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 told a friend yesterday and she completely broke down over how much she has been drinking and how worried she is about it.

I bet there's a lot of people out there feeling this way, it's sad.

A new week, a new start. Stayed AF yesterday and will do the same today and tomorrow (hopefully). Weighed myself yesterday and got a nasty surprise. The amount of snacking and drinking during lockdown has obviously taken its toll!

My aim is to get to Friday and see how I feel Pat

god so glad this thread is here. same! im drinking about 4 bottles a week compared to the 1.5 - 2 bottles of wine i drank prior to lockdown.

no-where i need to drive to in evening.
nobody i need to be "sensible" around eg collecting kids from hobbies
nothing going on in the late afternoon and evenings like clubs etc.
great weather to sit outside with a glass of wine
no where to drive in the mornings
de stresses when kids are getting too loud and excitable.

how to break the cycle though!

Just stop! Seriously. Set a tragedy for a 'break' and see how you feel. I was the same....at least that a week most weeks, and some

A target, no tragedy here

Has anyone on here tried Angustura bitters? I know it’s alcoholic, but I remember seeing it in one of the Dry January threads-people were adding just a couple of drops to tonic water etc to give a nice taste. I just wondered what it actually tasted OF?!

It’s not aniseed, it?

Oh I love bitters. Lovely in a tonic water. Tastes more of aromatics - deffo not aniseed

That sounds positive! What do aromatics taste of though??

Sort or herbal spicy/ bit of clove and orange? Not too orange though as it’s a flavour I don’t like. If you buy it and hate it PM me and I’ll take it off your hands
It’s not too sweet.

Our next Laithwaites wine delivery is arriving tomorrow - waaaah! We did cancel the subscription but clearly not in time to stop the latest box. DH has said he's going to take it into work as end-of-term presents for colleagues so it's out of temptation's way.

I've felt crap for the last couple of days. Absolutely shattered, really bone-tired and fuzzy. Have eaten too much sugar to try and get through the day and even had to have a quick power-nap at lunchtime today (thank god for WFH!) Slept really badly last night as well. Hope I start feeling a bit brighter soon!

I think a bottle of bitters is probably a good idea - you only need a drop or two. One of the problems I have with non-alcoholic drinks is they're often so sweet - I like my drinks best when they're aromatic and punchy - so I say go for it!

Sorry you've had a rough couple of days Box hopefully you're over the worst. I still have my drinks fridge and larder full of booze. Not sure how I feel about clearing it. Feels like it's safer it's there even though I don't want to drink it now

I just googled the calories in a bottle of wine ; it is around 650, a lot, but not 1,000! It has certainly made me put on weight since lockdown. Am trying to have several alcohol free nights. Some success, but not as many as I should. Following this thread closely. Maybe just reading people’s comments may help? Good luck everyone.

It's not just the calories in the wine, it's what I eat when drinking and the next day too. And the fact that it stops me going for a walk or doing any exercise etc. The actual calories in the bottle is the least of it for me

Going to join you as I am aware my drinking has crept right up since lockdown and redundancy

I did so well at the beginning of the year - 32 days with no alcohol - after I realised I was at the 5 bottles of wine a week level

Was back there again so have been trying to cut back. Managed 1 AF day the first week then 3 AF days last week

Just wish there was a decent AF wine!! (although AF prosecco is ok!)

Well done all - it's not easy

@BoxAndKnife

Our next Laithwaites wine delivery is arriving tomorrow - waaaah! We did cancel the subscription but clearly not in time to stop the latest box. DH has said he's going to take it into work as end-of-term presents for colleagues so it's out of temptation's way.

I've felt crap for the last couple of days. Absolutely shattered, really bone-tired and fuzzy. Have eaten too much sugar to try and get through the day and even had to have a quick power-nap at lunchtime today (thank god for WFH!) Slept really badly last night as well. Hope I start feeling a bit brighter soon!

I think a bottle of bitters is probably a good idea - you only need a drop or two. One of the problems I have with non-alcoholic drinks is they're often so sweet - I like my drinks best when they're aromatic and punchy - so I say go for it!

