Alcoholics or Dependant Drinkers Club

[Rhubarb]

For SoftStuff, tyedye and anyone else who wants to join.

The rules are that you HAVE to sign in every night to let us know TRUTHFULLY how much you have drunk. You need to let us know your triggers too. So if you resisted for 12 hours but then cracked and had a beer - what finally snapped?

We'll be here to give you encouragement, support, advice and opinions.

[themoon66]

I work on the idea that giving up spirits and wine and sticking to lager/beer is actually the better option. Its very bloating so I tend to drink it slower. Also, 4/5 percent lager is better than necking 13 percent wine in the same volume.

[themoon66]

Rhubarb - thats what i was saying last night... whats the alternative? Water is boring, juice, coke etc are sweet and sickly. Tea and coffee at night keep me awake.

Somebody suggested cranberry, but it gives me the runs. Hence I bought a box of red grape juice to get me through tonight.

[kokeshi]

One fo my friends who gave up drinking swears by herbal teas. Something like chamomile or the fruit teas. I agree not so exciting if it's the "hit" you're looking for though, but better than drinking tea or coffee at night with all the caffeine.

[themoon66]

I might give the herbal tea thing a go - cheers for that suggestion. Will get some on way home from work this very day

[cowardess]

I am too much of a wimp to admit this is me as I know too many people off mumsnet in real life, some of who know I have had problems - or have an ongoing problem with alcohol. The thing that I find the most awful about being able to admit to people that I drink too much is the fact that (a) I am a woman and (b) I have children.

I function quite normally when I am in a routine of drinking too much but better when I dont drink at all. I feel a better person with abstinence. Abstinence for me now is easier to control than it used to be. I can drink on a weekend now and not in the week, or I can cut out completely for several weeks at a time. I do have awful lapses though when I spiral and I guess this defines me as an alcoholic.

I have lots of stress too. Counselling has helped no end, and so have several self help books. I also frightenend myself to death about 12 months ago and got a nice (:() bout of alcohol poisoning and DT's. AA helped me at the time but I find it difficult to attend meetings. TBH I wished they did them in the daytime.

This thread has really helped as it is hard to imagine other women drink the same quantities as I have done, as alot of men would be vomiting in the toilet after half of my consumption. I can really relate to dinosaurs radiohead and alcohol scenario:o I really must chuck my morissey CDs out also

[dinosaure]

One thing I have found which has helped a lot is yoga. It has made me calmer and happier in myself, so I don't feel the need to drink so much, and it's also something to do in the evenings - a distraction from alcohol. And drinking alcohol after doing yoga is horrid, I'm not quite sure why!

[themoon66]

Yes its true about being occupied in the evenings. Which is why i go running. I also sit and play frantically on the kids gameboy just to keep my hands busy some nights.

[blueteddy]

Think I may need to join this thread as I am trying to cut down on the amount I drink. I use drink a lot to try & calm myself down when stressed, although I know it sometimes makes you feel worse (especially if listening to Radiohead at the same time - although I kind of like their music!)
I am not intending to give it up, as I like a drink here & there, but do want to cut down.
I have managed 2 drink free nights so far this week & aim to get to Friday before maybe giving in to a glass of wine!

[sickandtired]

dp told me he was co concerned about the ammount I was drinking, (with good reason, about a bottle of wine each night, with maybe sunday off) we had a good chat on sunday and I have gone cold turkey since then - amazing to see this thread at the same time!

I have started having a bath in the evening and went to the library to get myself some novels. it amazes me the little things I stopped doinf, long soaks, reading.....

Not saying I am enjoying it that much, but know its the right thing to do.

[blueteddy]

I have a diet coke & an ovaltine! One extreme to the other, but I sleep well!

[Rhubarb]

Well, just signing in before I go to bed. I'm sipping a herbal tea that is supposed to help me sleep cause I'm not sleeping and when I do I have terrible dreams - but that's not lack of alcohol, it's depression.
I was VERY tempted to have a Guinness today and if dh had offered me one I might have said yes. But he didn't so I didn't. Hoping I can keep that way till Fri, but tomorrow is the day we usually have a few beers so that'll be tough as I can't see dh forgoing any. And because I feel shit I really want a drink!

