Thinking of not drinking for a while

[Anonymous]

OP I was you a year ago. I used it as a crutch. I didn't get drunk every night, by any means, but I'd have a glass or two of wine or 1 or two beers. Then I saw how much weight it was adding and said "enough is enough" and just stopped. For a few months I had nothing. Now I have a glass or two once a week. Some weeks I have nothing. I avoid drinking during the week because I noticed how much better my anxiety is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I stopped drinking because it gave me headaches. For a while I really enjoyed making myself other "special" drinks. I love sweet things so various juices and spritzers in a wine glass worked well for me. It let me keep some of the ritual without the alcohol since I quit around the holidays.

After a while I gave up the juices too and then I actually lost a few pounds so that was its own reward. If you are a heavy drinker you will likely lose, too.

Oh, and I was also drinking heavily at times. My brother is an alcoholic. I am actually glad about the headaches because, now, in retrospect, I could see myself easily crossing the line. But even light drinking became physically unpleasant before that happened, so I guess I am "lucky".

OP here and I wish I got headaches. I feel fine after, but maybe it's because we tend to buy the better stuff now than we did when we were in our 20's. Lol. By the way, my sister is an alcoholic too, so yeah, I can relate on that front.

Just seeing this news about your sister. I'm normally hesitant to go right to suggesting AA when people are just thinking about giving alcohol up for a bit, but your sister being an alcoholic is a very bad sign for your future ability to drink normally. You probably share her genetic predisposition to addiction. Not that you should go right to AA today but keep it in mind in case you need it. You don't have to be an alcoholic to attend, you just have to want to quit drinking.

FTR, I'm the daughter of a recovering alcoholic, sister of a man who died of alcoholism, and grateful mom of a recovering alcoholic. I quit drinking and went to AA 30 years ago even though I wasn't drinking all that much - but I could see what direction it was taking me. At times I felt foolish for giving up alcohol but I reminded myself that if I was wrong about my propensity for addiction, I hadn't lost much. And I raised my kid to know that she, too, could have the family predisposition. Fortunately when she realized that she was drinking way too much, she got into the program - but that probably wouldn't have happened if she hadn't known all along that this could be a problem for her.

All this is to say that you have to decide what's best for you. But be aware that given your family history, it's very important that you play close attention to your use. Good luck, OP! Wishing you the best!

[Anonymous]

Like the PP, I know I have addictive tendencies/addiction in my genes. It had become both a habit and a crutch for me and it was creating terrible anxiety, I quit 6 months ago after being a heavy drinker. I never want to go back. Life is so much better.

[Anonymous]

OP, I do this sometimes (detox, cleanse, what have you). I find it to be helpful, because even though I don't exactly look forward to the no-drinking weeks, I always find that after the first day it's basically a nonissue. I'm a 33 year old woman, though, and not drinking immediately makes people think I'm pregnant, so that's annoying.

Tips? Don't do it during the holidays.

You have 7 more weeks left this year. Give yourself permission to drink on the big holidays, but otherwise just make those 7 weeks sober ones. Having a couple days of shore leave might make the experience less daunting.

And! You'll put on way less weight than the rest of us in the next few months. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I do this sometimes (detox, cleanse, what have you). I find it to be helpful, because even though I don't exactly look forward to the no-drinking weeks, I always find that after the first day it's basically a nonissue. I'm a 33 year old woman, though, and not drinking immediately makes people think I'm pregnant, so that's annoying.

Tips? Don't do it during the holidays.

You have 7 more weeks left this year. Give yourself permission to drink on the big holidays, but otherwise just make those 7 weeks sober ones. Having a couple days of shore leave might make the experience less daunting.

And! You'll put on way less weight than the rest of us in the next few months. Good luck.

This is what I'm thinking of doing. Thanks, everyone, for the feedback.

[Anonymous]

When I cut back on my booze, I give myself permission to enjoy my food more. It doesn't mean I make every meal indulgent, but I find more opportunities to indulge. I also have more energy to have better workouts, so overall I feel like I'm netting less calories