Alcohol, hints, tips, advice etc.

crublue1 said:
And I wish I fucking wasn't. But I am. And next week when I've gone 7 days without a drink I'll still be an alcoholic. And in 6 months when I've not had a drink I'll still be a sad addict. It's fucking awful mate.
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That is all true in my opinion except the sad part were programmed to think we need alcohol to have fun but is that really true, I know many people through aa ca na meetings who are truly happy without it, you just have to get there It can take a long time I’m not there myself but I know I can be. My advice with a home detox and as many meetings as you can do you can get there for free I spent 5grand on rehab for the knowledge of AA. I’ve never been completely alcohol dependent more the drugs which the alcohol always leads me to. Fuck I’ve failed so many times but I will never give up. Soon as i have that drop of alcohol I can go for days and days on a bender and put my family through hell. Start with your local drug or alcohol treatment if you want it mate, might save you the money if you can afford it rehab is also a great option it will worsen is the sad truth it will never improve. Is life not about being out doing amazing things.
 
shilly8903 said:
That is all true in my opinion except the sad part were programmed to think we need alcohol to have fun but is that really true, I know many people through aa ca na meetings who are truly happy without it, you just have to get there It can take a long time I’m not there myself but I know I can be. My advice with a home detox and as many meetings as you can do you can get there for free I spent 5grand on rehab for the knowledge of AA. I’ve never been completely alcohol dependent more the drugs which the alcohol always leads me to. Fuck I’ve failed so many times but I will never give up. Soon as i have that drop of alcohol I can go for days and days on a bender and put my family through hell. Start with your local drug or alcohol treatment if you want it mate, might save you the money if you can afford it rehab is also a great option it will worsen is the sad truth it will never improve. Is life not about being out doing amazing things.
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Cheers shilly
The sad thing is I'm at my happiest when I'm not drinking. But I somehow convince myself that I can handle just one or two.
I clearly can't. I even force myself to drink even when I've got a hangover.
I need to give up. And stick to it.
I'm not sure I'm strong enough if I'm honest.
I blank out thoughts of what could happen if I don't give up, and that is fucking ridiculous, as I consider myself to be semi intelligent.
Thanks for the contribution mate.
 
crublue1 said:
Cheers shilly
The sad thing is I'm at my happiest when I'm not drinking. But I somehow convince myself that I can handle just one or two.
I clearly can't. I even force myself to drink even when I've got a hangover.
I need to give up. And stick to it.
I'm not sure I'm strong enough if I'm honest.
I blank out thoughts of what could happen if I don't give up, and that is fucking ridiculous, as I consider myself to be semi intelligent.
Thanks for the contribution mate.
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It must be so fucking hard, Cru.

My (maybe naive) advice is don't write yourself off if you slip up. Say you normally drink Z per week. If you drink half as much as Z next week, that's got to be a hell of a lot better.

Or, if you try to knock it on the head in one go, don't beat yourself up if you have a slip up on day 4 or whatever. If you can stop that slip before it becomes a bender, again you're making big steps.

Perhaps keep an honest written record of what you consume....and as you see it taper off, you can take the positive from that progress, rather than just see the 'failure' of a slip, if one happens.

Its an old chestnut, but the liver has incredible powers of rehabilitation, when given the chance (so do the old chestnuts!). So as you lessen the kicking you give your liver, you'll feel physically better - and be better equipped to continue progressing. It's a virtuous circle.

Sorry if that was just me typing shit, or if anyone thinks it's just plain wrong/bad advice just yell.

You've got a lot of people rooting for you, mate. Even as far away as London!
 
CockneyWanchor said:
It must be so fucking hard, Cru.

My (maybe naive) advice is don't write yourself off if you slip up. Say you normally drink Z per week. If you drink half as much as Z next week, that's got to be a hell of a lot better.

Or, if you try to knock it on the head in one go, don't beat yourself up if you have a slip up on day 4 or whatever. If you can stop that slip before it becomes a bender, again you're making big steps.

Perhaps keep an honest written record of what you consume....and as you see it taper off, you can take the positive from that progress, rather than just see the 'failure' of a slip, if one happens.

Its an old chestnut, but the liver has incredible powers of rehabilitation, when given the chance (so do the old chestnuts!). So as you lessen the kicking you give your liver, you'll feel physically better - and be better equipped to continue progressing. It's a virtuous circle.

