Less Alcohol- April 2018- One Day at a Time

kpk54

I just quit one day about 4.5 years ago. Had enough. Just quit.

I saw something on the internet the other day that reminded me of me.



I haven't forgotten why I quit.

WinoGelato

OliverRaningerVegan wrote: »

Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »

I had THE BEST SLEEP last night.

why?
I dont drink.

Like ever? Or not anymore?

flippy1234

sarahbums wrote: »

I'm joining in!

just your friendly neighborhood former alcoholic here . Long story short, I got sober through rehab in Oct. 2015 after nearly drinking myself to death via one liter of vodka per day, every day. I went a full year 100% alcohol-free. I read the Big Book a couple of times and attended a dozen or so AA meetings before deciding the 12-step approach just wasn't for me.

After my year of total abstinence i took what was, admittedly, a big risk and started to very, very gradually reintroduce the occasional drink. And so far, so good- no relapses/binges, I've stayed far away from hard liquor (still don't trust myself with it yet), and have managed to stick to just white wine. One 750ml bottle per week. Only thing is, over the last few weeks I've noticed my cravings have been more frequent and intense, and it's getting hard to stick to my limit.

So, my goal for this month is to do just that:

1. limit my intake to no more than 1 bottle/week. if i can make it 0 bottles, even better
2. no more than 2 glasses in one sitting, and
3. find ways to manage/cope with cravings

I'll try to check in here at least once a week. Best of luck to everyone!

[Oh, just as a Disclaimer: I know only a lucky few of us addicts can pull off moderation, so i'm not recommending everyone try to. This is just the approach that's worked for me, personally]

I hope this works for you. I tried cutting back too but it always led to a bad place eventually. I hope you fare better than me. Read This Naked Mind by Annie Grace. It will really help change how you think about alcohol. It was life changing for me. it worked better than AA for me. I love being a non drinker now. Best of luck on your journey, wherever it takes you.

SpanishFusion

All my praise to those who have maintained AF! Great job to you! Great job to those in Moderation like me! M-Th

lporter229

I overdid it a bit this weekend. We had Easter dinner at a friend's house. They are an Italian family. She is a chef and he makes his own wine. They love to entertain and really make it easy for you to forget about how much wine you are drinking. It was a wonderful time, but I am paying for it today. So I am in for this month, day one of AF. I have no idea how long I will go without it, but I have to start somewhere. As was said before, one day at a time. that is how I will be looking at it. One day at a time.

Skyweigh

Wow! A few days away …(SOOOOO much trouble with MFP!)
.... Now I come back and this new thread has taken off!
A lot of people have decided to take a look at their alcohol consumption, and to cut it down or out. I think this is very good, because we are helping each other to clearly examine the benefits and drawbacks of drinking. Often I can't help but notice the ubiquitous (and sometimes rather insidious) presence of alcohol in our culture, and the implications of that, which I hadn't really thought much about before. I do notice a lot more wine-drinking on tv ... Up until recently, this was often a cue to go pour a glass for myself!

Now I think more closely about what friends and family say when they are talking about their drink of choice. My daughter was just here for a couple of days and we were celebrating her birthday. I took the painted wine glass she bought me for my own birthday a few years back and filled it with soda, cranberry juice, frozen blueberries and pineapples. Delicious and celebratory!

My husband is also going along with no drinking--- I didn't ask him; it's just no biggie to him, I guess! I'm happy, because it spares expense and possible temptation. My friend (formerly also a drinking buddy) has been over a few times drinking her own wine. The first couple of times, she did not finish or take her bottle with her, but ever-so-generously decided to leave enough in the bottle for a big glass, in case my husband wanted it. After being AF for a couple of months, but no commitment to it, he accepted, and later told me he didn't really want it, and that it tasted terrible! Luckily, it did not come up again with my friend, and the other night, she took the remainder of wine not consumed with her when she left.

Although at no point have I committed to being AF "forever" ... and I did consider having a glass (haha! ?one? glass!) for my daughter's birthday ... after being AF for 3 months, I did not think I would really enjoy it. Even if I did get something out of it, maybe I'd feel better to continue being AF, so here goes:

I'm in again for April (AFA).

wigi41

Happy Easter Monday, everyone. This thread is definitely 'hopping' already It's so great to hear about everyone's experiences, struggles and successes, thanks to you all for sharing. I continue to get so much from you all, and I draw so much inspiration from this thread.

I got through the Easter family get together yesterday sans alcohol, even though everyone else had sparkling wine with dinner, as well as other alcoholic beverages throughout the afternoon/ evening. I really did feel so much better without having any.

One thing I have noticed after being 3 months almost completely AF (minus one drink in March) (actually, one thing I have noticed among many other benefits) is how I am feeling so much more connected to myself, and to the things I used to do. I was sitting here with my kiddos today, who are off for Easter Monday, and they were doing some painting (they are both so artistic and just enjoy drawing and painting so much). I started doing some painting too but, while I enjoy the process, let's just say I don't get the same kind of output that they do. But I had the urge to do some writing, something I did used to do a lot of. I was sipping my tea, thinking about how much I was enjoying it, and how, before January 1, I really did not drink much tea at all, if any. If it's okay with you all, I thought I would share my little jokey ditty about tea here, as, in many ways, it was this group that got me started with this new "relationship" (sorry if it's too long, feel free to not read!)

