FredKing1 Member

Sleepless Friday night. Had some alcohol while watching TV - first since July. Not excessive and critical for me isn't how much, but how often. My problem had been drinking every day. Good for now and will be dry through the rest of the month.

Thought in my mind on whether I want to reduce or abstain - I've started my third month AF - if I have a major event coming up - a cruise or resort vacation - is it made more celebratory by clouding my mind to the people and places? "Think back to before you drank, when you were perfectly capable of enjoying all sorts of…

Feeling cravings like I haven't had for over a month. But, I have already committed to October and I don't want to start over from day one, but I could if I had to.

Maybe I could change my thinking of alcohol as something I can't have to something I don't want. Right now, I still feel I'm denying myself - sort of like chocolate ice cream which only sometimes do I choose to eat rather than lima beans which I don't want and which tempt me not in the least. For now, I'll just decide not…

My wife brought home a box of Special K - pumpkin spice. I prefer my pumpkin spice in pie, but the cereal would be better for me.

I went to a party last night - passed by the open bar aware of the trigger, but not overly tempted. I did however indulge in plentiful food stuffs. Time to move past using not drinking as an excuse to over eat - get balance in life.

Just curious - do you think the right date would be bothered if you don't drink? Other posters have implied that drinking in some social contexts is so expected that they would feel some pressure to drink or at least to pretend to drink.

It seems there are certain activities (or lack thereof) or events that act as triggers to drink. For me, drinking led to eating - can't drink without something salty. Avoid those events. Also, for me, keeping busy helps. I'm taking a class so my empty time is spent studying.

It's a habit, maybe an addiction. It is very hard to change - I tried and tried and am still trying - I'll only fail if I stop trying. I'm in my second month of abstinence. I've had other periods from three minutes to three months. A huge motivation came together with an opportunity. Over the past several years, I've read…

8 may be a bit early, but I started going to bed earlier to avoid my worst times for eating and drinking.

By moderation I'm thinking special occasions, not limited quantities. I'm looking ahead to a cruise, with excursions that offer free drinks and later a stay at an all-inclusive resort. I'd rather not, but for now , I'm taking it one month at a time.

I'm still on the moderate/abstain debate. Starting my second month of abstention.

30 days. Most of us could do almost anything for 30 days, right? Give up chocolate. Avoid caffeine. Ditch social media. In the grand scheme of things it is only 30 days. What about an alcohol experiment? Can you ditch alcohol for 30 days? - Annie Grace

Once I got started, it was easier. But, I likely wouldn't have got started without this thread. Looking forward to September. Tailgates start Saturday - diet soft drink for me.

We only fail when we quit trying. It took me twenty years to quit smoking.

This means no drink to celebrate August. Okay, one more month. Then, we'll see.

I'm up for a September Challenge. Taking it one day at a time.

Birthday party for 55 year old brother-in-law, heavy drinking culture - I left early - note to self - avoid drinking parties.

Just hanging on today. Birthday party, alcohol temptation has passed. Alcohol makes you deaf - way too loud. Not counting calories - one battle at a time today.

Years ago, carry-out alcohol was sold in only liquor stores. Today, it seems too convenient, like the candy in the check-out.

Day 21 - looking back on what I've given up. Thinking about looking forward - at the end of the month - then what? I'd like to be someone who doesn't drink, but for now I'm day by day. The weight is coming off, slower than I'd like and harder than it went on.

I don't have Neflix - curious about the point of view.

I've got it on my Kindle - I'm reading slowly, a few pages at a time - as a companion and daily motivation for what is a long term project. Thus far, it has been beneficial; gotten me this far. Find "This Naked Mind" Website page on Facebook for a near daily dose and free sampling. That might be enough if you've gotten…

Fell off the food wagon last night. No real harm done. Still on track for alcohol. Visualizing not drinking at a party in a couple of weeks.

I'm a little grumpy and have anxiety - can't give in now.

Day 9 for me. Counting the days may have value for some, but not necessarily for all. Different people might benefit from a different approach.

Keeping busy helps for both eating and drinking for me which, sometimes, are just an activity. Sometimes its seems easier to substitute an activity rather than just to stop one.

Day seven. Still an effort, but getting better.

Another day - everyday is the first day.

Another day - best wishes for those with special weekend temptations.