Stages of Change in an Alcohol Problem
As you’re reading this website, then you might be thinking that you need to change your habits around alcohol. This means you’re in a stage called ‘contemplation’.
The Stages of Change model is a well established and useful way of considering different people’s levels of motivation to change their behaviour. This is how it applies to alcoholism:
Stage 1: Pre-contemplation -
Someone who drinks alcohol but doesn’t consider that they have a problem with it, or that they need to do anything about it. Other people around them might disagree however. Occasionally they might regret drinking too much, have an accident perhaps, but they still don’t feel their drinking needs to change.
Stage 2: Contemplation -
Possibly where you are now – you might have realised that your drinking is causing more problems than it’s worth, and that you’re probably drinking too much. You’ve noticed your health is suffering, or your closest relationships have been affected. Maybe your work is not up to scratch because you’re always hungover. But then on occasion you switch back to thinking it’s not such a problem after all, and you get drunk again.
Stage 3: Decision -
You realise that you do need to do something about this, so you decide to seek help, or talk to someone professionally, join a support group, maybe check out AA, or start looking online for some possible tips to cut down your drinking.
Stage 4: Action -
You start to reduce your alcohol consumption, you set yourself limits and you achieve them. You start talking about the problems in your life that might be causing your drinking, maybe to a counsellor or another mental health professional. You might well announce your decision to cut down or quit drinking to your partner or family members.
Stage 5: Maintenance or Relapse -
Your new pattern of drinking is becoming a habit, your alcohol consumption is back to acceptable, healthy levels again. Or maybe you haven’t had a drink for a couple of months, and you’re feeling comfortable with your sobriety. You can feel the benefits of not drinking so much – you’re healthier, happier and functioning better.
There is always a possibility that future circumstances might take a turn for the worse, and you end up drinking again. Maybe you go right back to stage 1, or one of the other stages instead. The important thing is to learn from this process, not to blame yourself for it. If you see this set-back as a ‘failure’, then you’ll just feel more depressed about it. You’ve made a mistake and had a relapse, that’s all, but you can get back to where you were again.
If you think you’re ready to take action about your drink problems, contact us to arrange an online live chat with a professional alcohol counsellor.
I counted at least 10 shops I could buy booze from on my street alone yesterday… 2 are 24 hour opening…..they are just across the road…… It’s murder quitting………
I went through these step…s in prison (alcohol related)… I’m 51 and have had the lot….
Wow we’re really not alone! I’m 32 and have been a helpless binge drinker since age 17. It all started out incredibly social and fun, and 15 years later it seems everyone else has grown up but I still think the party’s going. But it isn’t.
It’s got to the point where I’m a complete embarrassment to myself and my partner, we get along famously, in fact my drinking is practically the only thing we argue about – and boy do we do that. I am a horrible person when I drink (or so I’m told – I generally have little to no memory), I’ll be quite offensive (I think I’m hilarious) and will say terrible things to my partner, so bad I won’t even mention.
Anyway I’m a month sober and had nearly convinced myself that at my work Christmas party tonight I’ll be fine to have ‘ a couple ‘ of drinks. Let’s face it there’s no such thing. So the question is, do I go and not drink, not go at all (easy option but probably not sustainable longterm to never go out again), or finally, go and have a drink.
I just don’t know how I’m never going to drink again. I would so love to be like everyone else and have 2-3 drinks!! Everything I do/know socially revolves around drinking. The eternal struggle.
