help with alcohol use

[NiftyGeranium]

I am a heavy drinker. Ive always been a heavy drinker ( except when I was pregnant) youngest dc is now 6 ( I have 4)

I have a FT, very stressful job and make most of the household income. dh tried staying at home in the past and hated it (and was constantly bad tempered too) so we share the chores and muddle through. I know I drink to relieve stress.

I'm not an aggressive drunk, nor am I drunk very often, but I can easily get through a bottle of wine or equivalent every evening and its too much for a) my health b) my wallet and c) its a v bad example to the kids ( oldest is 13)

I have now not had a drink for 7 days. Its a bit all or nothing. I'm at work now and struggling with how I will manage when I get home this evening - what can I do to take my mind off drinking? I'm not planning too far ahead, I don't even really have a plan to stop for ever - that's too scary and I cant think that yet - I just think, I wont drink 'now' or 'today'...

any help or advice very gratefully received

This thread ,over on relationships ,might have some tips .
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/974957-me-and-alcohol-have-ruined-my-family
How are you doing tonight ?
It's tough isn't it ?
Sending you positive vibes .

hi nifty - come on over, you sound just our type of girl!

just stumbled across this thread, was going to ask a question about berocca!

"I just think, I wont drink 'now' or 'today'..."

That's a very good strategy. You could maybe set a deadline to see how things look by the end of the month. The biggest part of what you're doing, I suspect, is getting out of the habit and a month is a long enough break to do that. Also, you need to consciously use the month to find other ways to relax and de-stress.... this will help. Maybe even put the money you would have spent on wine in a pot and treat yourself to a day at a spa with some of it as a reward?

Another good practical move is to remove any bottles of wine from the house. It's a lot easier not to open one if it's not there in the first place. The support of your husband is important. If he knows what you're trying to do he'll be less likely to suggest a drink in the evening or going out to a bar.

Good luck

"I just think, I wont drink 'now' or 'today'..."

That is precisely the strategy advised by AA. Have you considered attending, if only to see what it's like?