Laithwaites did this to me too. I tried to cancel and they were so pushy I ended up delaying the box as long as poss. When I phoned up to cancel it was 'too late' and the box arrived. I'm convinced it was deliberate and not helpful when I am trying to be AF

PS Hi, I'm a fellow lockdown cut downer

This is a really good thread, not least because it is non judgemental, unlike other MN threads on consuming too much wine. If people feel they won’t be judged then they are more inclined to be honest. I have a birthday tomorrow, so it will be a challenge not to have wine in the evening!

Thanks for starting this thread OP, a lot of us seem to be in the same boat.

I manage 2 or 3 days a week AF, but then drink too much on drinking days. I was drinking about 2-3 bottles a week pre lockdown which was more than I was happy with, and it is now 3-4 plus couple of gins or beers here and there. I have put on weight and am worried about my liver! Like others, I drink while making dinner. If I don't do that, then I can easily not drink for the rest of the night.

I'm going to join you too. Attempting my first alcohol free night in at least a year .

I've always used alcohol as my emotional crutch but now I'm topping the scales as obese.....and it doesn't look pretty.

I'm alternating between water and alcohol free beer and think I'll just go to bed soon to get today over and done with. Well done to all who are cutting down or abstaining.

"It's not just the calories in the wine, it's what I eat when drinking and the next day too. And the fact that it stops me going for a walk or doing any exercise etc. The actual calories in the bottle is the least of it for me"

This has been a bit of a wakeup call for me too, all those extra calories, no wonder the weight has been creeping on, and I do often feel lethargic the next day which had a knock on affect on my energy use.

I've got a couple of (socially distanced) things on this weekend and I'd like to drink for those so I'm going to not drink before Friday evening, that'll be 5 days off 2 days on... it's been the other way around over lockdown and that has to change, so day two of no booze for this week today.

Well I tried again. And I just can’t seem to do it. I just don’t know why I can’t do it.
I said all day, this week I’ll cut it out. And I just find any old excuse in the book to start tomorrow.
Feeling really down about it all.

I stopped drinking about 2 weeks before lock down, but not completely, I have a low alcohol beer once in a while and had a few glasses of champagne on my birthday. Do you know what, I'm still putting weight on, feel demotivated, and bored to death. But I do feel better, sleep better, wake up rested, and I exercise more. I just eat crap.

It's really worth it though, seriously. I used to have heart palpitations and I've had none since I stopped alcohol. Best low alcohol beer I've found is Adnams Ghost Ship 0.5%.

Your definitely not alone op! Two books I highly recommend are 'The Unexpected Joy Of Being Sober' by Catherine Grey and 'The Sober Diaries' by Clare Pooley ( both hilarious and helpful), there's also a 'one year no beer' Facebook group with others to keep you motivated and Catherine Grey has a brilliant podcast episode with Ferne Cotton on Happy Place that's worth a listen. There's also great alcohol free Prosecco (Sainsbury's is the nicest) Clean Gin (also Sainsbury's) as well as the usual beer and cider alternatives if you miss the taste or don't want people looking at you like you've just announced your moving to a deserted island to take up cannibalism when you say 'no thanks' to a drink.

I can completely relate to your want to stop drinking but as a singleton approaching her 30's when half my friends are all babies and brunch and the other half are in the pub every night it's hard to find a solution that doesn't end up with sitting soberly home alone...it's almost enough to drive you to drink 🙃

Failed here too. Two gins tonight. Not terrible but why can't I just stick to what I said and have the beginning half of the week AF at least?

I'm just so sick of lockdown life. It's beyond dull and drinking in the evening is more out of boredom than anything. I also promised myself I'd eat better this week and have still managed to snack on crap all day today.

I'm just stuck in a real rut at the moment and can't seem to shake myself out of these bad habits.

Pat yes boredom is a factor for me too. I think also probably many of us are a bit depressed, the lockdown is not good for our mental health and well being. Two gins isn't so bad, don't beat yourself up.