Hi Elise you are definetely not alone. I also hope the xmas party went well for you if you did go. Xmas is a really hard time as so much involves social drinking and from that we need to exclude ourselves one way or another. If you did or do drink then don’t give yourself too hard a time about it. 1 month sober is a really brilliant start and you can do it again for longer each time. If you can develop interests and friends with whom you can share good times and activities without drinking that will help as well. Sounds also as if your partner will be happy to support you sober. Good luck with it all and reach out whenever you need to.Support is always there for you. Al
To all reading we all share this affliction, and our stories are similar. The important thing is that everyone here by writing your thoughts is finally being honest and admitting that we have a problem. that is the first and hardest step. I have drunk my way out of everyone’s life. I have destroyed my relationship, my family, have lost my job, my health and still I drink. I recently stopped for a month and felt so much better then I just got cocky and thought I could just have one or two and the whole nightmare started again.. I drink and drive, get into fights. The idea of drinking to be sociable is a joke and not a very funny one. I drink for the sake of drinking only. Preferably alone so I don’t have to bother even trying to get on with anyone else. When I drink I can’t do anything not even walk the dog. I drink to numb the pain of my past, my failings in life and my worries at an uncertain future and a lonely present. Drinking makes me and keeps me seriously depressed. So what am I going to do about it…keep trying to get sober that’s what and each time I fail I will try again. I have been to AA before and I will go back again. All the stigma and embarrassment and shame of admitting we are alcoholics in front of a room full of strangers helps us to face up to our own denial and the damage we do to ourselves and others. Whether its AA, friends family, counselling, writing on sites likes this whatever it doesn’t matter whatever helps you do it when you can. Please all just reach out for the help we all so desperately need, have faith be honest and kind with yourself and you will get to the other side. Peace love and hope for sobriety to you all. If you need support write to me and I will respond we can help each other. Be strong and beautiful because you arexxx
Hang in there everyone. It’s so helpful to me to hear your stories so similar to my own and to know I’m not alone with this illness and that others here understand because they are going through the same thing.
I first started trying to quit alcohol over 18 months ago because of the bad effects it was having on my life, health, work and relationships. So similar to the other stories here. Of course I failed miserably and with each relapse my condition deteriorated.
I used to be a happy cheerful drunk and never got into trouble. These days I get into arguments and black out after drinking the same amounts that used to cause me no apparent problems. I invariably wake up in the morning after a night out feeling like a bus hit me and with a terrible feeling of dread and shame, with vague recollections of arguments I had the night before but not even remembering when/how I got home or where exactly I’ve been.
Why is it that for years I used to be able to go out drinking and suffer no ill effects except perhaps a bit of a hangover in the morning but now I get into arguments and black out? Sometimes I remember getting into arguments and wondering why peopoe are treating me that way because at the time I don’t think I’m being unpleasant to anyone but everyone else treats me as if I’m being horribly obnoxious and treats me rudely. Then I get the shits and start insulting them in response to the perceived insulting wwy they’ve treated me. I guess if I could see myself whilst I’m drunk I’d understand other people’s reactions. But of course that’s part of the proboem-alcohol warps our self-critical faculties as well as our inhibitions.
About 2 weeks ago after a particularly humiliating incident during which I vaguely remember arguing with bouncers outside a bar and coming to Police attention and receiving a warning, I decided that enough was enough. I’ve managed to go 2 weeks without a drink but the alcohol cravings are awful. I started taking St Johns Wort yesterday as I heard it can help reduce alcohol cravings but I know it will take a couple more weeks to kick in,if it helps at all. I thought of joining AA and even read The Big Book online and looked up some local AA meetings but don’t like the religious overtones. So glad for this site. Every time I get cravings I come here and read the posts and it gives me the strength to say no to that ‘just one drink’ that would inevitably turn into yet another night of shame and oblivion.
I don ‘t know if I can keep this up but I am hoping I can resist ever having another drini of alcohol. Based on my record to date my chances of achieving this goal seem slim but I’m going to do my darndest not to let this beat me.
Once again, hang in there everyone. It may be unpleasant to endure the cravings but it’s more unpleasant to suffer the shameful consequences of pouring more of that evil poison into your system once it’s got to the stage it has with us.
I think I’ve reached Stage 3 – Decision. I’ve damaged friendships, let my binge drinking interfere with my job, but most of all I’ve destroyed my relationship with my partner. Enough! Even if I have to spend the rest of my life alone, I want to do it sober and clear-headed.
