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

I might. I might even offer her a cup of decaf tea instead! But I will have to buy a bottle in anyway I have an exercise class fairly early on Weds morning so could use that as my reason not to drink.

Thanks all. My bad time is 8-9, if I resist then I'm usually ok. Have half a bottle left from the weekend - and have resisted :)

Well done neverenough. Yes, certain times/trigger situations can make things tricky, and the best intentions evaporate.

Goodnight all, it's been lovely to meet you. Hasta mañana

I often find that using an excuse of having had too much the night before is more acceptable to people who drink than saying you don't want to for some other reason, might be worth a go with your mum?

Well done neverenough don't think I'd be that strong. Exercise class is a good reason, and might make her realise you're trying to be healthier in general by cutting down the booze.

Night all, glad to meet you. 1 day done :)

I think I'm coming down with a bug. I'm feeling a bit off, with some pressure in the sinuses. So my tipple of the evening was a hot lemon.

Sorry to hear that auntiestella, hope you feel better tomorrow. Well I'm off to bed now, survived my first night, wasn't any less relaxing than with a drink in my hand. Goodnight all xx

Well done Feckin, one down....

Well done!
I slept like crap, always do after a big weekend. But it's over and I certainly don't regret not having a drink!
How's everyone today?

Well done Feckin. How's everyone this morning?

Day 3 for me. But meeting friends at a pub this evening. Eek. My strategy is to drink alcohol free beer, as it feels sort of 'special' in that I don't knock it back at home, and to drive everyone.

That's great, Choochoo. I don't feel physically particularly any better this morning for not having had a few glasses of wine, but mentally it's a nice thought that I didn't succumb last night!

Thanks Feckin! It doesn't seem that bad at the moment, but I've woken with a headache, some sinus pain and feeling a bit lightheaded.

After the school run, I need to be at home waiting for a parcel so I can leave a nite on the door asking he courier to knock loudly and then spend the day dozing on the sofa.

Well if I didn't have enough motivation, I am screwed for money this month. Had to pay some fees etc and is all built up and now in a bit of trouble.
So every bottle i don't have will feel good knowing it's helping. Just told partner that wine has to stop so that we can save. He's fine with that.

I g t a call yesterday from dsil who is iminenently expecting dc3 asking if she can call on me/us if she needs to go to hospital or needs backup.( having a home birth) so that's an excellent reason to be sober.

Oh girls I feel great this morning. So proud of myself. Not sure ill be able to keep it up all week, never mind all month, but I've started at least!
I always sleep rubbish too after a heavy night drinking too choochoo, I usually have '1' to help me sleep to avoid that! But u didn't succumb so well done. Glad ur dh is on board with cutting down to save money. Great motivation. I was in your position earlier this year it's hideous.
you're brave bowlers arm going out, but u can do it.
u sound pretty miserable still auntiestella hope u get some rest today.
matilda that's a great excuse for abstaining.
chat later everyone xx

Morning everyone, feeling very bleary eyed this morning. Always the same the morning after the morning after!

Hi corky, ugh I know that feeling it's nearly worse than a hangover! I had a wander around tesco looking for alcohol free wine but couldn't see any. Does such a thing exist? Saw shloer but that would probably be too sweet?

Alcohol free wine is horrible (imho!).

The best thing I've ever found is 0% alcohol Bavarian wheat beer which they sell in cans in my Tesco [http://www.alcoholfree.co.uk/bavaria-nonalcoholic-wheat-beer-330ml-bottles-p-491.html like this]

I also like this [http://www.bundaberg.com/info/product_range/lemon_lime_bitters/ which isn't too sweet] but is a soft drink.

Link fail!

The best thing I've ever found is 0% alcohol Bavarian wheat beer which they sell in cans in my Tesco like this

I also like this which isn't too sweet but is a soft drink.

Schloer is nice; it is sweet, but not in a sickly Fanta strip-your-tooth-enamel way. I quite like it when I'm trying to be abstemious. But only if I see it on special offer, because it's bloody expensive for pop!

I agree that alcohol-free wine is rank! Thanks for the links for the beer and bitters, Elvish.

I also like to drink just fruit juice with fizzy water, half and half in a pint glass. Nice to glug.

Think I've solved my quandary about tonight: will get a bottle of red wine in for mum. I don't like it very much, so won't find it hard to abstain. But it will be good for gravy for my dinner.

Oh my goodness, Bundaberg does root beer too! I loooooove root beer

I can't drink beer at all, pity cos there's loads of alcohol free ones available. Might try shloer so. Good thinking on the red wine. I tried that for a bit to help me cut down, it worked cos I just didn't like it. Went quickly back to white though!

Hey gals. What a day. I started some counselling today, omg the things I'm learning already. I have believed I've needed this for years but was in tears driving there. So glad I put my big girls pants on.
Anyway, my family called me from the pub inviting me for a drink. I declined. Talking about the family and their drinking habits has stunned me so for another day, I feel strong enough to go without.
I'm exhausted, so bed early.
How's everyone else got on today?

Evening all,
Loving the ideas for non alcoholic beer. I don't know WHY I have never bought 0% becks or similar - I was just thinking earlier how I'd really fancy a beer. I'm going to give some a try tomorrow as I tutor in the evening so get a cheeky £20.
ChooChoo are you going to be ok? Money's a bastard because when you get stressed you want to drink more, which obviously further affects the finances!
Hope everyone else is doing well today. I have no booze in the house again and have stuck religiously to my Slimming World plan - it feels good! Just seen Masterchef starts tonight and I felt a twinge of regret that I didnt have a big glass of red to accompany it, but hey ho.