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Time to quit

Posted , 10 users are following.

jules17111
jules17111

Hey everyone,

I have been drinking for 30 years there abouts. Stopped when I had my kids, then right back to it. My youngest is now 15, but I drink everynight. Normally a can of Diamond white, followed by 3 or 4 large vodkas.

I obtained and read a book over the weekend, kick the drink easily. Its a really good read and now I really don't want to drink anymore.... So I didn't have any last night, or the night before. But I started reading online about the body going into shock, and all of these awul things that can happen, up until this point I felt fine, but after reading the negatives I went and measured myself 25ml of vodka just in case.

What should I be expecting, I don't want to end up with my body going into shock, with 2 kids and a hubby that have no idea of the extent of my drinking (they know but not every night) How likely is this to happen to me?

Should I go drink tonight and then cut back slowly over a week or two? Please help, I was so excited to be able to just step back and say I don't want this anymore, now I'm scared I will get some awful side effects.

1 like, 21 replies

21 Replies

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  • Robin2015
    Robin2015 jules17111

    Posted

    Hello Jules. I was like you! Drinking a lot every day for many years years and raising a family of tiny twin girls and hiding my excessive drinking from my wife. Stopped since in was destroying my health and scared of dying before they might marry one day! Stop gradually. Do not stop suddenly but make a plan. Try it and best of luck! You have too much to love for like me. Robin

    • jules17111
      jules17111 Robin2015

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply Robin. Have you stopped now?

      I lterally felt fantastic until I read the down sides... needless to say tonight I have had my normal can and one 50ml measure of vodka. Fingers crossed this will be ok. Going on to tea after this..... I was so proud to just stop and the stupid thing is the last couple of nights I haven't even really missed the alcohol! Did struggle a little last night getting off to sleep, in other words I didn't pass out as soon as my head hit the pillow!

      So how should I cut down... just reduce slowly each night, or miss a night??

      And before anyone suggests going to the GP isn't an option for me, and neither is taking meds.

      I want to do this, but it do it safely. As you stated Robin, I have too much to live for.

    • Robin2015
      Robin2015 jules17111

      Posted

      I stopped nearly 5 yes ago. 31st DEC 5 yes. Ha ha what a easy to stop. One thought in my mind: one day not drinking then living one day more when I am old. Healthy is great. No bad conscience, no guilt! Rachel is like you and gave great advice

    • Robin2015
      Robin2015

      Posted

      I meant what a day to stop, I.e 31st dec to stop. Last drink was 30 the DEC 2012

    • jules17111
      jules17111 Robin2015

      Posted

      Wow congrats Robin, and yeah giving up on News Years eve is quite the feat!  but then that new years eve is probably the best one you've ever had.

    • rachel24065
      rachel24065 Robin2015

      Posted

      Hi Robin

      Could you tell me how you stopped? Was it a gradual reduction or did you take medication?  I would generally have a bottle of wine and maybe 2 large vodkas although I have changed that recently - most days less but weekends maybe slightly more!  I had a third of 70cl bottle of vodka last night and am having nothing tonight. I have bought 550ml bottles of cider, so plan to have one each evening for rest of week to help reduce.  Wine and vodka are my weakness, other alcohol I can gladly leave! So, my plan is to stay away from wine & vodka!

      Am interested to hear how you managed to stop and stay stopped, if you’d be happy to share. 

      Best wishes 

      Rachel

    • Robin2015
      Robin2015 rachel24065

      Posted

      Hi Rachel. I stopped completely and never took any medication. However, I do not suggest this to you since most people need medicine. Can you do it?

    • jules17111
      jules17111 Robin2015

      Posted

      Robin, is the medication just to help with withdrawal symptoms, or does it have some other medical benefit?

      I really don't want to have to start with medication.

      I'm not drinking tonight, feel a bit of a pull towards getting a cider, but I'm going to make a cuppa and settle with that instead.

    • vickylou
      vickylou jules17111

      Posted

      Hi jules

      Medication was the key to getting my life back on track and away from problem drinking.

      I tried to cut back for years. Went for long periods without alcohol, even four years at one time. However I always missed alcohol and always thought I was missing something.

      My gp suggested campral (acamprosate) an anti craving drug which was great. After about a week all cravings stopped and I no longer thought about alcohol.

      Took it for about 10 months during which time my brain was reset, no relapses or one offs like before.

      Eventually returned to social drinking, which to cut a long story short, is where I am now. I drink socially, no longer in secret and never alone

    • jules17111
      jules17111 vickylou

      Posted

      Thanks vickylou, its good to hear that the medication worked for you. But I will try the cut down method for now.... any form of less has to good as far as I can see. One day at a time it seems...
    • Robin2015
      Robin2015 jules17111

      Posted

      And give yourself a treat! Once you have improved after one week then a treat!
  • rachel24065
    rachel24065 jules17111

    Posted

    Hi Jules

    Well done so far! I too, have just decreased in order to stop. I wanted to just stop as I don’t believe I’m physically dependant but what prevented me is the scary stuff that I also read about what can happen to your body. 

