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After much self searching and reflection I have to admit I have a drink problem.

 I don’t think I’m an alcoholic, I can go weeks between drinks, but once started I find it hard to stop, I’m a binge drinker. I don’t get aggressive but I’m sure I make a fool of myself.

Do I need to stop altogether? Can I learn how to say enough? 

"Freedom without socialism is privilege and injustice, socialism without freedom is slavery and brutality" - Mikhail Bakunin

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Get in touch with i.t recovery,d,m me for details,these guys aren't your usual "hi my names phil" kind of group,they boast high success rates and helped me through a particularly bad spell of drinking when I was perhaps the shittest husband and father that I could have been.

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4 minutes ago, Johnoco said:

If you can stop drinking for weeks at a time, I'm not sure it's that big a problem (although it's obviously giving you cause for concern)

If it worries you, it is wise to act. I say that someone who drinks a lot more and hasn't brought himself to do anything about it yet.

Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

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6 hours ago, Phil said:

After much self searching and reflection I have to admit I have a drink problem.

 I don’t think I’m an alcoholic, I can go weeks between drinks, but once started I find it hard to stop, I’m a binge drinker. I don’t get aggressive but I’m sure I make a fool of myself.

Do I need to stop altogether? Can I learn how to say enough? 

I'm a childish binge drinker too but about 4 years ago I came up with a solution that at least limits me..... Absolutely no booze Monday--Friday then reigns off Saturday from 5pm and Sunday from 7pm....works for me in the sense I keep units below 45 a week... I am aware this isn't healthy but its better than the alternative 

I cut out the other days initially by getting stuck into non alcohol beers on off days... Some great ones in tesco... Lots of hoppy IPAs that fool the brain into thinking you are drinking...... I also allowed myself to eat whatever I wanted on Fridays to cover the 'treat' bit... I don't need to do it any more

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From knowing people who've struggled with this, non-dependent alcoholism, the one thing that I've heard time and again is that you can't negotiate with alcohol. If it's not causing serious issues, you may be fine but if you're blacking out, I'd come off it. 

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On 22/12/2019 at 11:04, Phil said:

Do I need to stop altogether? Can I learn how to say enough? 

The answer to the first question is totally your choice. Nobody else can make it for you. 

The second question, when I decided to reduce what I drank I would go out with only enough money for 3 pints. At first my mates were "so you're not getting in a round then?". When I explained why they were fine although there was a bit of banter at my expense. Drinking at home was easier. I'd make sure there was less alcohol in the house and only one can in the fridge. If it's not available you find something else. My tea intake has increased. 

Stay strong mate! 

2014 Challenged Cup Winner
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I've stopped altogether. Maybe 2 or 3 pints since December 2017. Interferes with medication. Found it easiest just to pack it in altogether rather than moderation.  Wife has given up, too, in case she is called on to drive me to hospital in a hurry.

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I found when I was unwell and the docs put me on Beta Blockers and Statins I stopped drinking  largely because I didn't like it, my palette changed quite significantly, I couldn't eat spicy foods, wine tasted the same but I didn't like it and I started liking celery.

Once I dropped the statins it all went back to normal but I have reduced the amount of alcohol consumed, sort of got out of the habit I suppose.

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Drinking patterns have changed drastically since licensing hours were abolished , peoples behaviour changed over night .When i first started drinking in the 70`s people used to go out every night and the pubs were always quite full , whereas now they are mostly empty through the week and packed at weekends . Drinking was more a social thing  going out for a couple a drinks and a craic , whereas now it seems the fashion is to stay in all week and go out and go mad at week ends .Another change is back in the day the barmen would send you on your way if he thought you had had enough , nowadays you`ll get served until you pass out , it`s just the way society has gone , and it makes it so much harder to tackle any drinking problem .  

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19 minutes ago, ivans82 said:

Drinking patterns have changed drastically since licensing hours were abolished , peoples behaviour changed over night .When i first started drinking in the 70`s people used to go out every night and the pubs were always quite full , whereas now they are mostly empty through the week and packed at weekends . Drinking was more a social thing  going out for a couple a drinks and a craic , whereas now it seems the fashion is to stay in all week and go out and go mad at week ends .Another change is back in the day the barmen would send you on your way if he thought you had had enough , nowadays you`ll get served until you pass out , it`s just the way society has gone , and it makes it so much harder to tackle any drinking problem .  

I think cost has played a big deal in those changes too.

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According to Eating Wll, 

Myth 2. A glass of wine before bed will help you get a better night's rest.

The Truth: Because alcohol is a sedative, drinking wine, beer or other alcoholic beverages may help you fall asleep, but as little as two drinks can cause you to sleep less restfully and wake up more frequently. And alcohol-related sleep disturbances are worse for women, say researchers at the University of Michigan. Drink moderately, if at all, and avoid drinking within a few hours of bedtime.

 

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On ‎22‎/‎12‎/‎2019 at 11:04, Phil said:

After much self searching and reflection I have to admit I have a drink problem.

, but once started I find it hard to stop, I’m a binge drinker. I don’t get aggressive but I’m sure I make a fool of myself.

Do I need to stop altogether? Can I learn how to say enough? 

Identify with this couldn't stop wanted to get out of my head I am one of those "my name is"  and thanks to them I am sober 28 years one day at time.

Best wishes Phil.

Poverty exists not because we cannot feed the poor but because we cannot satisfy the rich.

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24 minutes ago, Johnoco said:

It’s horses for courses though. Some people stay awake subconsciously worrying about stuff, even if it’s as trivial as not hearing the alarm. Having a drink or two can help them drift off straight away, others maybe not. But I don’t think there’s a definite answer. I don’t think a couple will have you waking up after a few hours with a raging thirst like a skinful would. 

I do think that drink interrupts sleep greatly and gives you a poor quality sleep. For me it does anyway and I don't particularly sleep well even after just a few drinks even though I may be hangover free the next day.

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23 hours ago, Irish Saint said:

Identify with this couldn't stop wanted to get out of my head I am one of those "my name is"  and thanks to them I am sober 28 years one day at time.

Best wishes Phil.

I am one of those too. I had my last alcoholic drink exactly one year ago today, Christmas day 2018.

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Been thinking about this a fair bit. 

I have an issue in that once ive had a few, i want to stay out.. this in the past has led to 6/7 am finishes. 

I now have a job in that im out a fair bit. I try and limit to midnight and im doing fairly well. I have a baby so that helps, but still, i could easily and happily do 2/3 days straight. 

Slowly learning that i enjoy being fresh l, but still have the temptation.. quite a bit sadly.

Dont drink in the house. 

Running the Rob Burrow marathon to raise money for the My Name'5 Doddie foundation:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ben-dyas

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On 24/12/2019 at 09:26, Damien said:

I do think that drink interrupts sleep greatly and gives you a poor quality sleep. For me it does anyway and I don't particularly sleep well even after just a few drinks even though I may be hangover free the next day.

When I was younger, I could sleep off a hangover but as I've got older I have a terrible night's sleep and wake up at about 5am.

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1 hour ago, Maximus Decimus said:

When I was younger, I could sleep off a hangover but as I've got older I have a terrible night's sleep and wake up at about 5am.

I wake up at 5 AM every morning.....don't tell me you usually sleep in past that?  You are missing the finest part of the day!

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13 minutes ago, Johnoco said:

Didn’t actually drink much yesterday, I find it difficult to eat loads AND drink loads at the same time. 
That won’t be the case for the next few days though, things planned. ?

I'm the same. If we ever have plans that involve both eating and drinking then it's always drink first; I can't drink on a full stomach.

"it is a well known fact that those people who most want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it."

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