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Original poster

alcohol - how to cut down?

114 replies

IAmLost · 16/01/2007 20:35

Didnt know where to post this

I have gradually been drinking more and more over the past year or so. I need to cut down. I want to cut down. But I am finding it very hard. How can I do it? It is such a contraversial subject. Especially amongst mothers I have found.

OP posts:

frumpygrumpy · 16/01/2007 20:54

My advice would be to look at when and why you have an alcoholic drink. I primarily have a glass of wine or a gin around 5pm when its my children's tea time. It is habit and one I should cut out.

When and why do you pour a glass?

Original poster

IAmLost · 16/01/2007 20:55

yes CD cases here too

OP posts:

FioFio · 16/01/2007 20:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

CountessDracula · 16/01/2007 20:57

Iamlost do you undergo a personality change when you drink?

I just do it to relax really. I LOVE a glass of wine once dd is in bed and before I cook suppper. Just LOVE it.

Prob is once the bottle is open we finish it and as a lot of wine is 14%+ abv now that is not healthy to do every night

frumpygrumpy · 16/01/2007 20:58

How many people use it to take the edge off?

Original poster

IAmLost · 16/01/2007 20:59

I have started eating earlier with the kids (mainly becuase DS has a bit of an eating problem) but it does help line my stomach, as I often forgot to eat when I had put them to bed. I just used to reach for the bottle.

I do this mostly on my own. DH works evenings, although we do drink together at the weekend. But I drink more. I have started hiding how mch I drink too. That is bad isnt it?

OP posts:

Original poster

IAmLost · 16/01/2007 21:01

I dont think it is a personality change, but I like the effect of developing a couldnt care less attitude. And I like feeling slightly drunk. It blocks all the everyday crap out doesnt it?

OP posts:

Rhubarb · 16/01/2007 21:02

I use it as a form of relaxation. To me it's our weekend. We rarely go out because of lack and expense of babysitters, so Fri and Sat night we get a DVD and have a bottle of wine plus a few cans.

Going to the pub during the day at the weekend is also a bit of a treat for us and a way to mark the weekend.

That drinksaware website is very good, you keep a daily diary of how much you have drunk. It makes you take responsibility.

Try buying smaller glasses and make sure that you always have a small glass. And DRINK SLOWLY. Make it last!

dingdongjustforyoufg · 16/01/2007 21:02

I have a drink most evenings, to relax or to take the 'edge' off the day but have found that if I start at kids tea time then I can easily have had half a bottle of wine before they go to bed so I don't have any until they are in bed now, which means I just have a glass or 2 watching TV/reading a magazine etc. I have 1 or 2 evenings a week without any alcohol but at teatime every day I am tempted...

Original poster

IAmLost · 16/01/2007 21:04

the crunch came for me when I started at the kids tea time. then I knew for me I had to do something.

Feeling awful atm though. Dont know what to do with myself

OP posts:

dingdongjustforyoufg · 16/01/2007 21:05

Agree about the weekends Rhubarb, I love going out for a pub lunch and coming home a bit woozy and more often than not I then don't drink in the evening. It is much more special if it is not a regular event.

NewMoonOnMonday · 16/01/2007 21:06

I'm trying to cut down too IAmLost. It's vodka for me though - I hate red wine. I got into a seriously bad habit last year where I was drinking 3-4 litres of it a week and the hangovers were horrific. I'm cutting down gradually, so I'm only drinking every other night now and only having a couple of (big) drinks during the week. Still getting pretty much hammered every weekend though

I'm in the process of seperating from my partner though and I know that once he's gone I won't be able to drink at all because I'll be skint.

dingdongjustforyoufg · 16/01/2007 21:07

IamLost have you had any tonight? If not, well done and make this day one. One day at a time is all you can do.

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 16/01/2007 21:08

The only way I have cut down is to not have it in the house.

If it's here, I drink. End of.

Rhubarb · 16/01/2007 21:10

Iamlost - you need to get an alternative in. Red Bull that is high in caffine will be good for now. Buy some tomorrow and drink that instead.

Do things to take your mind off drinking. All this talking about it will not help! Busy yourself until about 10pm when you can safely go to bed.

Then pat yourself on the back in the morning for having beaten it successfully!

frumpygrumpy · 16/01/2007 21:10

I like a glass at the kids tea time. Its the hardest time of day (for me anyway), and I like to feel I can relax a bit myself at that time. I would prefer if I didn't have one every night but I have no reason not to (DP works away). I tend to have 2 glasses, sometimes 3 and usually stop after 8/9pm, when the need to relax has died down.

You said you enjoy feeling slightly drunk. Thats ok. If you had no wine in the house at all, would you feel edgy or just disappointed?

Original poster

IAmLost · 16/01/2007 21:11

thank you for all your support I need to disappear now. Say no more

OP posts:

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 16/01/2007 21:12

I agree. Have something else in the house to drink. I drink cranberry juice by the gallon.

Rhubarb · 16/01/2007 21:13

If you do have to drink, try to limit it as best you can.

Just make a promise that you will not drink more than one drink in one hour.

Cutting back is easier than giving up completely and more achievable I think.

Don't feel as though you have failed. It's a hard thing to beat. At least you are acknowledging it.

frumpygrumpy · 16/01/2007 21:13

Stay strong, come back when you can x.

essbee · 16/01/2007 21:15

Message withdrawn

regularMMposter · 16/01/2007 21:17

I have changed my name incase ex reads this & uses it....but I drink every night

I dont want to & I spend ALL day thinking about it...and then buy a bottle of wine on the way home from work or if not work day, on way home from school....

I drink so I dont dream.
I drink to relax.
I drink cos I secretly when kids in bed & world shut away I feel miserable.

I dont want to as I know I drink too much & I am getting fatter & fatter which obviously makes you feel worse.

my only saving grace would be to manage NOT to buy any b4 kids in bed but I have put them in the car at 6.30pm in their pyjamas to go to local shop to buy wine

NewMoonOnMonday · 16/01/2007 21:45

Reg... your post has made me feel really sad (and glad that I don't have a car).

I drink to escape my miserable reality too and (soon-to-be ex) P has has a go at me about it before, so I understand why you've changed your name. It's bloody hard to stop when you don't feel you've got anything to stop for (that's how I feel anyway)

regularMMposter · 16/01/2007 22:14

I am brilliant at a public persona & a private one....I can function next day at work having drunk the night b4.

I know its not responsible
I know its killing me

I know I do it to sleep without dreaming

the odd night Ive not drunk, I dream about my ex & his GF - we're not yet divorced (another stress) hes living with the tart he was having an affair with so I give my children to them to play happy families

I am pathetic & I know it - its just this nice warm feeling you feel....til morning

NewMoonOnMonday · 16/01/2007 22:18

Oh God yes!!! The warm, fuzzy, couldn't care less feeling. Unfortunately I DO suffer the next day though.

Sorry to hear about your circumstances with your ex. Sounds very painful

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