sveltskye Posted July 2, 2010 Share Posted July 2, 2010 So I've decided that I drink a little too much, and I really need to pace myself. I've gotten to the point where I'm drinking almost everyday, usually its just one or two drinks, but then I'll go out with my friends and have maybe four on a night. That obviously puts me above the 7 drinks a week that I as a female should be drinking. I have never had any problems with anyone telling me that I'm drinking too much, or being as ass when I drink, etc. Generally it just makes me tired and I enjoy the sensation. I don't feel at this point like complete sobriety forever is necessary, but I am concerned about the effects on my health and want to cut down to make sure I'm not too dependent. I have cut it out completely before for some time, so if I have trouble cutting back I might just take an all out break. I wanted some ideas from people who have done this. I do have urges to drink at night, usually never during the day. When I am bored I have a drink to pass the time. Mostly I don't keep alcohol at my house, but if I have the opportunity I'll order something at a restaurant or something. I really should have better will power, but I think I need to start with baby steps to help me say no. Anybody have any tips of tricks they have used to moderate and cut back? Link to post Share on other sites
curiousnycgirl Posted July 2, 2010 Share Posted July 2, 2010 I only have two suggestions - firstly schedule non drinking activities for a couple of evenings a week. Something like playing tennis. Secondly for every alcoholic beverage you order, order a glass of ice water at the same time. Do not allow yourself to order your next drink until BOTH are emptied. Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites
Art_Critic Posted July 2, 2010 Share Posted July 2, 2010 I only have two suggestions - firstly schedule non drinking activities for a couple of evenings a week. Something like playing tennis. Secondly for every alcoholic beverage you order, order a glass of ice water at the same time. Do not allow yourself to order your next drink until BOTH are emptied. Good luck! Great advice.. I was going to suggest a pacing drink or even a replacement drink as well.. Link to post Share on other sites
Tayla Posted July 3, 2010 Share Posted July 3, 2010 I never realized that so long as its under 7 drinks a week then clearly one doesn't have a drinking problem. I only had ONE Drink all week long...the problem was it lasted from Sunday til Sunday and was perpetual. SO really that logic can get tossed. For social drinkers, usually a glass of wine is sufficient, or a Friday night tea toddler style. Dry spells are great too! Cleanse the body and mind. I support the idea that social drinking exist, but the moment someone questions there behavior in drinking habits, its a red flag that is being minimized.....Stay on the social side of drinking... Link to post Share on other sites
GK71 Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Be careful. The day my mother realized she had a problem, she was out for lunch with work, had one glass of wine, and blacked out completely. If your nights start getting hazy, then take a look at things and consider getting help! Link to post Share on other sites
You Go Girl Posted September 4, 2010 Share Posted September 4, 2010 THere is no magical number, such as 7 drinks per week. If that were so, then non-drinkers had better step up to the plate and start drinking their 7! You feel you drink too much. Then you do. What probably bothers you is the urge to drink. In your past you drank socially, but didn't feel an urge. The urge is the sign that you could be on your way to alcoholism. It is how all alcoholics start becoming addicted. An urge that was never there before. In the past they could take it or leave it. Whether it is the beginning of a physical addiction or only a mental addiction, it is the beginning of an addiction. I drank too much for a few years. I was married to an alcoholic. The foundation of our relationship revolved around drinking. When I decided to cut back, I first paid attention to the size of my drinks. Some drinks are actually two drinks in one. After I decreased the portion size, I then made them smaller and smaller. Eventually it was half a glass of wine daily, and I wasn't even finishing that. Then I arrived at the point where neither the taste nor the physical sensation were doing anything for me. I hardly drink at all anymore. I'll pour one, and it just won't do it for me. I'll abandon it as often as I'll drink it. Getting to this point was never even my intention. I think there is a sour taste in my mouth after being married to an alcoholic. The alcohol rush is associated with bad memories. This is personal, and your feelings more than likely differ. Now if I could just find a way to quit smoking....grrrr! Link to post Share on other sites
LoveAintEverything Posted September 21, 2010 Share Posted September 21, 2010 Take the 12 steps in AA...works amazing Link to post Share on other sites
Truthseeker-John Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 Take the 12 steps in AA...works amazingNot for everyone Link to post Share on other sites
Woggle Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 When you have a drink drink it very slowly. Link to post Share on other sites
Truthseeker-John Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 When you have a drink drink it very slowly.Agreed and going to AA is not going to get someone a Detox and for me it made me drink more. Link to post Share on other sites