Sorry if that was just me typing shit, or if anyone thinks it's just plain wrong/bad advice just yell.

You've got a lot of people rooting for you, mate. Even as far away as London!
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Good advice mine was probably a bit black and white. I have seen people keep a lid on it by doing these things.
 
crublue1 said:
Cheers shilly
The sad thing is I'm at my happiest when I'm not drinking. But I somehow convince myself that I can handle just one or two.
I clearly can't. I even force myself to drink even when I've got a hangover.
I need to give up. And stick to it.
I'm not sure I'm strong enough if I'm honest.
I blank out thoughts of what could happen if I don't give up, and that is fucking ridiculous, as I consider myself to be semi intelligent.
Thanks for the contribution mate.
Click to expand...
I think everyone is strong enough if they believe in themselves.

The human mind has fantastic built in protection mechanism that stop us from doing stupid thinks that we think will hurt us. In most cases, it works as advertised, but unfortunately sometimes that mechanism gets mixed up and convinces us we aren't strong enough to do something that is actually good for us.

We are all capable of achieving great things if we put our minds to it.



I appreciate Alex Honnold is a extreme example, but it just shows what is possible if you convince yourself you can do it.

With drinking, you just have to break the habit. I say 'just' like it will be easy; it won't be.

You have to do the simple stuff like avoiding the booze aisle in the supermarket, stop just popping to the local shop for a couple of bottles of wine on the way home, clearing out any booze from the house, don't go to the pub. but don't be afraid to slip up now and again; everyone does.

The hard bit is that you have to find something positive to do to fill the void. I drank cold herbal tea when I first stopped. I'd make up a jug full and keep it in the fridge. On the plus side, a box of tea bags costs less than a pint.

Good luck, and don't ever stop trying.
 
shilly8903 said:
Good advice mine was probably a bit black and white. I have seen people keep a lid on it by doing these things.
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Thanks Shilly.

Sorry, I put that all very badly. I think Cru wants/needs to knock it on the head completely. What I was driving at (in my half-arsed way) was suggesting he taper it (aiming for zero), if 'cold turkey' is too daunting.

And if he does stop totally in one go, not to quit quitting because of any slip up. What's the modern cliche: "Don't make perfection the enemy of the good".

I probably shouldn't serve up my luke-warm homespun advice on a very serious matter - that I'm not qualified to comment on.

There are people on here who have been there and done it - and of course there are professionals (which I hope Cru turns to).

ATB mate.
 
CockneyWanchor said:
It must be so fucking hard, Cru.

My (maybe naive) advice is don't write yourself off if you slip up. Say you normally drink Z per week. If you drink half as much as Z next week, that's got to be a hell of a lot better.

Or, if you try to knock it on the head in one go, don't beat yourself up if you have a slip up on day 4 or whatever. If you can stop that slip before it becomes a bender, again you're making big steps.

Perhaps keep an honest written record of what you consume....and as you see it taper off, you can take the positive from that progress, rather than just see the 'failure' of a slip, if one happens.

Its an old chestnut, but the liver has incredible powers of rehabilitation, when given the chance (so do the old chestnuts!). So as you lessen the kicking you give your liver, you'll feel physically better - and be better equipped to continue progressing. It's a virtuous circle.

Sorry if that was just me typing shit, or if anyone thinks it's just plain wrong/bad advice just yell.

You've got a lot of people rooting for you, mate. Even as far away as London!
Click to expand...
There's no bad or niave advice mate. Just advice and it's appreciated.
I'm truly humbled by all the kind words and messages on here.
I'd love to be on here in six months having not had a drink.
I'm feeling a bit guilty that this thread is becoming all about me and that was never my intention. I'm going to take a step back and I hope it becomes a platform for all to share and help each other if they so choose.
You haven't typed any shit mate, on the contrary you've been a fucking star, along with quite a few others.
I can't thank you enough.
 
crublue1 said:
I'm a functioning alcoholic. I drink everyday. I still manage work because I'm good at what I do. If you've got on a plane with a trent ten strapped to the wing then there's parts in that engine I've signed off.
I gave up last year for six months. That was weird, nobody noticed.
Anyone else a useless alcoholic like me?
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You're not useless mate, the fact you're posting on here shows you want help and you recognise your drinking, that's a good thing.

I work in the same industry and you're not alone, I've seen it.

Keep your chin up because you can stop, you've done it before.
 
