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Alcohol free weekend

Posted , 6 users are following.

star27805
star27805

Hi I have decided to lay off the drink completely for a few weeks. This weekend will be the first in a long time I havent drank I think it will be espescially hard as I have had a really stressfull week at work and quite often drink to ease stress and anxiety. However I would like to feel healthier and enjoy a weekend without hangovers and make time for some other non boozy activities! Im a binge drinker sometimes only 1-2 nights a week but occasionally for example when im off, it lasts for days. I recently went on a long bender which lasted many days and to be honest from reading some stories here I was seeing torwards the end how it could progress into much much worse. So heres to enjoying an alcohol free weekend and not drinking for the sake if it!

1 like, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • andy9000
    andy9000 star27805

    Posted

    Thats pretty much how it got me, i started off just partying alot on weekends, after a few years I had started going to the pub on mondays too, after the big weekends to normalise after, then i discovered a few beers at home was cheaper.

    Beers at home instead of the pub suddenly seemed a lot more logical and cheaper.

    Suddenly I could afford a few beers everyday.

    I maintained being able to have 4 to 6 beers a day with no problems for about 2 years, then my intake started to go up with tolerance and I was on 8+ beers a day (pint sized cans in uk).

    When an ex said we should have a beer free weekend, I was freaked out but triedit anyway, thats when I realised I was in trouble, I just didnt know the extent, that dragged on for another 5 years after.

    If you feel absolutely terrible and it occupies your mind all weekend, its already too late. It is insidious.

    I would reccomend staying off until next friday if you can.

    96 hours is the pass mark. If you can go 96 hours, you are okay.

    If not, time to visit the doctors. Be 100% honest with the doctor, do not lie about intake or what you feel, you will only have to go through it again when you hit rock bottom. Then the real embaressment starts.

    Another thing I try to remember is, it can always get worse.

    I was told this before after my detox before last. I didnt believe people as it was the worst I had ever felt. Dear God was I wrong.

    There are so many more levels of worse I have not even got to, and I have been down to some pretty depraved behaviour and ill health,

    It can always get worse, even if you are at the point of needing to drink every 2 hours, it can still get worse...

  • andy9000
    andy9000 star27805

    Posted

    When I felloff the wagon four months ago, this time my drinking type had changed, I had become a wake up to a can of beer drinker.

    I am also the the type of drinker that does not stop until i am asleep.

    Luckily I had been through this before and went to the doctors after 3 months. I am a month and 3 days off now.

    Good luck on your quest, if you make it til next Friday, why not try again until the Friday after?

    Dont think about it now, just think about next Friday.

    Keep all your money you would normally spend seperate, then at the end of it, buy yourself something you wouldnt normally.

    Treat yourself to a non alcoholic gift.

    Emis Moderator comment: I have edited this post due to the swearing. These are open forums so as per the T&Cs please do not use offensive language in posts otherwise they may be deleted.

    • star27805
      star27805 andy9000

      Posted

      Thanks Andy. The saving money from not drinking is a big factor too im literally amazed how much money is spent on a drinking habit even if it is only 1-2 days a week!! The idea of buying a non alcoholic gift is good and I think I certainly will do that. This will be my 5th day off so far normally I would have had a mid week drink. Hasnt been too bad yet the weekend will the real tester!
    • star27805
      star27805

      Posted

      Also I know what you're saying about knowing it can always get worse. Lately ive been thinking how easy it is to see the path that takes people down the road of full blown alcoholism (not in a juding way just picturing myself ending up in those peoples shoes).
    • andy9000
      andy9000 star27805

      Posted

      The fact that you are on here about it already puts you in our shoes.

      Its good that you can talk about though, really good.

      That openness might save your life one day.

      Take til next Friday, go to a spar or something during the week.

      You wont believe the good it will do your body.

      I have the pangs today to be honest. I get it on weekends sometimes still, when I see people out having fun. I am 33 and its what I keep telling myself I should be doing. 

      Such is life sometimes...

      I'll stay in and movie instead.

      Good luck!

    • andy9000
      andy9000 star27805

      Posted

      Im actually going to buy myself another pair of shoes. Why not. I used to wear the same pair for 2 years at a time.

      I have about 7 pairs of sneakers, casuals and italian leathers now. lol.

  • marie04178
    marie04178 star27805

    Posted

    Hi I wish you all the Best, and hope you can achieve your goal, it is never easy, but hold on to that thought and strength you have.

    The withdrawal symptoms are very scary, and so make you ill, but each day usually by second day, it is a wonderful feeling, or it was for me, good luck, and will cross everthing for you.

    • star27805
      star27805 marie04178

      Posted

      Thank you Marie did you cut down yourself or did you try quitting altogether?
  • Robin2015
    Robin2015 star27805

    Posted

    hi Star and YES do try it without any drining..you will have more energy, better mind and remember better what happened yesterday and also be allowed to have treats like CAKES or salty and unhealthly sankcs since you need treats...best of luck!!
    • star27805
      star27805 Robin2015

      Posted

      Thank you yes I think I will have treats and enjoy them & maybe go shopping instead! smile
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