Staying on the wagon
Discussion
I don't consider myself to have a dependency on alcohol but I have at least a bad relationship with it and you probably could say I have a drinking problem.
I have always been a monster drinker, when I was young and used to go out I would drink 10-15 pints, then move on to spirits. Now I am older and stay in because we have kids and I make my way through plenty of wine, often 2 bottles a night at the weekends and sometimes week nights too. Plus I drink spirits and beer on top.
It is having a negative impact on my life. Nothing serious but there are times when I don't perform as well at work as I should. It makes me a grumpy bugger to be around. The worse impact is on my health, I am quite overweight and my BP is high which the booze is the biggest culprit. I have started exercising to deal with this.
I have tried recently giving up for set periods, 6 weeks at a time. The idea is to get to a point where I can not drink regularly and when I do be a bit more sensible. Each time, I have given in and had a drink before the time was up, the best I managed was 4 weeks, the worse was 4 days before falling off the wagon. I don't want to end up at a point where I have to completely give up.
Anyone got any tips on how to stay on the wagon?
I have always been a monster drinker, when I was young and used to go out I would drink 10-15 pints, then move on to spirits. Now I am older and stay in because we have kids and I make my way through plenty of wine, often 2 bottles a night at the weekends and sometimes week nights too. Plus I drink spirits and beer on top.
It is having a negative impact on my life. Nothing serious but there are times when I don't perform as well at work as I should. It makes me a grumpy bugger to be around. The worse impact is on my health, I am quite overweight and my BP is high which the booze is the biggest culprit. I have started exercising to deal with this.
I have tried recently giving up for set periods, 6 weeks at a time. The idea is to get to a point where I can not drink regularly and when I do be a bit more sensible. Each time, I have given in and had a drink before the time was up, the best I managed was 4 weeks, the worse was 4 days before falling off the wagon. I don't want to end up at a point where I have to completely give up.
Anyone got any tips on how to stay on the wagon?
After having a tough time, you know the usual story so I won't bother you with it I after a period realised I was using booze as a prop to get through life and had to do something about it.
Now when I just decided to stop the nights were sometimes a torture wishing I could have a drink and fighting the temptation but then I realised I wanted my old body back and didn't want to spend a life miserable so I figuratively took out trash in my life and became focused on exercise/weight lifting and after a short time found I didn't want to drink as it was stopping me making the progress I wanted to make.
So my point is, if you're anything like me, you need a solid reason to motivate yourself to get away from the booze.
I still drink probably 1-2 times a week but I don't keep booze in the house, I don't want that life back.
Lee
Now when I just decided to stop the nights were sometimes a torture wishing I could have a drink and fighting the temptation but then I realised I wanted my old body back and didn't want to spend a life miserable so I figuratively took out trash in my life and became focused on exercise/weight lifting and after a short time found I didn't want to drink as it was stopping me making the progress I wanted to make.
So my point is, if you're anything like me, you need a solid reason to motivate yourself to get away from the booze.
I still drink probably 1-2 times a week but I don't keep booze in the house, I don't want that life back.
Lee
grumbledoak said:
You are certainly close to physical addiction levels. It isn't just stopping drinking though, as you are finding. Consider professional help; your GP can refer you.
I'd echo that. Two bottles of wine is coming on for 20 units if it's 14% or so, and the recommended maximum per week is only 21 units. It may help to try and cut back rather than going cold turkey, but I really think you would be best talking to your GP.Thanks for the tips chaps. Certainly during periods when I have stopped I have not experienced any withdrawal symptoms.
I'll make an appointment with the Drs. Some of them at my surgery are a bit rubbish but there is one chap who is nice and I would feel comfortable talking to him. I have been honest here with the amount I drink and I will be honest with him.
I'll make an appointment with the Drs. Some of them at my surgery are a bit rubbish but there is one chap who is nice and I would feel comfortable talking to him. I have been honest here with the amount I drink and I will be honest with him.
I'm quite a heavy drinker as well, and on top of that a habitual dope user. At 33 I am really starting to realise q few things. I under perform at work (I am currently temping in a position that I feel out of my depth in - buti hang on somehow). I have no motivation. I am overweight, and suffering from depression.
I'm going to start by cutting out through the week and exercising. I know from past experience it will work but I need to make sure I see it through. Doesn't help when your partner has the same issues but zero willpower. I need to be strong for us both or it'll be the end of us for sure.
Maybe we should do a PH rehab thread!!!??
I'm going to start by cutting out through the week and exercising. I know from past experience it will work but I need to make sure I see it through. Doesn't help when your partner has the same issues but zero willpower. I need to be strong for us both or it'll be the end of us for sure.
Maybe we should do a PH rehab thread!!!??
944fan said:
I don't consider myself to have a dependency on alcohol but I have at least a bad relationship with it and you probably could say I have a drinking problem.
I have always been a monster drinker, when I was young and used to go out I would drink 10-15 pints, then move on to spirits. Now I am older and stay in because we have kids and I make my way through plenty of wine, often 2 bottles a night at the weekends and sometimes week nights too. Plus I drink spirits and beer on top.
It is having a negative impact on my life. Nothing serious but there are times when I don't perform as well at work as I should. It makes me a grumpy bugger to be around. The worse impact is on my health, I am quite overweight and my BP is high which the booze is the biggest culprit. I have started exercising to deal with this.
I have tried recently giving up for set periods, 6 weeks at a time. The idea is to get to a point where I can not drink regularly and when I do be a bit more sensible. Each time, I have given in and had a drink before the time was up, the best I managed was 4 weeks, the worse was 4 days before falling off the wagon. I don't want to end up at a point where I have to completely give up.
Anyone got any tips on how to stay on the wagon?
It is difficult, especially if alcohol is a big part of your social life, and/or a 'reward' at the end of the day.I have always been a monster drinker, when I was young and used to go out I would drink 10-15 pints, then move on to spirits. Now I am older and stay in because we have kids and I make my way through plenty of wine, often 2 bottles a night at the weekends and sometimes week nights too. Plus I drink spirits and beer on top.
It is having a negative impact on my life. Nothing serious but there are times when I don't perform as well at work as I should. It makes me a grumpy bugger to be around. The worse impact is on my health, I am quite overweight and my BP is high which the booze is the biggest culprit. I have started exercising to deal with this.
I have tried recently giving up for set periods, 6 weeks at a time. The idea is to get to a point where I can not drink regularly and when I do be a bit more sensible. Each time, I have given in and had a drink before the time was up, the best I managed was 4 weeks, the worse was 4 days before falling off the wagon. I don't want to end up at a point where I have to completely give up.
Anyone got any tips on how to stay on the wagon?
A friend took a really unflattering Polaroid snap of me just before we set off for Le Mans. I look like a bloated whale in it.
I find the only way I can lose weight is to give up drinking, and to this end I've stuck the picture on the kitchen shelf next to the wine glasses.
I think the secret is to just keep thinking of the end goal. This is easier once you've shed a few pounds and your clothes feel looser.
I also try and distract myself with other things in those 'danger hours' between 6pm and 9pm. Going out for a drive helps.
Good luck. It isn't easy. At times I've craved alcohol so much that my teeth itched. However I just say to myself that I've got to keep it under control, or it will end up controlling me.
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