    I think that if anything’s going to happen then it’s generally within the first 3 days, but don’t quote me!! I think that if you got through 2 days without any physical signs of problems then you may have been on the home run!  

    I am literally going to reduce my intake over the next week and then stop. I eat a good diet (plenty of salad/fruit) plus drink 2 litres of water everyday, which I think may help!  I also may buy the book you’re talking about, just for good measure!

    Good luck - you can do it!

    Rachel 😊

    • jules17111
      jules17111 rachel24065

      Posted

      Hi Rachel, the book is good, repetitive but I suppose thats what gets you in the right frame of mind to say, I don't want this anymore. And I still don't even after drinking last night. I had one can, 2 x 50ml vodka's and stopped way before bedtime, which is good as I normally don't stop drinking until I'm heading for the stairs.

      So I think I will miss tonight, then the following night 1 can and 1 50ml, then just drop down to the cider... cut that to half a can, then stop. The last thing I want is to keel over and die in front of my kids!

      Good luck Rachel, please let me know how it goes for you.

  • james88923
    james88923 jules17111

    Posted

    Hello Jules

    Yes, this is the right time to quit. One day you have to do this so why not today. Before it goes worst take a step forward and stop this now. Addiction of anything is harmful or when the things come over to your body so don't need to think about it. Right, Stop gradually if your not able to do this instantly. All the best for future you are making a right decision just go for it. 

  • gwen45436
    gwen45436 jules17111

    Posted

    Hi Jules.  I would be terrified of just stopping as I have read up on withdrawals.  I now have dropped from two bottles of Shiraz a night to 2 units Monday to Saturday.  I did it very slowly by a couple of units every couple of days.  I have done this for several months now.  I have slipped up here and there - but jump back in the saddle.  I have had no withdrawals apart from feeling tired due to lack of sleep.  I still have a bottle of wine on a Sunday and get a good night's sleep then.  I look and feel 30 years younger (yes I do exaggerate) but do seriously feel better and I understand you saying you felt excited about not drinking, it does give you a real kick, especially next day when you know your insides are not floating around in alcohol.

    I am not a chocolate eater but keep in some dark chocolate and if I feel like cheating and nicking a third unit - I eat a piece of chocolate, wine after that tastes disgusting so I don't bother.  I head for the fridge and get milk lol.

    I am sure you can crack this like I have, you sound very in the zone.

    Best to you.

    G.

    • jules17111
      jules17111 gwen45436

      Posted

      Well I haven't kicked it yet, but I have cut down. I used to buy 2 packs of cider and 2 bottles of vodka a week. Some weeks I would have to buy a third bottle. This week I have been having 1 can of cider per night, and then either 1 or 2 50ml (double) measures of vodka. This is down from the 4 (sometimes more) that I used to have.

      The thought of my body going into shock seriously scared the living daylights out of me. But I am still in the zone.... normally by 7pm I would have been desperate to get my drink. Some nights now I feel I have to force myself to get that first drink, although then I have to force myself to stop after the second vodka.... but I do it! So I know that I will stop.

      Monday I will go down to 1 can and 1 x 50ml measure of vodka, the following week just the cider. Then I will start going every other night... every third night and so on.

      I have a plan, and hopefully I won't kill myself by quitting the drink!

      Thanks for the support guys, it means a lot to me.

    • Robin2015
      Robin2015 jules17111

      Posted

      Amazing Jules. Go to the cinema! The money you have and you deserve a treat! Paddington no 2 is brilliant. Watched it yesterday. You could even afford popcorn! Keep going. Proud of you. Robin
    • jules17111
      jules17111 Robin2015

      Posted

      Oh the first Paddington was excellent, laughed till my sides hurt with that! I might just do that Robin.

      Tonight I have struggled.... I could easily keep going back to the vodka, I've had 2, but I'm going to make tea....

      Thanks Robin.

    • kelly71703
      kelly71703 jules17111

      Posted

      Hi Juls

      I have not been on here a while so you may not recognise my name.

      When I read the possibility of withdrawal it also terrifies me especially if I've been on a major binge and feel anxious and physically wrecked anyway.

      I try not to let that discourage me, or give me an excuse just to at least have one dry day out of 7.

      I know some people may disagree with my method but I've found it easier to cut on the number of days I drink rather than the amount when ever I do drink.

      I find my withdrawal is more a case of general anxiety and " just feeling out of sorts" that kind of builds up. If i can at least go a couple days feeling like that then next time I might mange three and so on and so on.

      Take care, Kelly

    • gwen45436
      gwen45436 kelly71703

      Posted

      Hi Kelly - good to hear from you.  Glad you are still not giving in.  Any way which works for you is best. 

      Best to you and all the guys on heresmile x

      G.

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