Have you given up drinking? Can you share experiences please?

[notsurewhatshappening]

I have stopped drinking in support of my alcoholic DH. We have both been dry for 5 days.

So far I'm feeling tired but calm, I know there will be lots of health benefits and my anxiety is likely to get better.

I was having 2-3 glasses of wine 3 or 4 days a week.

DH was having 50 ish units a week.

He seems OK, has a headache today but he has been more awake in the mornings and seems more relaxed. I've been on watch for any worrying symptoms.

I'm feeling positive about keeping it up both to help him and for myself so any positive stories are welcome. Thanks

I was in a similar situation and found it easier to deal with if there was nutritious and varied food always available. And things like ginger cordial that I could put a couple of ice cubes in and treat like a glass of wine.

Thanks. I love elderflower so will get some cordial in.
Is it normal to crave sugar? I'm loving fizzy drinks a bit too much at the moment! Don't normally have any at all.

Giving up 8 drinks a week compared to giving up 50 a week is quite different. You shouldn't have any symptoms at all. 50 is a lot and could be difficult.

I think I'm just craving sugar as I'm tired. He seems OK but won't talk about it.

Sugar cravings are quite normal. You have just reduced your sugar intake massively. Go with it, perhaps the odd boiled sweet to give you long drawn out sugar hit ?
What you might find oddest is that in a few months too much sugary food will give you a hangover like effect.

I'm an alcoholic, I mean this kindly. You would really wind me up whinging about giving up drink and craving sweets etc, if I was trying to get sober. Stop making it about you and just cross everything that he can do it.

Interesting that you are counting his alcohol consumption in units, and yours in glasses of wine. It depends how large your glasses of wine are. 3 large glasses 4 Times a week is 36 units, so you aren’t far behind him if that’s the case.

I haven't mentioned anything goes about it to him. I'm certainly not whinging about wanting sweet drinks to him.

As you say, it's almost insignificant but as I can't talk to him about it I've posted here.

To be fair we've been on holiday so I've had more than normal. But I'm glad I've stopped as it did feel too much.

So all I can do is hope he can do it?

I'm not allowed to ask for support?

No, you're not.

And what level do we have to get to before we're entitled to ask for support Any name?

I made the decision 6 years ago to quit as my life was spiralling out of control - breakup, redundancy, major financial problems - and my excessive drinking was making things worse.

Since I quit, I went back to college, got a degree and am now in a job I love, financially secure. Recently single, but managing that far better than I ever did in the past.

I found I had to hit rock bottom and want to stop 100%. Best thing I ever did for myself!

alifromtheforest It's generally when you have a problem, isn't it? The OP's husband has a serious problem, why the OP even mentioned her own drinking is baffling. Craving sugar? Give me strength.

I'm an alcoholic and have been sober for nearly 2 and a half years. DP gave up 10 years ago when I had a long dry period. Obviously I relapsed but he kept it up. He was never a big drinker anyway.

I'm on the other side to you with drink but I think I know where you're coming from if you're feeling a bit put out by the changes you've introduced. Last year DP found out he has type 2 diabetes and we had to change our diet. It's been positive on the whole - we've all (even 16 yo DS) lost weight - but it pisses me off a bit that this change has been foisted on me. I've given up smoking too and sometimes I feel like our lives are a bit too bland. Obviously I don't say this to him and I do eat chocolate away from him.

I'm supportive because it's the right thing to do but it's not always easy.

Anyname - the op has stated that she didn't like her drinking habits. Therefore they were a problem. Therefore - according to your rules - she is more than entitled to ask for support.

Maybe it's because we've had fast food a couple of times this week and fizzy drinks were on offer, maybe because I'm not sleeping well a sugary drink is appealing. I don't think its a huge deal. It's a period of adjustment I suppose. In the evening i just drink water which is fine. I'm not put out by having to give up drinking. I do see it as necessary not to have drink in the house.
I'm not a martyr though, it will be a positive change for us both. It's not difficult as such because I wasn't drinking huge amounts. I'm happy to do it. But it's a change of lifestyle. I expect plenty of people decide to stop drinking before they hit rock bottom, eg to be healthier, save money etc. My main reason is to support DH but I think there will be benefits too.

DH is now on day 6 dry so I think he's doing really well and I'm encouraging him quietly but he doesn't want to talk about it much. We were having lunch yesterday and DD asked why he wasn't having a beer, he told DCS he isn't going to have any beers or any other alcohol any more because it made him feel unwell. Good sign I think.