A question about : No More Chardonnay for me! My booze-free Diary
Hello,
Well after being on the amazing Giving up/Cutting down on alcohol thread on this very forum for a few months now (if you would like to monitor/cut down/stop your alcohol consumption, give this amazing thread a look), I've now made the momentous decision (for me!) to join Belle's 100 day challenge and commit to cutting the booze out for at least 100 days. Well, I've joined her waiting list which is 25-30 days! 
I've started this thread as a diary for myself, because I enjoy writing and find it therapeutic. If no one reads it or contributes, that's fine, but it would be lovely to have some company along the way!
So, a little about me. I am a 45 year old mother of one teenager, plus three lovely step children. Since probably around the age of 15 I have boozed. It's been a massive part of my life. As a teenager I was very shy and would get very nervous about nights out so when I discovered that alcohol would take the edge off I got into the habit of having a couple before I went out and so the cycle began.
I am more of a social drinker - a binge drinker. I can happily not drink all week but once I start I find it very hard to stop. I now have health reasons not to drink. I found out 3 years ago that I had a problem with my kidney, which I was born with. I had surgery to fix it in November and will find out in a few months whether it's been a success. Luckily the other kidney is fine - and I want to keep it that way! Drinking definitely affects my kidney and having not had a drink for 9 days again I can really tell the difference.
I have also just started medication for anxiety - I should have done it years ago but guess what, I was put off by not being able to drink with it! 
This medication and alcohol don't mix and after debating for a year about stopping drinking, this has finally given me the kick up the backside to stop. The hangovers are also getting worse and worse in the past year and I now seem to have a very low tolerance to alcohol.
So.....Day 10 begins. I am feeling positive at the moment, although haven't had any major tests yet. The first one will be on Saturday night when I go out for a family curry but I've already arranged to drive, so that will knock any temptation right on the head! After feeling very positive, yesterday I was tormented by thoughts all afternoon about not being able to drink again. It started when my lovely husband innocently said but surely it won't hurt for you just to have the one now and again. I had to make it clear that I know I can't just have the one. On a night out, when everyone's drinking, having one would be torture to me. I would rather not drink at all. I really do think that would be easier for me!
Here's to a better day today! Going out for a run in a minute.
PS. I hope this thread has its place here as it will be saving me lots of money not drinking! 
Best answers:
- Oh, I will need to update my debt total too as will want to keep an eye on that. I think it stands at about Ј17,500 which has obviously gone up a lot but I do have a lovely new car to show for that. I lasted without one for a year but really do need one now and it will also help in my alcohol free quest!
Will update when I have a minute. - Thanks Shaggy!
- Good for you, making the decision is the biggest thing (something I haven't been able to do yet!), will endeavour to keep up with your progress, love these forums!
- Good luck with your new thread Chardonnay - I have added it to my 'subscribed' list and will be keeping up-to-date with your progress - hopefully we will still see you on the 'Giving up/cutting down' thread too?
- Hey Chardonnay, wishing you well and looking forward to following your journey (and keeping on with the giving up/cutting down myself) - subscribed.
DM - *subscribes*
Good luck with it Chardonnay!
When I told my OH I was knocking drinking on the head, he said, 'But you'll be able to have champagne, won't you?' I loved the fact that he still wanted us to share celebrations and now that we have, with me on the alcohol-free sparkling and beer, he's totally okay with it. And he absolutely loves the fact that we've never had to have a taxi since, which is another money saver.
It is so, so worth it once you get used to the new regime.
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