Good luck Clio, You sound really determined to get sober. I am sure that once you do you will never need to be alone again. My positive healing thoughts and best wishes are with you. Alxx
Hi I’m Suzie,
I came across this website, and at the moment i’m sitting here drinking a glass of wine, the reason I want to tell you my story is because of the way I feel, I want to be able to be alcohol free and unfortunately I am finding it difficult and i’m going to be honest I drink every evening when I get home from a stressful job, this site has made me realise I am alcohol dependent, not sure you would call me an alcoholic but I do drink every day and it can be up to a bottle of wine in the evening, I will be honest I don’t like the feeling of being out of control and drunk so when I feel like i’ve had too much a bit woozy I stop and drink water, but I like the feeling of being relaxed and can go to bed and sleep, the only thing that stops me drinking in the day is I have to drive to get to work and I don’t believe in drinking and driving and a close friend was killed by a drink driver, but I am not much better as I get home and poor that needed glass of wine, and yes I don’t get up in the morning and want a drink, my brain is timed for 7.30 pm every night, but there have been a few times where I have forgot to buy that bottle of wine and i’ve been so tempted to get in the car and buy one, this has only happened once and i’ve not done it again, as I really could not tell you how I got to my destination and back again, that pains me so much. But alcolhol is now starting to affect my life I know it is I don’t go a day without my glass of wine, and i’m scared to just stop because of all the horror stories i’ve heard about withdrawal, I really do need a friend to help me get out of this bad cycle of drinking, I want to be a regular person and an occasional drinker, not dependent upon the drink to sleep. My worse scenario is I have an alcoholic friend and when we go for a drink I can never say no……… how can I change my life without affending a really good friend?
PS i’ve never not gone to work even after a night of drinking, even if I have felt rough I always go to work, but I do not want to get to the stage where I lie in bed suffering from a hangover from hell and cannot be bothered, even though my firm has treated me diabolically I am a loyal employee although lately I have been brave enough to tell them what I think of them, but that’s not brave its the drink that makes you brave, and to be honest management never want to hear the truth, hence now why i’m relocating to another department because I could not be diplomatic…………….. please talk to me let me know what I can do to improve my life x
I have been secretly drinking for a long time and couln’t quit on my own. I was afraid to tell my husband, who didn’t realise the extent of my problem, although he knows I drink too much. Last week I got horribly drunk and actually went out in the car with my daughter. I could have killed her. I realised on the highway that I was seeing double, weaving, and in no condition to continue. I pulled over and we called my husband, who came to rescue us. He was naturally very angry. I confessed everything, showed him my hidden empties, handed over my cash and credit cards so that I couldn’t sneak out and buy any more. Once he understood, he was very supportive. He has bought a breathalyser – and I think this is really going to work! He tests me in the morning, when I come home after being out, and at bedtime. So I can’t drink. I can’t ever let him down like that again.
He is also helping me to detox right now, he’s locked up all the beer and wine, and he gives me a controlled portion daily so that I can reduce my intake safely. I will hopefully be detoxed in another day or two.
I recommed trying this if you have a supportive partner and are unable to quit on your own. Get them to test you regularly, and do spot checks, too. It means surrendering control of your life for a while but wouldn’t you rather be controlled by a loved one who wants to help you, then by alcohol.
Hi Al l, I am lying here in bed feeling like death 24 hours after stopping an 8 day binge – and I DO mean binge – 4 bottles of wine a day!! I can’t believe it didn’t kill me and it’s certainly not the first time – I’ve been battling for 30 years. In past I’ve stayed sober for 2 or 3 weeks after these binges then relapse. Laura – reading yours was like looking in a mirror. Too exhausted to write more but thank you all for sharing – I feel much less alone now and wish us all the strength to prevail against this evil disease. God Bless you all. Much love and prayers for you all
also break associations.. i used to think drinking meant fun and happiness..as when we are young it probably is, but now in fact sitting at home miserable with a bottle of wine isnt fun!
hi everyone im so happy i found this website and reading all your storys and know im not alone.I have got a problem a big one.Drink is destroying me life iv 2 young kids and need to find the willpower to give up for them and my boyfriend or i will loose them all! has anyone got advice?
