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?

I think I'm going to take each day as it comes. I had no desire to be AF free forever, I definitely didn't have a medical reliance on it but had slipped into very unhealthy habits due to loneliness.

The reading I have done though has made me question whether my relationship with alcohol was ever healthy, and I am considering an AF free future. But that seems a huge leap, and an over reaction in lots of ways as I am very capable of having a couple of glasses with dinner and not having more etc....

I don't know. It's day 36 so I figure it's okay that I don't know. What I don't want is to feel like I need a bottle of wine when I'm alone.

@fluckityfluckfluck sounds good. I started off just wanting to reset my relationship with alcohol. Now 6 months in I think I might stay AF.

The reading I have done though has made me question whether my relationship with alcohol was ever healthy, and I am considering an AF free future. But that seems a huge leap, and an over reaction in lots of ways as I am very capable of having a couple of glasses with dinner and not having more etc...

This is exactly how I feel.

Yup and me. Could stop at 2, although I'm not sure I'd be happy with just one and always want/fancy one more, even if I didn't have it so I think for me no more is easiest... especially the do I don't I tonight faff. Just like fasting is an easiest way for me to diet. It's interesting that there's a few of us with a similar mindset.

I also like seeing the health benefits stack up on my quit app; now realise one month isn't enough to really feel them as several don't kick in for a few months. I guess maybe why a lot of people say try 100 days and see?

Good luck today @fluckityfluckfluck, I hope all goes well xx

@NeedAUserNameAllTaken that’s me exactly! Everyone was a bit about me giving up as I’ve never presented with a problem. Although looking back there have been a few nights that I’ve ended up arguing with people/saying something stupid.

I’ve not really noticed health benefits as although I drank most days it was only a couple of glasses. The mental benefits have been huge though. And really examining my life. I’m about to start cbt/positive thinking sessions which should help too.

What quit app are you using @NeedAUserNameAllTaken? I've an app counting the days but would like to see the health benefits too.

I swing from feeling like the whole alcohol thing is a mugs game to thinking stopping completely is an over reaction that will limit my social life - which of course plays completely into it being a mugs game that makes us think this.

The link between three alcoholic drinks a week and breast cancer are very very sobering indeed

Thinking of you today @Cherrybakewellard

Just catching up on the thread.

I've had a biopsy today, not gonna lie it was fine having it done but the pain now is worse than childbirth . I'll likely be having some wine tonight for medicinal purposes, a bad excuse I know.

I have managed to be AF as I wanted so far this week so I feel like that's a positive.

Next week I am going to focus on reading some of the materials suggested here and aiming for Monday to Thursday no alcohol. Then I'll be honest I'm such a lightweight I can't drink much at the weekend without falling asleep so I'm kinda happy with that.

What an ordeal Cherry, well done on your af free week so far - be kind to yourself.

Sorry Cherry, that sounds tough. Hope the pain passes asap.

Fluckity (Sorry can't seem to @ people tonight), I have the Quit Drinking App, it really motivates me. Yes, that is sobering. Will spur me on for sure. As was seeing that it will take me 10 years to reduce my stroke risk to a non drinkers level!

Just discovered how nice a glass bottle of coke is - celebrating our wedding anniversary with one; not something I'd usually have because of calories and sugar but thought why not! Think Its a win for AF for me!

Railings; yeah I've only really noticed sleep and energy levels but the app tells me things that are repairing and it motivates me. Hoping in time I'll feel like superwoman

How's everyone else getting on?

*Sorry correction, stroke is 5, cancer is 10.

Cbt worked really well for my husband Railings, it's meant to be great. I'm hoping to see an improvement anxiety wise too as mine has been rubbish of late; have committed myself to daily meditation to try to help things as well. Hoping at the 3 month mark I'll be WAAAY more Zen!! Glad it has helped.

My anxiety is literally transformed - my eldest remarked today that I'm a lot less stressy too

@Cherrybakewellard sounds tough. Hope you feel better soon.

@NeedAUserNameAllTaken good to hear about CBT. I could just do with a tweak to help be a bit more positive.

@fluckityfluckfluck that’s amazing about the anxiety. Hold on to your son saying that to you- that’s very motivating! I’m probably more stressy that before as I used the wine to get through the whole tea/bedtime chaos and it became a bad habit. Now I just need to get on with it and leave the room if they’re too annoying!

I hope you feel better soon @Cherrybakewellard and the results of the bio are good,

@fluckityfluckfluck
When others start to notice the diffeance in you you know you are onto a good thing .

I am still AF , but this weekend is going to be hard , I have a long shift on at work and it is going to be hot, heavy and dust work , I will be gasping for a pint at the end of the day .

I think before I was short tempered because I'd either had too much day before and slept badly or was resentful I couldn't drink if that makes sense - even though I didn't realise it at the time

Get some AF beer in @AlCalavicci - I'm loving the Heineken zero

Ooh, I hope this is me soon! Thanks for sharing Fluckity.
Yes Heineken zero is amazing isn't it?

I love the Peroni AF. I’m not really a lager drinker and I prefer it as it’s more lemony than some.

Well done though everyone. I’m starting to really enjoy being totally sober in the evenings. Who would have thought!

I jinxed myself yesterday

Woke up at 3am and couldn't get back to sleep. Off glamping with the kids for the weekend today and checked my worked email this morning to discover a major issue that is my direct responsibility - off all the fucking timing

Have awful anxiety now and stressed off my head. Arghhhhhhhhh

Ahhh @fluckityfluckfluck is it possible to sort or delegate before you set off? You don't want to spend all weekend thinking about it. Hope you get get it sorted. Just think how much stressful it would be to sort out with a hangover!

It's not been the AF week I hoped for. Boredom has set in a lot in the evenings. I haven't drank to excess but I've had my 14 units now and should probably consider an AF weekend. Will see how it goes.

Thanks Pat - have done damage control and will sort on return. Pain in chest is easing - and yes at least not battling with a hangover too.

I've packed 12 Heineken zero whereas I'd normally have wine, Prosecco beer and cider - to cover all moods. The scales seem to have stopped moving but my shape has definitely changed and think I've lost one of my chins, still at least two there though!

Good luck for the weekend Pat - and everyone. Please do a sun dance for me - should be in Florida so surely I deserve some sun

@fluckityfluckfluck what a nightmare. Well done for dealing with it and packing AF. Are you away today? Camping is such a healthy holiday. Early to bed early to rise, lots of nature. Have a lovely time and make sure you get the kids helping out!

Maybe look into some breathing or other strategies of dealing with stress? Hope that doesn’t sound patronising.

Not patronising at all, i find walking great but obviously couldn't abandon the kids and head off 😁.

I'm getting braver and less scared of heading off with them alone - three is a lot but they are getting older and are great. I just need to frequently remind myself that xh made things harder in reality and that it's easier and more enjoyable alone

@fluckityfluckfluck you sound like you’re doing brilliantly. A marriage break up is a huge trauma and emotional upheaval. Us mums worry about the kids and forget ourselves sometimes Maybe if finances allow you could treat yourself to something when the kids are away?

Also have you tried running? Massive stress and anxiety buster.

Also zoom HIIT classes are great. 30 mins jumping around like daft and you’re done and feel AMAZING. I do them from my phone in the garden/holiday .