so the group is intended to support people to help reduce their alcohol intake …doesn’t say you must have intention to stop completely! (Though I intend to) supporting individual experiences!
I’m quite frustrated tonight…I am doing well on my own journey..just finished my dry weekend. Combination of chatting to folk on here and using my apps I feel like I’m making progress… will get some alco frees tomorrow.
Looking forward to feeling a fresh week!
👍👍👍
I have really enjoyed feeling fresh and energetic for my kids this weekend. Haven’t thought about alcohol the same as I did couple of weeks back. Yes, 1 day at a time is the key. Take care.
Thanks 😄 same to you also! Well done a full week dry. I feel I could drink tonight… but I’m going do my best not to. Just need switch this frame of mine into something more productive.
Absolutely. But just be safe when you are trying to moderate. Be honest with yourself. Consider the safety of yourself and others around you.
I hope you do find it useful and it does feel supportive to you. I feel like it has helped, even just letting go of that weight on my shoulders and saying to someone else I drink far more than I should. I’ve known in myself for a long time but never found anywhere I could open up about it. I did on here and now finding ways to control the situation and move forward in a more positive and productive way.
I’m pleased I didn’t drink again tonight. Glad I went to shop this morning and stocked up on diet fizz pop for now. Never usually drink pop (unless it’s small mixer with spirits) so it’s felt like a good change. 😊👍
I'm here because my brother is an alcoholic. I've watched him going down hill. This is heart breaking as you can imagine.
I am hoping to gain some insight.
Everyone is going to bring something different to the table based on where they are coming from. I won't be responding much, just reading.
Respect for each other is key. People helping and supporting each other is so important.
🐬
Thank you, Moonpig. I did check with the description of the forum’s purpose and it does state that it is about helping people cut down as well as stop.
I’d be interested to know of what evidence there is that heavy drinkers or alcoholics can cut down permanently to, say, the prescribed limits of 14 units a week. It runs counter to my experience of myself and people around me. Bad habits kick back in after a time.
It’s a bit like saying “ I only want to be a bit addicted to heroin”.
This group may be challenging at times as we all have so many different experiences. It’s interesting to learn how people are moving forward.
It’s only when we realise we have a problem we can look towards supportive methods to understand ourselves. I’m sure anyone who accessed this group, did so with recognition of that.
I don’t know how to share links on this phone, I get a new 1 tomorrow. If you look on google scholar…there is research on there about whether heavy drinkers can go back to casual ! I have only briefly looked but I’ll be back on reading when I get chance. An article below was of interest…it gets updated 2016 I think. And cited by many.
Prediction of controlled drinking by alcoholics and problem drinkers.H Rosenberg - Psychological Bulletin, 1993 - psycnet.apa.org… factors as predictors of controlled drinking(CD) by alcoholics and problem drinkers: severity … about controlled drinking and abstinence, previous treatment, pretreatment drinking style, …
hi,
I wouldn’t of thought that once it’s determined that one is an alcoholic or drug addict, there would be a way to use causally. Once it becomes an addiction there isn’t that option there sadly. And it isn’t good to think that there can be alternatives for addiction…for example a heroin addict saying they will stick to cannabis instead as it isn’t as harmful …that’s why, in a way I want to lose the use of alco free…
I don’t believe I have an addiction…but know I can’t use alternatives, I need to look at the time I want a drink…lose the habit of thinking it’s the norm to finish a day with a glas of something…reach for a glass when stressed …ect ect…
Thanks for sharing your experience! 😊
Thank you so much for your kind response.
As a family we are not in a position to do anything. It's up to him to decide. It's very sad 
I’m not sure how to respond chick but I’ve read your text 😊 can only suggest gaviscon or milk there lol how you feeling today ?
hi hun, I’ve not read that but if I was to read studies, I’d use google scholar and more recent research as the papers have been peer reviewed 😘Having said, research like from the AA is a tried and tested method. I will be reading the book online, specifically a section that another member has mentioned to me. I am very open to aspects of the AA despite what people think. But for now I’m learning about myself first x
I am loving the sleep I seem to be getting. It’s so hard to fall sleep though, I find! My mind works over time. But love waking fresh. (I don’t alway wake fresh though because of pain in my face. That had made me think in past…well if I wake this rough anyway, I might as well enjoy a drink)!
Goodnight chick. Reflection is good 😊
We grew up in an emotionally abusive home. His self medicating has been going on for decades. He thinks having a 12 pack of beer is a " non drinking" day. I say this with 100% honestly. This is what he believes.
His perception is he has no problem so doesn't need help.
Sending hugs back to you
❤️🐬
hi, it’s tough to hear them be in so much denial. I too grew up in an abusive environment, emotionally and physically. I have a brother who battles heroin addiction of abit 25 years, our parents were violent alcoholics (lost my dad to alcohol). My brother used heroin to self medicate… I won’t discuss on here the depths but if you want to personal message anytime I can listen and share 😊
That's really heavy stuff. I'm sorry for what you have been through. I'm sorry to read about your brother's addiction.
Thank you for the offer to listen. I will keep that in mind 
It’s so hard for everyone around the person who has an addiction. Still only recently I had to let go of my brother (aged 45) once again as he gets yet another prison sentence, and also my nephew who I was going foster.
You can lead a horse to water but can’t make them drink! 1 thing I’ve learned both professionally and personally is…we can’t be everyone’s saviour, we can only offer them to the tools.
Hope he sees a way forward for you and your family. X
I love the fact that this group is exactly what it is...a safe place to talk about our journey... I'm not one to beat someone over the head about drinking, I don't judge anyone for doing exactly what I did... we are all where we need to be, and doing the best we can for where we are in life. I am open and honest about myself and can only speak for myself. I'm not here to recruit anyone's sobriety, just to share my own. Support is exactly what is paramount. What ever choices each person needs to make for themselves is their own and nobody else. If someone questions and is looking for answers.... only they have the answers for themselves, and with all of us sharing... it may help someone to decide what steps they choose to take.
thank you for that post. I couldn’t have said that any better.
Think I come across blunt at times or defensive. I’m just working my through my own thoughts and using here to be a kind of information gathering and diary. And now also hoping that after hearing others share, I can offer an empathetic ear 😊
Your doing great by working through stuff, that's important .
thanks you 😊
ooh Cocoa, not had that for months. Tempting 🙂
the next day
My Emotional Connection to Alcohol During the Holidays
Are weekends ok ? 
Moderation, not an option for me. 
