Drinking for pleasure or just to get drunk?

Meant White wine is refreshing!

i agree that red wine is so nice and that is the only booze i miss!! never admitted to this before even to my wife but I DO MISS IT...however, i have not drunk any red wine or any booze and will not but the taste I do remember..Saint Emillion etc the list is long and I used to live in Bordeaux France and saw my lovely chateaux etc...keep trying and we will help and assist you and we NEVER miss judge drinkers like us!! Robin

Hi patricia,

 

I would drink anything too - I reached the point where I had to.

I was far from being on the ball with medicines; I remember when I'd been sober for about six months - the novelty of being sober had worn off, my partner told me I was more fun when I drank (she wasn't the only one).

So, I was diagnosed as being  depressed and prescribed anti-depressants (not for the first time). I was reluctant to take them; perhaps I should have seen a counsellor but that hadn't worked for me before so I took the medicine. I understand that it takes time for them to get into the system so I persevered but they made me feel awful. I told the doc' and he doubled the dosage. I felt worse; terrible in fact.

Obviously not for me or the wrong medicine. I eventually cut my name off the packets and took them back to the pharmacy.

I began to feel better.

 

 

Patricia .  I used to think I wouldn't sleep without alcohol either.

​But, I do sleep much better now.  I also used to think I wouldn't be able to go to the "bathroom" without drinking...and a few days after stopping I couldn't go to the "bathroom".   Every symptom goes away with a little time of abstinence. 

​Curious how much you drink to go to sleep?  A whole bottle?  If your not drinking all day...I think that is great!  I'm not saying you are NOT an alcoholic....I'm not saying what you are doing is good for you.  I'm just saying you being able not to carry on all day is great.

Hi Alon,

I drank beer of course but never did like the taste. I'm just glad I was sober when those 'mo*ste*s' introduced alchopops. Disgusting profiteering!    

It's never too late; finding the answer is tough, tough, tough but that has to be your first mission. Most of your dreams can come true if they' re realistic and you're determined enough.

You really can do this; I had similar thoughts - my mind playing tricks made worse the more I drank. I and others I knew during my worst times could hardly stand up, let alone use a computer.

What a disaster it was for us - I too thought it was the end of the line. It wasn't.

A cliche but be positive.    

 

Hi Colin,

I know that what you say is helpful and I take heart from it.  The trouble is that I have no "staying power".  I don't understand myself.  As for cliches...well, "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak", just about sums me up.  Keep up your great sharing, Colin.  You don't realise how inspirational you can be.  I look forward to seeing your Posts.  You have achieved sobriety... Respect !  

Alonangel 🎇

Thanks Alon,

Neither did I; I could never finish what I started and I still get sidetracked but persistance and determination are key factors..... try to do something you don't want to do everyday - then your staying power will increase bit for bit.

I couldn't face what I had to do today but I knew I just had to do it somehow. It was hard work but people were relying on me and I knew that if I didn't at least have a go, I'd be sorry later. Well, most of it got done and it wasn't as bad once I got going. I'm glad I did even though I'm tired now.

Remember; do a chore or something everyday that you don't want to do....... apart from drinking.    

Wise words, my friend. Hope springs eternal... cliche... ?  

Yes, a lot of cliches and 'old wives' tales make more sense to me now.

 

'Hope springs eternal' is a good one - 'If at first you don't suceed. try and try again'. Is a favourite of mine.

My all time favourite quote that I think about everyday is a 7 word wonder for me: Winston Churchill - "Never give up, never, EVER give up!"

 

And...This too shall pass.

 

Hello Colin,

We could have a "field day" with the old "one- liners"!

I get your method of building up the old staying power.  Trouble is... I am a queen of procrastination.  If something can be put off... it will be. Chore is like a swear word to me. I don't get anything done! Apart from drinking !!

My health is the "get out clause" but I am only kidding myself. The lack of action is like a symptom... I just cannot get going.

Don't come back with..."Take up thy bed and walk"!!!

I will really try to DO SOMETHING today.

Alonangel 🎇

 

I love my work, although it does tire me out these days. When I'm past it, I have my musicianship to fall back on.

Try to find something you love doing apart from you know what and keep doing it.

I put some 'chores' in the bin these days but I'm an organised person - especially with my work. My dad used to day, "A place for everything and everything in it's place." I stick to that but only prioritise chores; they're mostly unnecessary and wearisome.

It's like my sister who used to clean her house before the cleaner came. Some women who do their hair before going to the hairdressers........ or salon as it's called these days.

Prioritise your health and alcohol problems; not making the bed won't kill you but laying on it drinking might.

Good for you; try to do something......... keeping busy is a good tool.    

 

Absolutely - one way or another. Life or death.

Thanks Colin.  I don't know how you stay so positive and helpful to others.  I think you might be an ANGEL !  As in the "Guardian" variety.  I am not doing that well, just now.  Taking tablet, but still drinking a lot and every day.  Have changed from wine to G.&T.  been there before, don't know why going back. I have thought about the busy business, I agree that it is a good tool.  I have just had to confront my lack of busy !  Nothing. Zilch. As if dead. I get the theory, it's the reality that I have a problem with.

Very down about it all.

I hope you are well, don't be bothered by my crazy behaviour.

You are great for the" struggling ".

Alona

Hi Alona,

Thank you too. I've never been described as an angel before in any context - far from it. I still get some 'wry' comments thrown at me but the older I get, the thicker my skin gets, metaphorically speaking. I ignore the tripe but consider some things said to me; I get more frustrated with somethings and myself too. It's a long journey. 

I missed so much 'growing' up in the drinking years so it's been 'catch up' time since I stopped drinking. 

Age comes into it but what used to motivate you; any hobbies, sports, learning a new skill? I saw a documentary about a woman who was desperate and put her head in the gas oven. She came to her senses and told herself she was better than that.

So; at 54, she became a prolific book writer. Loads of stories like that; you don't have to be academically brilliant to make a success of something. I used to walk my sister's 3 dogs; it felt demeaning so I remember taking them into the woods with a bottle of scotch. 

They did everything they could to get me out of my stupor and managed to (mans best friend eh?). I staggered back to my sisters with them, went home and thought, "I might only be a dog walker but I'm going to be the best there is!I got back to work doing the job I love and that led to other things - being a musician (a passion) helped me so much but I would have worked in a soup kitchen if necessary - a noble thing

to do.

You'll find something if you keep looking.

Think about what you're good at eh?  

Good Friday today, Colin. Day of fast and abstinence.  I wonder if my Christian soul will achieve anything.  Still getting nothing done... not surprised.  "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions".

Perfectionists are set up for a life of disappointment.  Story of mine !

I appreciate your input and encouragement.  I wish I could act on the advice.  I seem to be good at nothing, these days.

All good wishes,

Alona (angel, my elbow) 

Hey Alon,

How are you doing? Good Friday here and it is not good at all... Drank two bottles of wine last night, woke up felt like a complete failure.

New day I suppose, hopefully I won't see this as an excuse just to binge the entire weekend.

Hope you are well.

BK.

Hi BK.   Isn't it a freaking nightmare !  Don't binge for the weekend, please.  We just feel even worse afterwards.  

I am struggling on.  Drank half a bottle of gin yesterday... and the day before.     With tonic water, no ice ! Had taken my tablet,  will need to check the Units on the bottle.  I get fed up with all the wines.  At least I didn't finish the bottle on the first day.  Have done that before.  

I am still in bed, it's after 1p.m.  I am scared to get up because I can't trust myself.  Haven't taken any medications, yet.

Keep Trying  BK.  We need to "take action" together.  God help us... 🌎 , it's like the weight of the world, on my shoulders.

Alona ( given up on angel )  Alonagin has a strange ring to it. AlonaGin !

26.3 Units per bottle.  What's 0.3 between alcoholics?  So about 13 Units the last two days.  Got another bottle, today. No hope !  I Don't want to do the binge madness.  The nalmefene is my "stop valve".  What a crazy situation.  How are you, now?  Keeping some control? 

Be stronger than I can be...

Alo (+ 'bye)

Hi Alon,

I've got a bottle and two little bottles of wine tonight which equates to 15 units. Not so much of a "binge" so clinging on to that. Last night was 22.5

Thought to myself on the way to the shop before, why on earth would I want to make myself feel like this (hungover). Why do we do it to ourselves? Tonight is a sort of "drinking to lessen the effects of the hangover so I can sleep" - what logic that is?! Totally insane.

Not drinking the entire bottle in one sitting is an amazing achievement Alon, I wouldn't have been able to stop once I started.

Red wine is my drink of choice. I've never been a fan of spirits, i think if I was I'd be in a worse position - although the position I am in now is quite hellish.

BK

Hey, if we are reducing.. at whatever rate.. ok.  I have stopped drinking, for today.  I just hope that I don't start up again.

I hope you keep to your new limit.

We have got to try to reduce the limit.  It is not easy. Tablet or not.  

Alonangel 

Failed at it again, 25 units yesterday, woke up and felt like absolute crap. Haven't been able to do anything all day.

Starting again, telling myself how bad I've felt today has to be the final straw here.

Definitely with you on trying to reduce Alon. Seems impossible sometimes - today however, I feel I've got a bit of a wake up call. No drink is worth feeling like this.

It's 15:22 here, will start wine at 16:30 (took tablet at 14:30) aiming for 15 units or less.

Hope you're doing better than me Alon.

BK

Lost it completely.  Drank all gin. 26.3 Units in bottle.  Still in bed 15.25.  Feel so ill.  Haven't taken tablet, or my other medications. This will be a strange way to get an alcohol- free day.  Too sick to get it. If I had some I would throw up. I am so fed up with this battle. Worst day since starting Selincro.  3 weeks in... disaster.

Good Luck with going for 15.

Alonangel 😞

I think this really backs up rhgb's point about chemical help. I wish you both feel better soon. I don't have an answer but from personal experience I know that kindness and a reply help hugely. I'm in a better place atm but I know that could change. I have simply decided that I'm in charge. Sobriety for me was hard won but sobriety for ever just isn't what I want right now. However...sobriety Sunday to Thursday absolutely is what I want so I'm being very strict. Thinking of you both and sending much love x

Thanks Lorna. Your kindness means a lot. x

This is my problem,I can drink 2 or 3 bottles of wine over the course of a day,go to bed at 8 and be up for work at 4.30 and feel pretty ok

Hi, Lorna, that's the kind of sobriety I want - how are you achieving it?