Hi everyone. I have been something of an alcoholic for years, and I have been working on it for the past couple. Just found this site, so I am happy to have someone to share this with as my wife is leaving me forever, because, really, of who I become after a few drinks. Man, am I an asshole for not getting control of this, but I am going to. I cannot continue to consume alcohol and destroy my relationships.
I happen to stumble upon this website trying to get more information for my psychology assignment. Everyone of you deserves a medal for taking this big step and admitting that you have a problem. That’s a huge step! That you are all contemplating change, that’s a good start. Nerver give up on your journey to sobriety, nothing comes easy. Life is nerver meant to be easy there will be ups and downs. It takes determination to win. Anyways, wish everyone of you the very best hope you all come out winners and yes you do come out stronger in the end. God Bless you all.
Sorry this posted before I had finished.
My eldest daughter said I was a real jekkyl and Hyde and not her fun loving happy tiddly drunk mum that she knew. She said I was consumed with paranoia and rage against her and my poor husband. I have no memory of this at all but the shame I feel is excruciating that even as I write this I am horrified.
There had been a few episodes in the past few months with my teenage daughter but I had blamed her attitude for my rage or as she said it was like a light switch changed me into a monster.
My question is…. Have I crossed the line now or can I control my drinking by ensuring I never drink on an empty stomach as this seems to be the trigger or am I just trying to justify my actions??
Hi
So pleased I found this website and feeling part of this group and admitting my problem without the stigma of going to AA.
My drinking has got progressively worse but recently I’ve had black outs, arguments that i have no memory of and this is really scaring me. I couldn’t understand why as my intake had been fairly light but theses incidences were always on an empty stomach and this site explains the chemical result and the low blood sugar =cravings.
There was a family party at the weekend and I was so nervous about going and couldn’t eat anything beforehand. I should have known better but I had 3 glasses of wine quickly but don’t remember anything after the first hour except crying. My daughter described me as a paranoid schizophrenic
I’ve had 3 DUI’s in 7 years. I worked in a bar for 13 yrs where my job was all about drinking. It started out with just a few drinks a day. Then it got to be more and more, every day….till gradually I was starting out the day at 11 AM with Gin and Tonic. Everyone at work was drinking, so I didn’t think I was odd. I had problems because of my drinking. I’d get into arguments with customers, fights with co-workers, disagreements with my managers and bosses, then it got to the point where they would fire me. I was simply too difficult to deal with. Finally, my husband and I divorced after 10 years. New job, new town, new boyfriend. I sobered up for a little while, then fell harder than ever.I’ve had several car accidents while drunk driving, and thank God I didn’t harm anyone! The fights got seriously violent with my mate,till the cops were called several times, and the problems just came crashing down on me. It was progressing to the point where I’d try to hide how much I was drinking from everyone. After work I’d head to the bar, before work I’d go to another bar, it almost killed me.The evidence was blatant.I’ve been sober over 2 yrs and 7 months now, and tonight I was going to have a few. Even though it never was just a few ever before. Thanks everyone for sharing your stories, you just talked me out of a very big mistake. I am Brianna, and I’m without a doubt, an alcoholic. God Bless you!
Hi all.. what a great website, thanks…just wanted to share this with you..see if it fits with anyone. and how to combat it!!