Art_Critic Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 Agreed and going to AA is not going to get someone a Detox and for me it made me drink more. For you.. for me AA saved my life... as well as helping many sober Alcoholics everywhere. AA isn't for everyone but if you follow the steps and go to meetings it works. Link to post Share on other sites
cavedweller Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Not for everyone Hey, I am in AA right now..I have had a drinking problem since 1966, it all started in Vietnam..I had my last drink at sun rise on 16 Oct. 2010..So, my question is why would you say that?..BTW, I have become a master 'closet drinker' all my life.. Family, co-workers and friends would never believe I take a drink....Hell on Wheels Link to post Share on other sites
cavedweller Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 For you.. for me AA saved my life... as well as helping many sober Alcoholics everywhere. AA isn't for everyone but if you follow the steps and go to meetings it works. Hey, I picked up my first 'chip' last night and with the help of the fine folks at AA I will never look back..."I am here and I am sober." (and I plan on living the rest of my life that way) Hell on Wheels Link to post Share on other sites
carhill Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 One tip, as a 'friend' to drinkers.... gravitate more to non-drinking friends. When a friend is having an iced tea or ginger ale, etc, it's easier to go with the flow. Sometimes that requires a wholesale change of friends, as people tend to gravitate to others with similar 'interests'. Interesting aside...one of my ex'es girlfriends ended up in in-patient detox recently and my ex tells me that she picked up a habit she's never had prior (for 25 years anyway), while in detox......smoking. Apparently, it was allowed there and the folks would gather and, well, there ya go. Apparently, sadly, her addiction (to alcohol) has finally broken up her 20+ year marriage too. I hope, with help, they can recover it, and she gets better. What I do with my male friends whom I know to be 'friendly' with the bottle is, when we're drinking beer while camping or BBQ'ing, line up the bottles and I stop at three. They'll ask me if I want another and I say 'I'm done' and have water or iced tea or something like that. Over time it appears that visual (I continue to line up their bottles) and proactive move away from the drinks after a period helps moderate the 'need'. They find they can stop too, and I'm not being naggy or b!tchy about it. OP, I hope you find the balance point you seek. Some folks can acheive a balance point; for others, abstinence is their only healthy path. I find, for myself, that being able to have a 'bar' in the house and not drink from it tells me where my balance point is. Yours will necessarily be unique to you. Good luck Link to post Share on other sites
cavedweller Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 carhill, Thanks for the tips..... cavedweller Link to post Share on other sites
EricaH329 Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 One tip, as a 'friend' to drinkers.... gravitate more to non-drinking friends. When a friend is having an iced tea or ginger ale, etc, it's easier to go with the flow. Sometimes that requires a wholesale change of friends, as people tend to gravitate to others with similar 'interests'. I was going to suggest this. I've also decided to cut back on drinking. I used to drink about 4 - 5 nights a week. Since I cut back 3 months ago, i've had alcohol twice. It's best if you find friends that don't drink often. My friends and I go out to movies, out to eat (with no alcohol being ordered), bowling, etc. I have to say, I enjoy myself much more when i'm sober and clear-minded. Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites
Truthseeker-John Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 Drinking several beers is one thing - please don't get like myself who often drinks up to two bottles of Vodka in a day. If I try to cut down to much I get withdrawals and it is awful and it can damage my brain and if I go too long without a drink, I could go into convulsions which can kill me. It is fun at first but then it can become your worst nightmare... so please please people, be very careful with the alcohol because for some people it is a very powerful drug that can kill - and I gather in a very horrible way. Link to post Share on other sites
skydiveaddict Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 Drinking several beers is one thing - please don't get like myself who often drinks up to two bottles of Vodka in a day. If I try to cut down to much I get withdrawals and it is awful and it can damage my brain and if I go too long without a drink, I could go into convulsions which can kill me. It is fun at first but then it can become your worst nightmare... so please please people, be very careful with the alcohol because for some people it is a very powerful drug that can kill - and I gather in a very horrible way. Wow, two bottles? You need to see a doc asap Link to post Share on other sites
Clep Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 I really should have better will power, but I think I need to start with baby steps to help me say no. Anybody have any tips of tricks they have used to moderate and cut back? If you find will power to be noneffective and feel the need to ask others for advice as to how to cut down that is a red flag to me. I would probably check out an AA meeting if I were you. Link to post Share on other sites
Joe Normal Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 Anybody have any tips of tricks they have used to moderate and cut back? Yes - simply do not purchase or consume any alcohol again. Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts