My plan

[Hadenough123]

Well im on day two of my new plan. I am going to not drink for at least a month, except we are going for the next three Sat's to Friends houses where we byob, and I am bring only two beers for the whole day. After 30 days of not drinking exept the 2 beers for the three sat's I am going to see how things go. I have read for hours on here and know that different things work for different people. I come from a family that drinks alot. everyday we get together and so on..... I drink a few and then a switch hits and then I have just drank a ton blacked out and only remember snap shots. This has been going on for years and it needs to stop. Its going to be hard to see friends and family trips and i only have two.. but i will just tell them that im taking a break

[Tipplerette]

My plan

I hope that works for you HadEnough.. I know I have tried that route and it usually ends up with a face plant on that first Saturday night. Myself, I just have to stop completely and I find people really don't care. I am on only day 7 so just starting out myself. I told my two sisters and two brothers that I am visiting within the next few weeks that I am taking a break to detox myself and although they may drink, I will stay strong when I see them. I am so enjoying all the energy and great night's sleep I am getting. Hope you find yourself enjoying your A/F days and nights as much as I do. Good luck.

Tips

[Hadenough123]

My plan

day 3

Well I spent the day with my wife in chicago and had dinner and a concert. I had one beer at dinner and nothing at the concert. our friends were drinking and I did not partake. So far I dont feel any better about myself. Im going to a party this weekend where I use to drink very heavily and other people do too. Im going to have to be strong and stick to my two beer limit. If I dont then maybe moderation isnt for me....

[Tipplerette]

My plan

Good for you for successfully moderating. Sounds like one beer was not enough to trigger the demon.. LOL.. Hopefully you'll be strong on the weekend. When you order your second beer, you could try ordering a bottle of water with it and as soon as you finish your beer you'll have the water waiting.. just an idea.

Good luck and keep posting.

Tips

[Hadenough123]

My plan

Thanks

Thanks for the advice. The more I look at it the more alcohol had a huge effect on my life. I am going to do my best this weekend. My wife is supporting me but she has been down this road before, but I never tried moderation and this support site, I am very thankful for everyone's help and support. I didnt drink yesterday and the next two days will be dry. Then Sat I having two beers but hours inbetween, Ill keep ya all posted

[jennyneric]

My plan

Good job! and welcome. Just a word of warning. The 30 days in a row af is important because you have to get all the affects of al out of your system. If you drinking one or two beers once or twice a week you are not going to get the same mind clearing as you would with total af. Also those with a drinking problem can "be good" for a while and control the drinking but, just like dieters, there will almost always be a slip. The only way to prevent that is to not drink al. Just the facts. Just wanted to give you a heads up from someone who has tried to mod since Feb after 30 days af. I am 26 days now after a slip as described above.. .

[rebirth]

My plan

Hi Hadenough,
Sounds like a good plan..a drink an hour always works!

I have been moderating very successfully for seven months so it's very possible for some people. I use to be a daily drinker and always got drunk on the weekend but I decided that enough was enough. I first tried AA and abstained for five months. These months really showed me the addiction I had with AL but I was still miserable that I couldnt have the odd glass.
I had a slip after my AF months and thought it was over for me. But it was just the beginning.

I no longer attend AA. I post on here and I stay focused on keeping a healthy lifestyle. I exercise, watch what I eat, never drink more than my limits, never more than a drink an hour. It's become a way of life for me and it's working. Best of luck. x

[Hadenough123]

My plan

After this weekend

I went to my friends party this Sat. There were some really drunk people there. It was torture at first but I had two beers in three hours, saw how my wife was so happy that I was coherent and had a great time. I drank more than I should have maybe but had a six pack in 15 hours so it was great! I woke up feeling great and have not had a drink since. It is now Wed and dont plan to have a drink for awhile. The one thing Im having is depression and cant get out of bed. I work starting at noon. I used to get up early now I sleep late is this normal?

[Nelz]

My plan

Hadenough123;1131311 wrote: I went to my friends party this Sat. There were some really drunk people there. It was torture at first but I had two beers in three hours, saw how my wife was so happy that I was coherent and had a great time. I drank more than I should have maybe but had a six pack in 15 hours so it was great! I woke up feeling great and have not had a drink since. It is now Wed and dont plan to have a drink for awhile. The one thing Im having is depression and cant get out of bed. I work starting at noon. I used to get up early now I sleep late is this normal?

I am going through the same thing, for the life of me, I cant seem to get motivated to get out of bed in the A.M. anymore.


Ive been trying to figure out why

[newdaynow]

My plan

Hi Rebirth. Glad to hear your story, because that is what I want to happen for me. What did you do to help you stay on track? I have not gone 30 days without drinking, the most I have been able to manage is 2 days.
I definitely need help and really want to make this work, so that I can become a moderate drinker.

[dancingon]

My plan

Some ideas from Moderation Management:

Do a 30 AF first, so that your tolerance to alcohol is lower making it easier to drink less. Also, you have begun to experience the benefits of not drinking.
When you arrive at a party, BBQ, dinner etc order a non al drink first or drink water.
Do not drink without eating first or shortly after
If you're at home you might try only drinking when the food is ready, and/or not continuing to drink once the meal is over
Drink no more than one drink every half an hour and drink for no more than 2 hours
Don't hold your glass
Limit your amount to no more than 3 drinks for a woman or 5 for a man
Buy a al breath tester so that if you're tempted to keep drinking you can see that you are close to, or over the limit now, so go do something else.

As usual it requires continued motivation and behaviour modification, which may take time to come naturally. However, if you're having to white knuckle it the whole time, abstinence might be less stressful.