I am a mother of two, ive been drinking one bottle of wine everyother night for the last five years..But recently this changed..it slowly upped, one bottle of wine left me craving more, and off id go (sometimes driving in the night) to get more, id have a bottle and a half (often without eating) and then that upped to almost two when id feel ready to pass out, stagger off to bed and be unable to get up and do my kids breakfast in morning. Off they went to school without me. id feel so rough i would not drink again for a day but then the next day id feel better and at the end of day reward myself with a bottle of wine, (now thats got to two) have a day/night off and repeat this pattern..I’d drink because i was bored and lonely, sometimes to forger the hurt or sadness i feel about the past i can not change or frustrations i feel at the things that aren’t working well in my life..(largely to do with lack of motivation which drink has robbed me of) Recently i decided i wanted to stop this life robbing destructive crap pattern..so went 3days without a drink!!! But by third day i was desperate..had awful headache, dehydration and unable to eat anything…i guess this was my withdrawal..in the end i manipulated an argument with my partner.. and used his lack of understanding and support as an excuse to get drunk!! Which is why im not at work today, having treated my partner like shit feeling guilty (another trigger) sitting here writing this from bed.. alcohol is a trickster and a controller, it makes you think its helping you, when its robbing you.. depriving my kids of a decent mum, my partner of a decent friend and with it taking my looks, intelligence and happiness. I thought i was a nice ordinary woman that could have a few glasses of wine in the eve and tuck my kids into bed and go about my life happily the next day..thats how all this started!!!!
Hi everyone, fantastic to know we are not alone isnt it?? April i have been trying unsuccessfuly to stop for 3 years now.. got it down to one binge every 10 days or so, but my life is so much more better when i stay sober, i can drive any time, i am availabel if there is an emergency, i feel better, everything i do is better, when i am drug im an inactive, self possessed slob.. hope this helps!
Wow! Very similar to my story. I am happy for this site. I didn’t drink tonight as I felt Terrible all day after last night of drinking 7 glasses of wine and ate very well!! It’s robbing me of so much Life and I’m older with adult kids and precious grandchild. I’m so much better without it but just can’t stop! And it’s the taste of the red wine I absolutely love! Insanity is repeating the same thing over and over again expecting different results….that’s where I am. I’ve been living a pretty holistic life for about 8 years but then this wine thing creeped up and now I am having a tough time recovering from it the next day. I also am with someone who loves their wine. So it’s going to be harder to do. I just pray that god will help me one day, one hour, sometimes one minute at a time to abstain. Did AA for years. Not really something I want to do anymore. It was a bit of a shame based system although for many it’s great! So thank you all for your honesty and inspiration.
Hi to all
I am still debating if I’m an alcoholic or not. My father thinks I am as he himself is one. My partner doesn’t think I’m an alcoholic nor does anyone else in my family. They all say I’m a binge drinker. I typically drink 1-2 per week and drink between 8-12 pints. I would get drunk nearly every time I go out as drinking for me is all about getting drunk and enjoying myself. Often I get extremely drunk and listen to depressing music and cry. The next day usually depends on how I’m feeling. I’ll either go back to the pub or I’ll stay in. I always get a monster hangover though like today. I tend to feel guilty with a hangover. I didnt feel like drinking today and I can’t say I get a craving for alcohol regularly. Once or twice per week I’ll get a craving to go to the pub but that’s it. I never drink at home even though there is always a stock of booze for specials occasions etc. I suppose it concerns me that my dad believes I’m an alcoholic yet Im not convinced myself. I’m not in denial and am more than ready to take responsibility if I am an alcoholic but I’m not going to be branded an alcoholic if I’m not sure I am one! In believe I could become an alcoholic if I don’t reduce my intake.
Just want to say I was sober for 6 years and a year ago felt that I could maange my drinking responsibly, so I started again. It is not easy feeling left out in social situations (being the non drinker) and I understand the dependance on alcohol as a personality booster. My first 12 months was very difficult but I had a very supportive partner who allowed me the time to relax ( an hour in the bath with a book or candles every night to get me past my cravings), and it worked. What did let me down was my jealousy of all things. I began to get jealous of women talking to my husband at parties, seeing him with someone else who could drink when I couldn’t, I then started to crave red wine, it was winter, almost by 43rd birthday so I said hey, I’d like a glass of wine with dinner tonight and my husband said okay.
