help. For example I've gotten into the habit of eating plenty before or during a night out. I won't drink too much of one thing - too much wine or spirits fucks me up! And I'll have breaks in between alcohol where I'll have a lemonade or something like that. Still passes for booze to anyone you're out with but just gives you a bit of hydration and time for your body to digest what you've already had.

Those type of nights out are very few and far between for me now. I will avoid them as much as possible where I can because even after all that it's still so easy to fall into the sloppy drunk mode that results in so much embarrassment and anxiety the next day.

Good luck!

I dread the thoughts of socialising outside of a quiet meal without alcohol. I'm going to a 40th/house warming the first weekend of August and have no idea how I will handle. I will probably drink, but would love to not get too drunk - feel anxious thinking about it

@Spudina
Welcome to the thread , It is hard to cut down when you are in a group that expects you to drink . Can you limit your time with the group ? arrive later / leave early ( leaving a party is hard so pre book a taxi to take you home at x oclock ) and as @pat said try to drink AF drinks in between or at least go for the lowest alcohol version they sell , add more mixer than normal etc .

I had a similar problem last year when I went to my local , I normally drink mild or cider so when I asked for soda and lime the bar staff were a bit but didn't question it , but just about everybody else in the pub did , some of them I know well some were no more than a nodding acquaintance but almost all felt it was there place to pass judgement on my drinking.
Ranging from, are you ill ? drank to much last night ? , dont be boring , its a waste of time you been here if you dont drink .
I went out 5 or 6 times in that month and one idiot that I do not know very well kept on having a go at me for been a boring shit he even bought several drinks and put them down in front of me , I felt like throwing them in his face ! ( I gave them to someone else ) so after the 4th or 5th time of him been a git in one night I decided to video him once he got staggering drunk , he was swearing and generally been a pain, loud , not nasty just annoying .
The following day bright and early I rang him and told him to look at the whatsapp video .
Next time I saw him in the pub i did not hear a peep from him.