What is your plan to battle Alcohol?

[KatieB]

Hi all,
I know similar threads have been started before, but I wanted to start this one in part for myself so I can get down how I plan to tackle AL and what to do in certain situations.. feel free to write down your own plans here..
1. I plan to never buy AL to drink on my own at home.
2. If I am stressed or depressed, I will come on here for support, or call a friend.. but I will not drink.
3. If I end up going on a date I will stick to 2 glasses of wine and stop.
4. If I am going out for lunch or a special occasion, I will again stick to 2 glasses of wine.
5. I will avoid situations that would involve binge-drinking or the temptation to binge; such as: parties and nightclubs..

I know this involves moderation, but if I stick to these rules, positive change should take place.. I have managed moderation twice in the past week, so I think it is possible now I am aware of AL and its effects on me. My main problem was always drinking to deal with stress or depression..
Katie xxx

[JackieClaire]

What is your plan to battle Alcohol?

Hi KatieB,

Thankfully I no longer have to battle alcohol. I have admitted and accepted I can never drink in a sensible and moderate way.

The plan you have there is a very good one for moderation.

But and this is a very big BUT you really need to get at least 30 days AF continually under your belt before even thinking about moderation. It's only 2 weeks ago you got very drunk and thankfully you got home safely. Then after the 30 days look back on this plan. It's amazing how quickly things can spiral out of control.

This may sound a bit harsh,KatieB. , but just remember how good you feel AF.

J x
:l

[KatieB]

What is your plan to battle Alcohol?

Hi JC,

That is not harsh, it really helps to have things pointed out - as I know that I have slipped up hugely.. however, that episode the other week started when I bought AL to drink on my own at home after being stressed out shopping - 2 things that I have written in my plan to not buy or drink AL for!!!
The 2 times I moderated this week (1 glass of wine with lunch one day, 2 glasses with a lunch out the other day) - i had no temptation to have more b/c (i believe) 1, i was drinking for the occasion both times, and 2/ i wasnt drinking due to being stressed or drinking on my own at home..
I know i need to remain vigilant.. and the 30 day plan to be AF sounds like a good one,
Katie xxx

[NewOne]

What is your plan to battle Alcohol?

My plan is to never ever EVER stick that first freaking drink to my mouth!

To know those voices in my head that tells me a few won't hurt are liars liars liars!

Plus I am on B100's (which are really easing my depression & anxiety) chromium, & glutamine & will stay on this supp plan for some time.

I'm pretty sure that sugar levels & emotional issues are my underlying reasons for drinking. Every time I have went off the alcohol, I still didn't feel happy. I feel better physically from not having hangovers, but never happy. The niacin in the B's seem to be doing something for me.

[Meech]

What is your plan to battle Alcohol?

Good to have plans KatieB!

New One - Thank you for this post. I am really struggling tonight and reading the...
My plan is to never ever EVER stick that first freaking drink to my mouth!
Reminds me how I must repeat this many times tonight. I can't moderate. AND if I even think I can tonight (I'm AF6) I know I'll binge.

Week one will be almost accomplished I need to be strong. Thanks!

[NewOne]

What is your plan to battle Alcohol?

I think I am tired of the battle. I don't want to battle anymore.

If I drink, the battle continues.

Meech;852641 wrote: Good to have plans KatieB!

New One - Thank you for this post. I am really struggling tonight and reading the...
My plan is to never ever EVER stick that first freaking drink to my mouth!
Reminds me how I must repeat this many times tonight. I can't moderate. AND if I even think I can tonight (I'm AF6) I know I'll binge.

Week one will be almost accomplished I need to be strong. Thanks!

[KatieB]

What is your plan to battle Alcohol?

NewOne.. that's a good place to be.. when I started this thread I meant to say "tackle" though, not "battle" - and I cant change it now!
oh well.. but yes, its good to hear you knowing you don't want to try to battle AL anymore - you tell it to get lost instead! coming out of denial and finding this place means you are already 1/2 way there!
Katie xx

[NewOne]

What is your plan to battle Alcohol?

I didn't mean to sound uppity or superior...it was just a knee jerk reaction....my emotions are all over the place.

I just tried to moderate last week & it was a constant battle & I ended up bingeing for 2 days.

I was beaten....emotionally, physically, spiritually.

I've come to the conclusion that I can't win this while drinking & it is scaring the hell out of me.

So, my apologies if I came across as anything other than emotionally unstable...lol
:teeter:

[KatieB]

What is your plan to battle Alcohol?

NewOne;852664 wrote: I didn't mean to sound uppity or superior...it was just a knee jerk reaction....my emotions are all over the place.

I just tried to moderate last week & it was a constant battle & I ended up bingeing for 2 days.

