motivation/ encouragement needed to quit drinking for November

[Feckinlego]

Hi guys, would really love your help. For the past year I seem to have gotten myself into the bad habit of drinking 4-5 nights a week. I'm drinking 2-4 bottles of wine per week, far too much!
A bit of background, we'll I've 2 children age 1 and 7, and an amazing dh. I work part time, 2 nights per week. Me and dh work opposite shifts so dc don't need childminders. So I'm on my own a lot with the kids.
Reasons I give myself to dtink:
Stressful day with dc
Going on nights the following night
finishing nights for the week
weekend
big one- to avoid dtd with dh(sexdrive completely gone after last birth though was never great)
for the past few months I've been having periods every 2-3 weeks, with resulting horrific black moods, to the point I'm wondering if I'm actually depressed.
I'm functioning ok, house clean/dcs fed dressed played with etc. Dh doesn't think I have a problem but I do, so I thought I'd start with a month off to see how I get on.
any advice greatly appreciated. I'm off on to work but ill try post when I can xx

Hi all. First wobble. I'll be ok this week, but am now thinking , hmm, December 25th is a loooongggg time away.

Good to hear from you all.

Choochoo you did better this weekend that counts for a lot. I had to put a friend off this weekend too because I couldn't face not drinking. It killed me too but now I'm glad.

Elvish wow that's not much at all for your second night away! Tell us, how was it? Was it hard to cut down and did you feel you were missing out? That's a big fear of mine for nights out.

I wobbled too bowlers, especially when I read people on here were just cutting down, I told myself I didn't need to stop for the month. But common sense prevailed when I posted here! Sure see how it goes and don't be too hard on yourself.

Already so far I've realised a lot about my drinking habits and I'm hoping I'll remember that when the time comes to drink again. Actually I'm a bit tempted for tonight, dh and I are spending our first night together after nearly 2 weeks, we'd usually share a couple of bottles. I've told him to get beer instead which I won't drink.

Evening all, well done on everyone's progress. choochoo and elvish congratulations on remaining firm in the face of temptation! You too, bowlers. We all have to watch out for those wobbles don't we.

Didn't drink this weekend after Friday, and have to be up for work at 4.30 every morning this week so booze is definitely not on the cards. Oh, and driving test at the end of the week, that's another thing I need to keep a clear head for...

Eve all, sorry not been around. Back now for the week. It sounds like everyone is doing well. Glass of water here :)

Fuck yeah water!

Yeh baby, I'm hardcore ;)

I didn't feel like I was missing out actually, I think that a lot of the time I'm the one finishing drinks and ordering more (I'm usually in charge of the kitty) so this time I tried to wait for someone else to suggest another drink. I'm a bit to say that this caused us to have a lot less.

So I think this could be a good thing for us all to consider when we think about cutting back in company. Matching someone else's pace probably won't be noticed by them as you cutting down

I have just realised that I've only had one drink of anything today, so I'm gulping down my second pint of Vimto. Must remember to drink something else when I stop drinking .

Morning everyone. Elvish I've tried that before, but always feel I can't concentrate on the conversation because I'm watching myself trying to drink slower. I think the problem is wine, I drink it like water. I'm going to have to stop drinking it. I was chatting to my sister last night, she was telling me about a conversation we had the last time we got together for a drink. I remembered none of it. This has happened too often.

3 nights of work ahead of me this week, so ill be ok until the weekend. Have a good day everyone.

I have the same problem with wine Feckin, which is why I've been sticking to beer recently. The other option is to put water in the wine? May not be to everyone's taste but I've found that if I add a lot of soda or fizzy water and ice I get the feeling I'm drinking but I can drag my one glass out over 3.

Hi everyone. I was out last Thurs and Fri so prob had a bottle both nights :-(
Saturday out early evening and had 2 pints and a glass of wine. Sunday half a bottle of wine.

It's too much. I won't have anything till Friday now but I'm disappointed with myself.

Well done everyone else though!

Sorry you're disappointed Change. If you've cut down and you're having days off you are doing your body good. Keep it up!

Change, it's hard to go from drinking to nothing, especially when out. You don't want people questioning you either what you're not drinking. But you're having a few nights off so that's good. Don't be too hard on yourself. Remember where we were only just over a week ago, drinking without a thought, so any change is better than that!

Thanks guys. I think my tolerance is quite high and I love feeling tipsy.

Me too change, if I could stay tipsy that would be fine, it's when it goes to drunk that's the problem

Eve everyone. Change don't feel bad - cutting it out in the week is better than nothing. Another night with a glass of water here ;)

That's the easy two nights done. Dont remotely feel like drinking tonight but let's face it, it's 8am!
I think I'll survive tonight, I really hope so. Slept so so well last night, I want that feeling every day.
Congrats everyone else, you're all doing great x

Well done girls, we're all doing great. I know that feeling choochoo, waking up thinking no way will I drink tonight, but life happens! You will be strong though!

Got my probation review unexpectedly landed on me this afternoon. Everyone else has come out quite shaken up. Can't guarantee anything now!

Oh dear choochoo that's rotten. How did you get on?

It's all fine. There is going to be wine. Since i haven't exactly told dp I'm trying to cut down, he came home with a couple of bottles. We won't drink both and certainly I'll try and not start until dinner is rready.
I'm rubbish!

I remember something 70 said up thread, it takes 66 days to break a habit, even if you relapse in that time. So all is not lost !

Choo - at least you're cutting down, thats got to be better for you. I'm same here, had a crap day so have a glass

Evening all, I had wine last night (DHs birthday) but I'm back in the cordial now until Saturday.

I know I will drink on Saturday as we're out at a 30th birthday, so I'm not going to have anything on Friday to balance it out.

I did start on this thread thinking I would have a totally dry November, which probably wasn't realistic. But I think that if I didn't have you lovelies for support I might have decided not to even try and put it off until January. So thank you all for posting and making me feel like I'm not a failure!

Hi all - day 31 over x - You are all doing great by the sounds of it - I have personally had some bad cravings this week wondered why and then started period - a week early - so I think I can safely say my menopause is starting with a vengeance -
Anyway TMI - I read sober blogs and then all the giving up alcohol threads on here and all was good again.
I like being sober Sooo much and everyday I wake up and feel great and proud - however just every now and again a large glass of red wine would be lush x