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?

Morning ladies

How are we all?

Morning @fluckityfluckfluck. Day 6 here for me and feeling pretty motivated to keep going. Did have a wee bit of a wobble yesterday after a difficult conversation with ds about his less-than-stellar predicted A-level grades which came out yesterday but didn't tumble. Told myself it wouldn't help. DH opened a bottle though!

However, still waking up feeling groggy and headachey which is really annoying! I want to be bounding out of bed with a grin on my face and a spring in my step. Ain't gonna happen

The weekend will be interesting. We won't be going anywhere near the newly-opened pubs but I know the little devil on my shoulder will start saying 'You've done a whole week! You can control your drinking! Reward yourself with a lovely cold glass of Picpoul!'

However, still waking up feeling groggy and headachey which is really annoying! I want to be bounding out of bed with a grin on my face and a spring in my step. Ain't gonna happen grin

Me too-how is that?!

No idea @Letseatgrandma. I suppose it will take a while.

Just frustrating when you give something up in order to feel better and...don't!

I'm wondering whether I actually just need more sleep at the moment. I might start stealing an afternoon nap when I can What was that thing about treating yourself like a toddler - lots of naps and food?!

I managed 3 weeks then my little darling sweetheart teen went on the rampage yesterday and I ended up drowning my sorrows. Feel CRAP this morning! Have a video call in an hour, need to freshen up! I'll start again!!!

Three weeks is ace rain! Dust off and start again...

It took me about 10 days before I had a good sleep. Hang in there ladies

Had 2 medium sized glasses of wine last night (4 units) but will be AF tonight to make sure I have my usual 3 nights "off", I would like to increase the off days to 4 or 5. But tbh I am not sure what I am aiming for in the long run, giving up totally, having a break, or just lowering my intake to a more sensible level?

I wish I hadn't had those two drinks yesterday now, seems pointless.

Thanks, just getting MC Donald's, might as well have a binge day before a fresh start tomorrow 😅 video call went well with small child in background dancing around in underpants singing 🙈
Must. Avoid. Wine. Do not make eye contact.

I'd love to give up completely. I'm aiming for that. I'd like to leave my 30s in yoga pants with the body of a 20 year old, strictly organic and vegan, completing a marathon, walking in heels, never looking tired etc etc....oh gosh just the thought makes me want wine! 😂😂😂 Pass me my dressing gown and disgusting old slippers!! 🙈😅

Day 5 AF for me today.

How's everyone else doing? The weekend is going to be pretty challenging. I'm going to distract myself by baking a reeses pieces & peanut butter brownie later. I feel like I've more than earned the calories this week!

Morning! I've got my AF Prosecco arriving with my Sainsbury's delivery later and some alcohol free Heineken. Need to swap contents of drinks fridge so when temptation strikes I'm less likely to crack. Can't believe how well I've done, it feels a bit too good to be true which may sound ridiculous

Hi Everyone

Just reading through the messages and wanted to give my support. I’m currently just over a year AF after drinking almost every day (my reward after a hard day) which got to the point where it was controlling me. I had previously given up for nearly two years, and like others have mentioned, thought I could go back to moderating. I can’t.

For those who slip up...don’t worry...just get back in he saddle and carry on! Remember how bad it makes you feel. Imagine a life without that anxiety, worry, gnawing feeling. It gets easier the longer you do, I promise!

Finally, A good book to read is ‘Kick the drink easily’ by Jasón Vale. It is quite repetitive in a hypnotic way, but talks a lot about the cognitive science of drinking etc. By the time you reach the end, it helps your brain ‘rewire’ your thinking.

Just to add: if you have been drinking most days and stop suddenly, your body will crave the sugar tuya was in the alcohol, and this can also lead you back to drinking. For the first couple of weeks, eat the sugary stuff if you need to, then cut down on that once the craving gets easier.

Morning all. This is Day 7 AF for me. Longest period without booze I can remember.

Despite still waking up feeling fairly knackered and groggy, I do think no booze is maybe starting to help a bit. I feel as if the work day is less of a struggle - although that could be just because the sun is out and I don't have endless boring Teams meetings in my diary today!

Yesterday evening I almost reached for a glass as I found myself getting irritable about a couple of very minor, daft household/family issues. But I didn't; told myself (again) that it wouldn't help and in fact would probably just make me feel worse. Am pretty proud of myself for that.

