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?

AF cobra instead! Perfect for Indian. Stay strong!

I love yoga with Adrienne. She is so chilled and lovely. I'm on Nanny State for non alcoholic beer. But I think maybe Beck's blue is nicer. Definitely need to try Cobra. Now fb has me pegged for someone trying to give up booze, it keeps trying to sell me Lucky Saint, but its £25 minimum order so I'm gonna pass. And various other drinks. Day 9 AF for me today. I've also started going to bed pre midnight. Aiming for 10pm but managing 11pm most nights ( night owl). I don't know if it's being AF or the sleep but I do feel better in myself. Does anyone find they want a drink when watching someone drink on TV? The Good Wife used to be terrible for that.

Online competitive scrabble is my go to. I get really into it and can spend hours playing. Anything that distracts until the local shop closes works! I did try crochet but I couldn’t get the hang of it, I’m not very crafty.

Hope everyone is having a lovely AF evening. I’ve just had a bath and am feeling a bit sleepy already.

agree that abstinence is probably the way forwards but that just feels … never drinking again? I can't imagine it. But maybe it would quiet the constant inner monologue.

I’m undecided. Like you say, if you just quit completely then maybe you would eventually stop thinking about it. On the other hand, knowing that I’ve got a glass of wine to look forward to on a Friday helps me not drink during the week.

Blimey, I am finding my AF days a trial this week! I think it's because everything seems sooooo relentlessly grim. Anyway, I resisted. Having a nice cup of tea.

I think if you could just have one or two at the weekend then you’ve not got an issue.

Lots of us find that the one or two lead to a lot more then creep into the week. Hangovers, the Fear etc... not long behind!

I wish I could moderate naturally but it’s a constant fight. Freeing to just abstain. Don’t tell yourself it’s forever if that makes it too hard.

ooh lots of new people , welcome one and all

I agree with @Railingsohno , I just stop for a while I don't intend to quit altogether , probably for about a month or so but the odd one or two may pass my lips in that month .

As I said on a earlier post I actually find it easier to not want a drink when I can have one . So me saying nope thats it no more is more likely to make me crave a beer so I keep a few of my fave real drinks in but also plenty of AF drinks so I have the choice.
But I am like that with a lot of things , I can have one bar of chocolate, pack of crisp , garlic bread etc in and it will stay there for weeks with no problems but once its gone I want it.
As for recommendations mine are ,
Brew dog - Nanny state - Hazy - Punk
Adnams Ghost ship ( make sure you get the right one they do AF and Alc the bottles are very similar)
Stowford press cider bottles AF
A couple of drops of bitters in soda water with fresh lime
Tescos ( I think ) Mojito pre mix added to soda

I wish I lived near here , i love their pubs so this would be great .
www.brewdog.com/blog/we-are-opening-the-worlds-first-alcohol-free-beer-bar

Well done on the AF evenings all.

Unfortunately it was not an AF evening for me! OH was offered a job and he wanted to celebrate with a G&T so seemed churlish not to join him. It really does awaken the beast though and 1 drink is never enough (for me). I'm not going to beat myself up about it; I wouldn't have had a drink if it weren't for the circumstances and I just won't drink on Friday to make sure I lock 5 AF days this week.

I'm trying to diet at the moment too and finding it really hard doing both. Feeling a little down the last few days.

Hiya everyone! I'm still here, I'll be 8 weeks on Friday! How is everyone coping?

@Sauvignonismysaviour
I think most of us would of had a drink under them circumstances, this is part of the reason that I would never say I am not drinking ever again . things like new jobs , birthdays , anniversaries, moving house or even just because I fancy one.

Everyone is different so each to their own as to how much is the right amount vs to much.
If half a pint of carling once a month is to much then fine or if if couple of glasses of wine at weekend is ok with you then also fine .
Its when it gets to drinking every night, binge drinking every weekend , making a ass of yourself regularly and you think its fine that there is ( i think ) a problem .

