Overindulged!

[Wolfpup1980]

I have decided to call time on alcohol. I find I am drinking around four days a week and I am worried about what it is doing to my health. I also worry that I am going to struggle. Come 4pm, a few glasses of wine keeps my spirits up to get through the rest of my day, think I'm going to find this pretty hard. Has anyone been where I am?

[Smegmer]

Me too the last 4 months i average 20units a week, but their is a binge -pattern. 13 times i went over 10units. Not ever been a daily drinker, but im getting to old for this.

[Wolfpup1980 in reply to Smegmer]

I need to stop now or I'm going to run into serious health problems which is a scarey thing to think about. I don't even know how I became like this. My parents were drinkers, maybe that's it. I find myself making excuses, I have a chronic pain condition and I think a few drinks will dull the pain but in actual fact, it is bloody worse the next day.

[SoberDrunk1]

Yes, I was there 2006. Several attempts first to moderate and then tried on my own to stay stopped, but all my attempts failed. After entering AA and taking a deep dive into the book also called AA, I realized 3 things. That the mind of the alcoholic is a peculiar one, always tricking the person into believing he/she could handle alcohol successfully. And this is how (you can come up with serveral reasons) and then once we succumb to the desire and take a drink or two, we have something physically wrong within and we end up drinking more than planned. The worst part is, when we attept to stay stopped, we cant handle our emotions and that leads us back to the solution we know will work well namely alcohol.

[Wolfpup1980 in reply to SoberDrunk1]

Yeah, that is it exactly!

[Joseph46]

yes. For years I looked forward to 4 or 5 pm for that first drink. Followed by several others until I forgot about my problems. Then repeat same pattern every day for years. 8 months ago I stopped all alcohol. For me. It felt like a very bad flu for about two weeks. Lived off chicken noodle soup (homemade), sleep and Advil. Not gonna lie it is an eye opener.

How is it going with you ? Keep me updated on how you are doing.

[Wolfpup1980 in reply to Joseph46]

Yeah, I look forward to 4pm for that same kind of thing. Unfortunately, I had a couple last night so today is going to be my day 1.....again!

[Joseph46 in reply to Wolfpup1980]

just keep at it and do your best trust me from experience I’ve had many day ones, but the more you practice and the more you try it does get easier but again if you’re drinking is chronic, you have to be careful like I said it felt like a really bad flu for two or three weeks but some people can be really serious not trying to frighten you but just be cautious. I don’t know how much you drink and how frequently you drink. How was your day today?

[Wolfpup1980 in reply to Joseph46]

Today was actually good. Took the dog out for a massive walk and made sure we were out at the time I would have had one, kept myself busy with making dinner when we got home. Feeling massively happy with myself that I got through day 1....again, from experience, it is usually by day 3 that I cave.

[Joseph46 in reply to Wolfpup1980]

yes. Day 3 is about the time the last bit of alcohol is finally out of your system and your body is cleansing itself. For me - used to be the same. But I often couldn’t even go a day without alcohol. Now 8 months no alcohol and I don’t miss it anymore. But again - it forced me to really acknowledge all the issues I was trying to deny facing. So I’m still working through that part of it.

Mostly alcohol use was a way to dull my anxiety, ocd and depression. But it’s astonishing to me that for 20 years of daily use flew by. Now time goes so slowly most days.

Don’t give up. Keep trying. I think it took almost a year to accept that alcohol was a problem (denial) and of that year about 6 months contemplating stopping before really going for it and actually stopping.

[Wolfpup1980 in reply to Joseph46]

Well now I know that by day 3 the alcohol is leaving me and my body is starting to cleanse itself, well that bit of information changes everything for me. That is what I needed to hear to understand what I really need to do and it has actually changed my whole focus and given me even more determination to kick this awful habit. Now I get why by day 3 I usually cave, my system is needing a top up because it is, I suppose, running low, I just need to ignore it and push through. Thanks for telling me this, I had no idea.

[Joseph46]

I am glad this helped. I know I had to do a lot of research about the effects of alcohol and withdrawal while preparing to stop. How was your day today ?

[Wolfpup1980 in reply to Joseph46]

And boy am I glad you did your research! I feel I can give this a good crack now as before, I didn't have a clue how to. My day was quite good but busy, how are you?

[Joseph46]

stress levels are high and so is my anxiety. Lots of life changes coming. A new job. Another move. Seeking contenment in life and it’s been elusive for the last year. 8 months of which have been sober. The nice thing at this point is I don’t even crave or desire alcohol. In fact when I recall how it made my mind feel- I detest the idea of even touching the stuff.

I keep telling myself these feelings are only temporary and this to shall pass.

How are you holding up without alcohol?

[Wolfpup1980 in reply to Joseph46]

You have done so well! It is tough come that time where I would have a drink. I think about it from about 3pm and it is absolute torture. It is so difficult not to give in, I had no idea it would be so hard but, I just distract myself and the urge does pass but those few hours beforehand are ugly and I dread that time of day. So far I have pushed through but it is awful to think that alcohol has such a grip on me but, I am just taking each day as it comes, I would like to think that I won't cave but unfortunately I can't say for sure. Where are you moving to? Good luck with the new job.

[Jimbo92]

best thing I’d suggest is finding a hobby or gym classes after work or something. It’ll take your mind off it and after you come home you probably won’t be bothered by that glass of wine!

Never been a daily drinker or home drinker myself, I struggle on the weekends. Been cutting down again recently, those dark miserable winter months are closing in and it always seems the best time to cut down or quit.