Relationship with Alcohol

[BuonoEstente]

It has turned sour, I can no longer imagine a weekend, event without it and feel tired all of the time. I need a trial separation. Any tips, help or advice would be very welcome. Dreading tomorrow

(planning to crack on with sobriety in preparation for work on Monday)

Argggghhhh name change fail

Why not start today? There's no time like the present, and the whole point is to redefine your relationship with alcohol.

I've written a post on another thread today that gives some advice based on my experiences of going sober 5 years ago. I would make sure you feel accountable, even if you tell people you're doing a detox or you've given up booze for a bet, just be clear you won't be drinking.

I would aim for three months to start off with. This will give you enough time to reset your dial, feel the benefits of not drinking, and tackle a few of the events when normally drinking would be second nature, so starting to build your strategies.

The fact that you're dreading a day without booze isn't a good sign - I used to feel that way too. The worst bit for me was being unable to get to sleep as my brain whirled round and round. When I eventually did fall off to sleep the quality of that sleep was much better, but I couldn't imagine being awake til 2 a.m. every day waiting for sleep to come. I had a few days of sleep at random times of the day but my sleep cycle settled surprisingly quickly.

Start today - you don't need a last hurrah. You will end up getting hammered because you know it's the last one, and then feeling deathly tomorrow.

This Jason Vale book was an eye-opener for me: www.amazon.co.uk/Kick-Drink-Easily-Jason-Vale/dp/1845903900/
I also lurk on the Dry threads in Relationships (think the current one is Dry 14). Good luck

Come on over to Dry 14. We will get you through tonight.

Thank you for taking the time to reply, I've read your other post and it makes real sense. I had a month off the booze last year and felt great (and proud of myself) but I soon started having a couple whilst out and ended up starting mid-week drinking again. I can put back a bottle of wine plus a double vodka most nights and more on a weekend. I hate myself in the morning and swear "not tonight" but then come 5pm I convince myself that it'll be fun again and that I don't have a problem. Emptying the recycling bin is embarrassing and I'm often hungover.

Thanks for the book recommendations, I'll take a look. Its too late for me today (start early on Saturdays and end up in bed by 9pm - that sounds awful). But I'll pop over to the other thread first thing and have a good read)

There are some great links to blogs on the Dry thread that chart the journey of others. It's reassuring to follow a path and know it can be done.
I'll catch up with you tomorrow.

Thank you, that's very kind. I've taken a look at Dry 14, feeling a bit more positive already 😃.

You can stop drinking now, even though you've started. It's not inevitable. Okay, it won't count as a dry night but it will be you taking the first step back to being in control.