@OrlandoInTheWilderness
I wondered where you were have you been hiding behind the sofa . 8 weeks ! well done , has your sleep settled and sugar cravings settled down ? ( we all seem to of suffered then at some point or another )

@OrlandoInTheWilderness you are my hero. Well done!

It wasn't an AF night here. I had a call to say I have to go for urgent treatment following an abnormal cervical screening. Right now my head is all over the place and as bad as it is I won't sleep unless I have red wine to knock me out.

@Cherrybakewellard sorry to hear that. Hope it all goes ok

Just a general observation and not @Cherrybakewellard. It’s challenging to find other ways of celebrating/commiserating. There’s always something and some reason to have a drink. It’s made even harder if you have people around you who are not supportive. I’ve been lucky that my husband is really supportive and has talked me out of a drink twice.

Just a bit of food for thought. I know I’m a newcomer to this thread but what helped me previously was a bit of tough talking from another poster. There’s always a reason for a drink if you look for one.

I hope that no one takes offence to this

None taken @Railingsohno because you speak absolute sense. The worst part is I know it.

@Cherrybakewellard it’s just not the right time for you and that’s ok. I wish you lots of strength. Don’t be hard on yourself.

Any moderating you manage to do is still good for your health. It took me quite a long time to get my head around being AF. To be honest I’m still not there yet!

Sending a hug cherry, hope the treatment goes well xx

That is stressful Cherry, thinking of you x

I'm off to the hairdressers at 6.30 and am ridiculously excited, will be bedtime when I get back so that's another day down

Well I exhausted myself with a long run this evening. I’m in bed already just flicking around on reddit, YouTube etc. Think I’ll be asleep soon. I’ve also booked in two long walks with friends on Saturday and Sunday, both involve getting up early and driving - no drinking for me this weekend (and will hopefully be so knackered that I fall asleep early too).

Sorry to hear that @Cherrybakewellard. I would also have had a few drinks in your situation. I hope everything is ok.

@Cherrybakewellard thank you!! I've never felt even vaguely heroic before!

I'm so sorry, fingers crossed for you. I think 🍷 is perfectly okay in those circumstances!

Managed to not drink last night but slipped tonight and had a sparkling pinot grigio can in the bath....

At least it was a single serve can busy . Hope everyone is well this morning. Day 29 - can't believe it. My quality of sleep is so much better and am down 10lb!

Hope you're ok @Cherrybakewellard sometimes life throws some curveballs. I'm sure you'll be fine.

It hasn't been an AF week for me but from today onwards I'm planning on staying AF. I woke up in the night feeling really unwell and nauseas. I don't think it's booze related but I do feel like my general health is shot to shit at the minute. Mentally and physically. I beat myself up about my drinking, eating and my weight gain but do nothing about it. So from now on, as others have said, I'm just taking it off the table so it's not a choice I have to dwell over everyday day.

Hope I can stick to it.

@Patbutcherismyhero

Maybe take a vitamin b complex? Alcohol depleted vitamin b and one of them (can’t remember which one) helps with brain power / alertness.

@fluckityfluckfluck. Well done on both the AF and the 10lbs. That’s motivation as it proves its worth it.

@Patbutcherismyhero good luck. Plan in advance for your triggers. Choose some other nice things to do/treat yourself with. I’d recommend a walk/yoga as the endorphins help.

Wow @fluckityfluckfluckuckity! Congrats! Sorry I couldn't find that rose in Sainsbury's- they do have an AF one, I've found with ice them to be okay, just not the one I used to have.
Day 4 starting here.
Managed to build Ikea furniture no beer! Feels like a real start... although also why do I feel I need a beer to build furniture??!! Some interesting insights into my patterns coming up.
Sorry you are feeling lousy @Patbutcherismyhero, hope it passes soon. I've really found taking alcohol off the table has helped- normally I'd be thinking constantly about my next drinking day but having said that I'm not drinking that mental back and forth has gone.
I've been reading William Porter Alcohol Explained, it's been really helpful and inspired me so much, I think it might be one I re read again and again. Highly recommend.
Tried Heineken blue yesterday; it's really nice! Might be my go to.
Good luck all. Hope today is a good one.