Hello everyone, I'm new here. I have just found out that I have high blood pressure that requires medication. After I recovered from the shock of discovering that I am not invincible, I started doing what I always do - research - causes and fixes.
The cause is my alcohol consumption, it is way higher than 14 units a week
The fix has brought me here, I am on day 3 of being sober and I am hoping that this commuity will help me keep going
Hi Sammy welcome aboard yes it no doubt is a factor but at least you realise it and are taking steps good on you for the 3 days.
I am amazed how positive your response has made me feel. This is officially the first conversation I have had about concerns that my alcohol consumption is probably causing me health issues. Thank you for responding.
Good morning Sammy! I first started seriously looking at sobriety after problems with my heart rythym. Alcohol and caffeine were affecting it. I too was on medication. Alcohol affects our heart function increases risks of cancer, affects mental health, prevents us going into healthy deep sleep and prematurely ages us. You don't see that in the adverts! Well done on starting your journey. There is lots of quit lit about that will help you keep your determination to quit at the forefront. Try ' Alcohol lied to me' or ' Sober diaries' lots of podcasts too, type sober into Spotify xxxxx
Good morning Jampacked, thanks so much for the info. I will be checking those out - everything I can do to help myself atm is going to keep me on track, this is a great help xxxx
Glad to hear you're making steps towards healthier future , your body and brain will thank you for it!!!Obviously I'm unsure whether you were a social drinker or a stay at home lady having the odd bottle or two of wine or more during a certain period of time, alcohol is poison, and after being 12 years sober I've changed my whole outlook in life, I've ended up with painful neuropathy after being a chronic alcoholic , nerve damage is with me until I leave this planet.
Drinking is a big money spinner for the government, the same as smoking, it brings in millions of pounds towards the treasury, but it then costs the NHS a fortune or other agencies involved with helping people, it's like the parasite and the host,I wish you all the best on your drink free journey, and long may it continue 👍 😀
Welcome , I'm sure that you will find many like minded people with similar problems and experiences to yourself in this group. I sometimes come on here just to remind myself that I'm not entirely alone and that others are facing the same daily struggle, other times I have a little rant if I am annoyed at myself for having a relapse or something has annoyed me. It really helps. I too thought that I was indestructible until I got morbidly obese with hypertension, diabetes and bouts of depression. It won't get better by itself and try to remember that when you feel like giving up.
Good luck and hope to follow your progress on here.
Thank you, I joined with just those hopes in mind, somewhere to put my thoughts and rants on occassion, to be in a place with like minded people - this is going to be quite a change for me but like anything worth having it going to be worth the effort. Good luck to you and I will be following your progress too. Have a great day x
Hi Sammy. I'm currently on around ~20 units a week and trying to cut down. I have a binge pattern. I haven't had a health check for a while. I just feel a bit crappy when I binge, so Im looking to be 0 over Xmas and start the new year running.
Hi Smegmer, the health check was my wake up call, it shocked me into looking at my drinking habits head on. My weekly units were similar to yours and sometimes, if I’m honest a little more. I would love to be able to cut down or practice moderation, but at the moment I just can’t do that. I am at 8 days sober and feel very happy about that. I really wish you well, you have a plan and you can make it happen, I look forward to following your success x
I currently keep a spreadsheet of all my drinks. My max is usually around 40 units a week. But now, 49yo I can't handle a 1.5-2 bottle of red binge anymore, although my addiction wants me to. I'm just not getting much out of alcohol anymore.
I did stop for 2 years when I hit 40yo with fear of Liver damage etc and had loads of tests, but I was fine on everything. In fact Drs were not too concerned about 40 units a week. Covid hit, and I was up to ~5 bottles of wine a week for a good year or so. Last 3years, I've been in control to a point. But I think its time for 0 a week again.
I don't think AA is for me; my sister is into it and hasn't had a drink for nearly 3 years now. I think they put too much pressure on never drinking again. I can't physically get to full-scale aclohol addiction anyway; my stomach couldn't handle it and if I did drink heavily the last I could do is to drink again the next day. I just want to be healthier.
the fact you have reached out is amazing. Sometimes you just need a shoulder to cry on or a person to talk too. So many people are going though alcohol issues there is always someone here to listen
First post on here 
