I feel proud of not drinking for a night - does that mean I’m an alcoholic

[cbr333]

I have posted here before about trying to reduce my alcohol intake. I have it all together on the face of it but have decided to try and do dry June as I have been drinking one or two glasses of wine every night and more at the weekends. Doesn’t impact my day-to-day but I definitely don't feel fresh in the mornings.

I managed last night and feel confident I can do the same tonight, but the sense of achievement I’m feeling about a single day off wine is a bad sign isn’t it.

I feel like I’ve sleep-walked into a problem and because it’s lovely cote de Provence rose and I’m drinking it alongside perello olives and Torres crisps that it’s somehow not an addiction but just a mum of youngish children having some sort of reward.

I feel a bit ashamed to be honest.

@olympicsrock well done you!! Was today the weekend day you thought might trip you up?

I had my first slightly twatty superior thought today. I took the kids to Alton Towers today (Christmas present for family member that was about to expire). To get to one of the rides we went through a courtyard and there loads of people drinking pints, some of them had kids with them and I just thought do you want a drink that badly that you’ll derail a whole special and expensive day out with something you could do anywhere at any time.

Also I had a real craving on the way home but it was for fever tree aromatic tonic water with lemon and loads of ice. Definitely real progress in terms of thoughts of having a drink and at certain times in the evening / certain days.

don't think Ive broken the cycle yet but I’ve definitely tapped into something and it’s making me feel
good.

No, there are all kinds of alcoholics. There is no way anyone on here can say if the OP is an alcoholic or not.

21 days done - and I haven’t really wanted alcohol this weekend. I’ve enjoyed feeling well hydrated with water ( new water bottle ) and have had a few lovely non alcoholic drinks like lime dash with raspberries and lots of ice .

I also like the fever tree tonics . I have also had Perroni zero and lemon .
Back to work tomorrow - that will be a whole new challenge. I’m be taken back the on line shopping from DH . I’ve also cooked a few nice meals - thai curry , salmon with Hollandaise and asparagus.

I’ve achieved the goal and tomorrow is the start of phase 2 ( maintenance ) for me .

Keep going , and thanks for your support @cbr333

You’ve done amazingly, so so brilliant.

I am afraid I fell off the wagon yesterday. We had a Father’s Day barbecue with my dad and his partner and our best friends and I ended up having a couple of glasses of wine. I also had lots of tonic water. I am not feeling guilty about it as I have done three weeks and I won’t be drinking this week. Weekend tbc but I think I will probably stay off alcohol until we go on our summer holiday.

i didn’t quite make my goal but it has been a really
good exercise in questioning my habits and a revelation in terms of tonic water mid-week.

Let me know how maintenance phase goes, what is your plan?

I think you have done brilliantly - and you only had a couple of glasses of wine . That’s fine !

The challenge now is to feel ok about that . I certainly don’t I tend to be tee total .

I think my plans are:
Have lots of lovely non alcoholic drinks in the house. Aim not to drink at home unless in company but not be absolute about this to avoid feeling guilty of if I do.

Take drinks with me when going to other people’s houses / picnics etc.
Have a glass of wine when I’m out if I really want to but to be the driver where possible so that it can only be one or two.

Thank you! No drinks Monday, glass of wine with football last night (RUBBISH game!) and no drinks tonight. Work is so intense right now and I haven’t felt the need to go to the fridge to pour a glass of wine, pouring a tonic water in a nice glass with ice and fruit has given me the same feeling.

Verrrry early days, but so far so good.

how are you getting on? Has everything been ok with back to work and taking on house jobs again?