Realising just how much of a priority alcohol was...

[kuya]

Realising just how much of a priority alcohol was...

moni;1434069 wrote: This is very true. I was possibly guilty of it myself in the past too though. The thoughts that I would have to go without drink forever.. was like somebody suggesting I live without air. I didn't view it as a positive thing. And now I view it as wanting to go without drink forever, not having to.
The friend I spent yesterday with used to drink very heavily but gave up while pregnant and never really went back. She would have one to two beers occassionally but prefers not to at all. It was nice to be able to discuss the positives with somebody and even make plans for the remainder of my stay that don't revolve around the pub.

There is another thing I don't understand. Many women say they stopped drinking when pregnant, I see it on here often. How can you just stop when pregnant yet have so much trouble quitting...... These same people express surprise at the withdrawals etc but surely they must have gone through them when they quit during pregnancy.

I always feel uncharitable cos I don't believe they quit during pregnancy ...... It is just the PC thing to say IMO........or there is some huge metabolic/ psychological difference that I don't get

[moni]

Realising just how much of a priority alcohol was...

kuya;1434074 wrote: There is another thing I don't understand. Many women say they stopped drinking when pregnant, I see it on here often. How can you just stop when pregnant yet have so much trouble quitting...... These same people express surprise at the withdrawals etc but surely they must have gone through them when they quit during pregnancy.

I always feel uncharitable cos I don't believe they quit during pregnancy ...... It is just the PC thing to say IMO........or there is some huge metabolic/ psychological difference that I don't get

I often thought this myself but know with my own friends that they did actually stop. I think a lot of people drink out of habit (in this country anyway) or because they deem it as sociable. Some of the people I know who gave up while pregnant never really drank again, very little and only on special occassions. Saying that, these people would not have had an alcohol dependency. Big difference.

[Struggles 106]

Realising just how much of a priority alcohol was...

THIS THREAD IS SO RELEVANT!

Hey Jingle

Thanks for reminding me of this. Of course I did it too! It's almost like a way of thinking that gets so ingrained that it takes a bit of an effort, self-analysis to realize what is happening.

We are a creative lot-we drinkers. The energy expended on the drinking life! Amazing!
BTW a colleague gave me a bottle of wine for Christmas. It's rolling around in the floor of my car. I need to get it out and give it away. I have NO intention of drinking it.

Since I work different times, either 8, 8:30, 9:30 or 11:30 in the morning, I always kept in mind drinking time to try to make it to work the next day. On the 11:30 shift of course it was no holds barred, then sleep until 10:30 and jump in the shower and TRY to make it in to the office. My "work group" is only 4 people and I know that this year my not missing work will be noticed and probably appreciated.

Thanks again and have a lovely Saturday

[kuya]

Realising just how much of a priority alcohol was...

moni;1434076 wrote: I often thought this myself but know with my own friends that they did actually stop. I think a lot of people drink out of habit (in this country anyway) or because they deem it as sociable. Some of the people I know who gave up while pregnant never really drank again, very little and only on special occassions. Saying that, these people would not have had an alcohol dependency. Big difference.

I was actually referring to those that had a drink problem before being pregnant......I suppose the commitment to the baby must override the addiction.

Anyway back to topic...... The saddest thing I ever did to drink was to turn down a 4 day paid for cruise with a friend who is a recovered alcoholic because I didn't want her to know how much I drank......she still doesn't !

[Lasha]

Realising just how much of a priority alcohol was...

excuses, excuses

I can relate to all that's been said and I too thought it was just normal to be devious and plan your days drinking so nothing got in the way. Just come back from the forest with the dog and the route involves passing a small store with a great drinks section, funny.

On Saturdays I would always stop for a paper and some groceries but the real reason was I wanted drink for the afternoon, wife didn't notice or maybe she chose not to and then go down the pub at 5 o'clock saying it's nice to get out of the house. Of course always going to the offy for a bottle of wine on the way home.

Today I drove past the store and laughed to myself what a plonker, who was I kidding!

Lash the drummer

[NewOne]

Realising just how much of a priority alcohol was...

Thanks for the thread. It definitely brought back memories for me.

[JingleJo]

Realising just how much of a priority alcohol was...

moni;1434069 wrote: The thoughts that I would have to go without drink forever.. was like somebody suggesting I live without air. I didn't view it as a positive thing. And now I view it as wanting to go without drink forever, not having to.

I'm the exact same now. I don't drink because I don't want to, rather than feeling like I am stopping because I had to due to the consequences and impact it was having on me.

Tbh that Jason Vale book we spoke about in another thread really helped me shift my attitude towards drink in that respect.

[JingleJo]

Realising just how much of a priority alcohol was...

kuya;1434072 wrote: JJ ..... Sorry how rude of me! Congrats on your six weeks......you have accomplished it so smoothly I can't quite believe it is that long!

