Battling the booze

[Kazzl]

When the black dog bites, many of us reach for a drink. It can ease the pain, help us relax, block out what's going on in our minds. If it's just the odd drink now and then, even one or two a night, there's no harm and maybe even welcome relief. But for some of us, many in fact, literally drowning our sorrows becomes a problem in itself. We drink more and more until the booze takes over, and drinking becomes all we want to do. 

That was me for a long time until I finally realised the combination of booze and depression would kill me. If I wanted to live, if I wanted to be able to manage my depression, I had to get sober. I did, nearly five years ago, and it's the hardest thing I've ever done.

If booze is controlling you and you're not controlling it, this thread is for you. If you want to regain control - get sober or moderate your drinking (which for many is harder than quitting) or if you're worried you are drinking too much, join us here.

On this thread I'll talk about my battle with the booze and offer advice and support to anyone who is struggling. I welcome anyone who's been there or is worried they are going there, to join in. And I hope others now living sober will come here to help our friends who are struggling.

One thing this thread is not is a place to discuss how much a drink or two helps you. It's not an anti-alcohol thread, but it's not a general discussion about alcohol either. It's for people who are genuinely worried about it or who want to control it, and it's a place of celebration (without judgment about drinkers) for those of us who are now living sober.

I hope anyone who's battling the booze will join us.

Cheers 😀

Kaz 

[Kazzl]

And big hugs back to you Dools xxx You are an amazing lady. Thank you for your post, that means a lot to me.

Love

Kaz

[Doolhof]

Hi Kaz,

You are more than welcome. Dealing with issues from our past can be difficult for anyone. I try to tell myself that at the time I made huge mistakes, I didn't know any better.

We all have the opportunity to make the most of today, as much as we can.

Those ghosts from the past can be a real pest though can't they! Ha. Ha.

From Dools xx

[Moonstruck]

Hi Kaz....dear wandering one! Hoping you drop in here now and then to visit us poor lost souls and that your new venture is working out wonderfully for you...you deserve it.

this is for you and Geoff too.....you may recall I was so scared of taking up this old hobby of mine after many years...that I had never done before with a drink, or three, for dutch courage? I did it! I did it all, without a single drink. I could not have done this 5 years ago.......just wanted to share that with you and thanks for your support.

If someone had told me 5 years ago I could do that without a drink, I would have laughed and said "Impossible!"

I don't know how I did it...luv Moon S x

[Kazzl]

Moon my dear friend, I am so very very happy for you!

I know how you did it hun - you used all that courage, strength and self-respect that's emerged through getting and staying sober.

Never lose sight of what a huge achievement that is, and the strengths within you that brought you to this point. It's not just about beating the booze, it's about choosing to live a better life.

Geeeeeez I'm proud of you! Big hug!

Love

Kaz

[geoff]

hello Moon, well that's an achievement that at one time you thought could never happen, isn't it amazing what determination can do, but when you think of it it's much more than that, it's having the ability to control an addiction, rather than the other way around.
Well done in every way possible. Geoff.

[dueb]

hello its me again.

i'v drastically reduced my drinking in the last couple of days,gone from 1.5l of vino to just two glasses.i'v been told that it is best to go to my gp cause of withdrawal symptoms.is it always necessary to go to the gp,yesterday morning i wasn't feeling so good,put this morning i was feeling much better.i don't like going to the gp cause i don't like taking meds

i could of gone for a drive last night.

tony

[Kazzl]

Hi Tony. Sorry it's taken a while to get a reply, hope you haven't given up on us!

Personally I think it is best to see your doctor, especially when you're at the start of quitting. Withdrawals can be very nasty and complete withdrawal suddenly can be dangerous if you're used to drinking a lot each day.

There's no need for medication, unless you want to take something to help you. You would see the doc mainly to work out a plan for tapering off - like you're already doing by cutting back. A tapering off plan means you set an end date of when you will stop and you have a schedule of how much and when you will drink in the meantime. It is a safe way to quit, though not always easy to stick to.

Congratulations on making a start - I and everyone here knows how hard that is. I hope you'll keep posting (and I'll check the thread more regularly) so we can help you through the early days. They are the worst, but it does get easier.

Have a good read through the thread, especially the early posts - there's some good tips to help you.

Very best wishes to you and know that we will be here for you.

Kaz

[Moonstruck]

It's funny Kaz (and Geoff may relate to this too) the different ways, times and places that a person can be tempted by a drink..sometimes when you least expect it!

You know I've been off it for 4 years and just carried out a real personal challenge activity...the first time I had ever accomplished it without Dutch Courage etc etc......and got through it even though I was scared stiff? (thank you for your kind words about that too, they meant a lot to me...being off grog becomes commonplace among your friends after a number of years - they don't mention it and nor do I expect them to ,so thanks)

after doing all that and going through personal traumas during these past 4 "dry" years.....I was on a plane last weekend and the guy next to me ordered a white wine. Here he was with a little plastic glass of wine and it looked like the most attractive and alluring thing on earth to me!

I stared at it with a morbid fascination..how easy it would be . The pretty flight attendants were smiling and showing their perfect white teeth as they asked if I'd like a complimentary wine or beer.....no one would have said NO, no one would have batted an eye ....It would be SO EASY.......no Drs would have wagged their fingers at me, no one would have been disappointed in me...I probably wouldn't have even dropped dead on the plane!!

So I continued to gaze at the little plastic cup of wine and drank my juice - the 4 year record still stands!!!

Bon Voyage!

[geoff]

hello Tony, well done for reducing your intake, however you may still be susceptible to increase from two glasses to what you have drunk before, especially when you are having withdrawal problems, because you know the easiest way around this is to increase your intake once again, that's the power of alcohol, the addiction that can take you back to where you were before, saying to yourself 'I'll stop tomorrow', but tomorrow never comes.

Well done Moon, these temptations are so easy to break, and even after 10 years the same thought will always come back to you, but by then it will be much easier for you to handle.
Remember at AA they always stand up and say 'Hi I'm Mr.X I'm an alcoholic but haven't had a drop for 25 years'. Geoff. x

[Kazzl]

Hiya Moon - snap! I was on a flight last night and the wine came out. At first the smell of it was offputting, then when I got used to it I remembered the taste. I was exhausted and quite tempted but decided to doze off instead.

Thing is hun, it's probably always going to be there one way or another, and pop up when we're not expecting it. Mostly it will be a passing thought or feeling, sometimes it will be a stronger urge. But we can and do resist it. Because we're fabulous! 😀

Love to you

Kaz