[7up]

well done rhubarb, i had 2 brandies last night and im clock watching now waiting to have one as i had a v.stressful day and kids now in bed.

butty, sorry youre so down and not getting much support. youre drinking sounds like mine was till about 5years ago. i couldnt enjoy myself without getting pissed and id drink so early in the afternoon when i knew i was going out that evening. mainly because i was so used to drinking a huge amount that it didnt affect me. at the time, blokes from the pub would laugh that i could drink them under the table. i found it funny and was proud then

[themoon66]

Well. I'm back from running and now sipping my red grape juice which i've made into a longer drink by diluting with diet lemonade. DH went and popped open a lager right in front of me, but I resisted, even though I could actually smell it from across the room! Not sure how long I can resist to be honest so I'm gonna clean my teeth and go to bed quick now. I feel proud of myself - one whole day without alcohol. Doesnt sound much i know, but hey, its a start. And all thanks to you guys on here being supportive. xxx

[handlemecarefully]

Had an entire bottle of cheap chardonnay and a couple of measures of brandy. I'm not even depressed for heavens sake - so why the booze? What I hate is how unproductive it makes me. I should have been catching up with essential stuff in my office but instead have spent nearly 3 hours pissing away the time on mumsnet!

[SoftStuff]

kokeshi - thank you!

Fiofio - I had a short course of counselling last year, i'm waiting to see a psychologist regarding the ptsd atm.

Rhubarb - Thanks but I honestly feel just awful. I'm incredibly snappy, anxious and both my memory and my sleep is even worse than it was. I also had to hand something over to one of my child's class teacher earlier and my arm/hand was shaking , I'm hoping it's because it's been aching. My stomach is also painful and es I will mention it to my gp when I go next which should now be Thursday.

I have told myself that I can have a drink on Thursday if I get to then, I will then have another break. I actually walked into my local shop today and picked up a bottle of wine, I put it back.

Thanks again x

[blueteddy]

Didn't have a drink last night. Have now done a whole 3 nights without & seem to be sleeping better as a result.
Do have a big night out with the girls on Saturday, so will give into a few drinks then!

[dinosaure]

Well done everyone on not succumbing (or not succumbing very much!) last night. I had a work thing to go to but managed not to drink any alcohol, although I did go rather overboard on the canapes ...

[themoon66]

OK - so feeling very proud about not having a drink last night - so why do I feel and look like shite this morning. Headache, shaky, massive bags under my eyes and my crows feet look twice as deep! Had a very bad night's sleep too. But, I will really try and persist tonight too. Gritting my teeth as I say that LOL.

[Saggarmakersbottomknocker]

Themoon - well done for last night. You'll begin to feel better soon. And give your dh a slap

I was drink-free yesterday despite a stressful day with two of my 3 kids in hospital with gastroenteritis.

[sickandtired]

I went out and failed misserably last night - feel and look like shite this morning and dp said "the only person you have let down is your self" - thanks for that. Determined to have none at all now, will not even allow myself any on friday night as I couldn't last the week

[pashmina]

count me in!

I did this in januarty for 28 days - not easy as my dh and I were regularly getting through 2 bottles of wine a night

have not had a drink since sunday, so have managed 2 nights - even though my dh drank a bottle of white wine last night and kept offering it to me.

I am doing it to prove to myself I dont need it, but also to make me feel better and lose a few pounds.

will sign in tomorrow beacause I will not drink tonight!

[Saggarmakersbottomknocker]

sickandtired - ok so you had a drink last night.....but it's a bit like dieting one bad day doesn't mean you've failed - start again and have a drink free day today.

pashmina - well done!

[tyedye]

Morning moony,and everyone else!
Had 2 glasses of wine and 3 beers last night AFTER YET ANOTHER DOMESTIC,i am facing up to the end of my relationship(again)so why i think i can control booze is beyond me,very depressed.

[sickandtired]

thanks smbk - still feel like crap tho!