I did eat two Double Deckers with a cup of tea after dinner though so the point @deedeemegadoodoo makes about sugar is definitely true for me

DH is still drinking and has just texted me to say that he's been given a bottle of gin as an end-of-term present. I don't mind at all that he is drinking but I reckon he might start getting a bit bored of my abstinence soon...

Hi everyone , budge up and make room for one more please , , , ,
I havent had time to read the full thread yet ( on page two )
*@Patbutcherismyhero thank you for starting this thread , i have been on a few penguin threads over the past year it is nice to see another one.

@Dozer at the moment i dont think anyone is to concerned about what the 'correct' amount is to drink , the fact that we have realised that there is a issue and we are doing something about it is a big step for some.
It is like telling someone that is grossly obese that the 2 stone they have lost is not ideal because they should be 10 stone lighter .
small steps lead to long distances .

@Appuskidu
oooh thanks for the reminder I have a bottle of Bitters lurking somewhere, @Flyingagainstreason is right it is sort of herby but its a hard taste to describe , at around £12 for a 200ml bottle it seems expensive but you do only need a few drops ( literally ) in a half pint glass of soda , it looks pretty too a sort of golden /pinkish brown .

@QueenBlueberries
I agrree Ghostship is nice , I also like brew dog Nanny state and their Punk ale . for cider i go I really like Stowford press it is clean and sharp .
I have tried a few wines but I dont like any so far ( Esiberg is like drinking blackcurrant juice ! ) .

• For them that did not see the penguin threads , we were all penguins every time one of us was feeling like we may fall off the iceberg wagon we all gathered round and gently shoved them into the middle of the huddle to keep them safe , but we also applied for a 'pass' every now and then if a celebration was coming up then we we would jump off the iceberg and go for a paddle then a helpful flipper would be offered to get them back on the 'berg . The threads ( I think there was 3 this year ) were like this , helpful funny and kind . anyone that came one and were been repeatedly mean was pushed of the berg The threads were all posted on the 90 day section so I can not put any links up , but I will see if can find any penguins out there if you don't mind @Patbutcherismyhero.

Hi all. Well I have only managed two days AF this week when I normally manage three. BUT I have cut down how much I am drinking on the days I drink.

deedeemegadoodoo that is a v interesting point about sugar. Maybe I will make a nice cake and have that with tea when watching telly instead of red wine.

I've become partial to a mars ice-cream after tea.... 140 calories and delicious.

@deedeemegadoodoo I was also wondering about the sugar aspect & you've just confirmed that for me. I think sometimes the lack of sugar can lead me to feeling groggy & lethargic instead. Thanks for the info.

I'm twitching here ...

Resist fluckityfluckfluck!

Three cans of Heineken zero, massive bag of crisps and a curly wurly but no drink. Phew. Need to empty my drinks fridge - came close to just opening a bottle of Rose

Warm Domino's chocolate cookies here, with a cup of tea. God, they're good, it almost makes up for the lack of alcohol...

DH started on the wine at 5pm. He'll be snoozing in front of Gardener's World soon

Well done @fluckityfluckfluck - Friday is a tough one!

just popping in to say massive well done to everyone trying to cut back or stop drinking.

my advice to you is: if you like a drink and want to be able to keep doing it, get hold of it now. it creeps, you see, and that’s where the wheels start to come off.

i’m six-and-a-bit years sober. i was a rock bottom, lost everything, mouthwash drinking alky by the end. i very nearly died.

i didn’t stop drinking because i didn’t like it any more. i fucking loved drinking. but it got out of hand, and very dangerous. i lost everything.

getting through the Witching Hour (4pm - 7pm for me) is the key. in the end i found quitting easier than moderation as otherwise i was spending all y time counting down the minutes til my next drink

i’m not for a minute suggesting any of you are like me. just, see me as The Ghost of Drinking Yet To Come, and hopefully you’ll be spared the pain and chaos i caused towards the end of my drinking career.

Thanks everyone for sharing your stories and progress.
@Ze1tGeist, that is incredible you came back from rock bottom. Well done.

I nearly had rage induced wine yesterday when I was having a difficult time with something. I SO wanted to reach for the bottle. Instead, I somehow worked through it … and had a moment of clarity that I simply use alcohol to numb my feelings. I do. I can't remember the last time I worked through a feeling rather than blocked it. For me that was a massive eye opener.

DAy 6 here which is a record for a few years. Going out for a meal tomorrow (!) so that will be a big temptation. If I had just one glass of wine and went home that would be a result, but that's not how I drink.

Good luck over the weekend everyone. We've got this.