I was beaten....emotionally, physically, spiritually.

I've come to the conclusion that I can't win this while drinking & it is scaring the hell out of me.

So, my apologies if I came across as anything other than emotionally unstable...lol
:teeter:

Newone.. not at all.. you sounded just like you were sick of AL!! which is a good place to be, it makes you stronger in the battle/tackling business.. being AF for 30 days is what most would recommend.. I am going to give that a try too.. just take one day at a time (ODAT) and read and post often,
Katie xx

[KatieB]

What is your plan to battle Alcohol?

Spam - sounds like a great Plan - are you planning to moderate at all or be AF?
I plan on being AF for as long and often as possible.. but if an occasion comes up, then stick to a couple of glasses and no more.. I am telling myself I dont drink, but if out having lunch for example, i will stick to a couple and have lots of food.. i want to stay vigilant and be on top of this!
My main issue was drinking at home on my own when stressed or depressed..

[mollyka]

What is your plan to battle Alcohol?

[QUOTE=NewOne;852638]My plan is to never ever EVER stick that first freaking drink to my mouth!

That is the best plan ever NewOne and I'm 100% with you on that.

Loads of folks here understand the 'chemistry' of drinking and the effects of alcohol on the body and mind - I'm not one of them so with my amateur hat on my head I am going to pontificate again. When I drink its not the drink I'm having that day that is the biggest problem, of course it is but if it just went away and I went on my merry way the next day as if nothing had happened it wouldn't be so bad, but it brings all those awful mad first day cravings back with it to be battled, and I mean battled, every single time I touch that 'freaking drink'.
To find myself last Wednesday with first day cravings which are only beginning to abate now, after 4 months AF was an appalling scenario - for WHAT!!! A 'nice mellow feeling' for an hour and then a major row in the house??!! Come on, even an alkie like me can see that's 'drinkbrain' thinkin!

So yes Newone, my plan is your plan - NEVER EVER TO STICK THAT FREAKING FIRST DRINK IN MY MOUTH.
Molly

[Panno]

What is your plan to battle Alcohol?

I'm with Newone - never do I want to have another hangover!!

:l

[Guest]

What is your plan to battle Alcohol?

If you can moderate Katie that's great but I'm afraid it sounds as if you at least need some decent AF time first. I have tried moderation so many times, and yes I had whole weeks were I might have only had a few drinks a couple of times following a similar plan to yourself. After 1, 2 sometimes even 3 or 4 weeks I'd be right back binging and feeling rubbish again.

What did modding do for me?It merely put off my end point. Not only did it put it off it made it much worse as I had to go through the nightmare last bender all over again.

Just my experience.

What was/is my plan?

1. Be AL free ODAT, 1 minute at a time if need be
2. Take each day as it comes
3. Do everything I can to give myself the space I need so;

Work less
Say "No" a lot
Stay in a safe place if I need to no matter what
Spend time posting and reading on MYO
Do whatever I need to to not have a drink even if it isn't what others want me to do
Talk to someone not attached to me in anyway on a daily basis - for me that was a counsellor I was lucky enough to have found.

4. Eat well avoiding simple sugars whereever possible
5. Use camomile tea, L-Glut to help with cravings
6. Allow myself a bedtime treat of a lo-cal hot chocolate or hot milk
7. Believe in myself and remember my mantra "It will all work out as long as I don't have a drink" whenever problems come up.

That's the first time I've posted this really. Most of it is real easy and the remainder sorts itself out.

[wannachange]

What is your plan to battle Alcohol?

Hi Katie, I am no expert but I do know how the brain reward system works, when I had quit smoking I went back on them gradually because I was using this system.. I will only smoke after a beer, I will only smoke on Sundays, then it became Tuesdays and on the walk to the pub for the beer, then it became full time.
If you think you can MOD then great but just be careful not to fall into the trap that ok only two during lunch.. well maybe one while cooking it or oooh that was easy, surly I can have another while lying on the couch with my new date watching a movie.
But fair play to you if you can but for now I am sticking to NewOnes plan.

[Mazzie]

What is your plan to battle Alcohol?

Hi Everyone

My plan is to never drink again and I plan to do that by -

Learn to love myself
Learn to love myself even more
Not buy any al in the first place
Look myself in the eye every morning and whenever I need to and promise myself that I will never put that poison down my throat ever again
Read and apply some self-help books (Just started one by Louise Hay)
Eat healthier and Exercise
Enjoy life without al especially the little things
Develop my Attitude of Gratitude
Possibly to be continued...............

Hopefully changes will take place in the way I think about myself and the way I view al. I cannot do moderation.

I am so thankful to all of you on this site. Thank you so much for your help and being here and being honest and open.