Need to cut down boozing!!!

[Chinchilla07]

Hi, just joined today. I really want to cut down my drinking. I'm boozing everyday at the mo. I've had recent bereavements, and the drink has helped me and my partner to get through it, but now it's slipped into a habit. I want to lose weight and cut down for my health. Also we're spending a fortune! 🤦‍♀️

[LilyAnnepuppy Ambassador]

Welcome to the forum. Hopefully some members will be able to give you some tips. I can’t since my only answer for myself is complete abstinence. I tried drinking in moderation but failed. Good luck on your journey.

[Hidden]

hi im sorry you have had bereavements, i also turned to alcohol during grief and stress lockdown didnt help and living alone, i managed to stop 3 months by living with my mam, and i went to AA i never continued with AA due to the location but there were lots there who were tryner stop or not binge, some had been stopped for many years, i managed to stop from fear also as my health was suffering one of my liver counts was high, i went onto no alcohol drinks and other comforts for a while, i eventually started drinking again and built up again as i was back living alone, im ok now as im not alone and i dont keep much in just little bottles of ale which i can stop at one, i still struggle to stop at a couple with wine unless its not the nicest, how much do you drink, it may help to check british liver trust out on here, and have a blood test, its not adviseable to stop if you have been drinki g regular and a lot. id seek medical advice as you can have withdrawal symptoms which cam be dangerous, maby try lower strength, i wish you luck maby read other posts theres a nhs ap on here too🤗

[chrisbuy63]

All good reasons for cutting back if not stopping all together.

During Covid lockdown we (husband and I) were drinking wine or gin and tonics daily, especially during the first lockdown in the lovely weather, it was at least a couple of glasses a day each.

However we realised we were drinking too much and putting on weight , also it was costing a lot of money, so we decided to stop drinking in the week and just enjoy over the weekend and this works for us, we noticed a big saving money wise and now we usually just have 2 bottles of wine a week ,which we share at the weekend, so it works out we are drinking 1 bottle each per week , I think that is modest enough for us and we are back in control .

I did stop drinking totally for 3 months and my husband had forced abstinence because he doesn't like drinking alone, we saved so much money. It really all boils down to whether you have a problem controlling what you drink or not because if you do then abstinence is best and you will get stronger resolve after first few weeks a bit like giving up smoking hard at first . My tip is it is always much easier to break bad habits when occupied with something else, like hobbies and healthy pursuits, going for long walks, swimming etc etc.

[SoberDrunk1]

The best way to find out if you can moderate successfully or not is to set a limit on each day and be consistent. The issue is it all seem to be that you are in control but you may loose the resolve and go overboard, that’s where the trouble start. You start altering your limit. Or try switching the type of alcohol you drink. So have someone observe your drinking and be honest with them.

[Samjt]

I'm the same, and the fact I live on my doesn't help me. I've joined this site for this reason.