Normal Abnormal Drinker

At the start of 2007 my drinking was daily & heavy. Over the year it has become far less frequent. It was second nature to drink when not working. Now it is habit not to drink. I am far more likely to crave tea than alcohol.

As I write I haven’t had a drink in nine days and have done so almost effortlessly. I can’t tell you how good I feel both physically & mentally. Earlier I talked to an old friend who describes me as prone to depression. She sees the alcohol as a symptom of the mental state. What I now know is that it is the other way round. Take away the alcohol and feel 100% positive as nature intended me to be.

However I have not mastered moderation when I do drink. I have had some small successes but it requires concentrated effort and it is easy to slip up. I don’t have the control & it is certainly not habit. In fact my habit of binging is still with me.

So this years challenge is to drink moderately. I want this to become second nature. I am meeting my councillor tomorrow to create a plan for when I drink socially. I will make a stab at it now so I get the most out of this meeting.

Triggers - social awkwardness (especially groups), stress, tiredness.

General -

1. Drink in the afternoon or evening not both.
2. Don’t drink two days in a row.
3. Stay under the 21 unit weekly safety limit.
4. Avoid heavy drinkers (if unavoidable be extra wary).
5. Remember how good you feel now & how bad it has been.

Before Going Out -

1. Understand my tolerance & frame that within the timescale. What is my upper limit and how do I avoid breaching it.
2. Decide on my stopping criteria.
3. It is better to be a sober & awkward than drunk & a fool.
4. Eat
5. Read the rules

When Out -

1. Deal with triggers before drinking. Stress usually hits me in a wave which dissapates within thirty minutes. Breaking the ice, engaging in conversation, making a joke will make me feel more comfortable.
2. The first drink should be a soft drink. I tend to neck the first drink and thus set myself up for continued quick drinking.
3. Watch the speed. It should be measured against the slowest person. If your first your in trouble.
4. Resist peer pressure & don’t drink something you didn’t ask for. Ask for weaker drinks.
5. Stay atleast one drink behind (skip rounds & leave drinks rather than down, have a spacer not a chaser).
6. Obey stopping criteria.