Stopping drinking

[Embal1983]

I’m an alcoholic. Shit that feels so embarrassing to post but I am, it’s my first time admitting it, and I don’t know what to do now.

Over the last 2 years my drinking has massively crept up, I’ve always drank at the weekends (Mostly with friends) but it is now out of control. I meet with friends but then leave early because I know it’s not acceptable to down a bottle of wine in company so head home to continue drinking.

I’m now drinking about 7 bottles of wine a week, 5 days drinking, 2 days off.

I can ‘not drink’ for a couple of days usually a Monday and Tuesday as I go into the week with good intentions but come Wednesday I’ve cracked a bottle of wine and then it’s every evening after that until the Sunday evening regret.

I hold down a job and don’t drink in the day, but come 6pm...

I know IABU but what now..AA? A detox facility? Can’t believe I’ve ended up in this mess of my own volition.

There is an alcohol free section of the site which has active threads, supportive people and tips including podcasts and books. Good luck x

You need to find what works for you. I read "the unexpected joy of being sober" and something clicked. I'm 3 years sober x

Thanks @Yummypumpkin didn’t know that, will go and post there xx

Don't be too hard on yourself, it's an addictive substance.
Get some good advice and look after your health xxx take care

There are loads of resources out there to help. Podcasts and books really helped me and made stopping feel easy. I would recommend William Porter’s book Alcohol explained. Annie Grace’s podcast gives accounts of real stories. The Bee Sober podcast is also a great British one. Once you start looking there is a massive sober community out here x best of luck

I think you even posting is a huge first step, many people are in denial til they've lost almost everything. I don't have any advice beyond AA but just wanted to say I'm proud of you for making this first step.

7 bottles of wine is a lot in a week
But you knew that already.

They say the hardest part of solving this kind of problem is recognising that you have a problem in the first place. You've cleared that hurdle.

Be strong

@ASeriesOfTubesIn what way is that first comment helpful?

Brilliant first step, you have shown you can stop.
So why not extend your non drinking days to Wednesday first, then Thursday and then you might find that moderate drinking on Friday and Saturday is okay? It strikes me that you are binge drinking a little - can you switch to low alcohol alternatives? I think there is a lot you can do to address this without too much effort.
I loved not drinking! Feel so well, healthy and best thing I did was to cut right down.

Well done you for recognising and taking responsibility for your drinking ! I wish you all the very best in your recovery
Your GP would be a great place to start , there is lots of support out there for people who want it
Good luck !

Yes lots of support on here and you'll find lots in real life.
So, I was you about 3 years ago. I would say I drank 5 to 7 bottles a week. It gradually crept up until it was all I could think about. At present I am moderating - the most I have is 2 bottles a week but I am a work in progress and think I can cut down even further. To get to this point I

1. joined forums such as Club Soda and Soberistas. Both brilliant.
2. did the Annie Grace 30 day challenge. Again brilliant.
3. went to AA meeting. Only 1. It wasn't for me, but I tried.
4. posted on here and met a group of like minded really supportive people. Possibly this has been the most successful for me.
5. started journalling. Recognition of daily triggers, feelings, etc, consequences. Still do this daily and 6) recently engaged the services of a life coach and had hypnotherapy. This again really successful.

I will help you. If you post in alcohol support and start a thread, I can support you on a daily basis.
You can do it. It is a habit, but as a pp said, it is so addictive and like I said, it slowly but surely creeps up. The wine witch is a betch!

You can do it, I know you can.

I too decided to cut out my evening dinner tipple. I could see I was drinking small amounts comparatively but every night. It became a habit. A crutch. I was bored, it livened up the night, helped her relax, took the edge off the stress.
I became worried about my health. I looked at my beautiful dds and realised I wanted to be around for them in old age, to see Gc and I didn’t want them growing up thinking it was normal or dc having an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. It might sound dramatic given I didn’t drink to excess but it does increase my chances of cancer, liver disease, heart problems and weight etc I was feeling so anxious about it.

I really snapped on holiday and decided enough was enough. I only went to restaurant s with amazing non alcoholic cocktails to start with, cut the evenings short to avoid temptation. Stopped watching programmes with those drinking as it made me want one. Stocked the house with hot chocolate, lashings of cream and marshmallows and sugary cereals. It surprisingly works! And feels so d comforting. I avoid friends in evenings and see them for lunch. It’s going brilliantly!

So far:

My face has thinned out, and I have started to look prettier. My eyes look bigger - my cheek bones are now in evidence.

I have lost a bit of weight, even though I am eating a touch more in the evenings

I am sleeping so well

I wake up feeling so sparkly and ‘clean’ I feel great in the mornings

I am in control of my life again - feel more stable and clear - together

I have saved a fortune!! Going to buy some new clothes and book a spa day

I don’t feel anxious anymore

I feel really really well / healthy - cheerful - like the best version of myself.
The real benefits became apparent after a week, first 2/3 days were the hardest but now I don’t think about it. I just automatically reach for the hot chocolate.
You CAN do this!
I have been drinking every night for nearly fifteen years.

Amazing thread, I'll follow this journey as I need to stop the evening drinking..

I'd love to feel fresh and sparkly in the morning and alive and look in the mirror and not think oh shit I drank too much again.

I've got into a habit of 1-2 glasses every night and then maybe 3-4 on Friday, Saturday & Sunday.

The Sunday could be spread throughout the day while I'm cooking, then pop to the pub after food etc, all social drinking.

I'm going to kick the habit, it's not nice it's not helping my weight is going up and up and I feel rubbish, also I keep thinking.. right this week I'll stop, and I don't but now I've realised it's maybe because I can't.