Problem/Dependent Drinkers and Alcoholics (recovering or active) Support V

[kokeshi]

Welcome to the thread, the purpose of this is to give anyone who is having any trouble with their drinking, a safe place to come and post about it honestly and without judgement.

There are many of us that use the thread for support and encouragement: some in recovery, others just needing a place to share about their worries. It's been going on in one form of another for a while now and has helped many people.

Thank you to all of those who have kept it going thus far, and welcome to anyone who has decided the time has come to ask for help.

Everybody's welcome, no matter what stage your drinking is at.

Jump right in, the water's fine

Hi Tengreen, 6 months would be a great amount of time to take off, think how happy your liver would be (I know mine would be ).

The only useful tip I can think of for cutting down / stopping would be to totally break from the habits you usually associate with drinking until it doesn't occur to you to want to drink when you do these things. For me, it's MNing(!) and tV primarily. When I've stopped during the week, I've tended to log in less, perhaps once in the evening to check in. So, yes, I'd recommend doing something completely different, if that's possible?

When are you thinking of going for it? Wish I felt strong enough to commit to it and join you! I am going for a sober week next week though...

Glowwormish, hope you are in a relaxed and zen-like state this evening after your day of relaxation

Well the teatime/evening routine generally drives me to the bottle ,its a bit difficult to stop that routine as the SS would be round after a couple of days to scoop up the dirty starving children !! I did wonder about switching poison though and go to lager instead of wine as a way of reducing ,say have one of those big bottles of lager a night instead of a bottle of wine and then stop next week .Or am I avoiding abstinence ? Not sure TBH, but at least it would get my weekly units back to something more reasonable until I do the whole sober thing .

I think that sounds like a good idea 10Green - if you can't avoid the trigger times, then avoid the trigger drink! I think it would be helpful to try one day on, one day off for a week or so too so you can ease yourself into it gently...it will give you an idea of how things will go when you give up totally for a week or more.

I'm drinking tonight as all my vices have gone pear-shaped next week, but will be back on the sober path next week. I've proved I can do it (for 4 weeks , so it's only me who's stopping me if that makes sense?!

Hope everyone's doing okay tonight...hopefully pop back later

Gerbra x

Purple, I echo Glowwormish in saying you sounded so driven before you went. I hope you don't give up.

When is your next appointment? Are you going to speak to your GP to see if they can offer any help?

I went to some AA meetings about 2 years ago. The lady who took me shared about how she spent her first year of meetings pissed and one day noticed that she could smell drink off herself (she use to bring a bottle of 'water' and drink it during the meeting). Noone batted an eyelid. Eventually she managed to become sober herself. Did think their may have been some oneupmanship about the length of time people had been sober but that was all. Everyone was friendly and it was a good experience but I was not ready to stop at the time.

Hope your ok Purple xx

Hi all - am here.

My next appt is on the 18th. That's for a blood test and LFT. Thinking about doing some of that acupuncture on offer at the RDAS centre next week. Considering going back to AA next Thursday afternoon.

Feeling a lot better today. Was just a bit pissed off miffed yesterday about the counselling and the detox issues. Counselling is something I definitely need!

Not got any alcohol in tonight and had forgotten just how good milky cocoa tastes with squirty cream on top. Something positive to write in the drink diary isn't it. Feeling very jittery though, and it's bloody hot in here!
Ended up taking the girls down the park this afternoon and had a family of squirrels menacing us for monkey nuts. Baby one climbed up my trouser, sat on my knee on it's back legs and begged!

Hello Purple, you sound determined. Glad your not giving up and are thinking about what you can do now. My adrenaline was coursing before I went to my first appointment and afterwards I had a sense of 'was that it?'.

I'm taking the kids bowling tomorrow evening. Going out on a Friday keeps me out of mischief and kickstarts the weekend off on a good note. The busier I am the less time I have to dwell.

Night - gone for some much needed beauty sleep zz

Hi jelli - hope your well.

I agree with you completely. What is it with Fridays and Saturdays and drinking? They were always my special days (in the beginning) and looked forward to picking out a nice bottle of wine to have.
Over time it gradually then went to three times a week and the rest, they say is history...

Thinking about what happened yesterday and forgot about some of the positives that were mentioned.
really must buy myself a half decent bottle of B vitamin complex and a nice large jar of Bovril. Was told it has Thiamine in it, also a B vit.