Trevor Morley's Tache said:
I think everyone is strong enough if they believe in themselves.

The human mind has fantastic built in protection mechanism that stop us from doing stupid thinks that we think will hurt us. In most cases, it works as advertised, but unfortunately sometimes that mechanism gets mixed up and convinces us we aren't strong enough to do something that is actually good for us.

We are all capable of achieving great things if we put our minds to it.



I appreciate Alex Honnold is a extreme example, but it just shows what is possible if you convince yourself you can do it.

With drinking, you just have to break the habit. I say 'just' like it will be easy; it won't be.

You have to do the simple stuff like avoiding the booze aisle in the supermarket, stop just popping to the local shop for a couple of bottles of wine on the way home, clearing out any booze from the house, don't go to the pub. but don't be afraid to slip up now and again; everyone does.

The hard bit is that you have to find something positive to do to fill the void. I drank cold herbal tea when I first stopped. I'd make up a jug full and keep it in the fridge. On the plus side, a box of tea bags costs less than a pint.

Good luck, and don't ever stop trying.
Click to expand...

Thank you tmt
Much appreciated
 
inbetween said:
You're not useless mate, the fact you're posting on here shows you want help and you recognise your drinking, that's a good thing.

I work in the same industry and you're not alone, I've seen it.

Keep your chin up because you can stop, you've done it before.
Click to expand...
Thank you bud
 
johnnytapia said:
I used to only drink Friday and Saturday with the odd Thursday thrown in. Having kids (somewhat paradoxically) changed everything. Once they're in bed, I always crack open the bevvy (often before they've gone to bed actually). I love 2/3 cans then a half a bottle of vino. I exercise every day but know my alcohol intake isn't healthy and would love to curtail. I've stopped the booze previously, so I know I can do it, but I genuinely enjoy a drink; I have never missed a day of work in the last twenty years because of drink, so am happy to carry on (I think!). My greatest concern is my children seeing me drink and they see it as "the norm". My mum and dad rarely drank in the week, but, they smoked and they also fought bitterly every weekend, without fail about my dad's commitment to his job so I'm not sure one begets the other so to speak. Do I drink too much? Certainly. Do I enjoy a drink? Certainly. Do I want to drink less? Certainly. Do I want to drink more? Certainly.
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You sound like me 20 years ago mate. Never missed a days work but a bottle and a half of vino most nights. Don’t get drunk, wouldn’t call myself alcoholic but the older I got, the more I realise it’s catching/going to catch up. 62 years old now and try my very best to have a couple of weeks off every six months and at least three alcohol free days a week. I don’t always succeed. It’s more and more of a struggle though to stay fit so I think I am going to have to cut down more. I want to see my granddaughters grow up and drinking 50 units and up a week is not good. Still enjoy every mouthful. The earlier you can curb it the better mate.
 
crublue1 said:
There's no bad or niave advice mate. Just advice and it's appreciated.
I'm truly humbled by all the kind words and messages on here.
I'd love to be on here in six months having not had a drink.
I'm feeling a bit guilty that this thread is becoming all about me and that was never my intention. I'm going to take a step back and I hope it becomes a platform for all to share and help each other if they so choose.
You haven't typed any shit mate, on the contrary you've been a fucking star, along with quite a few others.
I can't thank you enough.
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Mate, it's not all about you....it's generic advice anyone can draw on (or think about, then accept or reject).

Although posts have been directed at you, it's just thoughts for anyone in your position (e.g. advice I might need to use one day).

BTW, I understand what a rat-shit time (with the lockdown and all) it is to do this. But fuck it, it's as good a time as ever. And when you beat this (though I realise it's always one day at a time), you'll know you faced this thing head-on during a bloody difficult time to do it.
 
CockneyWanchor said:
Mate, it's not all about you....it's generic advice anyone can draw on (or think about, then accept or reject).

Although posts have been directed at you, it's just thoughts for anyone in your position (e.g. advice I might need to use one day).

BTW, I understand what a rat-shit time (with the lockdown and all) it is to do this. But fuck it, it's as good a time as ever. And when you beat this (though I realise it's always one day at a time), you'll know you faced this thing head-on during a bloody difficult time to do it.
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Yet again you make good sense. At the risk of repeating myself thank you.
I know what I need to do.
You're ok, for a cockerny lol.
Cheers buddy
 
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