Can you go without booze for 31 days?

Dear KATY , (((HUGS))) (((HUGS))) to you .

Well, it's not easy. I was brought up in a violent, abusive household. I was neglected to the point where my teeth rotted. My brother committed suicide, my young nephew died of leukaemia (he died whilst I was visiting him), my sister in law (his mother) dropped dead at the age of 49. In the last few years, most of my hair has fallen out. Apologies if that's too much information but I won't beat myself up for having a few glasses of wine at night. I hope things improve for you.

I think I was afraid to feel mental pain and grief I was going through. At least that was what I was told in re-hab. I was good at being charming and said what they wanted to hear.In the end you still have to go home and be with yourself and your fears.

How brave of you Fairhair. Life can be very hard. People who don't need some sort of crutch at some point in their lives are very lucky.

Thank you baubles for the PM

I keep a couple of children after school for no pay.I was a teacher before I married.I manage to be capable of being with them and love them dearly and wouldn't want any harm to come to them.They are 6 and 7.

Fairhair, On your profile you state you are a part time childminder.

I do however hope you find the support you need to deal with your addiction.

One day at a time Fairhair. One day at a time. You're not alone and, as Baubles says it can be done.

(By the way, I did manage 12 days alcohol free! Better than nothing!)

Fairhair I agree, a courageous move. Good luck.

As an update from me, once or twice I've nearly succumbed, stopped myself just in time from 'saving the last mouthful for the cook' after slopping the contents of a half bottle of wine into a casserole the other night. On other occasions, I've simply fleetingly fancied a glass of wine, but made do with Elderflower Presse instead. I don't really miss alcohol on the whole.

Anyway I've been invited to an event at the House of Commons to celebrate the end of Dry January and the speaker is Alastair Campbell. I've read 2 of his books, the one about his breakdown, and problems with alcohol (The Happy Depressive) and also his novel "All in the Mind". Love him or hate him, he writes well. So I'm really looking forward to hearing him speak.

Fairhair a brave first step. I've sent you a pm. It can be done, believe me.

Thank you all.I closed my computer after posting and went back to bed.knowing when I came back there would be comfort. I put all I had in the bin but I know I can always get more. wish I could not afford more but then I would probably just not eat.I will think on all that was said.

fairhair hugs and flowers.

Maybe consider joining an online group of people in recovery? They'd all have been where you are now, at some point, as the website says, you are not powerless:

www.thefreedomtorecover.com/

www.intherooms.com/

Keep in touch.

I sincerely hope you find that road to recovery Fairhair. (((Hugs))) Please keep posting.

You are brave, telling us. Hugs and from me

Fairhair do keep coming on here, you may find some friends to help you want to start on that road to giving up. Saying it might even be the first step. ((hugs)) and strength to you.

Fairhair ((((hugs))))

I don't drink anything alchoholic as a rule - not for any medical or ethical reason, but because I am usually driving. The last time I had anything alchoholic would have been last August Bank Holiday when we were away in the caravan and I'm sure I had a couple of beers with a BBQ one evening.

Fairhair that's a really sad post I'm sorry you haven't managed to break the cycle, do you even want to? Until you want it, it'll never happen. I wish you well (flowers)

Respect to you Fairhair for coming out and saying that !
Hugs to you !

I'm a high functioning alcoholic.There...I've said it. give up alcohol for a month? I think not. Since the day my OH died I don't think I've gone a day with out it. Eight years! It's been my friend and pain killer. every morning the head pain and nausea makes me want to stop but by night fall im at it. I went to re-hab in the US twice.Lost two brilliant SO's and all but one cousin because of it.I only have the cousin in the U.S.and a few new friends here.I don't keep them long.

Must admit when we put Turkey lurkey in , on Christmas morning , we do not have a slug of the port that we pour over him .
Well it does enhance the gravy big time !

Nfk that's a good point. It has nothing to do with the amount a person drinks but whether or not they 'need' that drink.

I was going to stay off this thread for a while but Nfk - that made me laugh the thought of you swigging sherry from the bottle at 9.30 am! Makes me feel better somehow!

I've had to experiment over the last year or two as I found the increasing alcohol in wine didn't agree with me. So I stick to spritzers. I actually just measured the amount of wine in the glass I just poured. 100ml. That's less than a measure. However, the fact that I really hate not having my nightly fix rather suggests that I should still give it up for a bit just to break the dependence. (When the DC were little I did go through a period of swigging sherry from the bottle - first swig around 9.30am. It's not the amount I think with me, more the dependence.)

I think if people want to have a drink , that is okay , I am partial myself .
The reason I want have a dry January is to drop a dress size !