On The Wagon... then in 'ere!

well, first time posting in this thread but i think i'd like to unload a bit if that's ok with you folks.

i'm in my mid thirties and work in a restaurant with a VERY relaxed stance on staff drinking. It's basically encouraged. It's also no problem to take wine home for a heavily discounted rate or free quite often as they're pretty cool!

Any way, it's basically got to the stage where for quite a while now i've been drinking I'd estimate an average of 25 days a month, and most of those days have been fairly heavy. Ie perhaps a bottle of wine or more, and sometimes the odd beer or shot.

I think i'm so used to it now that i actually don't get much of a 'hangover' (ie headache or sickness) unless i really cane it with mixing drinks.

I'm not overweight and never have been, and that's not because i exercise as i never really do (aside from having an active on my feet job).

So many monday mornings i've woken up thinking "right, time to have a week or two off" but almost never manage to as there's just too much temptation.

Well, this week I've actually gone 3 days now without touching a drop and I fully intend to extend that untill sunday evening when i have any old friend coming over. But is it terrible that i'm anticipating and 'accepting' that i'll be drinking on sunday?

people at work kind of tried to tempt me, but not in a peer pressure kind of way...i guess they were just a bit surprised as i'm usually the one pouring the stuff!).

Basically...i obviously realise that i simply HAVE TO start drinking less, as since my mid to late 20s i've gradually been drinking more and more. However, i really don't want to quit and i'd much prefer to simply control it a bit more and gradually cut down.

I have a friend who's in his fifties who has two days off and then has approx a bottle of wine in an evening so he gets a nice buzz from it, but then has the next two days off. Still, to many people this would sound a lot but it's still far less than i've been doing for the past few years :(

Not really sure what kind of response i'm seeking here...but any way...Thanks for listening folks...
 
I think you're only looking for someone to tell you what you already know mate. A bottle of wine a day is too much. You know that, I know that.

It's a habit, just try and knock it down slowly.

I drink every day, a couple of beers generally (7-9%), but I take time off every year for a few months.

If you like to get drunk, then get drunk. Just remember if you push it too far either your health will suffer, or you'll never be able to drink for the rest of your life (I have friends that have gone this far)

This thread should help you. There are many people there from your profession going though the same problems:

https://www.reddit.com/r/stopdrinking/

It really helps me during my no drinking spells, and hopefully one day extend them to forever.
 
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Haven't been drinking excessively for well over 6 months, and now havent had a drop for about 12 weeks! Feel much better, and have lost over 2 stone to boot! :)

I remember the last time I posted in here I was going through about a litre of spirit every week, and beers and ciders on top of that! :eek:

I'm wondering if I should go back to having the occasional drink socially and whatnot, or if I should continue to totally cut it out.

What do you all think? Any of you started drinking socially without going into a downward spiral back to square one?
 
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Acme said:
Haven't been drinking excessively for well over 6 months, and now havent had a drop for about 12 weeks! Feel much better, and have lost over 2 stone to boot! :)

I remember the last time I posted in here I was going through about a litre of spirit every week, and beers and ciders on top of that! :eek:

I'm wondering if I should go back to having the occasional drink socially and whatnot, or if I should continue to totally cut it out.

What do you all think? Any of you started drinking socially without going into a downward spiral back to square one?
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Hai - Why not try a few more months - get Christmas out the way and into the new year, then think again about it again.

Every time, every single time I have just a couple of drinks, well, meh....

Obviously everyone is different, but I'd say if you're asking, them maybe keep off the booze for a few more months.

Good luck bro :)
 
ScoTTyBEEE said:
I think you're only looking for someone to tell you what you already know mate. A bottle of wine a day is too much. You know that, I know that.

It's a habit, just try and knock it down slowly.

I drink every day, a couple of beers generally (7-9%), but I take time off every year for a few months.

If you like to get drunk, then get drunk. Just remember if you push it too far either your health will suffer, or you'll never be able to drink for the rest of your life (I have friends that have gone this far)

This thread should help you. There are many people there from your profession going though the same problems:

https://www.reddit.com/r/stopdrinking/

It really helps me during my no drinking spells, and hopefully one day extend them to forever.
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Thanks mate - on day / night five now without a drop and actually feel fine. Don't feel like a drink at all! I think i've just needed to have consecutive days to kind of realise that it's not too bad.

I like the idea of cutting down a lot but not quitting and i'm fairly certain that i can manage that. It was once i got to the bottle a day stage that i really realised that i need to take stock and i'm feeling good that i have. I know it's only five nights so far but honestly, that'll be the most days off in a row i've had for over a year i'd say, so at least a 'minor' achievement for me.

Whereas two days ago i was looking forward to sunday and having some wine with my friend, i'm now hoping she doesn't want to drink as i'll very happily go without. I have a feeling she wants to unburden some problems though so wine is a possibility. i'm going to pace myself and hold back.

