Cutting down on drinking : I am a new starter... - Drink Free

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Cutting down on drinking

AngelaWhitmore profile image
โ€ข29 Replies

I am a new starter today, I want to cut down on my drinking for a better life and health.I started drinking due to stresses and trauma but now I need to get hold of myself now noticed I am an alcoholic and admitted it recently.

Is there anyone similar that I can talk to ๐Ÿ™ please thank you.

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AngelaWhitmore profile image
AngelaWhitmore
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29 Replies
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hello welcome im sure it will be helpful for you to read through others posts theres a couple of ex alcoholics on here who im sure may be able to help you more than me as im just looking to cut down which i have but as you say your a alcoholic i sugest you see a doctor and he will advise you about stopping safely as it can be dangerous to just stop you could try lower strength drinks x

AngelaWhitmore profile image
AngelaWhitmore in reply to

Thank you for you're advice, yes I heard you can have seizures if you go cold turkey

in reply to AngelaWhitmore

i stopped for 3 months twice but i hadnt been drinking that much just nights occasional few cans by day sometimes ive nevee been a alcoholic so its a lot different i am prone to bingeing when upset x

AngelaWhitmore profile image
AngelaWhitmore in reply to

I see.I have 1 bottle of red wine every night it has become a habit not good for me. I don't drink in the morning, Coffee by morning wine by night.

in reply to AngelaWhitmore

i was like that well most nights for a while when under stress my liver count was high when lockdown i got boxes and had bit more yes red wine every night can be 7o units a week my sister was having that it effected her heart rapid beats she nearly had stroke shes on beta blockers now it messed the electrics up, it gets harder to cope as we get older ๐Ÿ™„

AngelaWhitmore profile image
AngelaWhitmore in reply to

Sorry to hear about you're sister, yes I have started to get chest pains so now cutting back.Awwww you're poor liver I hope it can be reversed damage bless you or is it server.

I'm trying to quit smoking too its very hard to do both but my health is bad have to push myself up now.

in reply to AngelaWhitmore

my liver got ok after 3 minths break cought in time, oh no smoking that causes coronary heart disease yes its hard giving up stuff i used to smoke but stopped easy as it effected my breathing, can you find other comforts food for now it hellpd me and i took up swimming ๐Ÿ™„catch up soon hope you sleep well ๐Ÿค—๐ŸŒ›๐ŸŒŸ

AngelaWhitmore profile image
AngelaWhitmore in reply to

Glad you're liver got better thank god you're ok.Yes that's what I'm doing thanks.

Got a vape instead doing it slowly when desperate I have 2 puffs on it, doing OK so far but eating a lot now lol night sleep well and thank you

Richard260 profile image
Richard260 in reply to AngelaWhitmore

A bottle of red every day will kill you Angela. Why don't you imagine you have to be up early at 5am to drive a bus like I do and go to bed early and keep away from the fridge !

or mix a little soda water in to a bit of wine when you get the craving ? I will help to cure your illness .

AngelaWhitmore profile image
AngelaWhitmore in reply to Richard260

I have cut down on alternative days now slowly managing my PTSD doesn't help and Trauma I will get there.Don't judge people until you know there story please as the why we get here in the first place.

I am trying and getting there

Richard260 profile image
Richard260 in reply to AngelaWhitmore

That's excellent Angela , really pleased your getting a grip of this.

Cb1963 profile image
Cb1963

Reaching out is one the many ways of trying to help your problems, there's numerous other options as well, obviously it's how you want to approach the subject, we all have different stories and have different problems associated with drinking, I'm sober for nearly 11 years, however I was a chronic alcoholic, I ended becoming a drinker through trauma related incidents, and unfortunately the snowball in life then gathers pace. Sadly we reach different levels on how it affects us all, and I suppose I could write a book on how my life nearly ended up, obviously we are all here to support one another, yes there's a stigma about drinking, but rest assured without help I wouldn't be here today, it was a long road to recovery, but all I can say is it was worth it, everyone has an opinion and I hope they give you plenty of support and advice, if I can help you any further please don't hesitate to ask ๐Ÿ˜Š

AngelaWhitmore profile image
AngelaWhitmore in reply to Cb1963

Thank you for you're polite response. I have managed one day in the week off drinking but know I need to get much better than that indeed as a Diabetic type 1 I worry I won't last long the way I carry on. Doesn't help my dad giving me zips of his cider at the age of 5yrs old, he has passed away now from alcohol and I don't want to go the same way.

I'm still going through life troubles with things but need to learn that the problem doesn't go away with just drink.