Moni ...... Since so many of us hid our drinking it makes you wonder how many of those around us were doing the same. Those government statistics are probably a vast underestimate of the extent of alcoholism.

Thank you It amazes me just how much things have changed in a mere 6 weeks.

And, I think you are right re the unidentified 'hiders' that will be all around us - folk who you would never imagine to be drinking sneakily behind closed doors. Much more widespread than what people think I would suspect.

[JingleJo]

Realising just how much of a priority alcohol was...

Ann Carolina;1434077 wrote: Since I work different times, either 8, 8:30, 9:30 or 11:30 in the morning, I always kept in mind drinking time to try to make it to work the next day. On the 11:30 shift of course it was no holds barred, then sleep until 10:30 and jump in the shower and TRY to make it in to the office. My "work group" is only 4 people and I know that this year my not missing work will be noticed and probably appreciated.

Thanks again and have a lovely Saturday

Oh god, I used to do this too. My work is quite flexible and I am the Team Leader too meaning I could get away with so much in terms of starting later etc etc. I used to think "ya beauty" when I knew the office was going to be quiet on a morning, as that meant I could get plastered and not have to worry about people seeing me hungover. Or, I would often say to my colleagues that I would be in the office later in the morning/early afternoon as I had a meeting or event to attend offsite even when I didn't just so I could spend more time in bed hungover. Also used to cancel evening events and meetings so I could go home and drink. And, of course there's the countless times I had to just phone in sick and not make it at all. God, even my working week was planned around my drinking!!

[JingleJo]

Realising just how much of a priority alcohol was...

kuya;1434078 wrote: Anyway back to topic...... The saddest thing I ever did to drink was to turn down a 4 day paid for cruise with a friend who is a recovered alcoholic because I didn't want her to know how much I drank......she still doesn't !

I once turned down a funded trip to Stobo Castle (a luxurious spa retreat in Scotland) because it had been arranged as a health and fitness weekend with an agreement that there would be NO alcohol. It sounded like hell to me and I was convinced it would be boring. LOL - I would jump at the chance now in a heart beat.

[itsmytime]

Realising just how much of a priority alcohol was...

I can relate as well and after being AF for 5 months now I feel more free than ever. No more shackles of alcohol. It is soooooo liberating to make plans and not think of alcohol all the time.

Congrats on 6 weeks, it only gets better and better!

IMT

[JingleJo]

Realising just how much of a priority alcohol was...

Lasha;1434080 wrote:
On Saturdays I would always stop for a paper and some groceries but the real reason was I wanted drink for the afternoon, wife didn't notice or maybe she chose not to and then go down the pub at 5 o'clock saying it's nice to get out of the house. Of course always going to the offy for a bottle of wine on the way home.

When I bought the house I am in just now back in 2006 I actually thought one of the plus points was that it was right across from a licensed grocers! How great, eh? Used to 'pop over for a browse' regularly with the sole intention of picking up booze that was 'such a good deal'. Also used to get alcohol before/after the legal selling times on occasion in the past as the shop owners knew me so well and would have no qualms in sneaking me a bottle. Oh, the shame!

[JingleJo]

Realising just how much of a priority alcohol was...

itsmytime;1434168 wrote: I can relate as well and after being AF for 5 months now I feel more free than ever. No more shackles of alcohol. It is soooooo liberating to make plans and not think of alcohol all the time.

Congrats on 6 weeks, it only gets better and better!

IMT

Liberating is how I am describing things just now too.

Thank you. I'm really hoping it gets better and better. Was thinking the other day "what if this good feeling and hope for the future is short lived and the bubble suddenly bursts leaving me in the gutter".

[kuya]

Realising just how much of a priority alcohol was...

JingleJo;1434172 wrote: Liberating is how I am describing things just now too.

Thank you. I'm really hoping it gets better and better. Was thinking the other day "what if this good feeling and hope for the future is short lived and the bubble suddenly bursts leaving me in the gutter".

JJ everyone is different but be prepared for feeling up and down and a bit 'flat'. From a month til last week ( will be four months on the 1st ----YAY) my moods were all over the place.....not bad moods just variable unrelated to life. It is the brain repairing so try to welcome it as such....it has no bearing on the future.

You can't guzzle poison for a donkey's lifetime without some consequences! :H:H

Oh and I found the fatigue annoying

[moni]

Realising just how much of a priority alcohol was...

mollyka;1434166 wrote:

Just noticed you're from Ireland as well Moni. I'm living in Dublin - but the amount the young peeps drink in form of shots and spirits is positively scary.

I'm normally based in Dublin also but rarely socialise and if I do it's dinner out. Tend to avoid the pub scene there so not overly familiar with the drinking habits of younger people. Have seen them fall around the street at the early hours though. I always tried to keep a head about me when I went out in the city possibly why most my drinking was done at home.