So I've decided to give up the booze...

[LucyJones]

And so far my skin has broken out, I feel knackered all the time and grumpy

it's only been since Friday so this is the third day

tell me I'll feel healthily etc etc < eyes up corkscrew>

Well gaffa will be here for an hour or so yet (as will many others).

It's definitely harder when you are on your own after the DC's have worn you out - I still manage to drink with a mother scowling at me from the kitchen table (not scowling exactly but a little concerned that I drink each evening!)

DP out in the pub watching football - what's a woman to do??

hot drink

Definitely worth considering. Vimto would be my favourite though I have to get it imported therefore it's rationed!

OK, confession time. It is 12.01 and I have just sipped my first of the day (it is a spritzer, as am trying to cut back).
I had a liver scan last year after a routine blood test rang alarm bells with my GP. The scan showed no visible damage, thank goodness, but a subsequent blood test showed raised levels of (forgot name of enzyme). This was after six weeks of no alcohol at all. So the liver does not always repair itself and some damage doesn't show up on a scan.
I use wine as a mood-changer - cheers me up, stops negative feelings, makes the unbearable bearable for a while.
This is a great thread.

Do you start at this time everyday or just at weekends ?

When you've drunk that one have a coffee and then brush your teeth

then go out

if you want to stop today that is

Lucy - sometimes have had a glass at 10.30am . But I will probably not have another until early evening. I keep thinking weekends don't count so plan to give up for Monday.

The hardest thing is thinking about giving up, giving up itself is NOT that hard. I don't mean to underestimate what a huge step giving up booze is, but it is absolutely achievable!

I used to drink A LOT more than a couple of glasses a day. I was drinking way too much and putting my relationship with DH and my daughters wellbeing at risk.

After a very tearful scary conversation with DH I gave up, no more booze for me.

It's been about 15 months now and this is how my life is better:-
-Fresh clear skin.
-Over a stone lighter and wearing clothes that I love!
-No more hangovers, I feel happy and positive every morning.
-No more guilt about my drinking
-Nights out aren't numbed by alcohol, I go out more now as I'm in control and don't worry about hangovers.

I was drinking more than most people on this thread I'm sure and if I can do it, anyone can!

Good luck!

...also, and perhaps most importantly I am a much better Mummy than I was when I was drinking!

very inspirational Sally I wish now i'd given up earlier but you're right it's just getting in the mindset and making the decision in the first place , so glad it's worked out so well for you

It's good to be able to see some inspiration from others on here, as well as those of who are finding it more difficult in the beginning. Went shopping today and didn't even go down the wine aisle!

" Went shopping today and didn't even go down the wine aisle!"

That's an excellent move. As would be taking wine out of your immediate environment and locking it up in a shed or loft. If there is no wine easily accessible in the house you can't drink it no matter how much you want to. And even if you're so determined that you'll unlock the shed or get in the car to go buy some the delay between 'wanting' and 'having' is usually long enough to change your mind

"So the liver does not always repair itself and some damage doesn't show up on a scan."

That's what killed my friend. Liver damage is unfortunately cumulative, irreparable and difficult to detect. Livers can function reasonably well with a very big % damage but you take that 1% too far and 'bang' you're on a hospital trolley fighting for your life.

gaffataperules - brilliant! Avoiding the temptations do make it easier. Keep focusing on how well you're doing, and how you don't want to mess it up by drinking. I didn't remove booze from the house or lock it up - I want to be able to offer friends a drink if they want it. Making the decision to stop was tough, but that was the hardest bit for me.

Something that helped me was thinking "How many times have I wished that I hadn't drunk the night/day before" the answer would be hundreds, when I ask myself "How many times have I wished that I did drink the night before" the answer is never!!

Keep up the good work, you wont regret this at all!

I know it's a cop out but I honestly think I'd hardly drink at all if it wasn't for DH opening a bottle practically every night when he gets home. At first it felt like a sociable, relaxing thing to do together but now I feel he's becoming dependent and I'm colluding. I want to break the habit in myself now and it might make him cut down if I do actually stop. Certainly won't do me any harm!

good luck getting him on board!

I'm lucky in that my dh is tee total

We're going out for lunch today and I haven't decided whether or not to have a glass

I haven't given up forever just at home and I know if I have a drink it'll just be back to none come Monday as I've made a resolution to have none in the house which has draatically cut it down

going out next saturday night so I'll be drinking then and then back to it etc etc

definitely have done this for good though, no drinkign at home

This is an excellent thread. I know that this is something I need to do too and just keep putting it off....

I feel the title is a bit isleading though as I haven't actually given up completely

or misleading

well I had 2 large glasses of wine while out lunch
was tempted to come home and open another bottle but resisted
back on the agon it is until Saturday night when I'm goign out with a mate, after that it'll be no doubt 2-3 weeks again so doing good on my promise not to drink at home to cut down

I think it's a good idea to limit drinking to when you go out - that's bound to cut it down alot. Says she who went to friends for dinner (unexpectedly) and had a glass of champagne and a glass of wine!! I'm going to join you in your pledge to stop drinking at home.

I have put any booze in the garage upon where it will stay for the foreseeable future. I did share a bottle of cider with DP last night (1/2 a pint!) and resisted the urge to open another bottle in lieu of a mug of horlicks.

I have been sleeping much better the past few nights also - hopefully the first of many benefits to come []

OK - today I pledge to not touch that half-bottle of wine that DH has so thoughtfully left in the fridge...

What a brilliant thread, some fantastic stories
SALLY1976 some brilliant advice, love your bit about being a better mummy, this is what upsets me most being grumpy with my dc on hangover days.I have been drinking way too much over the last 12 months I keep saying today is the day when I give uo,but,sure enough by 8.30 there I am bloody big goblet in hand.Yesterday went totally overboard and was really nasty to dpI feel such a failure I have goodd intentions but can never quite get there.I have come to the conclusion I have no willpower and am very selfish.At the moment I have 2 streesful things hanging over me.I need to do a lot of work for one but I seem the last week or so to be in a state of hangover to face it.I don't think I am addicted to booze as such just in a very bad rut/habit with it.I wish you all so much luck in your quest to cut down/pack in it is so good to know I am not the only one whose otherwise happy life is blighted by this.Please all do check out the Bright Eyes counselling website some good tips there.good luck

Well done LUCYJONES to resist opening another bottle,wish I had done the same.

Hi, can I join? I drink WAY to much, and have done for many years. Last night I got strong and didnt drink any alcohol at all, but I found it really hard getting to sleep and staying asleep, then today I woke up feeling like Id drank a bottle of brandy

sally1976 - your post has given me inspiration, you've described the issues I have and the results are those I would like too. Not a good weekend - again - including being rumbled DH when I tried to sneak an extra glass of wine so really do have to focus on this now. Have found it relatively easy not to drink during the week, so some progress, but have been crap the last 2 weekends...