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Original poster

Today I am giving up alcohol.

87 replies

mylittlescarypumpkin · 13/10/2008 06:48

It's been creeping up since I left exP.
To the point where it's every night. Sometimes I look forward to it all day.

It's not good for me, it's messing with my head, and I've started to put on a bit of weight, too.

I'm not expecting it to be easy, and wondered if there's anyone else in a similar position who would appreciate some support along the way.

OP posts:
SuperBunny · 13/10/2008 06:55

I've done it. For the same reasons.

Wasn't easy but I managed to go from drinking too much almost every night to being teetotal for 6 months.

I have recently started drinking a bit again - not horrendous quantities but I am thinking I should probably stop again so it doesn't spiral out of control. I can't afford it. Financially and emotionally.

Good luck

niceglasses · 13/10/2008 07:26

I might try and join you mylittle. I don't drink to excess, but I certainly have one or two every night - mostly just one, but I do look forward to it from the afternoon onwards.

One day at a time eh? No drinking today anyway.

Good luck - will check in tomorrow.

mamalovesmambo · 13/10/2008 07:33

I will give up today too then. Mine is excessive and dangerous. DH hates me when I drink, I hate drinking, but I have become addicted. Hopefully we can all support each other. Well done for take the first steps everyone.

Phoenix · 13/10/2008 07:38

I drink every night too. I stopped last week in the week but had some over the weekend. So hopefully i'll be able to stay strong and not cave and buy some today.

Right now i know i don't want any but as the day draws on i start to get where i think i need to go out and buy some. I managed to not have any last week quite easily so i can do it again

Good luck

100unitsaweek · 13/10/2008 09:01

Ill join you..........totally out of control now but still funtioning so its easy to cover it.

Drink a bottle a night during the week and 2 a night fri sat and sun. Feel shit this am.

Hate myself. Im fat and pasty and god knows what it is doing to my health.

Im going tee total as well.......

Good luck all. keep posting in here for support.

xx

PortofinoPumpkin · 13/10/2008 09:07

Me too. I have been drinking stupid amounts recently too and am fed up a being fat and feeling awful in the morning. Here's to a wine free evening!

southeastastra · 13/10/2008 10:31

can i join in too? drank far too much this weekend. if i don't stop it will be a slippery slope

jesuswhatnext · 13/10/2008 11:06

this sounds a good idea! - i need to really cut down, lose weight and save money - i know i can have a will of iron when i really want to, gave up smoking 12 years ago, just wish i could give up wine so easily.

will check in this evening to see how we are all doing

suzywong · 13/10/2008 11:13

Hats off to you, OP
good luck with it

LuLuMacGloo · 13/10/2008 11:13

Can I join too. Developing a serious wine habit and need to cut back drastically. This thread is just what I need!

The 'one day at a time' approach works best for me so I'll join you a day at a time if that's okay.

Original poster
mylittlescarypumpkin · 13/10/2008 16:23

A day at a time is a good mantra. I've finished work early, so am off to collect my DD now. I'll be back here later though, with some shared support we can do it. Unfortunately I have alcohol in the house, I am going to put it in DD's wardrobe - I'd never chance waking her up once she's in bed.

I am so glad there are people - even online ones - to go through it with me. I am going to do this for me - well done to everyone else who has managed to say that too.

OP posts:
jumpingbeans · 13/10/2008 16:28

Does red wine count as alcohol, it does, oh shit

100unitsaweek · 13/10/2008 16:42

wine is the only thing I drink by the bucketful. I am horrified when I think that I have a glass attached to my lips as soon as I get home.

One day at a time. Cheers to today!

latermater · 13/10/2008 16:53

May I join you? I need support here as I will never get DH to sign up. He just drinks my share whenever I try to cut down and I realise that I drink (most nights) partly because I love to use wine as a reward to myself and partly so that he drinks less - which only works until he thinks I've drunk more than my share of the bottle and opens a second....As scarypumkin says: this is for me.

LouMacca · 13/10/2008 17:27

Another one who would like to join in.

I have no bottles of wine in the house otherwise I know I would open one once the children went to bed.

Drank wine fri nite/sat nite and most of the day yesterday as we had friends round. Even though I don't drink a bottle to myself I think 2/3 large glasses most nights are not doing me any favours. Like OP have put weight on and it making me feel low.