She's also going to let the school / education welfare officer know as DD2 is frequently late. Not by 10 mins either, sometimes it can be as late as lunchtime. Am glad someone else is telling them as I don't have the front to do it myself.
The keyworker also told me I could be considered for a 'relocation' program. No money involved but the council would be notified, to see if we can be pushed up the list a little bit.
The reason being, we live on a main High Street. Tesco's, Somerfield etc. There is 7 diff places here where I can buy booze up until 11pm at night, which for an old lush like me, is not good.

Agree with the keeping busy stuff too.

PurpleOne, I have to say, I'm SO in awe of your attitude...after last night, you've come back on the thread today with a positive, fighting attitude and I seriously take my hat off to you

I waffle on about 'ooo, I should cut down, quit etc.' - but really do the minimum steps to sort the situation out. The events you went through yesterday would probably have kicked me back to minus square one but you clearly are going to do it and that's f**ng excellent!

I totally agree with the location thing. Where I used to live in London, there were two 24-hour offies within 2 minutes of where I lived and that was a total disaster!!

Can I give you a virtual hug PO as I think you're bloomin' brilliant!!! I could learn more than a few lessons from you on staying positive

Gerbra xx

Gerb, please don't put yourself down. Have been reading about you and your not smoking. To me, that is phenomenal progress.
You also managed 4 weeks sober. I can only manage a night totally dry. Give yourself a pat on the back girl! Your doing just fine.

I was back to minus square one last night and cried my bloody eyes out. Drank to stupid limits, had to pick dd's up from sailing centre mid drink and had to walk. Near the sailing centre there is no footpath and remember talking to myself out loud don't fall over you silly cow.

But the best thing tonight, dd1 noticed I didn't buy anything, even though I went to supermarket. She really gave me a super hug tonight before bed and said 'don't think I didn't notice mum. It's nice kissing and hugging you before bed as you don't stink tonight'.

Too funny that G. I am in London. But the place we lived before had one main supermarket which shut at 9.30 and nothing else for a good mile or so.

TBH that's why I took the girls out today. Not looking at my tip of a house with a banging head. To focus on something else. To be doing something. And those squirrels really topped my day off. I am pathetically satisfied!

really must get to bed now though. dd2 was late for school again today. She went in at 11.40. School on phone trying to arrange meeting with the EWO tomorrow

Goodnight for now x x

I guess we do all have our personal battles...your dd sounds lovely PO

Hope everyone's had a good today. Managed to get phase 1 of my job done so feeling quite pleased tonight. Off for a bath in a minute and may even attempt to paint my toenails tonight, before much wine is taken obviously. I'm crap at doing them at the best of times, but now the weather's hotting up...

Here's to a lovely weekend to all
gerbra xx

Hello all how are we?

I am not sure how I am tbh

not too bad naswm . Have we met before?
gerbra

paperchain in disguise or rahter my old orignial mn name

PC!!! How are things tonight?

heheheheheh

not getting pissed fast enough

whatr about you?

getting p'd slowly but surely...but because this is a friday (an acceptable drinking night), I'm feeling not too bad...have worked hard today too so am 'rewarding' myself!

What are you up to tonight apart from MN'ing?

msning

worked hard todaty too

might need to take some pills in a mo cos had lots ot drink and not drunk yet grrrrrrrrrrr

shit week tho, what about you?

Aw, what kind of pills naswm? Are they okay to take with the booze?
Have had a strange week. Drank this week and felt very bad as I haven't for the last few weeks. Next week's another week though I guess.
You got any nice plans for the weekend?
Gerbra x

no not a good idea, but you know, I do.
weekend, a difficult one, cos I live for easch day and dont expect to get to the next day IYSWIM. what abou you?

This may sound totally stupid PC, but how about you make a plan to do something really nice on Sunday? Doesn't have to cost much or involve much, but it might help get you through saturday and then onwards?

Do you have any hobbies (god I sound like such an anorak!)...anything you enjoy you could plan for Sunday?

gerbra x

well actually I do have saomething hobby ish planned for sunday evening

but that is AGES away

waht about you? I am boring

Believe me not as boring as me!!! I'm working a bit longer tonight but stopping soon as drinking wine.

Tomorrow, I will be working until I meet up with mum to go and help her with the garden and then she'll help me hem a pair of trousers (are you asleep yet?).

Dp is away on a stag weekend. On sunday I'll be working, DP will get back in afternoon and we'll spend the evening listening to his weekend's exploits (probably the most exciting part of my weekend!!).

now dying to now what your sunday plans are, would you spill?

working/???? do tell

I am a musican, play teh viola