Diet Coke

Good luck both of you.

Menopaws a few of us did dry months in 2015 and again in 2016 and I did a 100 days last summer. Like you say, it's just avoiding that 'sun over the yardarm' or 'a glass with dinner' reflex. After those times pass it's easier.....and of course social occasions.

I'm very much all or nothing, I can drink like a fish or I can be fine with nothing but I can't cut down of just not drink for a couple of days a week, once I get the taste I'm off so I'm going to keep this up as long as I can in the hopes that I won't ever want it again, I frightened myself TBH and I don't like that feeling and I don't want to have to go through the first few days again. Thanks for support x

Do you mean you're giving up alcohol for good menopaws?

(I'm chasing you from post to post!!)
I would honestly like to think so as I'm scared of the slippery slope but I know social stuff will happen this summer but as long as I can still be fun and happy and not sulk about it and make others suffer I would genuinely like to keep off it. Bit sad in a way as I love a good scotch. If I could get to a place where I can just have one and then nothing for several days without a problem that would be great. Never say never but will just wait and see. I must say it is soooo helpful now I've opened up. Thanks guys

Different scenarios for different threads!

Of course if you can give up completely then go for it. Sometimes I think though it's the drinking alone or drinking at home that's the real issue. Could you not perhaps allow yourself a drink when out socialising? This might also help inasmuch as when you feel it's all getting too much being on the wagon you can always think I'll allow myself a glass at .....(name event)

Yes I'll just get time on my side first and take it from there. Daughter coming over from oz in 6 weeks as a surprise for my husbands 60th so I'm going to get to that and see how I am and maybe have a glass of fizz, thanks Anya

If alcohol has had such a grip on you maybe you'd be best to avoid it altogether, rather than risk a slip-up especially at an important time like your daughter's visit.

Maybe you could say that having even one drink had started to give you headaches, or make you really tired, so you'll be keeping off it.

You're doing great! And your son will be so happy and proud of you!

Hey vq I hope you're doing okay.

I think you're right to stop completely Menopaws. You sound like me....it's either all or nothing. I know people who gave up smoking but have the odd one every now and then. I couldn't do that. The odd one would become the odd two, three, four, the whole packet and I'd be a full blown addict again.

Well done to VQ and Menopaws. Have either of you read any Gretchen Rubin, or listened to her podcasts? Her theory is that by knowing your personality type you can better cope with issues like yours. She is an "abstainer" rather than a "moderator" so finds it easier to give up something like alcohol - once. To practice moderation would be very hard for that personality type as you have to exercise moderation several times over each day - I won't have a drink (or sugar, carbs, whatever the problem is) today. Oh, all right, just the one. Oh, OK, just a top up, etc. By contrast, she feels she only had to make the decision once.

On the other hand, a moderator type would hate the idea of never being able to have something they enjoy, but are ok with stopping at one drink, piece of chocolate etc. Horses for courses! I think it's interesting stuff, and I like the idea that we are more likely to succeed at many things in life if we know our personality type.

I think I have an addictive personality. It took one cigarette to make me a smoker. Admittedly not a 20 a day smoker but there was no way that first cigarette was going to be the last. People tell me they felt dizzy and sick when they had their first cigarette. I didn't feel that at all. My first experience was 'wow' as the nicotine smashed into my brain and that was it. I was hooked.

Me too. if I had cigarettes in the house I chain smoked until they were gone. Same with food and alcohol; don't seem to have the thing in my brain that says 'you've had enough now, so stop'. On the plus side, I have enough self control to abstain totally. It would be nice to enjoy one chocolate from a box without having to eat the whole lot, though . I could go the same way with gambling, too, if I let myself.

Yes VQ my gut feeling is to stop once and for all. I had a beautiful day with my dil who is married to my now proud son who started this whole process and she reported back to my son that she had had the best day for ages with me, I abs loved being with my two grandchildren and felt confident and more useful than I have for ages. Also had a lovely meal out with my darling husband and drank huge bottle of sparkl water without a bother. Perfect day marred only by my little three year old disabled grandson having a breathing episode with ambulances, resuscitation etc after he had gone to bed. Something we have learned to live with but so sad sometimes but I will be spending a lot more time with him now, how would I have felt if he hadn't pulled through and my last time with him would have been a blur? Oh the reality of life. Thanks guys your comments have helped no end. VQ you are so right, it is never just one, thanks to you for starting thread and letting me jump in x

Menopaws I'm saddened to read about your little GS

Yes it is pretty shit and he is such a dear boy but they have known since he was six weeks that he is life limited but they way his mum and dad deal with it is truly amazing, couldn't be prouder of them.

VQ are you doing ok, we have gone a bit off your topic but I hope you are still on course, do let me know

I'm sad to hear about your DGS, Menopaws but glad that you are seeing the benefits of what you are doing.

All power to you and to vampirequeen!

Two weeks today. The thirst, hunger and indigestion side effects are reducing but the craving today is horrendous. I keep telling myself I've lived without it for two weeks now and I can live without it forever if I choose to.

*VQ', you are doing really well. You can do it.

You are doing well VQ. It's a difficult thing to break and you should be proud of yourself.
I keep checking see if you have done an update so I can catch up.
Have you found an alternative refreshing drink ..tonic water with lemon and lime maybe.

Brilliant VQ , I had a craving day yest but got through it and fine today. Your withdrawal sounds awful and I really admire you, I'm three days ahead of you and it def seems that the more time you get under your belt the more likely u are to stick to it. I knew I would have to admit failing to gn and that put me off!

Go, VQ and MP! Well done+++

Love that you're "holding hands".

Thank you all. It's lovely to have all this support.

I've tried other drinks but nothing tastes right so I'm sticking to coffee and water. I keep the water in the fridge with makes it taste better for some reason. I'm still feeling positive about this and I'm definitely saving money. DH worked out that I was spending about £50 a month on the stuff. Oddly I don't have a spare £50 in my purse

Yesterday I nearly fell, Sunday afternoon, husband away until Monday night, me and dog relaxing in the garden and two bottles of wine in the house. Half an hour of talking to myself...just one glass would be nice...don't be silly...no one will know....gransnet will...but it's Sunday....one glass will lead to two bottles etc etc. Anyway I had a pint of ginger cordial with sparkly water and decided to cook the meal for my husbands return to keep busy and thankfully it passed, I had another pint of water and felt so full of liquid I didn't think about it again. Phew, lovely walk this morning with a clear head and conscience. Are you still ok VQ?

Well done, Menopaws!

All so can say is you lot are being strong to start on this and I wish you well in trying to get on the right side of this.