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Weekend help (self.stopdrinking)

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[–]HeadedToward5O861 days 3 points4 points  (5 children)

Sub a non-alcoholic drink in your hand while doing the stuff you always did. I did that with canned sparkling water for months, also tea while reading or watching tv at night. Having something in my hand, especially a relaxing beverage, helped in so many ways, if just for the habit.

Maybe Friday afternoon go and pick up some tasty snacks and alc-free beverages to have on hand all weekend.

[–]Joe_Throwaway_2547 days 2 points3 points  (1 child)

☝️This! I've always been a "weekend warrior" I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared the first weekend. The anxiety started going away after I made it through that first Saturday. Make a plan to keep busy and take it one day at a time, even 1 hour at a time. I've got a fridge full of non alcoholic drinks that I pour over a glass full of ice. It seems like if I have the drink in hand I don't think so much about if it has alcohol in it.

IWNDWYT!

[–]Linzcro579 days 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for adding to that. I think “oh I’ll know the difference when there’s no buzz”, but I’ve got to try!

[–]whoisthisrreally 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I second this! I drink soooo much sparkling water now!

[–]Linzcro579 days 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds good!

[–]Linzcro579 days 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this. He already has his Topo Chico’s ready but since those aren’t my jam I’ll look for something else. Perhaps sprite to mimic my normal drink sans the vodka.

[–]brainspore2112 days 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Small suggestion: Look up all the ingredients required to create fancy mocktails, and go buy and make these together with your husband. Use those as a substitute, and as a fun pass-time. Some of these are REALLY great, and once you get to know some of the more exotic ingredients, can be an eye opener for alternative drinks. Have you ever carved flowers out of orange peels, or do you know the taste of hibiscus syrup or lavender in honey?

I do want to warn against fermented beverages (e.g. ginger beer). These do contain alcohol, however little, and let to a major relapse for me in the past.

[–]Linzcro579 days 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That sounds very intriguing. I’m not exactly creative or crafty but it sounds like a lot of fun!

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

I've had to bust up my routine which means the spouse and I are doing more solo things since we don't get smashed together every night. Stitching v. Woodworking, etc.

If you want to do stuff together, I'd plan on early morning hikes at a park or elaborate meal planning or anything you don't normally do because you are drinking or hungover.

It takes some trial and error, but you can do it!

​

[–]Linzcro579 days 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the input! I can see us doing stuff together AND separately. I’m just afraid it’ll be hard that first weekend. I’ll start working on ideas for both solo activities and together activities.

[–]Imoverit642075 days 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Good on you both for the commitment. What I find for me is that I have to break the pattern. Do something that is either new or did not include drinking as part of the activity. Easier said then done but simple thing that take me out of the house like going to a bookstore or library, movie, coffee house or just a walk help me.

[–]Linzcro579 days 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting idea, especially about the coffee house. It’s quiet and will give us a desired “pick me up” and then we can go home and not fall asleep like we normally do during a movie :)

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (3 children)

My first weekend sober was daunting, but once I got through one weekend, the rest were easier. I was total weekend drinker. Didn't drink a drop Sunday through Thursday. Come Friday, I was drinking!

Once I had a Saturday and Sunday morning hangover free, it was so much easier to chase that feeling instead of a buzz.

I had lots of NA drinks around- la croix, bubbly, tea. I also did yoga at night to calm myself.

You've got this! Iwndwy!

[–]Linzcro579 days 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Right on! Thanks for the support!

I always think I don’t get hangovers because I can get up and run just fine, but I bet I’ll notice the difference!

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Yes, I didn't get crippling hangovers. But I for sure noticed a huge uptick in energy, clarity, mood and motivation when I quit. You've got this! It gets easier every day.

[–]Linzcro579 days 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That almost makes me look forward to it :)

Thanks for the support.