Help with OCD and problem drinking?

[PlinkPlonkFizz]

Have any of you found ways of reducing obsessive skin-picking? I've got into a very bad habit also of drinking a bottle of wine every Friday night and sometimes Saturday night too. It's too much for me but I find myself longing for the temporary stress relief it brings on a physical and mental level. The routine is that I spend most of the week eating fairly well, exercising and telling myself I'm not going to drink too much or pick my skin at the weekend. Then I feel helpless and swing the other way, drink a bottle of wine, pick the skin on my arms and feel extremely ashamed the next day. I'm due to attend a MH clinic in November, but I need help before then. Can anyone recommend anything that helped you?

Hi @PlinkPlonkFizz, Sorry to hear you are having a tough time.

I do think it is important to try and break the cycle of drinking if you are not happy about it.

Do have supportive people who could help you? Maybe make different plans for the weekend? Got out and meet a friend / go to cinema at the time you would usually drink. Don't have any wine in the house?

Or allow yourself more of a treat during the week so you don't need to splurge at the weekend?

Maybe similar with the picking. Have a distraction ready for when you are likely to be tempted.

I think above all though try to not be too hard on yourself if you do lapse.

I think above all though try to not be too hard on yourself if you do lapse.

This made me a bit tearful- thank you @Snowshower - I have really struggled with feeling like a complete failure every time I lapse. Being normal feels so far away. X

Hi op. Not much experience of skin picking here but plenty of experience of what might be politely described as my own problem drinking which I am currently trying to address.

I have found that for me a lot of my drinking is about habit, routine and the comfort of these two things in the evrnings. The good news is that it doesn't take too long to form new habits - I have started watching a new show in the evenings instead, and am treating myself to a bit of really nice cheese and chutney instead of wine.

So, could you start putting a new habit in place? Eg an exercise class or a regular walk one of those evenings?

Thanks @TooManyPlatesInMotion sorry to hear you've had similar issues with drink. I will try to plan some changes to my routine and see does it help. Frequently after a difficult week I find myself thinking of the healthier things I could do, activities that would nurture me, but it overwhelms me, you know? Then guilt and shame the next day when I realise I'm in the grip of a horrible habit...