12 months later and I am repeating behaviours that will only lead to the ruin of my family, my marriage and my life. If I lose it all I know I won’t cope, I will hate myself so much that I won’t want to live which is why I am stopping for good. 3 days sober and just enrolled in a Yoga class at the nicest centre I could find, with ponds and timber everywhere, because I need to fell good about myself again. I look forward to sharing more with everyone here on the site. I wish you all of the very best and I guess I know that this path of being sober lead me to the happiest times in my life once before, and I know that staying sober will lead us all to happiness, into the light! with love, K
Beautiful!!!!! And encouraging. I love yoga and teach it but my red wine I drink most nights is ruining precious moments and causing me depression and I feel as if I have been through a war. I am so healhy in all other ways! Well who really knows… and quite happy normally. I had plenty of years when I enjoyed NOT drinking, it’s so much harder this time to give it up! It seems to have turned on me but I love it and the taste so much. I want to stop once and for all but once I feel better I pick it up again. Vicious cycle.
I can sympathise with everyone on here i stop for 4-5 weeks at a time then go on 2 week benders or sometimes less I have had like 8 seizures in last 3 years had three on the trot which nearly killed me and I broke multiple bones. I have been charged with hitting emergency service workers I have been in so many fights ruined an amazing relationship with the perfect girl and now I want out. I don’t need this crap anymore. i’m 28 I need to grow the f*** up. I am in alot of debt. I am lucky when I stop drinking I am an extremely healthy eater and exercise twice a day. I have just been diagnosed with bipolar so I can sympathise with Jo if you have it see a psychiatrist and get on medication I only drink when I am on my “manic” stage. I feel great only been off it for 2 and a half weeks but this year has made me realise its not worth it or I won’t see 30.
STAY STRONG EVERYONE!!!! MUCH LOVE!!!!
I sympathize with each of you. I started binge drinking when I was young and wish I could take it all back. So many missed opportunities and bad relationships! Now it seems I’m the problem. I have started to be violent when I drink too too much. I recently left scratches on my boyfriend because we were arguing about what I don’t remember and he wouldn’t leave the bedroom and let me sleep sp for some reason I felt violence was the answer. SO not like me! I have volunteered at domestic violence shelters and pride myself on never being in a fistfight, etc. I know I have a problem but I don’t know where to begin….
Hi Jo
I can totally sympathise with you (im sure we all can). Ive been the same. During the course of the last few years my drinking has escalated to the most unreal levels. My liver physically is hurting at the moment. Its a viscious circle. You drink because of the stress. The drink causes depression, low self esteem – so you drink more to feel better as you are ashamed. You then realise that you are dependent upon alcohol as a prop – also are scared to stop because you totally feel so ill when you are not doing it. I feel physically sick (and have vomited) when I dont drink enough. Especially during the last few days. I was sick on Saturday and this morning. I proceeded to drink two bottles of wine before a birthday party (and then couldnt remember anything). If there was a drug that was invented that took this away from your system for good – how fab would that be. Ive seen what happens with the DT’s and I am thoroughly scared of it. My former partner was an alcoholic. He committed suicide 8 years ago as he was very depressed. I am also very scared of this happening to me. It sounds like you are better off without your husband. He sounds like he has taken your confidence away. Please know that you are not alone – I feel the same. Perhaps we can try between us to give it up for good?
Alfiexx
I have just found this site (or maybe I have seen it before and thought, in denial “Its not for me cos I’m not an alcoholic”). However, I now realise that I do have a serious drink problem and have tried to give up on several occassions. I’ve been in A&E, I’ve been ill, I’ve had Librium, but I always end up going back to it. I am going through a very tough divorce right now and have been using that as an excuse to drink. But in reality, it was probably drink and some of the othe underlying causes which contributed to the divorce. I’ve just drank a bottle of wine having promised myself it would just be a glass to take away yesterday’s hangover. Drinking that much used to mean that I couldn’t even type. But now it means I’m more lucid and faster. That’s a real danger. Its just that the bitterness and violence of my ex-husband stays with me and he has complete control right now. I find it hard to think of a life without this disgusting emotional prop! But I know it has to stop. He has always told me that I have bipolar disorder (because he used to go out with a girl who had it, and despite having no qualification himself, he told me h knew best!). I began to doubt my mental health but I’ve never accepted it. But if there is anyone out there who has realised that their excessive drinking has been resolved through Lithium, please let me know. I’ll try anything right now. Jo x (BTW it seems like such a nice bunch of people contribute to this site !)