Also, if i can knock it on the head at work which so far has been fine, then that's a very large chunk of my drinking cut out.

Thanks for the link to the reddit thread, i shall take a look now.

One thing i've noticed is that i've found it hard to sleep...or to get to sleep i guess. I took a boots sleeping tablet last night and i think i may take a half now just to help me a bit. Is that normal? The lack of sleep i mean.
 
I'm a year sober tomorrow. Can't believe what a difference there is in me, my life, and relationships.

Brenn, I'd tried several times to cut down, manage or control my drinking. Even quitting on several occasions. I didn't manage anything like sobriety until I started attending AA meetings. I've a very selective memory and need a constant reminder that I cannot drink in safety, and how bad things were when I was drinking (and how bad they'd get again if I started drinking again). Given your struggle it might be worth a shot.
 
phonemonkey said:
I'm a year sober tomorrow. Can't believe what a difference there is in me, my life, and relationships.

Brenn, I'd tried several times to cut down, manage or control my drinking. Even quitting on several occasions. I didn't manage anything like sobriety until I started attending AA meetings. I've a very selective memory and need a constant reminder that I cannot drink in safety, and how bad things were when I was drinking (and how bad they'd get again if I started drinking again). Given your struggle it might be worth a shot.
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Congratulations on a year , my year is up in November. I'm the same as you feel loads better for it unlike I did when I stopped smoking years ago.
 
Coming up to 4 weeks on Saturday without a drop. I think I am starting to feel much more alert, one thing I have noticed is my memory is far better, in a sense of not having to strain to think straight if that makes sense.

I am 30 and for as long as I can remember I would drink Wed, Fri, Sat and some Sundays. A bottle of wine or maybe 4 pint cans, eclusing any couple of pints down the pub or away on business.

It is amazing how i may fancy a pint but can now quote easily forget the urge, for example I am actually away the night on business...very busy to go.for a pint or wine..instead sparkling water and now typing this in bed ready for an early start tomorrow with gym and sauna.

Getting to the point of just going to continue and see how i get on. I have already decided no more alcohol to be consumed in the house unless necessary on special occasions and maybe only a few beers when out and about, actually drink for enjoyment rather than almost the need!
 
GinG said:
Coming up to 4 weeks on Saturday without a drop. I think I am starting to feel much more alert, one thing I have noticed is my memory is far better, in a sense of not having to strain to think straight if that makes sense.

I am 30 and for as long as I can remember I would drink Wed, Fri, Sat and some Sundays. A bottle of wine or maybe 4 pint cans, eclusing any couple of pints down the pub or away on business.

It is amazing how i may fancy a pint but can now quote easily forget the urge, for example I am actually away the night on business...very busy to go.for a pint or wine..instead sparkling water and now typing this in bed ready for an early start tomorrow with gym and sauna.

Getting to the point of just going to continue and see how i get on. I have already decided no more alcohol to be consumed in the house unless necessary on special occasions and maybe only a few beers when out and about, actually drink for enjoyment rather than almost the need!
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Well done! :)

It's amazing to see how you both physically and mentally change after stopping when you've been drinking constantly for a number of years.

You've done the hard part now just keep going and you won't even need a drink on special occasions.
 
Cosimo said:
Well done! :)

It's amazing to see how you both physically and mentally change after stopping when you've been drinking constantly for a number of years.

You've done the hard part now just keep going and you won't even need a drink on special occasions.
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Thanks! :D

October had been the first full month in the last 12 - 13 years of not having a single drop. Like I say I would usually drink 3 - 4 night per week as a routine.

The one thing I fine amazing is I don't ever get the urge for that beer or wine, I am as happy grabbing the ginger beer from the fridge than going for the alcohol.

Unsure if I am going to go full on Teetotal as yet but we shall see!
 
Ended up in hospital again, this time with kidney failure. The hallucinations were terrible, I was found unconscious outside my front door lying there in the rain. Quite embarrassing and a major wake up call. :(
 
Brenn47 said:
Ended up in hospital again, this time with kidney failure. The hallucinations were terrible, I was found unconscious outside my front door lying there in the rain. Quite embarrassing and a major wake up call. :(
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Sorry to hear that. Wishing you all the best.
 
Brenn47 said:
Ended up in hospital again, this time with kidney failure. The hallucinations were terrible, I was found unconscious outside my front door lying there in the rain. Quite embarrassing and a major wake up call. :(
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Blimey, what a wake up call! Just the thought of that should be a great deterrent to not having another drink. Hope that you're out, recovering at home and good luck. :)
 
Didn't see it coming, and I was stone cold sober, put my key in the lock and legs gave way. Spent about 5 days in hospital on a saline and vitamin drip and 2 blood tests a day. My kidneys were working at 300% when they should be working at 70%. I didn't feel well.

I am now officially scared of alcohol. :(
 
Drinking the day before, but not on the day of the collapse. Doctor says I have muscle wastage and nerve damage. Now on 15 ish pills a day. :(
 
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