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 yesterday to those who managed it. It'll be day 3 for me today and WHEN I've done it, that will be my longest streak without booze for months. Small steps.

Thank you ladies for such an incredibly supportive thread - from those just starting out like me, and those who have been there and got the t-shirt. Apparently 4 million people a year in the UK do Dry January so it must be something that can creep up on a lot of people.

Thanks Darcy!

Oh I’ve not finished that book yet OP. Again I’m the same, SAHM, two young kids, one currently off school, so I def won’t relate to that either! I did think there’s maybe a gap for people who are just a bit normal and how to cope with the mundaneness of life without the buzz of wine! Maybe we should write our own book when we’re done

Catherine Grey's book reminded me of me 20 years ago - although I wasn't quite as glam and exciting as her (!!) I did have a fairly party-heavy London lifestyle. I worked in an industry where I could easily go to free-drinks PR parties / launches most weeks, and my partner at the time was a semi-successful musician, so there were lots of late nights and dive bars and hanging out with minor celebrities .

That's really where my habits set in, I think. And probably why I still associate drinking with fun and excitement and 'cool', even though it's really far from that these days.

The irony is that I'm so, SO much happier as a person, and in my general life, than I was back then, and almost everything about my life is different and better now, but the boozing has stuck.

I must admit I find Claire Pooley's 'mummyblogger' style a bit grating, but maybe I should give her another chance.

I started Quit like a girl on audiobook on the way to work this morning and am really enjoying it so far. Danger time for me again now as kids at their dads until Sunday

You can do it @fluckityfluckfluck 💪🏻

My trigger time is deffo whilst cooking dinner. So today I went shopping & bought loads of 'easy' dinners that I can just throw in the oven then busy myself doing something else whilst they are cooking.

Day 3 for me also @sauvignonismysaviour we got this!

We have indeed @MissHemsworth!

Great idea to identify our trigger times and use those tools that are out there to help us. I'm not going to buy any wine in this week's shop and going to try and find some nice soft drinks.

It's usually at this point of day 3 that I start to make excuses for reasons to drink in the evening but honestly today I don't want to. Maybe I have had my lifetime share of wine already …

Pat, your story resonates so much with me! So glad I’ve found this thread. I’m on day 3!!

My poison is martinis. Gin and tonic just wasn’t hitting the spot quick enough so I stepped it up a gear. Beers started creeping in as the weather improved. I exercise loads and eat well, but the booze has become my lockdown crutch.

I stopped reading bedtime stories to the kids. Couldn’t be arsed with their routines. And I’m sure I’ve made a total twat of myself on evening zoom calls where I’m the only one drinking heavily.

I managed one AF day last week. I’m aiming for a full 7 days.... for now. The stories of total abstinence are inspiring. But I do love a night out, or a boozy catch up with friends. They happen so infrequently, that they were never the problem. It’s lockdown drinking that has to stop.

Hi and welcome @KickingItSince1966 - yep I'm the same. I enjoy drinking and don't want to give it up altogether - although I am very inspired by the stories of people who have gone totally tee total after years of drinking. They always talk about how much their mental and physical health has improved which is great but personally the odd drink on a weekend or at a wedding just makes life that bit more enjoyable for me.

My problems are binge drinking which inevitably leads to terrible behaviour and a day wasted with a hangover and being riddled with anxiety. I started this thread after such an occasion! But in my defence I don't do that often. The other problem is increased habitual drinking in lockdown which a lot of other people seem to resonate with. If I can cut back and have more sober days I will be happy but I'll admit I'm finding it tough at the moment. I wake up with the best intentions for an AF day but by 6pm I think 'what harm can it do'. I also find that I sleep better after one or two drinks which is worrying in itself.

Sorry for confusion btw - I am the OP but have changed my name (I do it regularly!) I'll change back just to make it clearer for the purpose of this thread.

Back as pat now

I think a few of us might be here under different names!

Yeah. It's surprisingly much more fun not to drink.

I also find that I sleep better after one or two drinks which is worrying in itself.

So do I. I sleep appallingly Monday-Thursday but then slew brilliantly once I’ve had a drink at the weekend!

My new regime is not drinking Monday-Thursday and feel that has got to be better for me that what I have been doing over lockdown. Ideally I should do Sundays as well but I’m not there yet. I’m fine not drinking when I have work (actually being in work) the next day, but I’m part time and struggle to not drink when I haven’t got work the next day!

Soooo, I’ve bought lots of nice tonics, mixers and soda water to have on those nights and will see how that goes.

I walked 6k listening to my audiobook, just had tea and am running a bath. Feeling like I've passed the danger by going straight out for a walk as the habit is to immediately open a bottle

I can relate to the binges. Far too often it’s been party for one. Purely from the boredom and monotony of housewifing and always being around small kids with cabin fever.
Part time too and my workload is now increasing, which is definitely incentive to keep a clear head.

Amazing @fluckityfluckfluck - you are smashing this. Long walks and inspirational reading/listening are much better ways to spend your time. Are you feeling any better for it? How many days has it been now?

I did AF Sunday then had a couple of gins Monday and Tuesday so will try and do AF again tonight. I've passed the danger time now which is good. Just have to see what happens when I get sat in front of the TV later....

Today is day 14.... I'm sleeping well but not for long if that makes sense. My anxiety is better, definitely. I've lost 5 lbs - but I have been exercising more as a result of not being hungover. Overall I'm feeling a bit confused as to why I've been existing the way I have to be honest - I started every week knowing and accepting I'd feel shite due to drink half the week. It really doesn't make sense

I failed yesterday on my birthday! I also had a slice of chocolate cheesecake and a beer 😂 nothing tonight though and hopefully nothing tomorrow! Best to take it one day at a time.

@fluckityfluckfluck I think that's why I'm struggling to stop completely - because it doesn't make me feel like shit. The evening drinking isn't great but just lately it's been maybe 2 gins instead of a bottle of wine and that doesn't leave me hungover and it actually improves my sleep. But logically I know it's not good for me and I could lose a lot more weight and gradually feel better mentally and physically by stopping altogether. But what I'm saying is at the moment it's not like having a daily hangover or lethargy. Not at this level anyway.

Binges on the other hand.....

I was rarely hungover - maybe every few weeks but constantly suffering from lack of concentration, bad mood, tiredness, anxiety, eating crap food, lack of interest in doing anything except for opening a bottle.....

Also, after a few days of a gin or a beer I'd reward myself with wine.... I know I would

@fluckityfluckfluck yeah I tend to reward myself with wine on the weekend which is an improvement from a bottle every night of the week! But still not great.

You're doing amazingly well. Wish I had half of your willpower.

Thanks Pat, not making any big decisions at the moment just going to see how it goes

Well done @fluckityfluckfluck & happy birthday @Thomasina79 I think a few on your birthday can certainly be forgiven! That cheesecake sounds delish.

Day 4 AF for me today. Yesterday the danger zone' was tough but I didn't give in!