Laura I know how you feel; we as alcoholics tend to convince our minds that we can have JUST ONE. However deep down we know thats not the case. Thats the horrible illness of alcoholism but its how we cope remember that and enjoy your life alcohol free
I,m at stage 5, AGAIN!
I say again because I’ve been here before, to many times to count.
I am a serious binge drinker. I can go on a bender for days sometime weeks. the only way I stop is when I can get anymore or Ive made my self ill I cant stomache it anymore. I have a pattern. I binge, go through horrific withdrawls, start to feel better and then feel great, then boom! here I go again! I think what happens is I tell my self I,m totally fine, no problem here, I can handle it, then I’ll go and have a bottle of wine to prove to myself that this time I really am fine. HA! Sometimes I am and thats it but more often than not that’s the start of a major blow out. The last one ended 2 weeks ago. I pushed everything to the limit, relationships, finances, health. I’ve had liver function tests done. Showed up I have some liver damage, no surprise there!
At the moment I feel really good, I’m sleeping better, confidence coming back, I’m not all panicky and anxious and I’m making my loved ones happy. But I am very scared. I’m scared that I’ll fall back into the old pattern and this time do so much damage, health and relationships, that it cant be repaired.
I’m not tempted at the moment at all and hopefully this health scare will have sorted me out once and for all. I have so much to live for. So glad I found this site.
Hi Laura, It was helpful reading about your experiences. I also have a pattern of drinking socially upto 2 glasses of wine for weeks and some days none but after a bad argument with my ex I just bought a bottle of vodka and drank the lot. I phoned a friend and can’t even remember what I said to him and woke up feeling very dehydrated with sore red eyes. Like you when I am in an up mood I forget how very bad the next day is. I also worry about what I am doing to my body. Ironically I take a lot of healthy supplements as am a semi vegetarian. I also do exercise every morning.
Well done for the times you cope without and thanks for writing so honestly.
The reasons I am stopping drinking a bottle of wine each night
I wont fall asleep while im reading my children their bedtime stories, I wont fall asleep before I have a shower at night, I will cook better dinners, I will be able to have better conversations with my partner at night, I will be able to remember talking to friends on the phone, I will be able to drive at night, I wont have to try remember where i have hidden bottles around the house, the house will be cleaner I will be a better mother and person…the list goes on and on… I will beat this nasty addiction and am so grateful I have found this site.
all so true!
I feel the same way.. I want to beat this devil!
Been in the do I……. stop/cut back/control my drinking phase for a few weeks…still trying to figure this out.
Right i am off to bed and sober by the way. If any one reads this all you have to do is believe in wat you want and not wat alcohol waants from you. One says STOP the other says START. I say just abstain and please do not just pack in. Please do have a chat with your GP or at least email Mr Tobin that’s wat he is there for to help you. Now break a leg
Also if you own a 20 year old keyboard like mine that has had 10 gallon of booze spilled over it in the past get a new one. Sticky keys drive me nuts
The people that did not drink as much as you at 20 will drink more than you at 40 because your shot. That the “Stages of Change in an Alcohol Problem”
Just read this site today…all the comments…and realize that I have a problem, not just a hobby. Funny, it took last night…first night in months without alcohol, just because I ran out….to make me start thinking. First step, right? 36 hours so far. With 4 kids, the stakes are high.
2nd night in 20 odd years,good job emerdales on…..