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[Unhealthy12]

Hi there im new, just joined here to get some support and advice with cutting down my drinking, it started through the lockdown. Then i had a really bad year with family loss stress and anxiety and its escalated from there. I want to completely cut down and maybe even go sober for a while, any advice would be much appreciated x

[Hidden]

hi welcome to the site its a very supportive group here that happend to me i drank more during lockdown whilst had to move back to my house and my dad went in a care home then died plus other things happend, i sold my house in october after long wait and now feeling lot better safe at my mams, im hoping to go back to how i once was happy just to drink socialy or weekend sensible amounts i dont go out now im 58 other then occasional bar meal, i tend to not be able to put the lid back on a bottle of wine it all has to go, during lockdown i had stocked up on boxes and id sometimes fall asleep with a glass in bed, i went to AA once due to the location it was very helpful i could relate to bits from stuff just about all of them said, i wanted to go again, managed to stop for 3 months with my mam supervising me and non alcoholic drinks at first, i started again due to pain and boredom, i never have much in these days,can i ask how much and often you drink,i have had 2 units of alcohol this week after a binge friday sat sun none mon had indegestion so had some mulled wine and tues wed no alcohol, i bought a bottle of beer yesterday didnt have it, please read through the latest posts then youll get some help from them and know where the new ones are at, i wish you luck sending hugs 🤗🌟x

try this

[Isinatra in reply to Hidden]

That’s two weeks of complete abstinence. Just thought I’d put that in there. Food for thought.

[LilyAnnepuppy Ambassador]

In my battle with alcohol, I had to spend quite some time trying every which way to control it. Keep trying. We’re here for you. Welcome.

[SoberDrunk1]

Welcome to the forum. The term alcoholism was a strage one for me when I started my journey in AA around 2006. But prior to that since 1990 I was trying to control this. Switching from hard liquor to beer. Beer only Fridays in between but then in 2005 when Georgia allowed high octane beers I switched to those. I could walked away or sought for solution during the long course. Brothers death, separation from wife, birth of 2 beautiful kids. But I kept drinking. When nudged by my shrink, I sought a spiritual solution in AA. The book AA, is full of experiences. The preface says,

If you have drinking problem, we hope that you may pause in reading one of the forty-two personal stories and think: "Yes that happened to me" or more important "Yes I have felt like that" or most important, "Yes I believe this program can work for me too".

I love Bill story. It shows the progresson of the disease. Shows us its a progressive disease. Bill tried, self well didn't work. A doctor advices him of his condition. He tried with knowledge but failed. Fear sobered him a bit but then only after meeting his childhood friend who was also a drunk but sobered up using a spiritual solution, applying them himself sobers up.

Please visit aa.org and the book AA is available online.

[Unhealthy12]

I cant thank everyone enough for your welcome, support and encouragement, already i feel better and stronger just for reaching out. And in fact, today is the first day in a while where ive not reached straight for the alcohol as soon as ive got home from work.... ive spent time with my little boy, taken the dog for a walk, i think i just need to keep myself distracted with other activities and keep talking to you guys, are there anythings that anyone can suggest for me to do when the cravings start?

Thank you again so much

X x x

[Hidden in reply to Unhealthy12]

hi yes distraction you need to break tge habit of turning to it for comfort and it seems a routine after work for you, dog walking is great for getting out and meeting others and lots of fun and i used to go swimming which put me in health mode, i have a unusual cat and used to take him in park as my house was next to it he was safe near the tenfort rails,i guess come on here too and read will give you something else to do, i had a read on the british liver trust site and so many have chirosis from drinking that helps not to drink so much, you can try lower strength or mixung none alcohol with alcohol to wean yourself off, im having chamomile tea to relax now i have had cocoa a lot this week find it soothing🤗xx

[Unhealthy12 in reply to Hidden]

Im so scared to get any test on my body to see what damage ive put it through, it sickens me when i think about it.... but the thought of a soothing tea sounds so good right now.... i think i might join you and have a peppermint tea x x

[Hidden in reply to Unhealthy12]

i had a routine blood test and ut showed a high liver count i had to be monitored every 3 months stopping drinking heeled it this was when i stopped for 3 minths the shock made me and made it easier this was after the boxes of wine sinario during lockdown sometimes i needed a hair of the dog like couple cans cider in the day😟about 2 half years ago i loose track of time it flys by,ive been ok since well my last test was last july i had been drinking again for about 6 months before that test a bottle of 11 percent wine or bottle cider 4 or 5 nights a week some nights some nights i didnt have the full bottles, it delended on the type i guess thats a good idea dont get your favourite drink 😊 x

[Hidden]

lol yes it can be addictive coming on here😂well they say replace one addiction with another 😁🍵

[Hidden]

Welcome my advice is to read Annie Grace book, it really helped me. You've made a good decision to quit , I tried moderation after 3 years sober, I failed and my drinking increased again, so I started Dry January and joined the app and Facebook group. They are a great help, and the app is excellent. I'm going for total abstaining I'm 70 next month so alcohol is not good. Take care and take different advice

[Unhealthy12]

So i finished day 1 yesterday totally sober! Feel good this morning, my head isnt fuzzy and im ready for a great day..... thank you so much everyone, so glad i found this site! Have an amazing day everyone!

X x x x