An Ode to Tea

For many years,
Most of my time
Your charms were not
In thoughts, in mind
I did not know,
Was not aware
And truly, did not even care
About your taste,
Your feel, your smell,
Your gifts I could not
Even tell
Eschew you, I would
For something more -
Dark coffee roast,
My true amore
But in months past
You've risen up
To be a friend -
Warmth in a cup
You give me comfort,
You make me smile,
I always hope you
Stay awhile
I top you up,
I sniff and sigh
And think - yes, now,
I do know why
Not wine now, no
It's you I choose
My thoughts, you will not
Make me lose
My feelings you won't
Try to take
And you will not
Keep me awake.
I like to try
Your different kinds
I get so thrilled by
Different finds:
Green and black,
and herbal, chai
Yes, all of these I
Like to try
Rooibos, orange
Vanilla cream
And chamomile to
Help me dream
And chocolate mint,
And detox, cleanse
I see these with a
Different lens.
I'm grateful for your
Stoic calm,
The ways you help
Support a mom
A woman, athlete,
Caring wife -
With all these aspects
Of my life
With all of your
Variety -
I write you this-
My Ode to Tea.

islandbeez

@wigi41 I love your Ode to Tea! Thank you for sharing, and now I am going to put on water for my new favorite ginger tea!!

SpanishFusion

@wigi41 Love it!

Stepping18

Gingergal12 wrote: »

Thank you Julie for hosting this thread. I am trying to cut back on alcohol because I realize it’s slowing down my weight loss as well becoming a every night thing. In March I started not drinking Sunday through Thursday and cut back on the weekends. I plan to continue that pattern in April and be much more alcohol aware. I am glad to have found this supportive group.

I started at the end of January AF. February was completely AF and March had 21 AF days. During this time, really concentrated on making healthy food choices and exercising. As of today , I have lost 12 pounds since starting This process. Cutting out alcohol has made a huge difference in weight loss goals. You will see results!!

lporter229

@wigi41 - Love your poem! Thanks for sharing!

rachelcalsbeek

I had wine yesterday, but I am committing to an alcohol-free April, beginning today. I'm ready for the break! I have a vacation coming up on May 9th, so I'd like to hold off until then.

RubyRed427

wigi41 wrote: »

Happy Easter Monday, everyone. This thread is definitely 'hopping' already It's so great to hear about everyone's experiences, struggles and successes, thanks to you all for sharing. I continue to get so much from you all, and I draw so much inspiration from this thread.

I got through the Easter family get together yesterday sans alcohol, even though everyone else had sparkling wine with dinner, as well as other alcoholic beverages throughout the afternoon/ evening. I really did feel so much better without having any.

One thing I have noticed after being 3 months almost completely AF (minus one drink in March) (actually, one thing I have noticed among many other benefits) is how I am feeling so much more connected to myself, and to the things I used to do. I was sitting here with my kiddos today, who are off for Easter Monday, and they were doing some painting (they are both so artistic and just enjoy drawing and painting so much). I started doing some painting too but, while I enjoy the process, let's just say I don't get the same kind of output that they do. But I had the urge to do some writing, something I did used to do a lot of. I was sipping my tea, thinking about how much I was enjoying it, and how, before January 1, I really did not drink much tea at all, if any. If it's okay with you all, I thought I would share my little jokey ditty about tea here, as, in many ways, it was this group that got me started with this new "relationship" (sorry if it's too long, feel free to not read!)

An Ode to Tea

For many years,
Most of my time
Your charms were not
In thoughts, in mind
I did not know,
Was not aware
And truly, did not even care
About your taste,
Your feel, your smell,
Your gifts I could not
Even tell
Eschew you, I would
For something more -
Dark coffee roast,
My true amore
But in months past
You've risen up
To be a friend -
Warmth in a cup
You give me comfort,
You make me smile,
I always hope you
Stay awhile
I top you up,
I sniff and sigh
And think - yes, now,
I do know why
Not wine now, no
It's you I choose
My thoughts, you will not
Make me lose
My feelings you won't
Try to take
And you will not
Keep me awake.
I like to try
Your different kinds
I get so thrilled by
Different finds:
Green and black,
and herbal, chai
Yes, all of these I
Like to try
Rooibos, orange
Vanilla cream
And chamomile to
Help me dream
And chocolate mint,
And detox, cleanse
I see these with a
Different lens.
I'm grateful for your
Stoic calm,
The ways you help
Support a mom
A woman, athlete,
Caring wife -
With all these aspects
Of my life
With all of your
Variety -
I write you this-
My Ode to Tea.

This made my day! I love it! And I love you took the time to write it! Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!

nanishora

JulieAL1969 wrote: »

Way to be strong ! Once you hit ten days, you need to go and buy a little gift for yourself- bracelet, momento something to represent your accomplishment!

I love this idea. Reward myself on good behavior.

erikNJ

Obviously the motivation and support is the best thing of this group. But after a few months with you guys I find myself noticing other little things. Like tonight I happen to be watching the Astros World Series Penant celebration and remembered that @donimfp was going to be at the game. Hope it’s a blast!

machchic

Today will be 2 days AF, I slept amazing, I had energy, and I worked out tonight.

RubyRed427

Hi Friends, nothing new to report. Definitely boredom is a contributor to craving alcohol. I've thought several times today that I should just have a glass of wine. It's spring break Julie, you can just celebrate and have one big glass. No big deal!

But then a voice reminded me that it's poison for your body, you feel so good every morning when you wake up, and you can make some delicious tea and read the thread!

Today, I went to Whole Foods; I rarely go there because it's far from me. I bought two new teas. Pukka LOVE tea (organic rose, chamomile and lavender) and Bigelow Perfect Peach tea.

@machchic Good job!
@rachelcalsbeek One day at a time. You can do it!
@Stepping18 Inspirational! Great way to lose weight and be healthier! Xo

RubyRed427

@Skyweigh Bravo! Love reading your thoughts! I also love the AFA term!

RubyRed427

@lporter229 It's easy to get carried away under those fun circumstances. Today is a new day to start fresh. Make some tea. Write down some goals. You'll be successful this month!

RubyRed427

@kpk54 Great quote! So true!