So here goes I have never done anything like this before but enough is enough as off tomorrow my 18 years of over indulging in alcohol nearly every day needs to stop, I'm 31 with 3 children and I'm sick of alcohol controlling my life I don't drink in morning or anything like that it's the evenings and I can drink 2 bottles of wine, I don't enjoy it at all and I feel deflated , tired and run down all the time , I have noticed physical effects which has really quiet frightened me.. I find the whole things scary as I can't imagine my life without alcohol... but I'm sick of the guilt and desperation of wanting to stop... and I am determined to get out of routine I have made... I'm not sure if I'm posted in the right chats completely new to this but hoping to start my journey with others who have experienced trouble with alcohol, any help is appreciated thanks :?
Top
Good for you Leilalouise! You are in the right place and people here a very supportive and insightful.I am a Mom to 4 kids and was drinking everyday for over 11 years. I first posted last August and it was not alawys easy but now it has been over 2 months sober.
You can do it! ☺☺☺☺☺☺
Thanks so much 👍 Well done to you.... I honestly cannot wait to feel healthier and a better person all round I'm slightly nervous as I know this will test me to my limits, have you decided to never drink again or will you drink at occasions like birthdays etc thanks for replying xxx
I've tried the lets cut down and the only 2 glasses but I'm not made for that. I tend to be an all or nothing person so it's out for ever. Some people on this forum manage very well with drinking 2 glasses or putting down limits and good for them. 😊. How about you?
If you've been a daily drinker for 18 years (or thereabouts), alcohol will have physically and neurologically changed you. This is the reason that willpower alone fails people, the brain now only feels normal with alcohol, instead of without.
People think that they have just fallen in to a routine, which is partly true, but they don't understand the neurological changes that have gone on in the brain. The goods news is that there is medication that helps retrain the brain or reset it, so that you stop thinking about alcohol everyday.
I think the medication that would be suitable for you, is Selincro. Which is used following The Sinclair Method (TSM). I used another method, but someone will be along later and give you links to read up on and advice on obtaining the medication if you feel it's right for you.
Virtually everyone who posts on here has had a problem with alcohol and all (bar one) have used medication to help wean them off of it.
I'm the same all in or out but as much as I want to cut the drink out completely for health reasons more than anything, I just can't imagine never drinking again but I don't know if I'm worried more about being the boring none drinker at the party...
I did cold turkey but do not suggest it. RHGB is right. The medication will make it easier.
Definitely in the right place, I've been drinking for 3-4 years as you said nearly every day and eventually progressed to the morning drinking. Withdrawal is awful I've been through it a couple times but I just can't seem to give alcohol up either its so socially acceptable in society. I have no children I'm 23 just graduated college, but the fact that you have three could be a great reason and motivation to stop. I wish you the best.
Cold turkey is the immediate cessation of all alcohol and the medication to help with that, is a sort of Valium. That is different to medication to dealing with long term alcohol consumption.
Thanks for posting, I haven't really ever understood much about the medication side of things I've always been embarrassed and ashamed of going to doctors as I feel that I would be judge as I have children, my children are all well loved and looked after and they wouldn't even know that I have a problem thanks again
Somebody else just suggested this do you just go to the gp
If you feel like you can do it cold turkey you could a lot of people can do it without a problem, for me it was terrible and needed the medication. Doctors deal with it every day do not be embarrassed, at your rate withdrawal could be dangerous
Hi Leilalouise
Your story mirrors my own except I am older with less kids!!! The length of time of drinking and the amount, is the same as mine. I am currently in my 2nd week of not drinking and am feeling okay, I haven't thought about it or had cravings, which I'm amazed by! I know this is early days for me but I feel stronger each day. I was purely an 'at home' drinker every evening so I have filled that time by thinking & doing other things.
I am not on any medication but I have been reading some books about sobriety and think this has helped.
As I said, this is early days for me but I feel strong and will continue to take it day by day!
Am more than happy for you to pm me if you want to chat more or buddy up!
Good luck
Rach xx
Understand completely. I play with my husband in a dart league in a pub so that was tough but when you see how people are when they are drinking and you are sober it really van be surprising. Anyways, I also sometimes take a fancy virgin drink or a cocktail if I do not want people asking. 99% of the time they don't even notice and I can dance how I like because they are all drunk and don't care (and probably won't remember 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Well, all I will say, is I see people posting every week, asking for advice on how to quit. They have usually found this place because they are at their wits end.
They tend to fall into two categories. Those that take the advice on medication and succeed and those that don't want to and go away and fail. I don't wish to come across as uncaring, but I've seen it too often.
And doctors (GPs) will quite often refuse diazepam to people with alcohol problems and refer them to ARCs.
Good for you Rachel! That was the same for me. Stopped, read up and I was really surprised that I had no cravings. Like someone just came and took them away. Like I mentioned it has been over two months for me now and I have had 2 or 3 days in that time that I've wanted to drink. It feels good to feel better doesn't it? Keep it up! 
Thanks very much and it's true I am at my wits end so really appreciate the help as I will look into this further thank again
Well don't give up every day is a new day if I can do this so can you, good luck too 👍
Well, if you decide you want to go down the medication route, just ask. There are plenty of people here who have been through it and will give you guidance on how to obtain and how to use it.
Also it always helps to state what country yoou are in, as advice will vary depending on location. This is a British forum, so advice tends to default to what is available in the UK.