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Struggling with not drinking

utopiaSenior Contributor

Struggling with not drinking

Hi Forum family.
Think today is day 13 without a drink. And the urge is pretty intense right now.
I spent 11 days in a Private Psych Facility. The first 24 hours I was a bit shaky. But after that I was okay. No urge to drink when I was in hospital. There were always people around.
Been home 2 days and last night was hard with the urges. This afternoon is really tough.
Does anyone have any positive stories about successfully quitting alcohol?
I feel I need some inspiration.
My depression is still strong & SI started again last night. My friends all work. I can't see them at night - because that's when they drink.
I'm feeling pretty powerless - but I can't go back on the booze. It makes my depression that much harder to control. So I have to beat it.
please only positive replies.

47 replies

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In response to: Struggling with not drinking

Unknown userMember

Re: Struggling with not drinking

I started a thread a while back about stopping drinking alcohol. I got some great suggestions - S.M.A.R.T recovery - google it - and AA as well. AA is more spiritual based from my experience so I preferred the sound of the SMART recovery groups. I have vowed to stop drinking back last Oct/Nov (due to medical advice to stop) and since then have had probably 8 ocassions that I've had a drink. I see that as huge progress for me as I used to drink too much, too often. I don't beat myself up if I have a drink but I try and keep it to light alcohol followed by a non-acloholic drink so I can still have something in my hand to drink.

Having said all that, if you need to quit altogether, I'd agree with others to say, get some support - be it AA or otherwise. It's nothing you can do alone. People with lived experience can give you strategies to say "no I don't drink alcohol" etc and how to manage ie BYO soft drink etc. and other ways to manage. I drink more water now that I ever did hahaha coz I like a drink with dinner/after dinner time. Great work on 13 days and best wishes staying sober.

In response to: Struggling with not drinking

utopiaSenior Contributor

Re: Struggling with not drinking

@Former-Member @Shaz51. My body isn't crying out for alcohol. It's my mind. I start 'feeling' when I don't want to 'feel' - so it's that automatic urge - to self medicate with drink.
I love the tree that looks a bit like a peacocks tail @Former-Member.
Tomorrow - weather permitting - I'll do my first drive up to my mountain. Haven't been there for almost 5 months. Not planning to get out of the car - just drive up there. If I get out of the car, that's a bonus.
@Shaz51. It will help your kidney, make your hubby's meds work better & make it easier to manage my mental health and reduce my stroke risk.
So, give us a few months and we should all see a big improvement in all our healths.
@Former-Member. As I say - you're not going back to your old ways, you've simply had a slip one day. That can happen with anyone when we are trying to make changes. So 1 slip does not mean you've gone a step backwards. It's just a moment.
Now, back on the horse and continue with your reduction of alcohol. Maybe a big glass of cordial or juice or water between each drink of alcohol can help you cut back.
You are doing it. You will get there. We all will.
A good little support team here already.

In response to: Re: Struggling with not drinking

Shaz51Senior Contributor

Re: Struggling with not drinking

It will help your kidney, make your hubby's meds work better & make it easier to manage my mental health and reduce my stroke risk.
So, give us a few months and we should all see a big improvement in all our healths.--- that`s it my wonderful friend @utopia

It's my mind. I start 'feeling' when I don't want to 'feel' - so it's that automatic urge - to self medicate with drink. ---- I want to do that too @utopia, esp after a hard day

In response to: Struggling with not drinking

utopiaSenior Contributor

Re: Struggling with not drinking

Am feeling stronger tonight than I was this afternoon. Hope all of us will use this thread when we need some help in getting through the urge to drink.
@Shaz51 @Former-Member

In response to: Re: Struggling with not drinking

Unknown userMember

Re: Struggling with not drinking

That's good @utopia feeling stronger.

My alcohol abuse is I only drink to mix it with substances to knock me out. It's an unhealthy thing, it's to turn all my feelings off too.

In response to: Struggling with not drinking

utopiaSenior Contributor

Re: Struggling with not drinking

@Former-Member. We all self medicate in our own way. So would you like to use this thread for those times when your urge to numb yourself is intense? Would you like the support to try and reduce the combination of meds & drink during those times?
I'd like this thread to be a support for all of us..

In response to: Re: Struggling with not drinking

Shaz51Senior Contributor

Re: Struggling with not drinking

thank you @utopia, that will be good " Go sisters " @Former-Member

In response to: Re: Struggling with not drinking

Unknown userMember

Re: Struggling with not drinking

Sheepishly I agree to try @utopia. Hugs to you and @Shaz51 💜🤗💐

In response to: Struggling with not drinking

utopiaSenior Contributor

Re: Struggling with not drinking

We are not perfect and we are not experts. But we can offer support and encouragement to each other. No desired outcome from the group. Just support.
And often a small change - not a big one - is manageable.
@Former-Member @Shaz51.
Thank you both for your responses this afternoon. My night has been a lot easier.
Sweet dreams.

In response to: Re: Struggling with not drinking

Unknown userMember

Re: Struggling with not drinking

I'm so glad your night has been better and really really glad we're not perfect because I'd definitely be in the wrong group @utopia 😝😘 support is good 😊💜🤗💐

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