Cb1963 profile image
Cb1963 in reply to AngelaWhitmore

Sure thing, I can't promise you answers to your problems, I only try to look at things logically, and sometimes it's never easy " talking " to a total stranger, but I've laid my cards on the table regarding my drinking habits, and ultimately i burnt a lot of bridge's along the way in my life, yes I've rebuilt them, I hit rock bottom, financially, physically, emotionally and mentally, but life is different now, unfortunately I've been left with neuropathy, nerve damage,and you're probably aware diabetics also can suffer with this condition, it's extremely painful, and I was warned any further drinking would make the pain, pins and needles even worse, so, I've made my choices, no MORE drink!

Obviously if we keep in touch and your happy enough to want to talk about drinking or anything else, because it can be a drain on your head all the time as I know it feels like your head is getting bashed around and as good friend of mine knows I only want the best for anyone who wants to succeed for a healthier lifestyle ๐Ÿ˜‡

AngelaWhitmore profile image
AngelaWhitmore in reply to Cb1963

I have the same as you Neuropathy on walking sticks and use a skooter due to bad health unfortunately. Have Cheiropathy in my fingers too so have to do something now and it's unreversable unfortunately ๐Ÿ˜”

Cb1963 profile image
Cb1963 in reply to AngelaWhitmore

Yes once you've got the nerve damage thats it, and I NEVER thought that drinking could cause this damage, I know chemotherapy also causes similar symptoms, I struggle to get my head around this everyday, it caught me by surprise, because after stopping drinking for 3 months I was fine, I had no symptoms, then all of a sudden I had muscle spasms and then I couldn't feel my feet properly, and then the burning pains came along, and ever since I've been like this, no medication can cure the symptoms really, I take pregabalin, and mirtrazapine for sleep at night, so I sympathise with you, obviously any drinking won't help these symptoms any further, and that's why I DON'T drink,well I'm always around for a chat, take care, best wishes.

AngelaWhitmore profile image
AngelaWhitmore in reply to Cb1963

Sorry to hear that bless that it was too late for you as well. Yeah I didn't know drink could do that eaither otherwise would have done something long ago.Thank you very much for the chat much appreciated night night.

in reply to Cb1963

hello cb so pleased you decided to help on here and of course i already know your story, and for sure you have helped me control my drinking re your health issues and how your drinking got out of hand and i have reached my goal im nowva controlled drinker off to sleep now sleep well ๐Ÿค—๐ŸŒ›๐ŸŒŸx

SoberDrunk1 profile image
SoberDrunk1

welcome to the forum. Unfortunately if you are an alcoholic moderation is not a viable option. The only thing you can try is abstinence. But there again, alcoholics have a issue with the mind. The mind tricks us into believing we can do better this time. I had to have the support of fellowship of AA to initially carry me thru. Later with the help of a mentor got down to work the 12 steps of aa. Today I have been living obsession free for the past 16 years and change. I have put to gether notes on powerless and unamanageability at tinyurl.com/firststepAA. Itโ€™s on google docs, you may look at it and see if you can relate to the vicious cycle of alcoholism.

AngelaWhitmore profile image
AngelaWhitmore in reply to SoberDrunk1

Thank you so much

Snowflaky profile image
Snowflaky in reply to AngelaWhitmore

I meant to mention alcohol free beers. Some of them are very good and a cold one from the fridge does the trick for me when I need a bit of a reward and relaxation at the end of a busy day. Whatever works!

in reply to Snowflaky

she likes red wine theres a good alcohol free one which i drank when i quit for while

Snowflaky profile image
Snowflaky

Hi Angela. Great that you have realised that drinking is getting in the way of living your best life! I found myself drinking more (and more often) but I wanted to cut down rather than stop as to be honest I love a glass of really good wine or a cold beer. About 4 months ago I started tracking my consumption via the DrinkAware app and Iโ€™ve found it so so helpful. It allows you to see the number of units youโ€™re consuming and commit to one or more drinkfree days per week. Give it a try and hereโ€™s wishing you the very best of luck and health.

AngelaWhitmore profile image
AngelaWhitmore in reply to Snowflaky

Thank you, you are so kind I have downloaded an app already but good to know another app encase thank you so much bless you.

in reply to Snowflaky

hi snow im same i did stop 3 months twice had no choice health issues i still drinks i had none alco wine wjth my mam xmas day yes we like the none alc beers too, ive done well this week i think it can become a routine and if not too hooked just need break it i went 2 weeks twice before xmas x

LilyAnnepuppy profile image
LilyAnnepuppyAmbassador

Welcome to this forum. I had a lot of experience in trying to cut down my drinking and applaud your resolve. For me it took 12 years of trying to control my alcoholism before I threw in the towel. So I donโ€™t know what to tell you except to keep trying. If you find youโ€™re powerless to stop, feel free to PM me.

AngelaWhitmore profile image
AngelaWhitmore in reply to LilyAnnepuppy

Thank you so much well done

Gingerwine profile image
Gingerwine

That's the shock

.it's realising that though I don't want a drink at all during the day; I struggle to get through a day if there's no reward (drink) at the end off it. So so difficult!

How are you doing now Angela?

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