Good luck everyone

Original poster
mylittlescarypumpkin · 13/10/2008 18:47

Lou - I need to give mine away I think.

Hang in there everybody. I know that the first glass is my downfall as the rest then doesn't seem so bad.

It was my ex that started me drinking regularly. latermater - it was different to you, but he has been static at a (extrememly unhealthy, I'm not denying that) bottle a night for years and years. If I got to drinking that, in a few months it would be more and more. I should have been able to stop without him, really. But habit is hard to break. Here's to today. I've had my dinner, a bit of indulgence (pizza). How is everyone else feeling?

OP posts:
janjas · 13/10/2008 20:01

Do you mind if I join in? I say every monday morning that I'm going to stop the drinking (at least drinking during the week) but I am now on my 2nd glass of wine! For years now Ive been drinking probably 4 or 5 bottles of wine a week, more if we go out on a weekend. Yesterday, I'd drunk nearly a bottle by 2pm and started another one at tea time. I regularly wake in the middle of the night and worry about the amount I'm drinking and that its going to start making me ill. I also look terrible. I think its finally catching up with me and really need to do something about it. DH doesn't realise how much I drink because I tend to leave the bottle in the kitchen and drink it whilst cooking, tidying up etc.

Phoenix · 13/10/2008 20:24

I was strong and haven't bought any lagers. Even though we've been to Asda for a weekly shop and dh asked me if i wanted to get some. I said no .

My problem is drinking at home. I drink a minimum of 4 cans of lager every night . My dh doesn't drink at all.

I haven't been totally good though as today was my day off work and dh, ds and i went to Bridlinton for the day and i had 2 half's of lager with lunch. But that also makes me proud of myself that i haven't carried on drinking at home

I'm sat here with a cup of coffee

latermater · 13/10/2008 20:57

Yes caffeine is keeping me going too Phoenix, but so far so good. Scarypumpkin - almost every night begins with me saying "oh well if you're opening a bottle (as if he ever doesn't!)I'll have a small glass..." and one turns into 2 or 3 or more.

Original poster
mylittlescarypumpkin · 14/10/2008 07:53

Does it feel better this morning?

I know I do, even though DD has been awake since 4:30.

Phoenix - well done with your shopping. Having a couple of drinks with your family - if you could stop there, which you did - then there's nothing wrong with that, is there? I'm going to a leaving night out on Saturday and hope that I might have one or two, and that be it. I want to get back to that sort of a place.

OP posts:
hammouhouseofhorror · 14/10/2008 08:04

I've given up drinking mylittlescarypumpkin. Since the 15th august last year. I was drinking 2
or three cans super strength lager a night..
Was fuelling my depression and so initially I was just giving up for a few months but found it made such a difference to me that I stopped altogether. allthough I know that wouldn't suit all.
With a diet overhall and having energy back I managed to lose 4 stone.

I think it is a brilliant idea and whether you stop alltogether or just find your level..Good luck to all of you.

PortofinoPumpkin · 14/10/2008 08:40

I feel much better this morning - though admit, I didn't exactly have nothing - there was a bit (large glass ish) left in a wine box which I just HAD to finish. I didn't sleep all that well though and have big bags under my eyes. So plan today is to get through the whole day without being tempted to buy any more. I can have very good intentions then have a shit day at work and stop at the garage on the way home. How's everyone else doing?

100unitsaweek · 14/10/2008 08:54

I did it....first time in ages 24 hours without alcohol !

I am the same as you all. Its a reward.....stop at the garage evry night on my way home after 12 hours in the office and acheive nothing when I get home.

I have wine in the house but I am promising myself I will only indulge Friday and sat night. Hopefully by the time I get there I wont want any!

Well done evryone. Heres to tonight.

Hammer I have 4 stone to lose well done you. What diet did you follow ?

niceglasses · 14/10/2008 09:59

Well, had no drink yesterday! Also joined Slimming (want to call it Swimming!) world.

Trying again for a zero booze day today.

Good luck everyone.

jesuswhatnext · 14/10/2008 10:46

morning all - well, i fell at the first hurdle, neighbour came round and i had 2 glasses of wine with her - i did stop after she left though, usually i would have carried on!

another of my downfalls is lunch time - i work in a very boozy office, have managed none at all last week during lunch, am trying to keep it up this week aswell, wish me luck, it is very hard to keep saying no