Christmas time

[Sandpiper14]

Hi guys,

I hope everyone had a nice Christmas. I’ve done so well the last 6 months in reducing my alcohol intake and gosh it really does help with anxiety! It’s been so nice not being hungover or scared or worried. I haven’t been drunk since October which is pretty good going for me, most of my friends go out drinking every weekend so!

But of course Christmas rolls round. The annual Christmas pub crawl! A tradition that myself and my friends have done now for at least the last 6 years! I don’t live in our hometown anymore and I never go out there so I do enjoy that one time of year.

I had planned to stay on the beers (harder to drink, lower percentage and I can take my time) but I’m ashamed to say I let peer pressure get the better of me and shortly turned to gin! I also went in rounds something I now know is the issue. You can’t pace yourself in rounds. So anyway long story short yes I got very very drunk! Oh boy am I feeling it with the anxiety. I remember talking to soo many random people that I used to go to school with and I’m so scared I’ve made an arse of myself I know the majority of people in the local pub were just as drunk if not more as I was but still.

luckily new years around the corner and I can get back to feeling myself and staying away from the booze. I was doing so so so much better and I can’t let this get the better of me. As I’ve said I do want to be T total eventually but right no my aim is not getting drunk!

[HeavyFoot]

A lesson to be learned there!! But do analyse your last sentence - you’re leaving an open door to repeat the behaviour. The booze fairy is whispering in your ear!

[Jampacked]

I know where you are coming from. Think right now what you want next years tradition to be at christmas. Do the people you met up with know you want to moderate sometimes it's easier to say T total. You will find out who is your friend and who is your drinking buddy. Maybe meet for brunch next year followed by shopping or whatever floats your boat. There is lots of support for dry january online. Join a programme start there. Then join the Sober Spring programme. Before you know it your first 100 days dry will be achieved. You have been visited by the Ghost of Christmas past, move on and plan for the Christmas presant and future. You absolutely can do it. The anxiety will pass, eat well, walk or swim read. Many hugs.

[Sandpiper14 in reply to Jampacked]

Yeah you’re right! Just because it’s always been done doesn’t mean I always have to do it. I think I just got overly excited. But sober Jan here I come!

[chrisbuy63]

I think we have to feel the misery afterwards or we would never want to stop/cut down and gain self control. I hate myself when I have even one drink too many, as I start talking verbal diarrhea, I can hear myself but can't just shut up and get a grip. I hate that feeling in the morning of shame but it is ourselves we let down the most after we have been doing so good. I am going dry January and then will see from there, it is easier to be committed when you have detoxed and like yourself again.

[Sandpiper14 in reply to chrisbuy63]

I’m with you with dry Jan! We got this