Not getting much support....

[kazzianne]

Hi everyone.You may remember a few weeks ago I posted asking how much alcohol you all drink in general,and It was decided that I drink far too much everynite.(have to admit I agree).Well.after a very good weekend away,but with a very embarassing incident,the result is that I thought long and hard and decided yesterday to become totally tee-total for at least 3 months,to give my body a well earned rest.Now I imagined that I was going to get pats on back,lots of support etc etc..... ummmm no!!

What I got yesterday was jokes that I will never manage it,teases that glasses of wine will be put near me for me to sniff,comments that it will make everyone else feel awkward when I go out as I am the biggest drinker and to see me on soft drinks/water will spoil everyone's night ....and so on.

Oh,and also that it is not a good idea to give up completely just like that....it will shock my body too much apparently.

Now I have got up,poured the last dregs of wine away and am prepared to do this 100% but would love all of your opinions and comments on what my so-called friends and relatives have said.

xxx

[gazzawazza]

I echo the good advice and good wishes here.

As one who, due to illness is 99% TT at the moment I must say, I really haven't missed it all that much. I'm not a heavy drinker but I do like a drink, but now know that if ever I did decide to stop it really wouldn't be all that bad.

As others have pointed out, these people are now having to consider their own drinking habits and probably don't like what they see. Good for you and good luck.

[kazzianne]

god that's a hell of a lot of money!! I could go to the Carribean on that! had no idea I was spending that much.Im flabbergasted.

[nickmo]

Hi Kazi - scary isn't it?................think better meals, nicer clothes, more shoes, weekends away, nice hotel, presents for the friends?, better holidays, boring but necessary stuff as well - life insurance paid for - the rent, the mortgae, the bills, new computer for faster access to AB?. You decide...

Oh and don't forget health insurance - not that you'd need it now.......no cirrohsis of the liver, knackered kidneys, breathlessness, stamina loss, weight gain, fatigue, ulcerous conditions, water retention and gastric upsets, lack of taste, lack of smell, eyesight problems, emotional stress, social disfunction. Alcohol is a 'poison' that the body can't handle very well.

Having that extra few pounds in the pocket will give you a feel good facter when you chat to your pals as well. They will still be saying '...can't afford it....', and that's part of the reason to say to anyone slow down the happy juice.

Don't forget that soft drinks in a pub are more profitable for the bar than alochol, so a night out will still be as costly, but drop the drink at home habit - it is possible and you can do it - and thats where the savings can come really quick.

Money is what you get for working hard and when you see you are just placing it into the toilet......imagine a stack of fivers in the pan 'next time' and that's what you have been doing....horrible idea, isn't it?

If you like the taste of alcoholic drinks, try something like angostura bitters in tonic water in place of a g&t for example, and there was a Q not long back asking for ideas like this, so have a scroll through and you'll get some other suggestions.

You don't have to be a social outcast, but again, stick with it and enjoy! Everyone is with you on this - note a few names missing at the moment though, mmmmmmmmm?.

Right, off to sniff the shoe polish now.Tata.

[Pippa68]

Hi kazzi ~just wanted to come in & add my best wishes & support to you!

Everyone has hit the nail on the head re your friends & family. You often find that members of the same gender tend to try & make you falter too..it's like losing weight, I bet you will find a gang of women together trying to sabotage weight loss simply because a) they don't want you skinnier than them & b) it is showing a strength & willpower that they cannot muster for themselves!

Good for you ~ keep at it and show all the doubters you can do it :o)

[kazzianne]

would you believe that an old school friend has just sent me a message on MSN and when I said proudly that I had given up drinking she has just said"yeh right" and sent a stupid icon with a face laughing their head off!!

[jake-the-peg]

Funny you should mention heartburn - Two things that made me realise I had a problem, I couldn't remember a day for more than 2 or 3 years when I hadn't had at least 1 drink and second was the fact that I realised that I was getting through a ton of Rennies.

I know that when giving up something it often helps to tell everybody - burning your bridges etc. but unless you're using the negative responses to your advantage (the "I'll show them" syndrome) maybe you should consider just keeping quiet about it for a few weeks and use the anti-biotic excuse. Might be easier when you've got a week or two under your belt, they'll find it harder to doubt your resolve.

Best of luck anyway - Oh and If you hear it calling you post back here before you give up I'm sure you'll get some encouragement from one or other of us!

[kazzianne]

Shame there isn't something that you could take that would give you the same feeling as you have when you have had a glass or two of wine,but with no side -effects and perfectly harmless(no I dont mean drugs!!)

[loopyc]

hi sweetheart good on you girl you can do this, forget about your families and freinds comments and take note of the ones on her we are all behind you and we al belive you can do it. i gave up smoking today so we can support each other. good luck honey xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[kazzianne]

good for you loopy! Isnt it funnny though that people look at you far worse if you say you drink a lot then when you smoke a lot!! Or is that my imagination!?

[loopyc]

i agree with you there is a stigma attached to it when you say you drink too much but just think of the looks on your friends faces when in a few months time they realise you were serious about not drinking when they are hung over in the morning and you fell as fresh as a daisy!!! you CAN do this kaz xxx i will email you my mobile then any time you need a chat or someone to talk to instead of reaching for a drink you can get hold of me anytime

[Rubyrose]

I agree with Wingnut. They are only being that way coz they want you to fail so they won't feel bad about not giving it up themselves or not having the will power to do what you are doing. Thing is people like that can either make you 100% determined or 100% give up! I hope you stick at it as I believe you can do it. The first week will be tough as your body will be going through a slight withdrawal but after that you will breeze through. Good luck hun :o)

[pitstopbunny]

Hi there, well done for making the decision, I too drink way too much - at least 2 bottles of wine a night and I am just about to embark on a detox, dreading it but quite excited too! I have a long term aim, to get fit and lose 6 stone by my 40th birthday (2 years time) so I came to the conclusion that the booze has to go. If you want to e-mail or chat let me know, we can swop notes!!!! [email protected]. Take care & all the best of luck - Sally Ann xx

[kazzianne]

God,this is gona sounds awful,but I get the impression that everyone thinks im a raving alcoholic who is permanently ******!!

Im doing this because I dont want to get to that stage,and because my mother didnt recognise that she had a problem and still doesn't.

And by the way,I have just got back from the supermarket and instead of my customary evening wine I treated myself to a bottle of luxury bubble bath!

[kazzianne]

pitstopbunny - yes I will def email you and we can compare notes!

Loopy - just got your email hun,bless you.I will reply when I have got ten mins spare(school hols,neeed i say more!!)

[Poglet]

hi kazz

you go gal and sod everyone else. its the same as when i quit smoking in january, people are jealous that you have made a good, healthy, life changing decision which they either can't be bothered to do or simply don't want to but know that they probably should do!

keep us posted and just shout when it gets hard cos we'll all support you hun :) i