Drink free days tips

[Dichotomy4]

I have been drinking daily for a number of years, sometimes I thought I was normal but have realised its not! I have decided today to stop drinking for 3 days a week, its a really scary thought. Does anyone have any tips on making it easier?

[Hidden]

Hello me too just say it's just 3 days or even one to get through then the next day will come and say that again,your liver needs to heel, get some treats to eat some non alcoholic drinks like beer even wine pretend it's alcoholic I stopped for 3 month's eat sweets and all sorts went to sleep early come on here read the British liver trust stories of how alcohol damaged there livers, I find swimming helps me relax and feel like sleeping early without a drink, I'm not drinking for the foreseeable future as I have been having too much and I have the start of a ulcer now I think again as I can't eat much ☹️only easy to digest stuff, I foccus on how good I feel the day after I've succeeded in not drinking and how bad I feel for failing, I saved 25o pound in a pot in 3 month's, my liver count was high it went to normal after 3 month's keep us informed good luck 🤗🌟

[Isinatra]

Drinking water everyday is normal. Drinking alcohol every day is not normal. I’m glad to see you have discovered that. Long term effects of drinking can be devastating. You should be more scared of drinking instead of not drinking. Your drinking may be habitual instead of an addiction. If it’s habitual, you shouldn’t have a problem reducing your intake. Replace the old habits with new ones. It shouldn’t be a battle. If it is, then you need to take a more serious look at your situation. I’m sorry I couldn’t sugar coat my remarks to you, but alcohol abuse is a serious problem and should be discussed seriously. (In my world anyway)

[gemp54]

Hi, I'm afraid I dont have any advice but I just wanted to say that I'm in exactly the same position. My drinking has gone from a few drinks on a saturday night, to a few drinks a few nights, then a few drinks most nights etc. Because it's been a gradual progression I didn't realise how much it had crept up until I stopped an thought about it recently. I'm also aiming to do a few drink free days to start and the hopfully build up to only drinking friday and saturday etc. I have just downloaded the drinkaware app where you ca track your drinking and set yourself targets so I'm hoping seeing it on there will help. Best of luck and I'm always here for a chat if you're struggling to stick to your target and need a chat. Xx

[Isinatra]

You need suggestions on how to make cutting back on alcohol consumption easier. Whatever the suggestions might be, you shouldn’t have a hard time of it if your drinking is a habit. I have lots of suggestions. Keep a stock of non alcoholic drinks, but don’t include non alcoholic beer. It can be a trigger to drink. Plan other activities during your peak drinking times. You’ll see that drinking filled up a lot of your time and you need activities other than thoughts of drinking that will emerge to fill that time. For those three days you don’t want to drink, stay away from situations that will tempt you to drink. Bars, parties etc.. Inform your friends of your new journey. They should understand and give you support. You might crave sugar during your times of abstinence because alcohol is metabolized as quick energy and your body will demand that quick energy, so keep a stock of sweets in case you experience cravings of alcohol. Try to reduce stress because you may turn to alcohol to relieve it. Meditate, walk, swim, find a simple hobby that doesn’t add stress. Stay away from competitive activities. Do your best to find what your specific triggers to drink are and minimize them. Don’t set unrealistic goals. You’re just starting your journey and three days for now is plenty. If you balk at these suggestion and say I can’t do that, then as I said before, you may need to look at your relationship with alcohol more seriously. If you find yourself white knuckling it and anticipating your next drink, a support group would be my next suggestion to you. I do hope your drinking is situational and easy to change.

[Tree286]

Hi, I am in the same situation as you, I have downloaded the NHS app to help me cut down and set my 3 days free goal. I just want to say good luck and we’ll done for taking that first step.

[shantanuadib1986]

Today is my 13th day of being sober. Since I stopped drinking i have been suffering from anxiety and irritability and ofcourse cravings. What I found is changes of overall environment helped me a lot. I moved house, moved out of london and changed job.